In August, an online sex toy store launched “the world's first sex toy recycling scheme.” Before you utter a justified “yeeeurch!” this promotion actually offers Rabbit vibe owners looking to upgrade their mechanical friends the opportunity to send their old vibrators to the company, where electronic parts can be removed and reused.

In launching the recycling scheme, Lovehoney complying with new EU regulations which say that retailers of electrical goods must offer a safe means to dispose of and recycle old products. Many of us may have heard of the new WEEE legislation in relation to new fridges or washing machines – but the publicity attending LoveHoney's promotion emphasises that the law applies to a range of other electrical goods too. It also raises the issue of ethics in relation to the booming market in sex toys.

Items that were once findable only in dark shop frequented by men in smelly macs, or via furtive catalogues, are now in Ann Summers stores on every high street or available through a multitude of online shops.

But what are the impacts on the environment, and where is this stuff made?
First up, some sex toys and a lot of 'rubber' dress-up gear are actually made from PVC, a form of plastic which is extremely environmentally damaging to produce, and which leaches out dodgy chemicals during its lifetime.

After major campaigns by groups like Greenpeace, the EU has barred PVC from items such as children's toys, so you may want to think twice about letting it too near more personal places!
For vibrators, look for silicon, which most higher-quality models will be made from anyway, or consider some of the aesthetically pleasing toughened glass dildos available from independent shops like women's sex toy store Sh!. Like many mass-produced electrical goods, it's also worth thinking about the working conditions for people making sex toys. An increasing number come from the same Chinese sweatshops that manufacture products more often criticised on workers' rights grounds, such as household appliances or toys.

Ethical sex 'emporium' Coco-de-Mer is one solution to this dilemma, selling a range of environmentally and socially conscious toys, including spanking paddles made from FSC-approved wood and luxury items handmade in the UK. Further afield (but available online and by mail order) are a wide range of toys from Vancouver's Womynsware, whose suppliers are vetted for good workers' rights and include a range of women-run and family-owned businesses. Their website also features a selection of useful articles on ethical and health aspects of sex toys.

And finally, to make sure you stay safe while having all this fun, don't forget Condomi, the vegan condoms, as available from many local whole food shops or online from Natural Collection