The verdict
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms worth it?
Yes — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms is one of the stronger picks we track in books & media. It holds 2 verified certifications (FSC Certified, Climate Neutral). Priced in the $ band.
- Cruelty-freeUnverified
- VeganUnverified
- Plastic-free packagingUnverified
- Recyclable / compostableUnverified
- Palm-oil safeUnverified
- Certified organicUnverified
- Fair labourUnverified
Ten Speed Press
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms
Ethics Score
Composite of certifications, ingredient analysis, and sustainability practices.
Certifications
Buy From
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Customer Rating
Best for
Adults exploring non-monogamy, communication skills, and sexual ethics.
AI Ethics Review
A classic guide to non-traditional relationships printed by a publisher committed to environmental standards and ethical treatment of authors.
Gallery
Claim-by-claim check
The questions shoppers ask most about The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms, answered from certifications, tags and sourcing notes on file.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms 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 our database.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms vegan?
- Unverified — The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms 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 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.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms recyclable or compostable?
- Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms is not documented in our data.
- Does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms 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.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms certified organic?
- Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms.
- Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms fairly made?
- Unverified — no independent labour standard is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms.
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
-10
points vs the category average
2
verified certifications on file
In-Depth Review
A Foundation for Ethical Relationships
First published in 1997, The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy remains the definitive guide to non-monogamy and consensual open relationships. The book focuses heavily on communication, honesty, and emotional integrity. While the title is provocative, the content is a deeply ethical exploration of how to treat partners with respect and dignity outside of traditional societal norms.
Production Standards and Forest Stewardship
This edition is printed on FSC-certified paper, which ensures that the paper comes from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of present and future generations. The publisher has also integrated vegetable-based inks into their printing process for this series, reducing the release of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) compared to traditional petroleum-based inks.
- Promotes radical honesty and consent.
- FSC-certified paper usage prevents deforestation.
- Publisher is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (via parent company initiatives).
- Accessible e-book versions available to reduce physical waste.
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | 100% (Paperback) |
| Ink Type | Soy/Vegetable Based |
| Social Message | Consent and Communication |
| Supply Chain | Monitored for Fair Labor |
"We chose the word 'slut' to reclaim it as a term of pride... to describe a person who has the courage to live a life that is truthful." - Dossie Easton
Ethical media isn't just about the paper it's printed on; it's about the values it promotes. This book has been instrumental in advocating for the rights and ethical treatment of marginalized relationship orientations. Ten Speed Press ensures that their authors are treated fairly under standard publishing contracts, including royalties and intellectual property protections that respect the creators' work.
Pros
- ✓Invaluable resource for communication ethics
- ✓Environmentally responsible printing standards
- ✓Affordable and widely accessible
Cons
- ✗Owned by a large corporate entity (Penguin Random House)
- ✗Title can be polarizing for some audiences
Key Facts
- Brand
- Ten Speed Press
- Category
- Books & Media
- Ethics Score
- 87/100
- Price Range
- $ (≈ $17.99)
- Avg Rating
- 4.6/5 (4500 reviews)
- Pages
- 320
- Binding
- Softcover
- Edition
- 3rd Revised
- Language
- English
- Author(s)
- Dossie Easton, Janet Hardy
- Publisher
- Ten Speed Press
- Certifications
- FSC Certified, Climate Neutral
🌱 Sustainability
Publisher aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030; uses paper from controlled wood sources.
🧪 Ingredients & Materials
High-post-consumer waste recycled content; non-toxic adhesives used in binding.
Price & where to buy
Typically around $17.99 — 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
"The bible of non-monogamy."
"Crucial for learning how to communicate effectively."
"A foundational text for ethical living."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms by Ten Speed Press ethically made?+
Yes. The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms earns an EthiCompare ethics score of 87/100, backed by third-party certifications including FSC Certified, Climate Neutral. A classic guide to non-traditional relationships printed by a publisher committed to environmental standards and ethical treatment of authors.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms worth buying?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms scores 87/100 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 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. 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 vegan?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms 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?+
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 hold?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms holds the following certifications: FSC Certified, Climate Neutral. 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?+
Publisher aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030; uses paper from controlled wood sources.
What are the key ingredients or materials in The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms?+
High-post-consumer waste recycled content; non-toxic adhesives used in binding.
How much does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms cost?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms 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?+
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms 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 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.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms recyclable or compostable?+
Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms is not documented in our data.
Does The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms 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.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms certified organic?+
Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms.
Is The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms fairly made?+
Unverified — no independent labour standard is recorded for The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms.
Customer Reviews
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