10 Sustainable Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day is hands down my favorite holiday. 

That might surprise you – but it’s not the consumerism aspect I love, it’s the idea of showing affection and appreciation to those I love most. 

And, it’s the only holiday where it’s socially acceptable to express your love with bad puns.

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There’s way too big an emphasis on romantic love – I think this day should be treated as a day to celebrate love in ALL forms.

I think, it’s just a nice reminder to appreciate your friends and family!

That said, if you do have a significant other, you don’t need to get them plush red teddy bears that’ll just end up gathering dust. There are so many thoughtful ways to spend Valentine’s Day with those you love – without creating waste.

To help you celebrate, I’m sharing with you some alternative eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas! 

Let's spread the love – and a sustainable lifestyle – together.

if you’re feeling sexy:

Wanna feel extra sexy? Check out these recycled lace lingerie sets by Azura Bay. 

Not only are these undergarments made from recycled lace, but they’re also size-inclusive and made fair trade in Europe (Bulgaria and Latvia to be exact). 

More than 15 million tons of used textile waste is generated each year in the USA. We certainly need to support efforts being made to reduce that amount – like purchasing recycled lace undergarments! It keeps good material out of the landfill.

Even if you don’t have a partner to impress, it’s nice to treat yourself every once and a while. You deserve to feel sexy while supporting the planet!

to get extra romantic:

Want to start a romantic Valentine’s Day tradition? Write love notes to your significant other in this gorgeous tree-free leather journal!

Not only is this notebook super fitting for Valentine’s Day (it’s red and has a heart on it), but it’s also handcrafted by artisans working with fair trade partners from Noah’s Ark. 

Feel free to sketch each other in it, write love poems to one another, or just write sweet little nothings for their eyes only. Each Valentine’s Day, you can grab the same notebook and repeat the process, all while looking back over your past notes.

Justin and I have had this tradition since our one-month anniversary and it’s my favorite tradition that we have!

for the traditional candlelit dinner:

Got a hot date? Why not setup a traditional candlelit dinner for two? It’s fun to go out, but sometimes staying in and cooking is even more romantic.

Impress your sweetheart with a delicious, plant-based meal. This butternut squash risotto with kale has my mouth watering. I also highly recommend these chocolate truffles for dessert – super easy to whip up!

Oh – and don’t forget the candlelight, of course. I recommend this Awaken candle from Shanti Creations – it'll set the perfect mood.

Did you know conventional candles are loaded with questionable ingredients? They emit toxins into the air as they burn – not exactly romantic.

The Awaken candle from Shanti Creations is so nice because it’s made with coconut wax, essential oils and cotton wicks. It smells like a white floral bouquet of lily and rose petals with hints of sandalwood. No toxins here!

for the perfect exchange:

Are you and your partner a perfect match? Match even more with these hemp his + her undies from Azura Bay. 

These undies are made from organic hemp and cotton blend. They’re soft, antibacterial and easy on the earth. Hemp is great for the planet because it grows fast and doesn’t need any pesticides.

You’ll feel super cute knowing you match with your sweetie, and not sacrificing the planet. To make this an extra festive gifting, give your SO their pair and then show them that you match! If you get my drift… (wink wink).

for the perfect token of your love:

Lots of jewelry you find on the market isn’t exactly eco-friendly. This heart pendant from Luna and Rose is though – it's made from recycled sterling silver which isn’t super easy to find.

I love Luna and Rose because they have an entirely closed-loop production system, meaning they have zero waste from any of their collections. 

They also participate in 1% For the Planet, meaning they pledge to donate at least 1% of their annual sales to charities that give back to the environment.

I love how this heart pendant is subtle, but beautiful. You don’t have to gift it to just a significant other – it makes a lovely gift for friends or moms too!

to replace flowers:

Gifting flowers is nice, but they often come wrapped in plastic and are likely grown overseas which results in a lot of carbon emissions. Why not gift your sweetie a tree instead using Treedom? 

With Treedom, in just a few clicks, you plant a new tree. You choose it online and farmers plant it in their country. 

