Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and although it’s a great day to show others how much we love and care for them, we could all do with showing the planet some of this love and care instead. With all the balloons, glittery cards, themed gifts and bouquets of flowers, Valentine’s Day can be just as much of an environmental disaster as Christmas. However, this needn’t be!
Obviously the best way to save on waste this Valentine’s Day is simply to not take part, but that’s only possible if you and your partner both agree to not celebrate (and stick to it!). But if you are keen to show your loved ones some love, what can you do to celebrate sustainably?
Scrap the wrapping paper
If you read our Christmas blogs, you’ll remember that only some wrapping paper can be recycled. Anything with glitter or foil on? Forget it. So if you don’t fancy buying recyclable wrapping paper, the best thing to do is to avoid using it entirely. Or have a look in your bag of gift bags in the cupboard to see if you can re-use one of those!
Avoid the musical cards
They might be fun, but musical or light-up cards aren’t great for the environment, containing batteries you may not even think about when disposing of them. Because of the hazardous materials they contain, these batteries can cause a lot of harm to the planet if they’re not recycled properly and end up in landfill. Look for simple, recyclable cards, or even make your own if you’re feeling crafty! Don’t forget that it’s the message inside that matters the most.
Buy a living plant
Undoubtedly one of the most frequently-bought gifts on Valentine’s Day is a bouquet of flowers. But with the plastic wrapping surrounding these pre-cut flowers, these aren’t the most sustainable option. Instead, why not buy a potted plant? Not only do these often come with less packaging, but they’ll also last much longer, so you can watch these bloom instead of wilt!
Give up the physical gifts
When you’ve left it until the last minute, it’s tempting to just pop into a supermarket and buy a teddy or something else with hearts on. But, you guessed it, these aren’t always good for the environment in the long run (and aren’t always appreciated!). One great alternative to buying a physical gift is putting aside some money for a trip or buying an experience or meal out instead.
Take a look below at our sustainable gift ideas for some inspiration!
Sustainable gift ideas
- Vintage or pre-loved clothes, books, or jewellery
- Long-lasting clothing (e.g. wool gloves or a wool hat)
- A piece of local art
- Locally-made jewellery, clothing or homeware
- A digital subscription (e.g. audiobooks, streaming services, or online workout classes)
- A digital gift card
- Money for a trip or experience
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