Show the Earth Some Love This Valentine’s Day
From eco-friendly gifts to volunteering together, discover easy ways to care for the people you love and the planet you share.
Valentine’s Day is almost here! February 14 is all about celebrating love and showing the special people in your life how much you care.
And like you, we think it is also a great time to show the Earth some love.
Traditional Valentine’s Day habits such as flowers, cards, gifts, and food can create more waste than we realize. But with a few thoughtful swaps, you can celebrate in ways that are just as meaningful and much more sustainable.
We’ve put together 7 simple tips for an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day with no sacrifice on the lovey-dovey stuff required.
1. Skip the bouquet and give a potted plant instead.
Many cut flowers travel long distances and have a surprisingly large carbon footprint. A potted plant lasts longer, brightens your home, and keeps on growing. Try easy-care options like aloe, snake, or spider plants. You could also plant seeds together for a sweet shared activity.
2. Keep it sweet with fair-trade chocolate.
Choose chocolate that is ethically sourced and better for farmers, forests, and wildlife. Look for a fair-trade certification on the wrapper. It is a win-win.
3. Make a homemade card.
Skip store-bought cards and write a heartfelt note or create something yourself. A personal touch means more and uses fewer resources.
4. Choose recyclable or reusable wrapping.
Many wrapping papers are not recyclable. Opt for plain paper, reuse newspaper or fabric, or skip wrapping altogether for a zero-waste gift.
5. Share a local meal.
Support local farms and restaurants to reduce your meal’s footprint. Cook at home with farmers market ingredients or plan a cozy picnic.
6. Help kids create eco-friendly classroom cards.
Use recycled materials or make DIY valentines together. It is a fun way to teach sustainability early.
7. Show your sweetheart and your community some love.
This Valentine’s Day, consider proposing something different by volunteering together.
Giving back boosts happiness, strengthens connection, and creates shared purpose. It is a meaningful way to spend time together while making a real difference.
Make your commitment official by pledging to join the Greatest American Cleanup. From picking up litter and planting trees to beautifying parks and neighborhoods, you can help create cleaner, greener places for everyone.
Say yes to each other and yes to your community.
Take the pledge and be part of the movement today. Click here to join!
About Keep America Beautiful®:
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
McCall Vrydaghs
Keep America Beautiful®