Green Your Valentine's Day

This Valentine’s Day, don’t forget about Mother Earth. Here Sierra Club tells you how to make your loved one feel cared for even while you’re tending to the other loves of your life.

Tip #1: Make a commitment.
Thinking of proposing a lifelong commitment this Valentine’s Day? Do it. For as little as $20, you can sponsor a wild place in honor of your loved one’s favorite outdoor space, whether that be Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, or the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Your investment will go directly toward preserving those majestic places so they can last for eternity, and you’ll nab a certificate of sponsorship, plus a few other goodies. If you chip in a bit more, you can get your sweetheart a Muir-style rucksack or a stuffed animal representing the species that’ll be more secure thanks to your gift.

Tip #2: Let love blossom.

It’s little-known, but the flower industry is pretty environmentally destructive. To minimize your impact, consider ordering an organic bouquet. Better yet, pluck some peonies from your own garden or bike over to your neighborhood’s farmers’ market to buy a locally grown burst of color (make sure to ask the farmer whether what you're buying is free of pesticides). Remember, too, that a potted plant always lasts longer.

Tip #3: Choose chocolate consciously.

Valentine’s Day is a veritable boon for chocolate companies. Ensure that you’re supporting the most responsible confectioners by buying organic, local, or shade-grown. And if you can, resist the convenience of that frilly heart-shaped box with all those individual paper wrappings tucked into a plastic mold. Instead, go for a less packaged (but just as romantic) option.

Tip: #4: Wrap it up.

Monogamy seems greener than the alternative — think of all that rubber saved from the landfill. But if you’re not there yet, and are trying to do your part to prevent overpopulation, consider contraceptives from a company that offsets its carbon footprint. Always choose latex (biodegradable) over polyurethane (not biodegradable), and, to keep the seas clean, never flush either down the toilet.

Happy Valentine's Day!