Red Is Out, Green Is in This Valentine's Day

Ahh, Valentine's Day. It's sweet. It's romantic. It's ... a giant waste of paper and natural resources. 

Each year about a billion valentines are sent out. This makes it second only to Christmas for paper consumption. While I will concede that there are many souls out there who would be absolutely crushed if their beloved ignored the opportunity to bestow treats of chocolate and sappy greeting cards upon them, you might be surprised at how open they would be to some "alternative" ideas.

Here is a quick lesson in lessening the environmental impact of Valentine's Day.

Consider sending an e-card instead of a traditional greeting card to family and friends. If you are one to send a valentine to everyone from your butcher to your old next door neighbor, this is an especially good idea. If you must, save the paper card purchases for your spouse or significant other.

If an e-card simply will not do, consider buying a card with a heavy post-consumer recycled material content or better still, one made from one of the treeless paper alternatives available. There are several friendlier alternatives to paper appearing on the horizon. Many use fiber from plants such as hemp, bamboo and, in particular, kenaf.

Kenaf is a type of hibiscus, originating in Africa. It thrives in relatively poor soils and grows incredibly fast. An an acre of kenaf can produce up to 11 tons of fiber suitable for paper products in just one growing season.

Consider purchasing organic or Fair Trade certified chocolates and flowers as an alternative to traditional mass produced items. Fair Trade certification is designed to show the consumer that the items they have purchased have met with a set of stringent environmental standards, the minimum use and safe handling of agrochemicals, conservation of water, controls on gathering from the wild and deforestation, a ban on genetically modified crops and good soil management practices. It also ensures that the producer is paid a fair price for their labor and materials, and that workers, particularly children, are not exploited in the production process. It is important to note that not all organic certified products are Fair Trade certified, and vice versa. 

Instead of buying a random trinket made in some factory somewhere and sold at a tremendously overinflated price, consider purchasing a gift card for a service such as housekeeping, a massage, or a day at the spa. There are several holistic and eco-friendly spas in our area. 

Lastly, consider making a charitable donation in honor of your friend or loved one as a Valentine's Day gesture that will last well beyond the half eaten chocolates and wilted flowers.

Valentine's Day isn't just a great day to tell someone you care, it's a great day to show the planet that you care too.