It’s that time of year again, the season of love, Valentine’s Day, where people find respite from the holiday drought of the spring season. Gifts of cards and chocolates celebrate the beauty of love in all forms. But what is far less beautiful is the waste this holiday leaves behind, millions upon millions of dead rotting flowers, and mountains of plastic wrap from various candies and sweets.
“I never thought about how it might impact the environment,” said Mark Kemper, a Computer Science student. “If I was celebrating Valentine’s Day in a way that I learned was environmentally unsustainable then I would absolutely prioritize this, but I don’t think I’m doing so currently.”
Students like Kemper would make educated decisions about celebrating sustainably, but either don’t know they are making unsustainable choices or do not stop to think of how Valentine’s Day may impact the environment.
The answer is to provide alternatives for the campus community so they can pursue their already-existing desire to make more sustainable choices. To do that, look at two of the most commonly given Valentine’s gifts, flowers and chocolate.
Giving flowers is a practice synonymous with Valentine’s Day. However, what the majority of flower givers don’t think about is how giving flowers negatively affects the environment.
Long stem roses, the most commonly given flower on Valentine’s Day according to Town & Country Magazine, are out of season in the U.S. during February. According to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, three of every four flowers sold in the U.S. are grown in Columbia.
The International Council on Clean Transportation found in 2017, that nearly 360,000 metric tons of carbon emission are produced due to the international transportation of roses to the United States from Columbia in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. Additionally, these flowers are packaged in non-recyclable cellophane, the production of which requires toxic carbon disulfide according to the Sierra Club.
A few sustainable options for members of the USC community are to diversify from long stem roses, choose to give other types of flowers or buy from local flower shops which tend to source their flowers locally. Shops such as Flowers by Frank & Elaine, Magic Flower Shop, and AAA Petal Pushers, are a few locally owned flower shops near USC. USC is also located just 4 miles away from the Los Angeles flower district which is home to dozens of small locally run flower shops.
For those looking to send flowers to loved ones, try utilizing sustainable flower delivery sources, such as The Bouqs Co. and other delivery services that can be found here.
Another option is to give living plants that will not create waste, instead of cut flowers which will wilt and rot within a week or two. “I prefer to give plants rather than flowers,” says Ashley Diamond, a senior at USC. “It’s a way of giving gifts that are personal and long-lasting.”
Another common Valentine’s gift in the United States is chocolate. Over 58 million pounds of chocolate was bought in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day in 2023 according to Daily Meal.
Cocoa farms account for nearly 70% of deforestation on the Ivory Coast according to The World Wildlife Foundation, with farmers clearing large areas of tropical forest to plant new trees. According to the DBG Group, deforestation on the Ivory Coast is especially dangerous because it increases water pollution from soil runoff, increases carbon emissions which contribute to global climate change, and threatens the natural wildlife that rely on forests to maintain their ecosystems.
Additionally, Cocoa farms in West Africa which supply a majority of raw chocolate to American companies, are known to use child labor to help grow, and harvest cocoa beans. During the 2023 growing season, an estimated 1.56 million children worked on cacao farms according to Proxy Preview.
A simple way to ensure the chocolate you buy is not contributing to deforestation or child labor practices is to buy fairly traded chocolate this Valentine’s Day. Fair Trade chocolates come from farms certified by Fairtrade America. These farms practice sustainable chocolate harvesting techniques and ensure proper compensation for their workers. To verify whether a chocolate brand is Fair Trade, check for the Fairtrade label on its packaging, or visit the Fairtrade America website for certification details.
While embracing the season of love, it is crucial to recognize the environmental impact of giving gifts. By opting for locally sourced flowers, supporting fair trade chocolate, and choosing sustainable alternatives such as living plants, we can transform our expressions of love into gestures that contribute to a healthier planet. Unwrap a greener love this Valentine’s Day, that resonates with a commitment to both our loved ones and the environment.