Sustainable Love Day

Valentine’s Day, as with many holidays, comes with gift-giving which can be costly and have a large impact on our planet! According to treehugger.com, on average $1.7 billion is spent on candy and $2.1 billion is spent on flowers every year for Valentine’s Day! As students, we may not have the means to spend money, but we can be creative!  Below are some simple and environmentally friendly ways to show your love and appreciation, not only for Valentine’s Day, but any other celebratory day. 

Give an Experience

Even though concerts, movies, and parties are not options due to the pandemic, there are still many outdoor places near campus to explore. Walk or bike downtown to enjoy the Old Town with free ice skating and rentals right now!

Give a Plant!

Flowers get transported all across the world before being purchased, which creates a huge carbon footprint, so visit local nurseries and purchase a plant instead! Your loved ones will be able to keep the plant and remember the gift far longer than flowers. There are many local nurseries, such as Gulleys, Bath Greenhouse or Fort Collins Nursery that can be accessed by various bus routes. Chart out your trip using these Transfort maps: http://www.ridetransfort.com/routes/routes

Share a Meal Together

For those who may not want to go eat dinner at a local restaurant, cooking and/or sharing a nice meal together can be a fun way to still have a fancy night. To make this meal feel different, explore a new area on campus or around town and dine outside!