How To Have An Eco Friendly Valentine’s Day

Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day, but for those of you who do, you might be wondering how you can make the holiday more sustainable. As you know, Valentine’s Day can create lots of waste. Many retailers profit from this holiday by promoting unsustainable products. Teddy bears, flowers, boxes of chocolates and gift sets are some of the most common gift ideas, but many of these contain plastic or are made with synthetic fibres. Valentine’s Day cards are another issue, since many cards are made with foil and glitter, which means they’re not suitable for recycling.

If you enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day, then there’s good news: You don’t have to miss out. There are many ways that you can enjoy the holiday without generating lots of waste. Here’s some tips on how to have an eco friendly Valentine’s Day!

Enjoy A Meal At Home Together

Eating a home cooked meal together is one of the most budget friendly ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But more than that, you can keep waste to a minimum by using up food you already have in the fridge or freezer. You could cook together to make it more enjoyable. To make it feel like a special occasion, you could also light candles and put some music on in the background. Showing your love for someone doesn’t have to be about showering each other in gifts. Often, a simple meal together is more than enough.

Book A Table At A Local Restaurant

If you don’t enjoy cooking or you simply want to eat out for a change, then consider booking a table at a local pub or restaurant. This is a great way to give back to the community and it usually involves less waste compared to ordering a takeaway. Remember to leave a good review to show your support!

Avoid The Classic Gifts

Most Valentine’s Day gifts are only designed to last a day or two. Not to mention the fact that many Valentine’s Day gifts end up in the bin, anyway. If you really want to get your partner a gift, make sure it’s something that you know they will use and appreciate. E-cards are a great eco friendly gift for Valentine’s Day because they prevent waste and have the least environmental impact. And most e-cards last for a year or two, so there’s no rush to spend it straight away!

Buy An Experience Gift

If you’re looking for more eco friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas, then I recommend buying them an experience. Some suggestions are theatre tickets, cooking classes, spa day, afternoon tea, a three-course meal, and a tour and tasting experience. Experience gifts are low-waste and often greatly appreciated.

Pick Sustainably Made Cards

If you want to give your partner a card, then you should avoid anything with glitter or foil because they’re not recyclable. Instead, look for cards that are made sustainably. This could include cards made with recycled materials or cards that are recyclable, plantable or biodegradable. If you have spare card and colouring pencils at home, you could make a handmade card instead. After all, using up what you already have is one of the most sustainable things that you can do. And most people will appreciate a handmade card!

Extra Tips On Having An Eco Friendly Valentine’s Day

• Recycle items properly (cards without foil or glitter can be recycled, along with certain plastic boxes and packaging)
• Ask your partner what they need to avoid unwanted gifts or experiences
• Consider creating and sending a digital Valentine’s Day card (this can be done using Canva, which is so easy to use!)
• If you’re eating in or eating out, try to save leftovers and eat them later (or the next day!)
• Consider avoiding gifts/cards altogether and simply enjoy each other’s company