Whether you celebrate Valentine's Day or not, it is hard to ignore the amount of waste the holiday generates. 

A large portion of the environmental impact of Valentine’s Day is due to disposing of flowers (mostly roses), packaging, and cards. Not to mention the over-supply of stuffed toys, the majority of which end up in landfills.

Luckily for those of you who LOVE to celebrate, making Valentine’s Day eco-friendly is just a few changes away. Here are some of our tips to make sure the gifts you buy (or make!) do more good for the ones you love and our planet. 

Make your own cards: Most of the cards sold in mainstream stores are not recyclable. Make use of paper and cardboard scraps and make your own Valentine's Day cards. 

Gift a potted plant: Instead of buying a bouquet of flowers (which will at best last a week), gift a forever plant. You can even choose plants that help clear out pollutants in your home.

Gift an experience: 
Cook a meal you both like to enjoy, watch a favourite movie, take a class together (cooking, dancing, photography) or spend the day in nature (did anyone say picnic in the dessert?). Checkout these unique and planet-friendly Valentine's Day ideas by The Ethicalist. 

Shop from ethical & sustainable sources: There are tons of sustainable and ethical local options here in the UAE, from ethically sourced and made jewelry to vegan leather goods. If you're going to shop, opt for homegrown and ethical businesses. Some of our favourite places to shop for special gifts are The Botanist for plastic-free & toxin-free home cleaning.

What are some of your favourite ways to celebrate Valentine's Day?