On recycling condoms

09 Jan 2006

Got questions about the environment? Ask Umbra.

For the sake of argument, how does one recycle condoms? Unused they are plastic of some sort? I know it's a bit silly, but don't you just hate to have to flush them and all the water that goes with?

Flavia S.
Milan, Italy

Ask Umbra continues below

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Dearest Flavia,

In brief: condoms are generally made of latex and are not recyclable. (Though the actual recyclability of Milan condoms may be a question for the Milan Recycling Bureau, not yours truly.) Used condoms would be revolting if gathered in bundles and shipped to a reclamation plant, so don't feel sad. But do stop flushing them: in addition to wasting water, they'll end up as sewage solids, and the sewage staff will just have to pick them out and put them in the trash themselves. More revolting. Of course, using condoms can itself be an environmentally positive act, so hurrah for that!

Uh ... no.

Photo: iStockphoto.

Now I shall also use your question to assess the success of last year's New Year's resolutions (I know it's a week late, but I bet you're still working on your resolutions, too). At the beginning of 2005, I resolved not to answer questions about recycling or trash, and I did fairly well, I think. Whether any of you noticed is another issue, but I was happy to just look at questions such as this and place them in my never-opened "trash and recycle" folder.

"But why?" ye trash lovers ask. Recycling is a great gateway environmental concern, but we have bigger fish to fry, my friends. Every question I answer about recycling small consumer items -- including condoms -- simply encourages us all to keep worrying about recycling small consumer items. I know I'm not supposed to say this, but who cares? I mean, why spend energy on condom disposal when we could spend it on disposal of distasteful politicians?

I also tried to avoid discussing widgety objects of small consequence in 2005. Did less well there. You all are just darned good at writing enticing letters, and widgets are far more entertaining than nuclear power. Looking over the year, I did focus on some widgets, as well as the automobile, the home, and occasionally climate change. I hope a few of us cut down on our personal carbon emissions, or followed one letter-writer's lead and adopted Kyoto for our very own.

I did not adopt Kyoto, because I was too self-absorbed. Isn't that just the problem with us Americans? So I have resolved to be less self-absorbed for at least part of 2006. I do not yet know what Grist research resolutions will come this year, but I welcome suggestions. And I feel a quiz coming on. Like a rash.

Thank you all for reading, and may we all have smaller eco-footprints in the coming year.

Cheerily,
Umbra

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Please send Umbra any nagging question pertaining to the environment -- but first check out her FAQs!

The claims made in this column may not reflect the views of this magazine. Neither the magazine nor the author guarantees that any advice contained in this column is wise or safe. Please use this column at your own risk.

Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

Comments: (5 comments)

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Where the rubber meets the road

Thanks for a much needed chuckle, and the enviro-logic in this piece is spot on. The graphic is priceless.

by cabbagehead at 4:16 PM on 09 Jan 2006

Condom-drum

The conundrum of whether or not to recycle condoms is an interesting one. But, because recyling is always the last option (reduce, reuse, recylce), we just might be more effective by REDUCING our condom use instead....

Many people already do this using natural family planning (NFP). NFP is a form of birth control that charts a woman's natural cycle (using temperature and mucus) to determine when she is fertile; thus eliminating the need for condoms and the waste they bring with them.

If done correctly, this can be just as effective as condoms at preventing pregnancy. However, because it does not protect against STDs it is ideal for people in long term monogamous relationships. You can begin charting your cycle in conjunction with a medical professional or you can purchase books to get you started at any bookstore. It might take more time up front, but in the long run many believe it is worth it. In addition, many people trust it more than birth control pills.

by danyelma at 9:21 AM on 10 Jan 2006

When the rubber hits...

I hate to admit that I've pondered on this flushing issue as well...

What I've ended up doing is leaving them outside to dry. Hopefully in a place that can't be seen or touched by the wind. Hate to see your old condoms 'tumbleweeding' down the street. They dry up in a day or two, then you can comfortably toss them in your waste basket. Or plant them to grow more environmentalists!

by Tree Hugger at 9:23 AM on 10 Jan 2006

RE: condom recycle

as a worker at a wastewater treatment plant, let me assure you that NO ONE goes fishing for rubbers!

the product eventually winds up in an anerobic digester and is reduced to sludge.

microrganisms (the bugs) are busy surviving in a body-temp "black hole" tank and can't make any judgements, especially on food choices.

as long as a handy toilet is near, down they go!

that's life.

the more i learn, the less i know...

by tirebyter at 5:32 PM on 12 Jan 2006

recycling condoms

There exist many ways of recycling used condoms.
I was deeply shocked finding out of a man from Singapore with some unique taste. He has an odd collection from hundreds of the used "snowdrops of love" on his bathroom window.Neighbors downstair have been complaining about his gross act for a while. Some of the condoms are rotting from the sun, and when it rains, the water washes the condoms causing them to drip on the neighbor's windows.
In the Guangdong province in China Green-minded entrepreneurs take used condoms and recycle them into elastic hairbands, which are then sold at local beauty salons.
But if you don't share above mentioned ways of recycling used condoms you simply can follow the rule of not flushing them down the toilet and recycle these plastic items along with soda bottles and similar products.

by Amfora at 11:43 AM on 25 Feb 2008

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When the Rubber Hits the Road