Happy Tuesday Green Initiative!

I know Valentine’s day is right around the corner, and whatever love you’re celebrating this week (if you choose to), here are some ways to go about it sustainably!

After Christmas, February 14th is the second largest card-giving holiday in the US, and many of your usual greeting cards are not recyclable; most chocolates are not ethically sourced, and the 198 million roses and 36 million heart-shaped boxes produced aren’t much better for the environment either. So, consider the below tips and resources to make sure you’re showing a little love for our planet as well when you’re celebrating this week:

• Chocolate: check out this list to see how ethical your favorite brands are, and try to buy chocolate with the fair trade logo

• Gift ideas: a living plant (instead of cut flowers), handmade or recyclable cards, ethically sourced jewelry, a durable present (something they actually need), quality time, something from local small businesses, etc.

• Restaurants: try to support a local business instead of a big chain; check out one of the partners at the bottom of this website, as a part of the Alabama Environmental Council’s EAT Initiative!

• Check out these articles for more ideas: neefusa.org, goodgoodgood.co, keepamericabeautiful.org!

Speaking of Valentine’s Day celebrations, stop by UH 2005 at 5 pm tomorrow to paint a tote bag🎨 All materials are provided, but donations encouraged :)

Officer Spotlight: Arsh Khanwani

Favorite Green Initiative memory: “Volunteering at Blazer Thrift last year because it made me want to be a major part of the organization”

Food you can’t live without: chicken 🍗 

Most used emoji: 🫣

Thank you Arsh for making sure we always have enough funds for our events :)

This Week on Campus

Community Opportunities and News

That’s it for now! Let us know what you liked about this newsletter and what else you would like to see by filling out this short feedback form!

Otherwise, show up to our event TOMORROW with your friends, and stay tuned to our Instagram (@uabgreeninitiative), GroupMe, website, and our new TikTok (check out a Day in the Life video of our very own Alison Miller)!

As always, thank you so much for reading!

Best,

Ashriitha <3