If you choose to gift a tree to someone, you can select how you’d like it delivered (by message, email or by greeting card – the actual tree doesn’t get delivered to them of course).

There are some cute Valentine’s Day themed offers on Treedom right now where you can plant two trees – one for you, and one for your sweetie.

You will be able to learn all about your tree, including its history. You will be able to see photographs right after the tree is transplanted, you’ll know where it’s growing, receive pictures and updates from the field, and always know what the weather is like around it. It’s such a unique gift.

If you want to gift flowers, I highly recommend the Montana based florist, Earth Within Flowers. They believe in supporting local Montana as well as organic floriculture by sourcing blooms from Northwest farmers, their cutting garden and wild foraging from surrounding natural areas. 

They create beautiful dried flower arrangements for delivery worth checking out.

for something sweet: 

Instead of gifting chocolates from the convenience store, why not spoil your lover with Alter Eco? 

Alter Eco creates yummy, organic, plastic-free chocolate using all-natural ingredients. It’s ethically made so you have absolutely no guilt while eating these tasty treats.

This brand is also a certified B corporation and they’re even working to regenerate the rainforest. Since 2008, they’ve planted over 30,000 trees and offset 14,400 tons of CO2 as part of their goal to be carbon neutral.

Plus, their truffles aren’t wrapped in plastic – they're wrapped in compostable candy wrappers. The wrappers are made from plant-based, non-GMO, renewable material you can compost. 

to snuggle up all year long: 

Nothing beats Valentine’s Day pajamas – you can wear them year-round because they’re just that cute. Especially these heart pajamas from Lonely Hearts. 

I have an older version of this sleep set, but with rainbow hearts and I love it!

Loney Hearts is manufactured in New York City using local, deadstock and certified organic cotton made in green textiles. Deadstock fabric is essentially fabric that would otherwise go to the landfill, so it’s truly sustainable. 

That said, this pajama set is made from 100% organic cotton. These also make a fantastic gift for that special someone!

to keep your toes warm:

Don’t get cold feet! Check out these cozy socks from Thought in hearts and stripes.

The design is adorable, but what I love most is the fact these socks are made from a super soft bamboo blend. It’s breathable, naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Plus, you get a pack of three!

These cute socks make an excellent Valentine’s Day gift (or you can always keep them and treat yourself).

clean perfumes:

Want to smell alluring without harming the environment? I recommend Skin by Clean Reserve, especially for Valentine’s Day.

This perfume smells warm and spicy without the phthalates and toxins found in ordinary perfumes. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and features eco-conscious packaging. 

The scent is inspired by – you guessed it – the simple, delicate scent of bare skin. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, it’s inviting all while remaining fresh and pure.

I also really love the Phlur fragrances: They’re all vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and gluten-free. Plus, Phlur fragrances are sustainably sourced and packaged with recycled materials.

They always use clean, high-quality ingredients – never parabens, phthalates, BHT, phenoxyethanol, and nitro or polycyclic musks.

I personally really love the scent Añoranza - it’s ideal for Valentine’s Day due to its enchanting fresh floral scent that exudes romance and glamour. 

The literal translation of this perfume’s name is “yearning,” which is also very fitting. It’s defined by notes of mint leaves, jasmine, mariposa, and rum.

to pucker up:

Want the prettiest (but cleanest) pout around? Try this radiant ruby lip crème by Aether Beauty – it's such a gorgeous shade!

I love the fact Sephora sells clean beauty products – it means eco-friendly beauty truly is catching on and becoming more accessible. 

What I love about this sustainable lip product is that it’s made with 100 percent recycled plastic, the first fully recycled lip component in the beauty industry. Plus, it’s sustainably packaged using FSC paper and soy inks.

Of course, the ingredients are great too: This lip color is formulated without sulfates, parabens and phthalates. It’s vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free.

If you prefer a more subtle lip tint, I recommend cabernet cutie from The Humble Hive. This cocoa butter infused lip and cheek stain comes in a compostable tube that’s four times bigger than typical lip balm tubes!

