A condom is a device most commonly used during sexual intercourse. It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner. Condoms are used to prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

Are you someone who practices safe sex in order to protect yourself and your partner from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases? Do you see yourself as someone who is responsible in your sex life, and as a person who thinks first before doing any actions? Well, you may be very safe when it comes to your health and you are most probably responsible with your sexual partner's well being if you answered yes to both, but have you ever thought about how the production and disposal of condoms actually impact the environment? Protecting yourself from diseases is one thing, but protecting our mother Earth from getting sick is also just as important, if not more important.

The first thing that you should be considering is if whether or not you dispose of your condoms by flushing them down after use. This is a practice that people should really stop doing. Aside from contaminating the toilet area, it also gives issues with regards to the disposal of latex.

Latex, which is the material used for most condoms, is actually biodegradable as long as it is not in water. So avoid throwing them down the bowl or any other body of water. Other factors may change the characteristics of latex, like spermicide or non water-based lubricants.

Also remember that polyurethane condoms are non-biodegradable, and all condoms used or unused will not be recycled by any recycling center. Lambskin condoms are the most biodegradable, but will only protect from unwanted pregnancies. Lambskin condoms should not be relied on for protection against diseases.