7 Tips for a Sustainable Valentine’s Day

You don’t need to compromise showing your partner - or yourself - some love by opting for more eco-friendly, conscious ways of celebrating Valentine’s this year. We’ve gathered 7 simple tips and ideas to make your V-Day celebrations special and sustainable. 

Tip #1 - Gift houseplants (instead of flowers)
Not only can flowers be a bit chiché, conventional growing techniques pollute the environment with heavy pesticides and die soon after gifting. Potted plants can become a permanent addition to your home, can be locally sourced and naturally purify the air in your home. Some plants we recommend - for even the least greenest of thumbs - include the snake plant, aloe vera and ZZ plant. Or, gift a more romantic plant like the sweetheart hoya or miniature roses. Something different? Gift a fern - easy to take care of and an ode to the great romcom How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. 

Must buy flowers? Purchase from your local florist and ask for ones that are currently in season or grown locally.

Tip #2 - Send seeded cards
Valentine’s cards often come covered in glitter, plastic and other non-recycled bits. Instead, send a plantable Valentine’s Day card made from seed paper to give your card some life even after it’s been read. Or, get crafty and try making your own with this tutorial. With gifts also comes wrapping - instead of conventional wrapping paper and cellophane, try these eco-friendly ways to wrap your gifts.

Tip #3 - Indulge in fair-trade chocolate
Discover the world of eco-friendly chocolate that’s free of plastic packaging, encourages sustainable farming practices and better supports cocoa farmers. Look for organic and fair trade certifications on the bars, and feel confident knowing they are free from unethical pay, hazardous working conditions and detrimental environmental effects.

Tip #4 - Toast with a glass of organic or natural wine
Wine that you can feel good about? Opt for an eco-certified wine made from sustainably farmed and/or organic grapes and features no additives like sweeteners, sulfites or the use of pesticides. Look for labels that indicate certified organic, biodynamic or natural (sulfite free). Not only does organic wine taste just as good (and maybe even better) as a regular wine, it offers high ethical and environmental standards to make each sip better than the last.

Tip #5 - Gift virtual experiences instead
Looking to gift something unexpected that will not end up as clutter? Gift an online cooking class, workout session or educational membership. Or if you’re looking to do something together, try out a plant workshop.

Tip #6 - Forgo dirty gold (and diamonds)
Think twice about a shiny new piece of bling. Gold mining is a rather disruptive practice for the health and livelihood of the people, community and ecosystems involved. Similarly, diamonds and other gemstones are derived in similar practices.

Shop from companies that are transparent about their practices and have a more responsible and holistic approach to sourcing their gemstones and metals. We love finding recycled metal jewelry or local designers that use upcycled materials.

Tip #7 - Think twice about “sexy” (synthetic) underwear
Forgo the Valentine’s Day lingerie - often synthetic and downright uncomfortable - that may only get one wear. Instead, invest in the longer-term softness, comfort and cushiness for you and your bum.. Look for products made of 100% natural materials (organic cotton, linen, peace silk), rather than elastane, spandex or nylon that will end up in landfills.

Our pick?? 100% organic cotton undies that make us look good and feel good everyday.