Choclates encased in plastic heart-shaped containers, bouquets of roses and cards with cheesy messages of love are just a few of the stereotypical Valentine’s Day experiences. But did you know some of these practices are damaging the environment?
Chocolate
Ingredients used in chocolate contribute to the global deforestation pandemic. Cocoa and palm oil, even with the cut back on palm oil’s use, are often cultivated in areas prone to deforestation. According to the World Wildlife Foundation, Indonesia and Malaysia contribute 85% of the world’s palm oil supply. Both countries rely on the demand for palm oil in order to sustain their economies, but this is purely due to the first-world mass consumption of products utilizing palm oil.
Instead of buying these containers of chocolate that contribute to 8% of global deforestation, consider more sustainable brands like Alter-Eco and Beyond Good, as well as other environmentally conscious brands.
Roses
An approximate 220 million roses are grown and sold across the globe for Valentine’s Day. The vast majority of these roses are grown in Kenya. The country produces roughly 38% of rose sales in Europe, with similar numbers present in the U.S.
This horticultural industry brings millions of dollars to Kenya, with nearly $500 million earned in 2015 due to rose exports, according to the Kenyan government. While this industry economically supports Keyna, it also poses several environmental risks.
Due to the boom in the rose industry, many farms popped up on Kenyan rivers, causing issues related to pollution. The pesticides and organic pollution stemming from farming drastically impacts the pH levels of water, bringing algae blooms that spread toxic chemicals dangerous to people and wildlife.
While this industry is incredibly beneficial to Kenya and the 2 million farmers directly impacted by the rose industry, our waterways need to be protected. So, when you go and buy a bouquet of roses, consider donating a few dollars to organizations working to address the state of water in Kenya–WaterAid Kenya and UNICEF Kenya are good organizations to start with.
Greeting Cards
Greeting cards are a year-round industry, but just like on Christmas, sales skyrocket on Valentine’s Day.
Of all the unnecessary things about Valentine’s Day, I find the cheesy card with a manufactured love note the most unnecessary. The reality is that most don’t keep those cards; they are cherished for a few days, and then to the landfill they go.
Around a billion cards are sent on Valentine’s Day throughout each country that celebrates, second only to Christmas. It’s safe to say most if not all of these cards will end up in the dump.
Aside from the waste greeting cards create, it also takes nearly 2.5 million trees to create the seven billion greeting cards used each year. That means nearly 3.6 thousand trees are cut down for Valentine’s Day alone.
A few simple solutions to this could be verbalizing the cheesy love note, making your own card using recycled materials or taking your significant other out for an experience in lieu of another unsustainable purchase.
Holidays, regardless of their meaning, have the potential to be incredibly damaging to the environment. With the right attitude and sustainable mindset, these holidays can significantly reduce their impact.
Mackenzie Davidson can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @mackenzie_films