Information on Loughborough

Go Green for the One You Love This Valentines Day

Posted on 11/02/09

Valentines Day is a great excuse for Charnwood residents to send tokens of love to their nearest and dearest, or a secret crush or two! But according to Charnwood Borough Council it can also be used to show a bit of tender loving care (tlc) for the environment, whilst still making our loved ones feel special.

With a little planning, everyone can find the perfect gift for their sweetheart while protecting the planet.

Kath Kay, Charnwoods Waste Policy Manager, said: "Valentines day is a special day for everyone to show the one they love that they care for them. But it also gives us the chance to show them that we care about their environment too, and that we can make a better world for them by reducing the amount of waste we create. We can still be romantic, whilst protecting our environment. Small changes can make a big difference.

Charnwood Borough Council has some great tips to be greener:

Top tips

Send a special Valentines e-card or text message " they are good for the environment and for your pocket

Remember to recycle your card, or cards in the Councils red recycling bags

Always avoid over-packaged cards and gifts

Look for Valentine cards that are made from recycled materials

What about that Valentines gift? Theres nothing wrong with flowers and chocolates, but there are ways of improving on the old tried and tested formulas:

Top gift ideas

  • Ask for your flowers to be wrapped in paper so it can be recycled, and remember to compost the flowers afterwards
  • Remember to recycle you cardboard chocolate boxes in the red recycling bag
  • Consider gifts that are made from recycled materials, or at least buy gifts that are packaged in materials that can be recycled.
  • Take your own reusable bag with you when shopping for that special gift
  • For something a bit different, name a star after your loved one, or dedicate a tree to a special friend through the Woodland Trust

Valentines Day wouldnt be complete without a romantic meal. If you cook a meal at home why not consider the following

Home cooking tips

  • Dont be tempted to cook too much food, and only purchase buy one get one free offers if you will use the product before the use by date
  • Buy fruit and veg loose for the meal and cut down on packaging;
  • Remember to compost your fruit and veg peelings
  • Dont forget to recycle empty champagne and wine bottles in your glass box

Cllr Mike Preston (Conservative councillor for Queniborough), Charnwood Borough Councils Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "On Valentines Day this year, spend a little extra time and thought on an environmentally friendly gift for the special person in your life. Giving a gift that not only shows you care about an individual, but also the environment they share with you, will show you care twice as much. As they say; its the thought that counts. And, you have put twice as much thought into your gift.

Dont forget there are plenty of organisations and promotions out there that can help you make a big difference. Charnwood Borough Council currently have a brown bin promotion, where if you sign-up to the service before March 31st 2009 you will get 18 months worth of collections for the price of 12. Thats just 15, or less than 40p per collection! For more information on the brown bin garden waste service, or to subscribe, please visit the recycling pages of the council website, or call Loughborough 01509 634 563.

Leicestershire County Council also has some great offers on food digesters and home composters. Either call 0116 305 7005 or visit www.leics.co.uk/waste for more information. Recycle Now also have great offers on home composters and accessories, call them on 0845 077 0757, or visit their website www.recyclenow.com for full details of current offers. Finally, have a look at the Love Food Hate Waste website (www.lovefoddhatewaste.com) for tips on how to reduce food waste.