A condom is the most effective method of birth control, but it is also necessary for safe sex. It can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases without affecting the sex.

However, disposing of a condom safely is also very important for various reasons. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of basic etiquette surrounding the use of condoms.

Why Is it Important to Dispose of a Condom Safely?

No one likes to see a used condom laying around, but unfortunately, almost everyone has seen one in the wrong place at the wrong time. The reason behind is simple: most people don’t discard a used condom properly.

A used condom is full of body fluids and can spread diseases if it is not disposed of properly. It is also not good for the environment to leave a used condom out in the open because it is no different from garbage. Just as you must put garbage in the bin, you should put a condom in the trashcan once it has been used.

Leaving a used condom in the open is unhygienic and can be dangerous for the environment. Used condoms can also spread bad smells in their surroundings, making the space unsafe for people.

Can You Flush Condoms Down the Toilet?

Most people think that the toilet is the best way to dispose of things that they don’t want to throw out in the open. But can you flush condoms down the toilet safely? The answer is simple: no, you cannot. Although it may seem like a simple and easy way to get rid of used condoms, it is not safe at all.

Even if you are at a hotel, it is best not to flush a condom down the toilet. If you are trying to be discreet, flushing a condom down the toilet should not even be the last option on your mind as someone will find it in the future.

Why Should You Not Flush Condoms Down the Toilet?

There are a number of ways in which flushing condoms down the toilet can go wrong.

Clogged Toilet

Most condoms are made of latex, which is nothing like the toilet paper that can go down the drain without clogging the pipes. If you flush a condom down the toilet, it will end up clogging the drain and you will have to call in a plumber to resolve the issue.

If you don’t want to get into an awkward situation with your plumber and spend money to get your drain unclogged, you should not flush a condom down the toilet.

A condom won’t clog your toilet straight away, which is why most people keep on using this method of disposing of condoms for a long time. But when the toilet does get clogged, the plumber has to come in and take out a year’s worth of condoms. That’s not only inconvenient but also embarrassing for everyone involved.

Unsafe for Aquatic Animals

Toilet water ends up in the sea, so it is best to not put any non-biodegradable items in it. Some condoms are non-biodegradable, which means they will stay in the water for a long time. Aquatic animals can try to eat them as food, which could endanger their lives.

Due to the way we dispose of many non-biodegradable items, fishes come packed with microplastics. Humans can end up falling sick when they consume such fishes. So, by putting condoms in sea water, we are not only harming aquatic animals, but also hurting ourselves.

Wash Offshore

Non-biodegradable items in sea water can end up washing offshore. If you go for a seaside picnic with your family, your kids might end up finding a used condom and decide to play with it thinking it is a balloon. In such a situation, you can’t blame your kids for playing with a used condom, but only yourself for flushing condoms down the toilet.

How to Safely Dispose of Condoms

If you can’t flush condoms down the toilet, how can you dispose of them? The answer is pretty simple: you can throw them in the trash can. However, you shouldn’t put a used condom in the trash can as it is. First, you should wrap the used condom in tissue or toilet paper, and then throw it in the trash can.

You can also tie a knot at the top of the condom before throwing it in the trash can. But only do so if you can avoid touching the fluids inside the condom. The reason behind wrapping the condom in a tissue or tying a knot at the top is to keep the fluids inside it. When a condom is disposed of properly, it won’t end up in random places or spread germs.

Are Condoms Biodegradable?

Whether a condom is biodegradable or not depends on the material it is made of. The majority of condoms are made of latex and can decompose in a short time once they have been deposited in a landfill.

But condoms that are made of non-biodegradable material such as polyurethane may never decompose. Even condoms that are made of latex contain impure rubber, which makes them non-biodegradable. Materials that are added to condoms to make them thin and comfortable can further affect their decomposition.

Are Condoms Safe for the Environment?

The answer to this question also depends on the material that a condom is made of. Since the majority of condoms contain impure rubber, they are not eco-friendly. However, certain condom manufacturers have started using pure latex to make their products eco-friendly.

There are also certain eco-friendly condoms for people who are allergic to latex. Only biodegradable materials can be used to make eco-friendly condoms so they decompose quickly without affecting the environment.

Always check the box before buying condoms so you know whether they are biodegradable or not. Knowing the material your condoms are made of will also help you dispose of them in the right way.

Are Condoms Recyclable?

Condoms can only be used once, which means they cannot be recycled. Safely disposing of a condom also means not putting them in the recycle bin. A used condom contains a lot of germs, which is why it must not be mixed with recyclable trash. Once a condom has been used, it must be deposited in the landfill along with other biodegradable materials so its decomposition can begin.

If you want to enjoy safe sex, don’t forget to use condoms. But it is important to use and dispose of condoms responsibly. Instead of flushing a condom down the toilet, you can safely get rid of it by throwing it in the trash can. It is also the best way to protect the environment and make sure that used condoms don’t end up on roads.