How to have a sustainable Valentine’s Day 

Posted on 7 February, 2022

Valentine’s Day—another celebration that encourages us to buy more things. And we all know now how our shopping habits are affecting the environment.

But how about gifts and experiences that are kinder to people and the planet? Yes please! Here’s a list of a few unique local and sustainable Valentine’s Day ideas so that your expressions of love are loving the environment too. (Note: neither the author nor Her Canberra are receiving payments or benefits from the businesses listed).

For the outdoorsy

• Get your picnic ready with Coconutsy, which reclaims coconut shells that were going to landfill and makes them into bowls, cups and cutlery. Bring along a picnic wine cooler from Kathmandu made from recycled plastic and you’ll be ready to go.
• Grab some sunscreen (SPF50!) from Sunbutter, which was developed by a marine biologist and conservation ecologist after they discovered how chemical sunscreen pollutes our oceans. Theirs is reef-safe and comes in reusable tins. They also carry after-sun care, hair care and surf wax.
• Pick up a pair of sustainable sunnies, be it a carbon-negative pair made from recycled plastic bottles by goodcitizens, a bio-degradable pair from Mari & Clay which is embracing a circular approach, or a recycled pair from Szade.
• See Patagonia for a great range of sustainable outdoor gear and strong environmental policies.

For beautiful home items

• Check out the IsoKing’s picnic desks and puzzles, among other home items, all made from sustainably sourced Birch Ply.
• Find breadboards and custom pieces made from reclaimed timber at Thor’s Hammer in Canberra’s inner south.
• Or try the cheese boards, carving boards or pizza boards made from sustainable and reclaimed wood at Wild Wood.
• A particularly unique gift is the Banksia aroma pod, a natural diffuser that supports the regeneration of Australian bushland
• Buy handmade knives and blades or get a gift certificate for a course to make a South American Asado BBQ, a Japanese Razor or a custom leather apron at Tharwa Valley Forge.
• Find stunning prints at Yarli Creative by Madison Connors, a “proud and strong Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi woman”.
• Wiluna focuses on locally-grown flowers and incorporates sustainable floristry practices.
• Or pick up some flowers in a pot from one of Canberra’s many nurseries!

For fashion and beauty

• While not Australian, Article 22 jewellery supports communities in Laos by turning aluminium shrapnel from the Vietnam War into stunning necklaces, earrings and. rings. Each piece helps the Mines Advisory Group to clear unexploded ordnance (bombs) from land in Laos.
• Sarah and Sebastian crafts jewellery from responsibly sourced precious metals and contributes a proportion of profits to the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
• Holly Ryan uses recycled metals and ethical stones on her men’s, women’s and gender-fluid jewellery designs. She also runs a repair and recycle initiative for your old jewellery.
• Simone Walsh is a family-run business that also uses recycled metals and ethical stones in their necklaces, earrings and rings.
• Find a range of ethical and sustainable pieces at For Dignity.
• Or explore Upcycle Studio which supports brands that advocate for social change and reduce environmental impact. They stock a range of great gift ideas—one of my favourites are these fantastic mechanical cufflinks made from reclaimed watch pieces.
• Another favourite is the green bike gear from Green Guru. You can also find jewellery, homewares, bags, books and health and beauty gifts on their site, as well as Shibori cloth for beautiful reusable wrapping paper.

For food and drink

• Try the ethically-sourced chocolate from Jasper and Myrtle in Fyshwick with a range of colourful flavours such as lemon myrtle and macadamia and caffe bianco white chocolate.
• Another great option is Chocolate on Purpose, a 100% Indigenous-owned business on Wiradjuri Country that combines Australian native botanicals sourced from Aboriginal Communities with sustainable cocoa. Flavours include Milk chocolate with Quandong and Macadamia nut and white chocolate with Illawarra Plum. Yum!
• Canberra also has some beautiful local honey you can find at the Honeysmith, which practices ethical and sustainable beekeeping, or Copper Fork, which also practices sustainable harvesting in Canberra.
• Make your own Valentine’s treats!

Quality time

If quality time is high up on the love language list, give some of these a try!

• Check out a recipe from Canberra’s own Rainbow Nourishments (highly recommend the rainbow lasagna) and get cooking at home.
• Warndu has a range of recipes, food products and a cookbook to inspire your home cooking adventures. As an Indigenous-owned small business focusing on locally-sourced, seasonal Australian ingredients, they have a mission to “regenerate culture, community, tradition, health and our soils”.
• Deepen your connection to each other with Gottman’s Card Decks (available as an app on Google Play and Apple), developed by Drs John and Julie Gottman, clinical psychologists and world-renowned relationship specialists.
• What could be more romantic than stargazing! Grab a blanket and some binoculars and head out on a clear evening, or keep an eye on @stargazingfieldtrips for their next stargazing, pizza, beer and music event in Tharwa.
• Do a Pottery class or Art course together, or find an event, movie or exhibition at the National Film and Sound Archive.
• Gift a couples food workshop at Two Before Ten or Pialligo Estate.
• Try something new by getting into the intensity of the Smash room at Breakr or Axe throwing at Axxe.
• Foster some healthy competition or mutual laughs bouldering at BlocHaus.

Platforms 

If you want more of a browse, the following platforms stock a variety of gifts:

• Flora and Fauna seeds, chocolate, skincare, homewares, jewellery and fashion.
• Upcycle Studio, mentioned above.
• Biome for their selection of eco-friendly, zero-waste Valentine’s gifts.
• While not strictly in the sustainable category, Buy from the Bush is a platform of regional and rural Australian businesses selling art, home and living, fashion and jewellery.
• Nash + Banks for clothing, accessories, beauty, art prints, candles, surf and yoga gear.

And if you choose to get a card, remember to pick up one made from recycled materials at Earth Greetings or a seeded card (plant them in your garden!) from Hello Petal.

Happy Valentines Day!