Happy Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s day! Let’s share the love with our planet!
Valentine’s Day’s most popular gifts have a larger impact than the one on your wallet- they cost the Earth as well. Valentine’s most popular gifts include candy, cards, flowers, and jewelry. These gifts have large impacts on our planet, so let’s look at some alternatives!
1) Sustainable gifts: Look for gifts in recyclable packaging or that are made with recycled materials. Make your own Valentine’s day card using recycled paper. See yesterday’s post on Valentine’s candy recycling for more!
2) Activity based presents: A night out, a cooking class, or a tree planting day are great Valentine’s gifts! Check out a local restaurant or visit your city’s Community Calendar to find fun activities in your area.
3) Supporting local: did you know that the production and transportation of a bouquet of imported flowers emits 71 lbs of CO2 into our atmosphere? Imported flowers contribute to atmospheric pollution, deforestation, and harmful labor practices. Instead of purchasing imported flowers, support a local florist and ask for flowers that are native to Michigan.
4) Thrifting: The thrift store is a great place to get Valentine’s decor and presents! Thrift a new necklace or bracelet for your loved one. Put together a basket of thrifted pottery or pair your local flowers with a thrifted vase.
5) Spread the love: Have you ever considered gifting a tree as a present? Many companies offer tree planting packages, but my personal favorite is Tentree. Offset your carbon emissions for a whole year or plant a tree in the Boreal forests by visiting this link.