Lily Mott
Contributing Writer
Valentine’s Day unites people in a shared celebration of love. Feb. 14 symbolizes the day to spread, share, and celebrate love, whether it’s romantic or not. However, does the love we experience include the planet we live on? Does the happiness we feel from gifts, flowers, and food come at the expense of the environment? Like most consumer-based holidays, these questions cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.
On a holiday like Valentine’s Day, people generally focus on the presents they buy without considering the environmental impact. Consider Valentine’s gifts — a beautiful bouquet (wrapped in plastic and a rubber band), a nice box of chocolates (covered in cellophane), or perhaps a simple card (also packaged in plastic). Although most disposable items come wrapped in plastic, some may argue that the importance of minimizing pollution comes from peoples’ everyday habits. A recent article by Anna Garrison at Green Matters highlights that Valentine’s Day generates more than 7.6 million square meters of plastic waste yearly in the U.S. alone, which is enough to cover approximately 800 blocks. It may be challenging for consumers to see how so much trash can come from small bouquets and chocolates, but these pollutants contribute to the growing argument that Valentine’s Day is harmful to the environment.
In addition to plastic waste, carbon emissions are higher than normal on this day. According to Plastic Oceans International, Feb. 14 alone accounts for nine million kilograms of additional CO2 emissions on top of the greenhouse gases already released into the atmosphere every day. From flower deliveries traveling thousands of miles to plastic-wrapped chocolates and candlelight dinners, this holiday of love leaves behind a big carbon footprint. Perhaps Cupid’s arrow isn’t just striking hearts — but the environment, too.
It’s easy to overlook plastic consumption during holidays, especially when it’s all in the name of love. The most meaningful gifts, however, are those that feel personal and thoughtful — ones that show love not just for a partner or friend but for the planet, too. Some might argue that they limit their excessive use of plastic and fossil fuels to a single event each year and remain mindful of their carbon footprint the rest of the time, but Valentine’s Day isn’t the only consumer-driven holiday. Think about Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving — just to name a few. In reality, this “splurging” happens almost every month.
A study by the Center of Biological Diversity in “Tackling holiday consumerism and environmental impact” highlights how many people feel compelled to buy gifts due to societal expectations. Perhaps the real issue isn’t purchasing flowers but the ingrained expectation of buying and receiving them. Considering these expectations, many may find more meaningful and sustainable ways to express care without contributing to excessive consumerism, such as creating homemade gifts or baking a cake. Additionally, this expectation can lead to unnecessary financial strain as people feel obligated to spend beyond their means to meet social standards. As students on a budget, a sustainability-based holiday could be the way to go.
While flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day are cherished and timeless traditions, many sustainable gift options offer ways to celebrate love without compromising our planet. While it may be easier to buy a bouquet and a bar of chocolate, it is far more thoughtful to create a sustainable gift that represents love for someone in a creative way.
Handmade gifts crafted from upcycled materials provide a meaningful and sustainable alternative to traditional presents. Unlike store-bought items that may contribute to waste, these creations require time, effort, and creativity, which offer a lasting expression of affection. Using recycled paper for cards or repurposed materials for decorative pieces reduces environmental impact while maintaining sentimental value. Upcycled crafts can suggest that such practices not only mitigate waste but also foster deeper connections through intentional and personalized gift-giving.
So, while roses may be red and violets blue, maybe next year, love could be a little greener.