Can You Flush Condoms? Apply our procedure and you won't run any risks

Among the barrier methods of contraception, condoms are one of the most effective. But they are also an effective method to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. One of the most outstanding features of the condom is that it is disposable; you put it on the penis, use it, take it off and dispose of it.

So, it is at this point that the question arises: Can You Flush Condoms? The truth of the matter is that there are environmentally friendly and effective methods for throwing away freshly used condoms. In All About Recycle, we will tell you what to do to avoid improper disposal of this product that is available to anyone in stores and pharmacies in the United States.

How do you dispose of condoms?

Surely, there is nothing more unhygienic and unsightly than leaving a used condom for anyone to see. After use, you must dispose of it properly so that the environment is not affected. Here's how:

1. First of all, take the condom out correctly

The first thing you should know is that used condoms represent a risk of pregnancy and of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted diseases. That's why removing it from the penis correctly is essential. To avoid spillage, remove the condom with the tip down. The next step is to pull the tip and carefully loosen the ring of this product.

2. Tie it off

For those who have doubts about this step, the best example we can use to illustrate the best way to tie a used condom is to tie it as if it were a balloon. Make a sort of circle very close to the opening. Now, pass the ring of the opening through the previously made circle. This step will reduce the likelihood of spillage.

3. Wrap the condom

Wrapping the condom with a piece of cloth or toilet paper will keep your hands clean. But also, it will avoid exposing the contents of the condom to others. This wrap will reduce the condom's contact with animals or insects.

4. Put the used condom in the trash

Once you have completed the above steps, the only thing left to do is to throw the used condoms in the trash bag. This is the best place to dispose of this latex-based product. This answers the question of whether or not you should flush condoms.

5. Take the garbage out to the street

It is important to take the garbage bag out to the street, especially because after a while, the used condom can emit unpleasant odours. This can be extremely counterproductive if you share a house or room with someone else. In addition to the stench, if someone looks at it in the trash can, they may get a bad impression.

Can you flush condoms in the toilet?

This is another recurring question. The need to flush used condoms in the toilet may be the easiest way out, but it is not the most appropriate one. That's why you should never do it, which you can confirm in the instructions printed on the packaging of this product.

The reason? A latex condom that you flush down the toilet can clog the pipe or affect the plumbing. As a result, you will have to enlist the help of a professional plumber who will charge a good amount of money for the services rendered.

Another reason why you should not flush your condoms down the toilet is that it affects the environment. If you are lucky enough for it to continue its normal course, it will not interfere with the flow of water in the pipes. But the latex will reach the ocean, lakes or rivers, affecting the ecosystem.

It is also not advisable to dispose of this type of product outdoors. For the same reason, forget about throwing them in the woods, in the street, in the park or on the beach. If they are carelessly left outside, a child could touch them with their hands, which, undoubtedly, is unhygienic.

In addition, animals, such as dogs or cats, can bite and choke on them. It should be considered that they cannot decompose easily, which is why they will remain longer than normal in the environment.

It is not compost, but it is not recyclable either

As we have already referred to, condoms should be thrown in the trash after removing them from the penis safely and wrapping them in paper. Avoid throwing them in the recycling garbage can, as they cannot be reused. The same applies to aluminium foil wrapping. Together with the condom, dispose of it as we said above.

Because they take a long time to decompose, it is better not to use them as compost. They will linger under the soil for a long time unless the smell attracts some animals that decide to dig them up and expose them. This turns out to be a danger to wildlife, especially if they ingest them.

Can I throw away all condoms?

Yes, condoms are disposable after use, regardless of the material they are made of. There are models made of polyisoprene, latex, nitrile and polyurethane. Each of them must be discarded using the same technique.

The only difference between each of them is, of course, the materials with which they have been created. Here are some of them:

• Latex condoms are the most commonly used, as they are less expensive and more resistant than other models. However, they can cause allergies in some people.
• Polyurethane condoms are usually more durable than latex condoms. If you are allergic to latex, this can be an excellent alternative. The downside is that they can be a bit more expensive and brittle.
• If you buy a nitrile condom, you will have the same sensation as with a latex one at the time of sex. It is also very inexpensive.
• There are also polyisoprene condoms, made by processing latex. They generate fewer allergies, but there are probabilities of risk. Of all, they are the most expensive.

It doesn't matter which condom you choose when you have sex. The most important thing is that they are all disposable (not recyclable) and require the same methodology for disposal.