2 Green Secrets/ Dec. 2015
Valentine’s Day is one of the most costly and consumer-based holidays that we celebrate in America. An estimated 61.8 percent of consumers celebrate Valentine’s Day by showering their significant other with gifts. On February 14th, the average consumer spends $116.21 on iconic items such as cards, chocolates, jewelry, and flowers. As a nation, the average amount of money spent on Valentine’s Day annually totals to a whopping $13.19 billion. Why are so many gifts bought on this holiday? Embarrassingly enough, 53 percent of women admit that
they would end their relationship if their significant other failed to get them a present for Valentine’s Day. This holiday, which is all about love, is actually showing nothing but hate to our planet. All of the popular gifts bought on Valentine’s Day are unsustainable in some way and contribute to environmental issues. Let’s make this year different! We are going to share some alternatives that will help you show love not only towards your partner, but to the environment as well!
Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the most unsustainable aspects of Valentine’s Day because of hazardous mining practices and effects. On February 14th, an average of 17.3 percent of men buy some form of jewelry for the significant other, especially something gold or including diamonds. How is gold and silver mined? One popular method involves pouring a cyanide solution over the rock that contained the gold and silver ore, then applying sulfuric acid to remove excess waste rock. The waste runoff contains dangerous chemicals that can find its way into and pollute waterways as well as wetland ecosystems. How are diamonds and gemstones mined? Two methods used are hydraulic and hard-rock mining, which cause harmful erosion and are known to destroy forests. So with all these environmental hazards in mind, do we really need to buy jewelry this Valentine’s Day? Try to save purchases of precious jewelry for rare occasions like proposals to make it a truly special gift.
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