Valentine's Day is often synonymous with compassion and affection. However, its focus on consumerism and disposable products makes it a particularly worrying holiday for the environment.

With the ongoing climate crisis, individual environmental responsibility becomes increasingly pressing. As we continue to hear troubling news about our oceans, microplastics, waste, emissions, and everything in between, many of us wish to avoid the throwaway culture.

Do you consider yourself part of this group? Here are some tricks that will help you be responsible this Valentine's Day.

Consider sustainable postcards instead of traditional ones

Most greeting cards found in stores compose substances such as glitter and glues, which are likely to end up in the ocean and are often consumed by marine wildlife. They release toxins into ecosystems and harm wildlife. One way or another, the deadly substances these papers are mixed with end up in food chains, ultimately affecting the health of humans.

For this reason, on this date choose sustainable postcards handmade by artisans. Doing this you spread love to your partner and to the people who made them, raising awareness about fair trade and the planet. 

Buy local flowers

Due to climate change, rose production continues to decline as roses struggle to adapt to the warmer climate. As a result, roses are being imported from other countries, such as the Netherlands, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ecuador.

In Kenya in particular, 60 percent of the flowers produced are roses. With $500 billion worth of flower exports in the country, the need to export quality flowers involves the use of pesticides in flower farms.

Pesticides are known to prevent the growth of specific flora, but they pose a threat to other organisms as soil and water in the surrounding environment become contaminated. As rose plantations in Kenya are located along Lake Naivasha, any organic matter reached by water can be hindered in growth and lifespan.

Like greeting cards, flowers are imported by aircraft that produce 3.16 kg of carbon dioxide for every 1 kg of fuel used. Consuming local flowers greatly reduces the overall carbon footprint.

To reduce such effects, opt for local flowers that are native to the region. This reduces the need for pesticides, as they are already adapted to grow successfully.

They are also more likely to thrive in the climate in which they are grown, and thus last longer than imported ones.

Learn about the origin of chocolates

The cocoa bean is the main ingredient in all traditional chocolate and is grown mainly in Africa.

These beans are harvested and then distributed to third-party companies. However, child labor and slavery have been shown to be in use in countries such as Cameroon, Guinea, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, among others. Workers earn less than a dollar a day despite being subjected to the harshest conditions.

In an effort to boycott these kinds of companies, fair trade chocolates are the best choice. These chocolates ensure that the companies undertake a sustainable and ethical model that guarantees fair pay to the workers involved in the entire production process.

Buy eco-friendly packaging 

Common plastic packaging takes hundreds of years to decompose. Some are burned to make room for other waste that releases toxins into the air.

Try to opt for packaging made from recycled materials or, better yet, reuse old packaging you have at home. This minimizes the need to buy virgin materials to create new packaging.

Celebrate this Valentine's Day by opting for eco-friendly solution and be part of the change.

Happy Valentine's Day from Kauri Team