It’s not vegan (because there’s beeswax in it), but it is made using simple, natural ingredients like cocoa seed butter, coconut oil, beeswax, and alkanet root powder.

to get frisky:

Want to get a little naughty under the sheets? Be sure to get the bed ready with SOL Organics bed sheets.

I love SOL Organics because they’re fair trade certified and use organic cotton to craft their sheets! They also have a GOTS certification, which means they only use eco-friendly and socially responsible production facilities.

They don’t use any pesticides, chemical fertilizers of dyes to grow their cotton. Also, their sheets are never processed with industrial solvents, irradiation or genetic engineering.

Everything SOL Organics sells is free from formaldehyde, pesticides, herbicides, endocrine disruptors and phthalates. 

I recommend grabbing their sateen sheets – these are great for winter snuggling (among other things) but will also transition nicely into spring and summer as well. They’re super soft and silky smooth, but very durable.

to send your love:

It’s super thoughtful to make a homemade Valentine’s Day card for a loved one. I absolutely love sending cards to all my friends and family. 

If you’re not into making your own, no worries. This tree-free Valentine’s Day card from Earth Hero is way too cute, plus eco-friendly! You know, I love the “nuts for you” pun on the front.

It’s made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Even the envelope is tree-free, made of wheat straw.

This card is also printed with solar energy, processed without chlorine, and the paper was made with wind power! 

Ten Thousand Villages also sells a bunch of eco-friendly cards for Valentine’s Day as well.

I especially love this handmade ‘Owls in Love card’ – it's made using nuisance plants by artisans working in the Philippines. 

I hope that you enjoyed this list. If you’re curious about other ways to have a more sustainable Valentine’s for kids and friends, I’ve got a whole blog post on that How to Have a More Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day.

I hope that your day is full of love from your friends, family and that you make some time to appreciate yourself too! How do you plan on making Valentine’s Day zero waste? 

My BEST Tips for Zero Waste Grocery Shopping

I’m super excited to share a sneak peek into my very first Skillshare Class! Last year Skillshare came over to my house to film their first original video around sustainability. My class is called 'Sustainable Living Basics | Simple Steps to Make an Impact'.

I cover a large range of topics from simple swaps when just getting started, grocery shopping, composting, how to vet sustainable businesses and so much more.

This class is perfect for beginners or if you’re a bit more intermediate as I have a whole lesson on getting active and involved in your community.

But, my favorite part of this whole experience was when Skillshare came out to my house for a few days, and I challenged them to make the shoot completely zero waste. ⁠

That might not sound challenging, but 7 people creating zero waste on a film set is a lot harder than it sounds. At the end of the shoot, collectively, we created less than 4oz of garbage and only a handful of recycling! ⁠

I was so, so incredibly proud to be part of this shoot and absolutely LOVE the way it turned out! I would be so jazzed for you to check it out in the preview video below.

You can watch my class with a free 2-month trial on Skillshare if you use my link.⁠ With the trial, you'll also have access to skillshare's entire library. I do make a commission if you choose to watch my class.

I wanted to share this lesson with you because it’s one of my favorites. I’m dishing on all my best tips for how to get your groceries without creating any trash!

If video isn’t your speed check out these blog posts below:

• The Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Grocery Shopping

• 7 Tips for Eco-Friendly Grocery Shopping (not one has to do with shopping from bulk bins!)

• How to Have a Zero Waste Grocery Shop Without Bulk Bins

In The Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Grocery Shopping, I go over all of the basics from where to find basic package free items like tofu, grains, deli items, dry goods, and how to get it all without creating any waste. I go over how to bring your own containers, get the tare weights, and have listed the tare weights for common glass jars.

In 7 Tips for Eco-Friendly Grocery Shopping, I go over all of the different ways that you can make your plate more sustainable and not a single one has to do with shopping from bulk bins. I feel that zero waste living often focuses too much on packaging when there’s so much more that can be taken into consideration!

Of course, packaging still does play a role when you want to reduce how much plastic you use. Even if you don’t have access to bulk bins there’s a bunch of ways you can reduce your overall packaging footprint and you can get all of my tips in this blog post: How to Have a Zero Waste Grocery Shop Without Bulk Bins.

