Valentine’s Day is set to result in over six million cards being discarded into general waste, new research reveals.
A survey of 2,000 adults discovered that 44% anticipate receiving at least one card this February 14th, equating to more than 23 million being sent across the UK.
Of these 23 million, a third confess they will likely dispose of their cards in general waste, leading to an estimated 6.6 million ending up in landfill.
For 10% of respondents, the sentimentality of Valentine’s Day barely lasts 24 hours as they discard their card either on the day or the following day. However, cards aren’t the only Valentine’s gifts destined for the rubbish bin.
Among those expecting to receive a gift, 34% are likely to throw flowers directly into the bin rather than disposing of them sustainably, such as composting or garden waste. Some even admit that chocolate boxes and the chocolates themselves will simply be tossed into waste bins.
“Valentine’s Day is the second-biggest holiday for giving out cards after Christmas,” stated Samantha Upham, senior sustainability manager at DS Smith, who commissioned the research.
She urged for greater environmental consciousness during the occasion, saying, “We need to make sure we are being ‘green’ on the day.”
She pointed out that packaging for flowers, chocolates, and cards can be saved from ending up in landfill and incineration, but many people are unaware of what they can and can’t recycle.
Samantha explained that this lack of knowledge is one of the main reasons recycling rates in the UK have not improved in recent years.
The call to action for eco-conscious gift-giving is loud and clear: “We’re calling on gift-givers to challenge themselves to seek out products that not only use paper-based packaging substitutes in place of plastic, but also less packaging overall.”
Recent research indicates a shift in public opinion regarding waste. A staggering eight out of ten people now view celebratory occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day as significant contributors to environmental waste.
Consequently, two-thirds of participants in a OnePoll survey believe the UK needs to ramp up efforts to diminish landfill waste. With Valentine’s Day in mind, 40% admitted they would be turned off if their partner neglected to recycle.
Despite these concerns, only 28% rate themselves as ‘very good’ at recycling, and 24% feel that product packaging lacks clear disposal instructions.
Samantha emphasised the importance of eco-friendly romance: “Love shouldn’t cost the Earth,” she said, underscoring the significance of responsible recycling this Valentine’s Day.
She acknowledged the public’s desire to recycle effectively, noting, “Clearly people want to do their best when it comes to recycling, but often they simply don’t know how to recycle certain items.”
For those uncertain about post-Valentine’s Day clean-up, Samantha advises: “If you’re unsure about what to do with your Valentine’s Day packaging or unwanted gifts, look up your local recycling rules and bin collection schedules to make sure materials are recycled rather than ending up in landfill.”
