Brits are being urged to recycle their old sex toys as new research reveals almost one in 10 people hold on to their dusty vibrator for up to a decade before replacing it.
Even more shockingly, half (50%) of Brits have never replaced their sex toys.
The results come from a survey conducted by the global leader in refurbished tech, Back Market.
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With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the company asked 2,877 people about their sex toy habits, with very interesting results.
A quarter of Brits who own erotic devices said they have up to five goodies in their drawer, while 66% own just one or two sex toys.
Although most participants said they tend to keep using intimate gadgets until they’re worn out or broken, many of them admitted that by stubbornly hanging onto defective, under-performing or out-of-date toys, they could be cheating themselves out of orgasms.
Over half, noticed some improvement in their pleasure after investing in a new sex toy.
The findings also revealed that many people are not clued up on how to dispose of their old goodies.
One in three simply chuck them in the household bin.
Only 19% said they recycle their sex toys, while 15% said they put the products in storage even if they don’t use them anymore.
Interestingly, 59% of participants said they would recycle a sex toy if they knew how to properly do so.
Cost-wise, over half (53%) of participants spend up to just £20 on an adult product.
Among the rest, 41% would spend up to £100, while only 7% would treat themselves to a luxury item at £100+.
Sex educator, Alix Fox, who supports the campaign, said: “If your ancient rabbit is hopping along lamely on its last legs; or your wand vibrator has gone from ‘magic’ to ‘tragic’ because it refuses to charge any longer and has been gathering dust and dulling your lust ever since – please: don’t reach for the refuse bin – recycle instead.
“Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled, but people are often too embarrassed to do the right thing with old sex toys, even though they wouldn’t feel the same shame about other intimate devices such as sonic toothbrushes or bikini line hair trimmers.
“The truth is, discarded sex toys are becoming an unnecessary part of the e-waste problem – and it’s time we gave them a proper send-off.”
The sex wellness report has been released alongside Back Market’s national campaign with Smile Makers, the global sexual wellness brand that sells vibrators, to reduce the amount of old sex toys being disposed of incorrectly.
And to encourage Brits to boost their pleasure as Cupid comes knocking, they are also offering shoppers the chance to trade in their old models for a new one – complete with a 10% discount.
“Our data clearly shows Brits hold onto their old sex toys for years because they just don’t know how to dispose of them,” said Luke Forshaw, head of brand and marketing at Back Market.
“Just like our everyday devices, sex toys contain electronic components and valuable materials which shouldn’t end up in landfills – but unfortunately do.
“At Back Market, we’re all about circularity and reducing e-waste, so teaming up with Smile Makers is a fun yet important way to tackle this issue and encourage much-needed conversations about sustainability in all aspects of life.
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