How Do You Dispose of a Dildo?
A practical UK guide to disposing of a dildo responsibly, from discreet household disposal to recycling schemes and material-specific guidance.
Shop DildosWhether your dildo has worn out, you are upgrading, or you simply no longer want it, knowing how to dispose of it properly matters both for hygiene and for the environment. The right method depends on what your dildo is made from and whether it contains any motorised components.
Does a Dildo Count as Electrical Waste?
Non-motorised dildos, those made purely from silicone, glass, steel or plastic with no battery or charging component, are not classified as electrical items. They can be disposed of as general household waste, though with some care for discretion.
Vibrating dildos and any dildo with a motor, USB charging port or battery compartment are classified as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) under UK law. These should not go in general household waste and instead need to go through proper e-waste disposal channels.
Disposal by Material
| Material | Motorised? | Disposal Route | Recyclable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone (no motor) | No | General waste or sex toy recycling scheme | Sometimes, not all facilities accept silicone |
| Borosilicate glass | No | General waste (wrapped safely) | No, specialist borosilicate glass is not kerbside recyclable |
| Stainless steel | No | Scrap metal recycling centre | Yes, take to your local household waste recycling centre |
| Hard ABS plastic | No | General waste, check local recycling | Possibly, depending on local facility |
| Black plastic | No | General waste only | No, black plastic cannot be read by optical scanners |
| Vibrating dildo (motorised) | Yes | WEEE recycling, local tip or sex toy recycling scheme | Through specialist e-waste recycling |
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Shop NowUK Sex Toy Recycling Schemes
The Natural Love Company operates the UK's first dedicated sex toy recycling scheme, known as The Second Coming. They accept toys of any brand, not just their own, and process them through standard e-waste recycling to separate metals, plastics and circuit boards for reuse. To participate you need to have made at least one purchase from their website. Toys are sent to their Cornwall address.
Some other retailers periodically offer recycling programmes as part of sustainability initiatives. It is worth checking with the retailer you purchased from, as these schemes are becoming more common as awareness of sex toy waste grows.
For those who prefer not to use a specialist scheme, the WEEE recycling point at your local household waste recycling centre, the same one that takes old mobile phones and kitchen appliances, will accept motorised sex toys. There is no obligation to explain what the item is.
How to Dispose of a Dildo Discreetly
If you are putting a non-motorised dildo in general household waste, wrap it in an opaque bag, a black bin liner or a double layer of newspaper, before placing it in your outdoor bin rather than an indoor one. This is simply considerate rather than essential.
If privacy at home is a concern, disposing of a wrapped toy in a public bin while out on a walk is a perfectly reasonable option that many people choose.