Sustain-a-ville

The month of love has arrived! While February is a great excuse to tell the ones we love how we feel, it’s good to be mindful of how this holiday can be consumer driven and how we can celebrate in ways that still get our message across without having a negative impact on the planet.

So how can we celebrate Valentine’s Day the zero waste way? Whether your Valentine is your other half or a gal pal, here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Gift a potted plant instead of cut flowers

Did you know that most cut flowers that are sold in the U.S. are imported from other countries? I hate to think about the impact of all those flowers being shipped around the world so we can have roses on Valentine’s Day. Also, who decided roses were the most romantic flower, anyway? Doesn’t it seem more romantic to give a plant that will keep living longer than a couple of weeks? I digress but consider giving a potted plant over cut flowers as a show of the longevity of love and a symbol of your love for the earth.

2. Hand make or repurpose cards

If you’re feeling crafty and have some supplies lying around the house, consider making a card rather than buying one. This is also a great option for kids who bring Valentine’s cards to school. Another great way to save on cards is to repurpose old ones – just use the front or cut out pieces of one you’ve received and create a brand new one with some scissors, glue, and construction paper (credit to my mom who started doing this recently!)

3. Opt for fair trade chocolate

Did you know that most chocolate in the candy that we eat is made from cocoa beans that were harvested under poor conditions? Both poor conditions for the crops, which are over harvested, and for the people. Fair trade chocolate will come at a premium compared to the big bags you find at the grocery store but it guarantees their crops were raised sustainably and the workers were treated better.

Another benefit here is that often times fair trade chocolate can be found wrapped in paper and aluminum which can be recycled instead of plastic wrappers that end up in a landfill.

4. Local artisan jewelry

Instead of something mass produced, try looking at local small businesses and for artists who make their own jewelry. Not only are you more likely to find something unique but supporting small businesses in this way can make a hug difference in their success. It also cuts out the waste from shipping and mass manufacturing.

5. Bake cookies

Even better if this is an activity you and your Valentine can do together. Quality time + baking cookies = true love (as far as I’m concerned). Not only do you know everything that goes into them and skip out on all the preservatives, but you also get to decorate them just how you like and measure those chocolate chips with your heart rather than what the package says 🙂

6. Give the gift of an experience

Whether that’s tickets to a concert, a couples massage, or just a nice dinner out, these gifts will be memorable without collecting dust on a shelf at home.

7. Light some non-toxic candles

Trying to create ambience without cheap, store bought decorations can be as simple as lighting a few candles. But did you know that many scented candles release harmful chemicals when lit? Specifically, candles made of paraffin wax, which is a byproduct of petroleum. These candles release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are also found in paint and cleaning supplies. Not exactly what comes to mind when you light that vanilla-scented candle. While the dose you would inhale from a candle may not be enough to actually impact your health, better to choose organic candles that are either unscented or scented with natural essential oils.

8. Wrap gifts using recycled and/or recyclable materials

Most wrapping paper and gift bags can’t be recycled so once their job is done, they are bound for a landfill. But consider saving the old wrappings from gifts you’ve received and repurposing them to wrap your gifts this year. You could also try wrapping your gifts in newspaper, which is compostable, or look for wrapping paper that specifically says it can be recycled.

Whatever you decide on this Valentine’s Day as the appropriate token of your love, shop local or hand make what you can! Those two practices are great ways to give gifts with less of a carbon footprint. And if you do make or buy something, think first about what that item’s life will look like after the holiday is over. Is it bound for the trash or something you can repurpose or save to use again next year? The most eco friendly things on this planet are the items we already own.