Show your green side this Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is a great excuse for people in Greater Manchester to send tokens of love to their nearest and dearest. But it can also be used to show a bit of tender loving care for our local environment whilst still making our loved ones feel special.

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) and Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) Limited (VLGM) are working together to show residents across Greater Manchester that with a little planning, everyone can find the perfect recycled gift that will bring joy to their sweetheart while protecting the planet.

Peter Heginbotham, Chairman at VLGM says:
“Buying a Valentine card made from 100% recycled paper and gifts made from recycled material still shows your special someone your feelings and is a good opportunity to show you care for the environment at the same time.”

And with around twelve million Valentine’s cards sent every year in the UK, here are some great tips to be greener:

Top tips
• send a special Valentine’s e-card or text message – they are good for the environment and for your pocket
• remember to recycle your card - or cards! – via your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) or your council’s cardboard collection services;
• always avoid over-packaged cards;
• look for charity cards, where you know the profits are going to a good cause; and
• go for a card from a local craft market, especially from designers who use recycled materials.

What about that Valentine’s gift? Flowers and chocolates are great and there are ways to keep these gifts green:

Top gift ideas
• order flowers from a local florist and ask for them to be wrapped in paper that can be recycled, and remember to compost the flowers afterwards;
• choose chocolate with the Fair Trade label – it helps communities in need and, with a higher cocoa content, tastes delicious;
• Be a trend setter this Valentine’s and consider designer jewellery that is made from recycled plastic bags or recycled glass bottles for a change, visit www.recyclenow.com/buying_recycled for more ideas;
• to pamper a loved one, choose cosmetics and toiletries that are organic and not tested on animals; and
• for something a bit different, name a star after them or dedicate a tree to a special friend instead and help the Woodland Trust restore the UK’s native woodland heritage - www.woodlandtrust.org.uk.

Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a romantic meal. It’s easier, and more romantic for people to cook a meal at home and treat someone special to that personal touch:

Home cooking tips
• dine romantically by candlelight – it saves energy as well;
• buy fruit and vegetable loose for the meal and cut down on packaging;
• remember to keep all those fruit and vegetable peelings and put in a home compost bin
• Save and re-use any left-overs you may have after your meal. For more information visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com;
• sip a favourite tipple from recycled glassware, visit www.recyclenow/buying_recycled to see the great range of glasses available; and
• don’t forget to recycle empty bubbly bottle - or bottles!

For further information on recycling and reducing your waste visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com and see what else you could do.