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The most romantic day of the year is tomorrow and if you’re not paying attention, Valentine’s Day can turn into a surprisingly wasteful event. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to help make the holiday more eco-friendly.
These are some easy steps to help make Valentine’s Day as sustainable as possible.
- Minimize food waste - We waste 119-billion pounds of food in the U.S. every year, which equals about 130-billion meals. Make sure your Valentine’s dinner isn’t one of them by saving leftovers for the next day.
- Recycle - Any cardboard packaging from Valentine’s Day gifts, the wrapping paper it came in, as well as bottles and cans from your cocktail creations can all be recycled.
- Look for sustainable gifts - If you’re still trying to decide on a gift for your boo, consumable presents are a good option. Self-care items that can be used up, like eco-friendly soaps, candles, tea with a reusable ceramic mug and fair-trade chocolates, would put a smile on any recipient’s face.
- Rethink your travel method - Sure, you could just hop in the car to go to your romantic dinner, but you could also try a more sustainable mode of travel, like public transport or a good old walk.
- Don’t just toss those flowers - Fresh cut blooms are a lovely gift, but they only last a short time. So once your Valentine’s Day flowers start to wilt, rather than pitching them into the trash can, why not compost them? That way they become a gift that keeps on giving.
Source: Metro