You have probably already dealt with condoms – but also with their production conditions and ingredients? Utopia shows what sustainable, fair and vegan condoms are and where you can get them.
Everyone probably buys condoms at some point in their lives. We just assume that most of them do it rather hectically or ashamedly, without thinking too much about where the products come from. It’s worth it.
Most condoms are made of natural rubber latex. This is obtained from the latex milk of the rubber tree – basically a natural product. However, rubber production mainly takes place in Asia, Africa and South America – and both the working conditions of the plantation workers and the environmental impact are sometimes problematic there. So it makes sense to pay attention to fair trade and sustainable cultivation conditions.
Since allergies to latex are possible, there are also latex-free condoms. These are mostly made of polyurethane – a petroleum-based plastic.
Eco test found in the last test of 2010: Although all condoms provide reliable protection against pregnancy and diseases, not all of them are harmless: some contain harmful substances such as allergy-causing latex proteins and potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines.
What are vegan condoms?
Shouldn’t all condoms be vegan? Unfortunately, they are not: When processing raw rubber into latex condoms, most manufacturers use casein (milk protein) as an aid. Even if there is nothing left of it in the finished condom, the product is not considered vegan due to the use of casein.
Vegan condoms do not use casein in the processing and instead use vegetable substances: The manufacturer Glyde, for example, uses a thistle extract that fulfills the same tasks.
The number of vegan condom brands is still manageable. Most of the companies also value sustainable and fair production conditions. We present some of them.
(Photos: © Fair Squared)
Fair Squared: Vegan, fair, Made in Germany
Fair Squared started in England in 2011, but is now based in Cologne. The Condoms by Fair Squared are among the first in the world to be made from fairly traded natural rubber latex. The condoms will made in Germany.
- The latex for the condoms comes from a sustainable plantation in Tamil Nadu in southern India. Fair Squared is a member of Fair Rubber e.V., which has set itself the goal of improving the working and living conditions of the producers.
- The natural rubber for the Fair Squared condoms comes from fair trade: The producers receive a fair trade bonus, which is used to improve the living and working conditions of plantation workers and their families.
- The condoms are vegan and cruelty free; they have been awarded the Vegan Society’s vegan flower.
- The Fair Squared condoms are free from colorings and flavors. “Original” and “Ultrathin” are coated with silicone oil.
- In addition to condoms, Fair Squared also offers menstrual cups and an extensive range of cosmetics. This is Fairtrade and Natrue certified, vegan and halal.
Sources of supply**: There are fair squared condoms e.g. at Avocadostore, Ecco Verde or Amazon.
Price: 4.95 euros / 3 pieces, approx. 8 euros / 10 pieces, 39.95 euros / 100 pieces.
(Photo: © www.einhorn.my)
Unicorn: the vegan “Fairstainability” condom
The condom start-up Einhorn already gained some popularity in 2015 through the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”. At that time, nobody wanted to invest there, but the founders raised enough money for their business idea by crowdfunding with their plan to develop fair, vegan condoms.
Einhorn already sells a lot of condoms today – but the founders stand by the fact that they are not yet completely sustainable. “We know that we are still at the very beginning. At the same time, we want to be transparent. We therefore honestly say that we still have a long way to go before we can offer a real fair-stability condom. ”
- The company already pays its Thai rubber farmers above average, does without the use of pesticides, and attaches great importance to preserving biodiversity.
- Einhorn is currently working on ensuring the traceability of rubber through the entire supply chain. Einhorn also wants to define criteria for sustainable rubber cultivation and ensure compliance with them on site; this should include both environmentally friendly cultivation methods as well as safe working conditions and fair wages.
- Unicorn commits 50 percent of the profits in his “fair stability” work the effort to make production as socially and environmentally compatible as possible. This is how it is caused CO2 balanced.
- Unicorn condoms are made of natural rubber latex and vegan. No animal ingredients are used and no animal experiments are carried out.
- The condoms are coated with lubricant made from pure silicone oil.
