Brits, it might be time to take a closer look in your bedside drawers.
According to a new sex wellness report, nearly one in 10 people hang onto their old sex toys for up to a decade, despite the fact that outdated or faulty gadgets could be ruining their pleasure.
unce 'tough decision'
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the study asked 2,877 people about their sex toy habits – and the results are both eye-opening and blush-inducing.
The research revealed that a quarter of Brits who own erotic devices have up to five tucked away in their drawers, while 66% keep just one or two.
But while many cling onto their trusty pleasure items for years, the findings suggest this could be hindering their experiences. Over half of those surveyed said their pleasure improved after investing in a shiny new sex toy.
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But despite this, most Brits confessed they hold onto tired sex gadgets until they’re completely worn out or broken – and in some cases, much longer than that.
Sex educator Alix Fox, who is supporting the campaign to encourage better recycling of sex toys, said: “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.
“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.”
When it comes to getting rid of old devices, many Brits are unsure where to begin. One in three respondents said they simply toss them in the household bin, while only 19% recycle their toys responsibly. But encouragingly, 59% said they’d recycle sex toys if they knew how.
Alongside their research, Back Market has partnered with Smile Makers, a global sexual wellness brand, to launch a national campaign focused on reducing the number of sex toys being disposed of improperly.
Together, they aim to tackle this issue by raising awareness of how to recycle personal gadgets correctly. Their initiative even offers shoppers the chance to trade in their old toys for something new, complete with a 10% discount.
Luke Forshaw, head of brand and marketing at Back Market, explained why the campaign is so important: “Our data clearly shows Brits hold onto their old sex toys for years because they just don’t know how to dispose of them.