The verdict
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love worth it?
Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is one of the stronger picks we track in books & media. It holds 2 verified certifications (B Corp, FSC Certified). Priced in the $$ band.
- Cruelty-freeUnverified
- VeganUnverified
- Plastic-free packagingUnverified
- Recyclable / compostableUnverified
- Palm-oil safeUnverified
- Certified organicYes
- Fair labourYes
Ten Speed Press
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love
Ethics Score
Composite of certifications, ingredient analysis, and sustainability practices.
Certifications
Buy From
* Affiliate links help support EthiCompare's mission.
Customer Rating
Best for
Readers interested in relationship ethics, sociology, and sustainable emotional intelligence.
AI Ethics Review
A seminal work in non-monogamy and consensual ethics, printed by Penguin Random House (a B Corp certified subsidiary) using sustainably sourced paper and ethical publishing house standards.
Gallery
Claim-by-claim check
The questions shoppers ask most about The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love, answered from certifications, tags and sourcing notes on file.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love cruelty-free?
- Unverified — no third-party cruelty-free certification is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love in our database.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love vegan?
- Unverified — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love has no certified vegan claim on file; check the ingredient notes below.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love plastic-free?
- Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love recyclable or compostable?
- Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is not documented in our data.
- Does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love avoid problem palm oil?
- Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love certified organic?
- Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love carries an organic certification or organic-certified inputs.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love fairly made?
- Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
Ethics Breakdown
Each pillar is independently scored from public certifications, ingredient/material sourcing, and brand disclosures, then averaged into the composite Ethics Score above.
How it compares in Books & Media
Benchmarked against 3 other published products in the same category.
0%
of compared products score lower
-11
points vs the category average
2
verified certifications on file
In-Depth Review
Building a Foundation of Consent and Ethics
First published in 1997 and now in its third edition, The Ethical Slut by Janet W. Hardy and Dossie Easton serves as a cornerstone of modern interpersonal ethics. While many books focus on the 'how-to' of romance, this text focuses heavily on the 'why' and the 'how' of doing so without causing harm. It addresses the complex intersections of honesty, communication, and emotional responsibility. In the context of ethical media, this book is a primary example of content that promotes social sustainability and mental health awareness within the realm of human relationships.
High Standards in Publishing
Produced by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, this edition represents a shift toward more responsible mass-market printing. Penguin Random House was the first major consumer book publisher to achieve B Corp certification for its UK operations, setting a precedent for the global group’s commitment to social and environmental performance. This specific edition is printed on FSC-certified paper, ensuring that the physical product does not contribute to illegal logging or deforestation.
Structural Integrity and Sustainability
The manufacturing process for this paperback utilizes soy-based inks where possible and adheres to strict labor standards throughout the North American supply chain. By choosing a publisher with clear sustainability targets, consumers support a transition away from the historically wasteful practices of the 'pulp and dump' traditional publishing industry.
| Metric | Standard |
|---|---|
| Paper Stock | FSC Mix Credit |
| Binding | Glue-based (Recyclable) |
| Ink Type | Low-VOC Vegetable Blend |
| Author Royalties | Fair Standard Contract |
"Ethics are not a set of rules you follow to avoid getting in trouble; they are a way of life that respects the autonomy and humanity of everyone you touch."
As readers seek to align their personal lives with their politics, the media they consume must reflect those values. This book remains a top choice for those looking to deconstruct traditional power dynamics and build community-based support systems grounded in mutual respect.
Pros
- ✓Industry-standard for relationship ethics
- ✓Printed on FSC-certified sustainable paper
- ✓Published by a B Corp-affiliated parent group
Cons
- ✗Mass-market distribution uses significant shipping carbon
- ✗Some sections feel dated compared to newer queer theory
Key Facts
- Brand
- Ten Speed Press
- Category
- Books & Media
- Ethics Score
- 86/100
- Price Range
- $$ (≈ $18.99)
- Avg Rating
- 4.6/5 (5240 reviews)
- Format
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Ten Speed Press
- Dimensions
- 6.01 x 0.88 x 8.98 inches
- Page Count
- 352 pages
- Publication Date
- August 15, 2017
- Certifications
- B Corp, FSC Certified
🌱 Sustainability
Published by a division under a parent company with verified Carbon Neutral goals for 2030 and a commitment to 100% sustainably sourced paper.
🧪 Ingredients & Materials
Printed on FSC-certified paper using low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) inks; acid-free paper ensures long-term durability without yellowing.
Price & where to buy
Typically around $18.99 — prices change often, so check the live listing.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects the ethics score.
What Reviewers Say
"A life-changing manual on how to treat people with dignity."
"Crucial reading for anyone wanting to understand boundaries."
"The physical quality of the paper is excellent for a trade paperback."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love by Ten Speed Press ethically made?+
Yes. The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love earns an EthiCompare ethics score of 86/100, backed by third-party certifications including B Corp, FSC Certified. A seminal work in non-monogamy and consensual ethics, printed by Penguin Random House (a B Corp certified subsidiary) using sustainably sourced paper and ethical publishing house standards.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love worth buying?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love scores 86/100 on our ethics rating. That puts it in the upper band of the products we track, so it is a defensible buy on ethics grounds.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love cruelty-free?+
We have not verified a third-party cruelty-free certification for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love. See our Ten Speed Press verdict page for the brand's full animal-testing position.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love vegan?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love does not carry a certified vegan claim in our database. Check the ingredient notes above and the brand's own disclosure before buying.
What are the best alternatives to The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
We list higher-scoring books & media products from other brands on this page, and a full set of ethical alternatives to Ten Speed Press on its alternatives page.
What certifications does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love hold?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love holds the following certifications: B Corp, FSC Certified. These independent verifications cover sourcing, animal welfare, environmental impact, and ingredient safety.
How sustainable is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
Published by a division under a parent company with verified Carbon Neutral goals for 2030 and a commitment to 100% sustainably sourced paper.
What are the key ingredients or materials in The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
Printed on FSC-certified paper using low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) inks; acid-free paper ensures long-term durability without yellowing.
How much does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love cost?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is priced in the $$ range for books & media. Visit the retailer links above for current pricing.
Where can I buy The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is available from the brand's official website and major retailers. The product page above lists every verified retailer we track.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love plastic-free?+
Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love recyclable or compostable?+
Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is not documented in our data.
Does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love avoid problem palm oil?+
Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love certified organic?+
Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love carries an organic certification or organic-certified inputs.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love fairly made?+
Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
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