Taking care of your pleasure products shouldn’t stop when they stop working. At Smile Makers, we design our vibrators to last, but like all electronic devices, they don’t last forever. And when that time comes, what happens next? Right now, there’s no clear answer. That’s why we want to break the silence and help people find real, responsible ways to dispose of their vibrators.
For so long, vibrator use was a taboo topic. While we’ve worked hard to bring that conversation out into the open, there’s still hesitation when it comes to asking, “What do I do with my old sex toy?” Try asking at a recycling center, and you’ll likely be met with confusion or awkward silence. We want to change that. No one should feel shy about wanting to dispose of their vibrator properly—taking care of the planet should be something to be proud of, not embarrassed by.
The unspoken issue: vibrators as E-waste.
Recycling vibrators isn’t something most people think about, and that’s exactly why we need to talk about it. Vibrators are part of self-care and wellness, but when they stop working, they don’t just disappear—they become e-waste, just like old phones or electric toothbrushes.
The problem? Hardly any recycling programs even acknowledge that vibrators exist. Toothbrushes? Yes. Hairdryers? Sure. But vibrators? Silence. This lack of guidance leaves people with no clear disposal options, which often means sex toys end up in landfills—something we should all work to avoid.
That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with BackMarket, a B corp marketplace that refurbishes tech to minimize E-waste. Together, we’re pushing this conversation beyond the sexual wellness space and into mainstream discussions about responsible product disposal. Because pleasure and care should go hand in hand—including care for the planet.
"Sex toys are part of self-care, but when they break, they don’t just disappear—they become e-waste, just like any other personal device. The problem? Most recycling programs don’t even acknowledge that vibrators exist. By working with BackMarket, we hope to push this conversation beyond the sexual wellness space and into the wider discussion around responsible product disposal. Because pleasure and care should go hand in hand." Samantha Marshall, Head of Brand at Smile Makers
A new approach: Less waste, more thoughtful consumption.
At Smile Makers, we take a different approach to product development. We’re often asked why we don’t launch new colors or flood the market with constant new releases. The answer is simple: we believe in buying intentionally.
Our goal is to create products that last—products that people truly love—rather than churning out ‘newness’ just for the sake of it. We want people to think about the full lifecycle of their sex toys, just like they should with any other electronic product.
That’s also why we design our vibrators to last longer than the industry average. Our vibes come with a two-year warranty, exceeding the industry standard lifespan of 1.5 years, because we expect them to go the distance. And if something does go wrong? We organize a pickup of the old product for inspection, sanitization, and proper disposal—ensuring we learn from every returned device to reduce future waste.
How to recycle your vibrator.
Recycling your vibrator isn’t as simple as tossing it into the nearest bin—but with a little effort, it’s entirely possible.
1. Disassemble it.
🔋 Remove any batteries and dispose of them separately according to local guidelines.
2. Find your nearest E-Waste Recycling Center.
♻️ Check local e-waste collection programs to see if they accept small electronic devices.
3. Be discreet (if you want to).
🛍 Place your vibrator in a non-transparent bag or box before dropping it off at a recycling point.
4. Get the conversation started.
💬 Bring it up in your group chat. Why not make it a collective effort? A group trip to the recycling center could be the next big self-care outing.
Where to recycle: a global guide.
Recycling regulations vary by country, so we’re building a global guide to responsible vibrator disposal, and we need your help. If you’ve found a reliable e-waste drop-off point, tell us!
United States
Many cities and states offer e-waste recycling programs.
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EPA’s Electronics Donation and Recycling: www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling
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Call2Recycle: www.call2recycle.org/locator
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Earth911 Recycling Search: www.search.earth911.com
United Kingdom
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations mandate proper disposal of electronics.
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UK Government Recycling Collection Finder: www.gov.uk/recycling-collections
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Recycle Your Electricals: www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/how-to-recycle-electronics
Singapore
Singapore has a comprehensive e-waste management system with designated drop-off points.
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National Environment Agency’s e-waste page: www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management
France
Eco-Systemes provides collection points for small electronic appliances, including vibrators.
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Find a drop-off point: www.ecosystem.eco
Germany
Local Wertstoffhof collection points accept electronic devices.
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Find a local recycling center: www.entsorgen.org
Why recycling matters.
🌱 Environmental impact: Recycling and reusing electronic waste reduces landfill pollution and prevents harmful materials from leaching into the environment.
📈 E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream: Electronics are one of the biggest waste problems worldwide, and sex toys are no exception.
🔄 Materials can be reused: Components from recycled electronics can be repurposed into everything from new electronics to playground equipment.
“Just like our everyday devices, sex toys contain electronic components and valuable materials which shouldn’t end up in landfills – but unfortunately do. At Back Market, we’re all about circularity and reducing e-waste, so teaming up with Smile Makers is a fun yet important way to tackle this issue and encourage much-needed conversations about sustainability in all aspects of life.” Luke Forshaw, Head of Brand at Back Market
Our commitment: making recycling easier.
At Smile Makers, we’re taking steps to simplify responsible disposal. For faulty products, our customer service team arranges pickups so old devices can be dismantled and inspected. Partnering with our manufacturer, we recycle materials and analyze defects to prevent waste in future production
But we can’t do it alone. The more we talk about this, the better solutions we can create together.
Let’s make change happen.
We know this isn’t a conversation many people have had before. And that’s exactly why we want to start it—together. We’re listening, we’re learning, and we want to make recycling vibrators easier for everyone.
So tell us: Where have you successfully recycled your old vibrator? We’re building a global guide to make responsible disposal as easy as possible.
Because your vibrators deserve better than landfill. And so does mother earth! After all, she comes first 😉.
