It's that time of year when we start to hear about red flowers and candle-lit meals. Are these Valentine's Day mainstays a long-term solution? It's all too simple for shop-bought flowers and fancy meals to wreak havoc on the environment.

Waste Generated During the Occasion

Valentine's Day has become one of the most important holidays globally. Because of the event's popularity, many greeting cards are mailed and delivered on the same day, virtually tying the world record most Christmas greeting cards are given.

According to The American Greetings Corporation data, Valentine's Day greeting cards account for 25% of all greeting cards distributed for various occasions each year. Chocolate is a typical Valentine's Day present, notwithstanding greeting cards. On Valentine's Day, almost 36 million heart-shaped chocolates are sold each year.

Although Valentine's Day is one of the most beautiful days globally, the garbage generated by the gifts given on that day is unavoidable. Let's picture how trash appears following the tremendous excitement in mailing chocolates and numerous other presents.

Green Valentines is now available as a more eco-friendly choice to reduce the amount of garbage generated on Valentine's Day. The goal is to maintain the excitement of the event high while reducing the amount of waste generated afterward.

Eat at Home

Christmas meal
cottonbro/pexels.com

The tradition of sharing a Valentine's Day meal with your significant other is a highlight of this romantic occasion. Are you ready to put your hands up and get your hands dirty in the kitchen? Here are some suggestions for making your plate a bit more eco-friendly.

It's a great way to make your Valentine's Day breakfast or supper more sustainable by making some or all of the spread vegan-friendly. Your date will be impressed by your culinary inventiveness as well! For some plant-based inspiration, take a look at these seasonal vegan supper dishes. You could even make a gift out of your meal prep by purchasing and following a recipe from one of these fantastic vegan cookbooks.

Eco-Friendly Candle

Candle
Screenshot from Amazon

Opt for an eco-friendly natural candle devoid of chemicals, such as the intimate aromatherapy tumbler candle, instead of a paraffin wax candle. A mix of raw materials and essential oils make up this delicious candle produced in the Kentish countryside. This candle has a gentle aroma of rosewood, frankincense, and ylang-ylang, making it ideal for Valentine's Day.

Paraffin is used to make most candles in the world because it has a pleasant aroma and is widely available. It's a by-product of petroleum refining used to create a variety of waxes, including the one used on apples that's food-safe. But it's part of a worldwide reliance on fossil fuels that are causing climate change and isn't going to be sustainable in the long run.

Enjoy Nature

Hike
Wikimedia Commons

Do you want to broaden your romantic horizons? Concerts, theaters, and mini-breaks can be costly, and they aren't required for eco-friendly entertainment.

Is it possible to arrange a bike trip in a natural setting near you? Cycling is a very environmentally friendly hobby that can be enjoyed from anywhere in the world. Even if you're in the midst of a metropolis, you're guaranteed to find a river or a park that you may take your sweetheart to. Do you lack a bicycle? Take a walk that is just as eco-friendly.