Going green just got hot
Making its move to the bedroom, earth-cool has inspired the adult industry to make playtime eco-friendly.
By Lord Martine

Sep 10 | archive | subscribe

Now you can put that green thumb to use in other ways. Mother Nature has a G-spot, too.

Pioneering the Green Sex movement is the famed, San Francisco-based, Good Vibrations (GV) adult toy and accoutrement boutique. Their experts guide us through the taboo, so that we may all become enlightened pleasure guardians. Each of their four stores - two in San Francisco; one in Berkeley; and one in Brookline, Massachusetts - carries a variety products that are natural, vegan, or rechargeable.

Behind the scenes, Good Vibrations has a special committee who’s primary objective is to design and maintain their recycling program—this also applies to customer returns and other discards. “We recycle all of our discarded original vendor packaging,” Judi Baker, GV content manager, begins. “We recycle all used batteries, as well. And our company gives out free $20 commuter passes, each month, to staffers.”

Let’s talk about Green Sex.

Greenpeace has called a ban on the use of phthalates – which are chemical plasticizers believed to be hazardous to humans and the environment - in adult novelties. Phthalates are used to soften PVC and plastics. It’s already been banned from children's toys in the US and Europe. Good Vibrations is one of the firsts to support the ban on all products containing the toxic offender. In their stead, the sex shop provides a diverse selection of silicone vibes and dildos.

To protect from phthalates and the harmful effects of porous toys, Good Vibrations suggests the use condoms on play things - or any toys shared with multiple partners. Once a porous toy (one that is not silicone, coated wood, metal, acrylic, or glass) is used, bacteria can get into the pores. When you use this toy again, that same bacteria will be re-introduced to sensitive areas. There is no way to keep these porous toys bacteria free.

To help identify phthalates-free and porous products on the display wall, Good Vibrations has created an icon that will appear on the packaging of insertable, rubber and plastic items.

Dead battery frustrations be gone! Good Vibrations carries a myriad of rechargeable vibrators eliminating wasteful, contaminating batteries forever. These stimulating earth angels go by: Sinful Vibes, Emotional Bliss, Lily, Form 6, Nea and Acuvibe.

Although Green Sex isn’t defined as exclusively vegan, Good Vibrations makes a certain effort to offer non-leather options. These numbers are made with reusable materials so that they may be exercised over and over and over again.

Thank you, madam. May I have another?

Their collection of animal product-free harnesses will make you twitter. An exceptionally comfortable style is made of Lorica – a microfiber that acts like natural leather skin, but is stronger, softer, lighter, and has better moisture protection. The Lorica harness is available in jock-style (two leg straps) or g-string (one strap between the legs). The pussycat harness is a red and silver glitter vinyl beauty. They’ve even got velvet harnesses (which they say is an excellent choice for first-timers).

Trade your old model in for a modern neoprene cockring. You trust your wetsuit to this material -- why not to your cockring? Experience the ultimate in comfort when you slip on this soft, machine-washable male push up bra.

If you promise to eat your organic veggies, you just might earn a spanking with their Devil’s Hair Teaser. The wand of discipline is the sexy spawn of the riding crop and a devil's hair whip. The 15-inch black plastic handle gives good reach. The rubber devil's hair tails render the gamut from slap to tickle.

Who’s your daddy?

Good Vibrations makes it their business to maintain your ebb and flow with vegan lubricants. O’My Flavored Lubricant is sugar-free, water-based and contains no artificial flavors or colors. O’My is particularly great for women with sensitivities, because it contains vegetable glycerin and hemp which discourages yeast growth. Sensua organics offers a rare, all-natural, organic formula that remains slicker, longer than other natural lubricants. This water-based love potion is concocted of certified organic ingredients such as aloe vera, grapefruit seed extract and vitamin E. Hydra Smooth is creamy, long-lasting, glycerin-free, unscented, opaque in color, is hypo-allergenic and pH balanced.

Good Vibrations offers a massage candle made of soy. These candles set the mood and render a warm, luscious soy-based massage oil! Burn the candle, blow out the flame and drizzle the melted soy wax on your partner for a sensual massage. Don't worry about burns, because the soy melts at a lower temperature than regular wax.

Or try their French Vanilla all natural massage bar. Simply rub it in your hands or over your partner's skin to melt the bar into a creamy, soothing massage butter.

Good Vibrations also suggests that Tantric sex - Hindu or Buddhist sexual practices and rituals - could perhaps arouse a greener allure. Books they offer on the subject include: Tantric Sex for Women; Heart and Soul of Sex; Tantric Lover Game; and Essential Tantra.