How sex toys, condoms and lubes can be sustainable while keeping your lovemaking healthy and fun, and the people practising it
- A trend towards ‘greener’ sex is seeing items like sex toys made of wood, fair-trade rubber condoms and vegan lubricants become more popular
- People like 25-year-old Kate Hall share their journeys towards sustainable sex online, including the bumps in the road
When wood craftsman James Prior opened a wood shop in 2014, an acquaintance suggested a novel product line.
“Wooden dildos! I chuckled a bit at first, but then I thought about how unique and interesting it sounded,” says Prior, a technical sales professional in the US state of North Carolina. “I loved the idea of carving abstract art that people enjoy in a way that’s more personal than just staring at a painting or statue.”
He started an online store on Etsy, called Craving Wood, specialising in sex toys in abstract shapes handmade from responsibly sourced woods.
“Many of my customers like that each piece is unique and others choose wood because they are allergic to plastic and/or have worries about chemicals used in more mainstream [sex toys],” he says.
He was surprised at how quickly sales took off, with orders coming in from around the world. The response reflected not just an appreciation of Prior’s craftsmanship, but also a growing interest in sustainable sexual wellness products.