8 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Going Zero Waste

Are you interested in reducing your trash or living more sustainably this year? Well, I’ve got to say you’re in the right place!

My entire platform is dedicated to breaking sustainable living down into a super simple step-by-step process. I cover everything from basic eco-friendly swaps to more advanced and intermediate tasks like getting involved in local government and hosting a clean-up.

I started living a more eco-friendly lifestyle a little over 5 years ago, and there are a few things that I wish I knew going into this.

Anytime you’re creating a lifestyle change it can be a little scary! I hope this blog post encourages you to give it a try. I hope it removes any fears you might have and makes joining in more accessible and most importantly fun!

1. you don't have to fit your trash in a mason jar:

At this point, I think the trash jar has mostly fallen out of favor. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, it’s people (like I used to be!) who fit all of their trash for x number of years in a mason jar.

I think most people recognize it for the gimmick it is. I’m not saying it can’t be inspirational, but it’s certainly not always accurate. You can read more in my blog post 3 Reasons the Trash Jar is Bullsh*t.

Using a mason jar as a trash can is unrealistic for most people. All it does is make you feel inadequate when you can’t fit ALL of your trash in that teeny-tiny jar. And, trust me…. no matter your best efforts trash will happen.

And, when you start constantly feeling bad about yourself for not achieving this unrealistic goal, you’re way more likely to give up. This makes going zero waste a chore i.e. not fun. And, who wants to keep doing something that’s not fun?

Wanting to live more sustainably isn’t a crash diet, it’s a lifestyle change. So, relax. Let go of unrealistic expectations. Do the best you can and forget about the trash jar.

2. you won't go zero waste overnight:

Humans like to go from zero to 200 in 1.1 seconds. Most of us flip a switch and want to zero waste and sustainable INSTANTLY.

Of course, that’s pretty much impossible. I was already living a very low-waste life before I decided to make the leap to zero waste living, and it took me around three months to build systems to reduce my trash even further.

These “systems” include things like finding where to grocery shop, actually remembering to bring my bags to the grocery store, getting in the habit of remembering my reusable waterbottle etc.

All of these things are second nature at this point. I don’t even realize I’m doing them, but there will be a period of time where you need to build those habits.

You’ll also have A LOT of old plastic things you need to work your way through whether that’s your current shampoo, plastic baggies, or some single-use products that you already own.

That’s totally OK! The most eco-friendly thing you can do is use up what you already have BEFORE you switch to a zero waste alternative. The bright side, this will save you a bunch of money. The downside, it can be challenging when all you want is that #ZeroWasteInstagramAestheticRightNow.

You can read more in my blog post What to do With Old Plastic When You’re Going Zero Waste.

3. you don't need to throw out all your stuff:

Ah, yes the #ZeroWasteInstagramAesthetic. It’s very appealing. It might even be one of the reasons, that you wanted to live more sustainably! And, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to achieve a certain look.

Certain things, like aesthetics, can make going zero waste more sustainable for you longterm. I have a lot of beautiful zero waste products like tiffins and bamboo dish scrubs that make me a very happy lady!

But, please don’t throw out all of your perfectly good functioning stuff to replace it with “zero waste stuff”! I think this is one of the main reasons people assume zero waste living is expensive. They feel like it’s just one giant shopping list of eco, hipster goods.

IT’S NOT. I still have my plastic toilet brushes from 8 years ago because they’re in good shape! Would I love a swanky bamboo toilet brush? Yes. Will I be getting one anytime soon? Probably not.

Please use what you have, and then once your item has reached the end of it’s useful like, then switch to something more eco. Check out this blog post 8 FREE Zero Waste Swaps to get you inspired!

4. people will apologize for everything:

Your friends and family will probably apologize and justify everything in their lives to you. When I’m out with my friends and they get a plastic water bottle they say,

• “Kathryn, please don’t hate me.”

• “I’ve had this thing for XX years! I’m not being wasteful I promise!”

• “I’m so sorry… I’m using disposable plates at my party….”