- The packaging is designed with pictures and illustrations by well-known artists.
- In addition to condoms, Einhorn also offers sustainable period products.
Sources of supply**: The condoms are available as single packs (7 pieces) and as savings packs (3 -10 packs), e.g. at dm, online in Avocadostore or at Amazon.
Price: approx. 6 euros / 7 pieces, approx. 35 euros / 7 bags (49 pieces)
(Photo: © Till Kaak / Releaf)
Releaf: condoms and trees
The Hamburg start-up Releaf offers vegan condoms – and plants a tree for every condom sold.
- The condoms are made of natural latex. The rubber for this is harvested on plantations in Malaysia, and condoms are also produced in Malaysia. Releaf works with the same producer as Einhorn.
- The condoms are thanks to the absence of casein vegan and free from animal testing. The brand is certified by PETA as “cruelty-free and vegan”.
- The condoms are coated with a lubricant made of silicone oil.
- For every condom sold, Releaf leaves plant a tree. For this, the company works with the NGO Eden
Reforestation Projects together. The stated goal is to plant 50 million trees in this way by 2025. - Releaf claims to work fairly and pay workers. According to the company, the employees of the production company in Malaysia are paid above average.
- The raw latex currently comes only partially from fairly managed plantations. Releaf supports the production company in creating fairer and more sustainable conditions along the entire value chain.
- The FSC certification of the entire supply chain is in progress.
Sources of supply: The condoms are available in 9-packs in the Releaf online shop.
Price: 9.99 euros / 9 pieces
Glyde: vegan condoms from down under
(Photo: © Glyde Health / avocadostore)
Glyde is an Australian company that was one of the first to produce vegan condoms.
- The condoms included no substances of animal origin, are produced without animal additives and without animal experiments. you are awarded the Vegan Society’s Vegan Flower.
- The condoms are made of natural latex, in the processing a thistle extract is used instead of casein, which fulfills the same tasks.
- The natural rubber for the condoms is said to be on a sustainably managed latex plantation in Malaysia harvested. The plantation has existed for over 100 years. Trees that are no longer productive are replaced by new trees that are extracted from cuttings from older trees. This means that no rainforest is cut down for new plantations.
- According to its own statements, Glyde “works with environmentally conscious Fairtrade partners who are committed to fair working conditions and payment of workers.”
- All flavors are made from natural food-grade plant extracts, and the colors are made from natural plant and flower extracts.
- As a lubricant, the Glyde condoms are coated with a thin layer of pure silicone oil.
- In Australia, the manufacturer of the Glyde condoms supports various AIDS aids and health projects worldwide with products and part of the proceeds.
Sources of supply**: The condoms are available in four sizes and many flavors, you get them in a pack of 10. They are available online e.g. at Avocadostore, Amazon.
Price: approx. 8 euros / 10 pieces
Even better condom brands
- With “Pro Nature” the well-known condom manufacturer Ritex offers a small sustainable (re) product line. The condoms are made of FSC-certified natural rubber latex. The FSC is committed to sustainable forestry worldwide and guarantees minimum social and ecological standards. The condoms are made with green electricity in Germany. The box consists of a mix of grass fiber and recycled paper. Sources of supply **: Drugstore or online e.g. at DocMorris or Amazon. Price: approx.5.50 euros / 8 pieces
- The condoms from Fair guardian consist of “100 percent fair trade latex” according to company information; The latex is therefore obtained from small farmers under fair conditions. The condoms are vegan and certified by the Vegan Society. They are produced in Germany. Sources of supply **: online at Avocadostore or Amazon. Price: approx. 10 euros / 12 pieces
- The condoms from My condom are vegan and consist of fairly traded natural rubber latex according to the standards of Fair Rubber e.V.. The producers receive a fair trade premium. Sources of supply: own Online shop or Amazon**. Price: approx. 2 euros / 3 pieces, 7 euros / 12 pieces, 15 euros / 40 pieces.
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