Sex toys aren’t immortal, and even the best ones eventually reach the end of their useful life and have to be disposed of.
You might need to throw away a sex toy if:
- The motor stops working
- The silicone starts to tear or degrade
- The toy won’t hold a charge anymore
- The material starts to smell or become sticky
- You have upgraded, or simply don’t want it anymore.
Much like any other electronic device, sex toys don’t last forever. Even high-quality toys will eventually wear out with use (sometimes enthusiastic use) and have to be thrown away.
If your toy is damaged or the material has started to break down, it’s best to retire it rather than risk irritation or infection.
How to Dispose of Sex Toys Safely and Discreetly
Can You Chuck Sex Toys in the Bin?
Technically yes, but it isn’t always the best option.
Many sex toys contain silicone, batteries, electronic motors and plastic components which means they often fall into the category of small electronic waste, similar to things like electric toothbrushes or rechargeable shavers.
Throwing them straight in your main rubbish bin isn’t ideal for the environment.
Can Sex Toys Go in Your Recycling Bin?
In most cases, sex toys cannot go in standard household recycling bins. Most sex toys are made of various materials and when different materials are fused together like this, they can’t usually be processed through normal recycling systems.
The Best Way to Dispose of Sex Toys
Here’s how to throw away sex toys.
1. Remove The Batteries First
If your toy is an older-style one which uses removable batteries (AAA, AA etc), take them out before disposal and recycle them separately at battery recycling points which can be found in most supermarkets.
2. Recycle Electronics Where Possible
Rechargeable toys contain small motors and batteries, which means they can often be disposed of with electrical waste recycling.
Many UK recycling centres accept small electronics.
If you want to and have the tools, you can deconstruct the toy and dispose of the body in general waste, and the lithium battery etc with the electrical waste. Obviously be very careful with this – you do not want to injure yourself sawing a sex toy in half!
If you would prefer to dispose of it in one piece but you’re feeling slightly awkward about handing over a suspiciously shaped object – and I mean who wouldn’t?! – wrapping it in paper or placing it in a small bag will solve that problem quickly.
3. Silicone Toys Can Sometimes Be Recycled
Medical-grade silicone is technically recyclable, but unfortunately most household recycling programmes don’t accept it.
If the toy doesn’t contain electronics or batteries, for example dildos, strokers or butt plugs, it will usually need to go into general waste.
How to Dispose of Sex Toys Discreetly
Let’s be very honest, the main concern most people have when throwing away sex toys isn’t environmental policy; it’s the idea that someone might recognise what you’re throwing away.
If that’s a worry, the simplest approach is to clean the toy first, wrap it in paper or a small bag and place it inside another bag or box. After that it just looks like any other item in the rubbish.
I promise you, no one is inspecting your bins looking for abandoned vibrators.
Can You Donate or Sell Used Sex Toys?
If the toy is unused and still sealed, you can usually send it back to the retailer for a refund or sell it on.
Even if they’ve been cleaned thoroughly, most charities and second-hand retailers won’t accept them for hygiene reasons (I have heard from a friend that there is at least one charity in Brighton which does, however I cannot find anything online to confirm this!).
However the internet being the internet, there are several Subreddits where you can sell on sex toys, for example r/usedsextoys and r/usedsextoysuk. If your toy is still working and you just don’t get on with it, you could consider selling it on rather than throwing it away.
We sell tested and lightly used sex toys in our Sample Sale here (UK Only).
How Long Do Sex Toys Usually Last?
The lifespan of a sex toy depends on the quality of the materials and how often it’s used.
Roughly speaking:
- budget toys may last 1–2 years
- mid-range toys can last several years
- premium toys can last 5+ years with proper care
Rechargeable toys often stop working when the battery eventually fails, while silicone toys can degrade over time if they’re stored badly or exposed to harsh cleaning products.
If a toy stops working unexpectedly, it may also be worth checking whether it’s still under warranty before throwing it away.
When It’s Time to Replace a Sex Toy
If you’re throwing away a toy because it stopped working, it might be worth checking the warranty first as many premium brands offer warranties of one to five years, with the Satisfyer Pro 2 offering a whopping 15 year warranty!
For example, brands like Biird and LELO will often replace faulty toys within the warranty period.
If you’re deciding what to replace it with, you can also see our guides to:
At some point every sex toy reaches retirement, and as sad as that might be, the best approach is simple:
- remove batteries
- recycle electronics where possible
- dispose of the rest discreetly
It’s not the most glamorous part of owning sex toys, but it’s a normal part of the lifecycle of any gadget. And if you’ve worn a toy out completely, you can probably consider that money well spent.
Still Having Problems With a Sex Toy?
If you’re experiencing issues with a vibrator, clitoral stimulator or other toy, you’re not alone. Many common problems are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Our Sex Toy Troubleshooting Guide covers the most common issues, including toys not charging, suction toys not working properly, loss of power, irritation, numbness and more.
Read the full guide here: Sex Toy Troubleshooting Guide: Common Problems and Fixes.
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