Sir Richard's Condoms Do Double Duty
Image Credit: Sir Richard's Condom Company
From giving out free condoms to fight climate change to natural latex condoms that help preserve the Amazon, TreeHugger has seen some great examples of condoms that do more than just promote safe sex. But when I wrote about the planned release of Sir Richard's Condoms, I asked whether they would be the most ethical condoms on the planet. From sustainable packaging, through recycling programs, to donating one condom for every condom sold, this was an impressive initiative. The only trouble was, as some commenters pointed out, not a single pack had made it to the stores. Until now, that is...
That's right. After a long period of product development and setting up distribution channels, Sir Richard's Condoms have finally launched on the US market. Describing itself as "the world's first sell-one, give-one condom company", the idea is to promote safe sex in US markets while also providing condoms in developing countries:
"Unlike other condoms donated to developing countries, Sir Richard's condoms will be printed in the primary language of the region they will be distributed and branded to ensure cultural relevancy and usage. Sir Richard's will initiate the condom donations in Haiti, where healthcare providers have expressed a need for more free condoms to suppress a likely increase in new HIV infections since 2010's natural disaster."
As mentioned in my earlier post, the company is not just pushing its ethics through altruism. Sir Richards is also promoting a positive, empowering attitude to sexuality that steers clear of the typically sexist, sleazy branding so prevalent in the sector. The condoms are available now through Fred Segal, Paul Smith, Whole Foods and Viceroy Hotels, as well as Sir Richard's own website.
No word yet on their reported recycling partnership with Terracycle that I mentioned in my original post, but we remain hopeful that if it is on the cards it will focus on the wrappers, not the product itself...
More on Sir Richards, Condoms and Sustainability
The Most Ethical Condoms on the Planet? Sir Richard's Condom Company
Giving Out Condoms to Fight Climate Change May Not Be Daft
Amazon Condoms to Preserve the Rainforest
