Valentine’s Day is traditionally a time to show affection for loved ones, but it can also be an opportunity to show consideration for the planet. Many iconic holiday items, from heart-shaped chocolate boxes to flower bouquets, carry significant environmental consequences, experts say.
This year, consumers are expected to spend a record $29.1 billion on the holiday, breaking last year’s record, according to the National Retail Federation. Items that are single-use and shipped long distances, like imported cut flowers, carry a greater environmental cost than gifts that last longer or travel shorter distances, Sandra Goldmark, professor of professional practice and associate dean for engagement and impact at the Columbia Climate School, told ABC News.
"For my money, on a holiday dedicated to expressing care and appreciation, it's worth it to take a moment to find a gift that truly expresses care – for the recipient, for the people who made it and for the planet," Goldmark said.
More than 1 billion cut flowers, including roses and carnations, are imported each year from countries such as Colombia and Ecuador, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These shipments produce significant carbon dioxide emissions as the flowers are transported around the world and within the United States.
Greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport, which account for 3% of the global total, have increased by 20% between 2012 and 2022, according to the United Nations.
Eco-friendly alternatives include shopping locally or giving a houseplant, which would help reduce shipping emissions and support local businesses. A bonus: houseplants tend to live longer than Valentine's Day flower bouquets, many of which are destined for the trash and eventually sent to landfills after the holiday.
"I usually opt for a nice potted plant, as they spread that initial investment of energy out over a longer time period," Goldmark noted. "Alternatively, you can find locally grown cut or dried flowers at a farmers' market."
If you do give cut flowers, consider composting the remains. Flower bouquets sent to landfills decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, responsible for roughly 30% of human‑caused global warming since the Industrial Revolution, according to the International Energy Agency.
Chocolate is another popular Valentine’s Day gift, but its production can have significant environmental consequences. According to the United Nations Environment Program, cocoa-related deforestation threatens biodiversity in critical regions, particularly in West Africa and parts of the Amazon. In Ivory Coast, for example, an estimated 70% of illegal deforestation is linked to cocoa farming, according to the U.N.
Goldmark says there are better options for people looking to buy more sustainable chocolate, most of which are clearly labeled.
For example, Goldmark says shoppers can reduce their impact by choosing fair-trade or sustainably certified chocolate, many of which support organizations like the Rainforest Alliance that promote environmentally responsible farming practices.
Gifting experiences rather than physical items is another eco-friendly option gaining popularity since they typically require fewer resources and generate less waste.
"Experiences are one of the best 'sustainable' gifts," Goldmark explains. "Tickets to a play or a concert, a snowy walk in the park, a couple's massage, an evening learning salsa – you name it, an experience will likely be more memorable, and definitely more sustainable, than almost anything else."
The National Retail Federation found that more than one-third of consumers plan to purchase an evening out for Valentine’s Day, with spending on such outings expected to total about $6.3 billion this year.
As an alternative to a traditional gift, Goldmark suggests considering "acts of service."
"My husband is excellent at the 'acts of service' gift. He once repaired my favorite earrings for Valentine's Day… And, though he is a much better gift giver than I am, I'm happy to say that I once repaired his favorite wool socks," she said.
"That said, I don't believe in beating yourself up or feeling terrible if everything you buy is not 100% perfectly sustainable," Goldmark added. "I think Valentine's Day gifts are simply an opportunity to make more thoughtful choices wherever you can."