Here's how you can make this Valentine's Day greener

Valentine's Day is filled with cards, sweets, flowers and gifts, but its celebrations can create unintentional environmental side effects.

However, that doesn't have to be the case this time, say experts.

"It is possible to have a special, perhaps even more creative and memorable than usual, Valentine's Day celebration while still being environmentally responsible," said Kendra Abkowitz of the Vanderbilt University Sustainability and Environmental Management Office.

Here are some of Abkowitz's suggestions:

• Send an e-Valentine in lieu of a paper Valentine. Hallmark and 123 Greetings are some of the many websites offering an electronic Valentine service. If sending a paper Valentine, be certain to send one that is printed on paper containing recycled-content. Don't forget to recycle Valentines you have received that you aren't keeping!

• Give organic or locally grown flowers, a potted plant, a tree seedling or a perennial plant instead of the traditional bouquet of flowers.

• Give organic or fair-trade chocolates. Organic chocolates are produced in an eco-friendly manner without the use of pesticides, and fair-trade chocolates ensure that cacao farmers work in healthy, sustainable and safe environments while receiving a fair wage for their products.

• Make a donation to an environmental organization on behalf of your Valentine. Several organizations you might consider are the World Wildlife Fund, the Sierra Club and the Arbor Day Foundation.

• Plan a trip to a wildlife reserve, park or natural area. Your business will help support the running of such establishments. Several destinations you might consider include your local state parks, US Fish & Wildlife Service refuges and US National Parks.

• Arrange dinner at a local restaurant that specialises in organic or locally grown food, or make your own romantic meal with locally grown ingredients. Eating locally reduces the number of miles that your food travels to you and supports local establishments. Cooking your own meal will also save gas and money while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions.

• Commit to going green at work and home. Several easy ideas include turning lights off when leaving the room, shutting down your computer at the end of the day, creating a dedicated home recycling area, washing only full loads of dishes and laundry, moderating your thermostat when leaving your house or office for extended periods of time, unplugging appliances not in use and printing or using both sides of paper when possible.