Valentine’s Day Gifts that Support Environmental Causes

If you’re working toward lowering your carbon footprint and doing your part to help clean up the planet, then you’re probably curious about environmentally-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts, too. Below are some excellent examples of gifts that your loved one and the planet will appreciate.

A Coffee & Tea Subscription

If your significant other relies on that cup of coffee or tea to wake up in the morning, or if an afternoon cuppa is a requirement, then a coffee and tea subscription plan is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift – especially when it’s organic, sustainably-sourced, and in eco-friendly packaging. The team at Cusa offers a completely customizable subscription service, but it doesn’t end there; they also provide koozies and other additions that are sure to be appreciated and loved. If you’re interested, you can even try a free sample by filling out a short form on the company’s website! You’re only responsible for paying shipping and handling in exchange for seven to 20 servings of coffee or tea.

Potted Plants

Plants are the number one most important tool Mother Nature utilizes to remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere and replace it with clean air. If you thought about giving a bouquet of roses for Valentine’s Day, you might be shocked to learn that these roses are almost never sustainably grown and they’re generally packaged in an abundance of plastic. Instead, consider giving your loved one a potted plant. You can purchase a small terracotta pot for a few dollars at most, decorate it with earth-friendly paint, and fill it with a plant that is known for its ability to clean the air. The possibilities here are truly endless. The best part? The plant won’t wilt in a few days, and with care, it can last for many, many years.

Fair Trade & Organic Chocolate

The boxes of chocolates sitting beside the registers at your favorite local shops might look absolutely delicious, but the sad truth is that cocoa farmers are some of the most impoverished workers on the planet. Aside from the poverty, child labor and even slavery are not unheard of in the cocoa industry – and deforestation is a real problem. Fair-trade chocolate is the way to go this Valentine’s Day as it shows your support for responsibly grown and cultivated cocoa. You may pay slightly more for the box of chocolates, but it’s well worth the feeling that comes from doing your part to ensure cocoa farmers are treated fairly, children aren’t forced into labor, and entire forests aren’t demolished.

Try a Locavore Restaurant

If you’ve never heard the term “locavore,” you’re in for a real treat. A locavore is someone whose diet consists mostly (or completely) of locally-grown and locally-produced foods. When foods are shipped from overseas or from across the country – and many of them are – a massive amount of carbon enters the atmosphere from the transportation alone. Locavores are doing their part to reduce these emissions, and though it was once merely a fad, it’s become a movement. Locavore restaurants are popping up everywhere, so instead of taking your Valentine to a local steakhouse this year, consider looking for a locavore restaurant in your area, instead.

Bamboo Toothbrushes & More

WooBamboo is the world’s first Certified Plastic Negative oral care brand. Through their partnership with rePurpose Global, a portion of every product sale goes toward removing plastic from the environment around the world. Switching to eco-friendly and sustainable oral care products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss is an easy way to make a big impact. Supporting good environmental causes isn’t always about donating money to your favorite organization. In fact, in today’s day and age, choosing how to spend your money – and which companies to give it to – is the best way to clean up the planet. Celebrating the love of your life is important, but you shouldn’t sacrifice your love for your planet to do it. Try one or more of these ideas this Valentine’s Day!