“Green” Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and, for some, is the most romantic day of the year, when we celebrate with the person we love the most. Another thing we love unconditionally is our planet and we want to do everything we can to preserve and protect it. Want to see how you can have a “green” V-Day? Start reading!

Find a card alternative. Valentine’s Day has the highest sales of greeting cards throughout the year, second only to Christmas. That’s a whole lot of trees! Try to opt for cards made from recycled paper, send a Valentine’s Day eCard or even a plantable Valentine’s Day card, made from 100% post-consumer waste and embedded with wildflower seeds; just plant it and watch the flowers grow!

Purchase local flowers. South America is a large exporter of roses, the most popular of flowers on Valentine’s Day. Pesticides are largely used by growers, and let’s not even begin to discuss the chemicals used to preserve them, as well as the toll it has on the environment to ship.

Buy fair-trade chocolate. Instead of the usual box of chocolates, another way to show someone you care (and indulge in their sweet tooth) yet still keep our world happy is by buying fair-trade chocolate. Fair-trade products are usually made without harsh chemicals and are made by hand rather than in large factories that emit CO2 emissions, among other things. They may not come in a fancy heart-shaped box, but the good it’ll do for the earth is worth the minor sacrifice.

Toast with eco-friendly wine. Before proposing a toast to your relationship, take a look at what’s in your wine glass; it’s likely not our environment’s buddy! What makes a wine eco-friendly? Anything from being made with certified organic grapes, to being made at a local vineyard, to being sold in aseptic packaging, which is more lightweight than bottles, making transport simpler and reducing carbon emissions. Visit your local liquor commission; there are more organic wines out there than you think!

Cook dinner together. Eating out at a restaurant is a nice treat, but with the massive pairs of couples eating out on February 14th at every single hot-spot in town, it makes you think of all the meats, fish, veggies and other ingredients making their way to the kitchen and the toll it has on the environment. So why not purchase some organic or locally-grown ingredients and spend some time together in the kitchen?

Go for candlelight. When enjoying your above home-cooked meal, be sure to set up some candles at the table—as well as all around the house for ambiance—so as to save energy.

Take public transport. If you do decide to eat out for a fancier feast, try taking public transportation instead of the car. This will also allow you to not stress over finding a parking spot, as well as allow you to drink to your heart’s content!

Wrap his gift in recycled paper. A great way to save some paper and help the environment is by wrapping them in recycled and homemade gift-wrap. Also, if you make cookies or any other baked goods for the gals at the office, why not put them in fancy, reusable tins?

Wear enviro-friendly lingerie. Valentine’s Day isn’t your typical tee-and-sweatpants night, and you want to wear something special for your guy. Have you tried organic lingerie? Made with recycled materials and natural and sustainable fabrics—and without pesticides!—it is both earth-friendly and absolutely sexy. (Our fave? Stella McCartney’s line of organic lingerie, available at Holt Renfrew stores.)