• “Don’t look at this! You DON’T SEE THIS!”

• “I’m going to throw this away, can you turn around?”

And, this list goes on and on. I always remind my friends that I don’t care. They don’t need to justify all of their life’s decisions to me.

When you choose to go zero waste it’s your decision and your decision alone. It’s important to not judge people based on what you’ve decided to do for yourself. That’s the quickest way to turn people off.

Be you. Be genuine. Continue to hang out with your friends. Over time you’ll rub off on them, and that’s why tip 7 is probably the most important on this list.

5. not everything will go your way 100% of the time:

Remember the whole, your trash is probably not going to fit into a mason jar thing? Yeah, that’s because things aren’t going to go your way 100% of the time!

And, that’s OK. You’re going to ask for no straw, and you’re going to get one. You’re going to pack up your leftovers into your own container but be brought a styrofoam tray anyways. You’re going to say you’ve got your own bags to the cashier, and they’re going to give you plastic anyways.

If you live with someone else or have a family, you’re going to wind up with trash in your life that’s totally out of your control.

Things aren’t going to go your way 100% of the time, and you’ve got to just take a deep breath and remember that you’re doing the best that you can and that’s good enough!

No stress. No stress. It’s all going to be ok, ok?

6. be open to changing your mind and learning new things:

I have changed so much over the last five years of doing this. When I started going zero waste I was very TRASH focused. That was how I judged all of my consumer choices - can I avoid trash?

And, I think this is a great first question to ask yourself especially if you’re new to sustainable living.

It’s a great way to simplify your choices so they’re easier to make and less complex. However, the choice that makes the least amount of trash isn’t always the most sustainable one.

If you’re just starting out I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much information.

Just so we’re clear, I think starting to look at things just from the trash lens is a wonderful place to start, BUT once you get the hang of it, be open to asking yourself more questions like ethics in supply chains, overall carbon footprint, end-of-life etc.

7. don't be too hard on yourself - we need system change:

Yes, there is power in one person and individual action. However, we can’t rely on a few people living a *perfect* zero waste life to change the world.

Individual action is important because it shows there’s demand in the market. This is VERY important.

Citizens must act so businesses and politicians can react.

But, change can’t rely on a few perfect individuals. We need system change too. We need citizens, businesses, and politicians all moving at the same time in order to create true, long-lasting change.

So, if you’re not perfect don’t sweat it! You’re doing the best you can by simply showing there’s demand in the market. But, if you want to take it one step further you should absolutely check out my guides on my getting more involved in your community!

8. you will get overwhelmed:

Climate change is overwhelming, there’s no way around it. Trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle can be overwhelming too. You will probably get overwhelmed at some point in time.

I think the best thing to do is to take a step back. Take a moment, a beat, even step away! Do something just for yourself. For me, when I’m feeling super overwhelmed, I order a takeout meal.

I don’t do it very often, but it’s something that just says, “It’s going to be OK. The world doesn’t rely on you being 100% perfect, 100% of the time. You’re human.”

And, the next day, I get back to it!

Allowing myself to be overwhelmed and to not be perfect is the reason why I continue living a low waste / zero waste lifestyle. I have found the perfect balance of sustainability for me and the planet and you can read more about that in my blog post The Five Rules of Personal Sustainability.

get started!

Now, after reading all of that, I’m not sure if you’re amped or terrified. No matter which you are, I want you to pick one thing you’re going to change and truly commit to it!

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a list of resources I’ve compiled.

1. Check out the Going Zero Waste for Beginners Tab for a few blog posts to help you get started

2. Try my free 31-Day Zero Waste Challenge which is available via blog post or in video depending on which medium you prefer more.

3. Grab a copy of my book 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste - I have over 400 blog posts which might be a little overwhelming, so I’ve distilled all of my best tips into this easy to read handbook with a bunch of recipes for using up food scraps, cleaning products, and bathroom products that aren’t on the blog.

4. Watch my 50-minute Skillshare Class which breaks down all of the zero waste basics! Plus you can get 2 months free Skillshare if you use my link giving you access to my video and thousands of others!