She comes first: Help Mother Earth by recycling your old sex toys

Did you know the average lifespan of a sex toy is just 1-2 years?

Of course, this can depend on the amount you spend or how well you look after it… but if you’re looking for a new buzz, we’ve got a way for you to discard of your old dildos without screwing the planet.

For a limited time, we’re partnering with two standout sexual wellness brands – Passage du Desir across France and Smile Makers across the U.S. and UK – to show you why it’s so important to recycle your old sex toys instead of chucking them straight in the trash. 

More about our partners

Passage du Desir has built a cult following in France with its pioneering approach to intimacy for all genders. Since launching in 2007, the brand has become known for its fun customer education on social media, as well as its wide selection of high-quality toys and accessories, of course.

According to the company’s founder Patrick Pruvoex, sex toy sales exploded by 74% in 2020 when the world shut down and people had more time on their hands. And they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

“PDD is dedicated to fighting against couples’ routines,” says Director of Operations Emmanuelle Blanc Brun. “We offer gifts and ideas to spice up your relationship, help people discover their own sexuality, and also to expand your playing field to trigger your imagination.”

Comparatively Smile Makers – who sell their goods across 4,000 retailers worldwide – launched in 2013 in a bid to destigmatize sexual health and pleasure. So far sooo good, because it’s estimated that in the year 2025, 118 million sex tech devices are in use worldwide. "For so long, vibrator usage was a taboo topic, and while we’ve helped bring that conversation out into the open, there’s still hesitation when it comes to asking, ‘What do I do with my old sex toy?’ Try asking at a recycling center, and you’ll likely be met with confusion or awkward silence," says Samantha Marshall Head of Brand and Marketing at Smile Makers. "We want to change that. No one should feel shy about wanting to dispose of their vibrator properly—taking care of the planet should be something to be proud of, not embarrassed by."

And not a fun one, either. To curb overconsumption, both brands have made a commitment to sustainability, but it’s difficult to recycle sex toys because of mixed materials, biohazard risk, and lithium batteries. Not a lot of recycling programs are available and there is a lack of standardization — meaning that it’s not always clear to consumers that toys can be recycled.

To make disposing of your toys that much easier, Smile Makers have curated a short list of recyclers across the UK, U.S., and France so you can chuck your toy away guilt-free.

Your o-face, her e-waste

Her being Mother Earth, of course. Did you know that in 2022, approximately 68 million US tons of e-waste were produced worldwide, with small devices – including toys, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, and e-cigarettes – accounting for about 33% of this total? That figure is projected to double by 2050.

A lot of that tech ends up in electronic waste dumps in areas like Accra in Ghana where it’s disposed of legally and illegally. Not only have these mountains of discarded tech transformed the rural landscape with swirling toxic smoke but the poor air quality has serious knock-on health effects for locals. Making a conscious effort to not throw your tech away takes us one small step closer to improving the environment and future landscape.

How you can get involved

Here’s what’s in it for you. From February 10, Passage du Desir is offering Back Market customers two options to get their devices recycled plus money off. Kerching.

“Passage du Désir and Back Market have partnered [to promote sustainability] and to give your beloved device a second chance,” continues Emmanuelle Blanc Brun. “It’s easier to give a second chance to your sex toy than to your ex.”

1. If you drop your toy off in-store at one of the brand’s 20 national locations, you’ll receive a 5-euro voucher valid on your next purchase.

2. If you want to send your device online, ship it to the following address, and Passage du Desir will send you 10 euros to cover shipping costs.

Les Ailes Pourpres

18 Rue du Clos Barrois

Zone Portuaire

60180 Nogent-sur-Oise

France

For those based in the U.S. or UK, Smile Makers is offering a tasty 20% off for customers who spend over £100 or $100. Just use code Back20.

Enjoy.