“Stamp” green “is booming and condoms are no exception. In recent years, the brand “green” have multiplied. In France, in natural food stores or some pharmacies are the Namnam strawberry or Birds’n Bees green Dr. Theiss. This Swedish brand says use only natural latex and its treatment products (for strength, finesse …) or washing. In England, the spearhead of the animal because there are no condoms certified treatment product of animal origin, such as Condomi or Glyde.

Across the Channel again, latex condoms have made a place on the shelves of fair trade. Since late 2007, the brand French letter sells coats manufactured in Germany and whose raw material comes from an industry fair in natural rubber production located in South Asia. Four models are distributed in shops ethical trade, pharmacies and sex shops: Aphrodisiac, Desire extended Sweet Caress Massage and exciting. Who said that ethics was not sexy? Surely not Martin Buckley, Co-director of the company, explains: “We felt there was an opportunity for a brand of condoms ethical and we have worked with the company Fair Deal Trading, which we sought for providers.” For Britain, there is no independent fair trade certification for latex. Just like a chocolate or coffee fair, small producers partner Fair Deal Trading affect a floor price for their latex: 50 euro cents per kilo dry.

The rubber tappers “are able to improve their living standards and build stronger communities”, Praises Martin Buckley, citing the installation of water pipes in homes to some of the workers Sri Lanka, or the establishment of a fund for education in a community in southern India. And that’s not all. The latex from this sector is also certified Fair (FSCForest Stewardship Council). Launched in 1992 by the WWF, it ensures sustainable forestry.

“Business case”

If the green condom begins to penetrate the market of the hood, it remains anecdotal. How many sales? It was unable to determine a market where even those of conventional condoms are suffused with mystery. Indeed, there are no national panels to measure. The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) Still believes that 10.4 billion condoms were used in 2005. As for the female condom, although it is rapidly increasing, it has been distributed worldwide to 25 million copies in 2007, according to the Female Health Company, the only manufacturer approved by the U.S. administration. As for performance, Manix ranks second in France with around 25% market share, just behind Britain’s Durex.

These manufacturers’ traditional “show little chatty on the exact origin of their latex. Trade secret relies Jean-Marc BlochThe head of marketing and communication Manix in France. “This is natural latex from rubber trees in Asia”Concedes there. Have FSC certification? Are there any agreements with producers? We will not know more. In any case, for him, ecologists manufacturers are not more “green” that the treaty: “They have only one point selling point. The condom is a product inherently green because from a natural raw material and renewable.”

Vulcanized STABILIZERS…

This time, Durex, the competitor had also sniffed: “As Claire, participate in sustainable development using Durex condoms. They are composed of a 100% natural latex”, Advanced the global leader in a campaign. Problem: The entire industry is not as “green”. On one page of the website of Australian band Ansell Manix owner, who described the condom manufacturing plant in Thailand, one could read: “To get the final product properties, a number of chemical components should be used as stabilizers, curing, antidegradants products and dyes.”

All this does not sound very natural. But according to the spokesman Manix, these chemical treatments refer only exceptional products. “We use molds and baths different depending on what is desired”Said he. Only since the mid-2000s, the exceptions seem to have become the norm. For a few years, the coats have taken all possible forms and flavors, just to erase their medical aspects to give them added value “pleasure” and, thereby, increase the price.

Because of the chemical cocktail in which they were soaked, most of the hood, made from latex, do not reveal more than their cousins biodegradable plastic (polyurethane). Do remember not to give up your French Letter Used in nature, after frolicking in the undergrowth. The sustainable and equitable trade mark is not producing a condom 100% “green”. “There is no natural lubricants to produce a condom with a sufficient lifetime justifies Martin Buckley. We use the Dimethicone”, A chemical harmful to the environment. No question no longer make the flush for a dustbin. “It is important not to throw them down the toilet, emphasizes the co-director of the company, because water preserves them.” Besides the treatment plants, which recover, do not appreciate.