Injecting Eco-Friendliness into Your Love Life

Appreciating the environment and natural world are increasingly important issues for many people. Governments enact eco-friendly policies, retail companies are mindful about the long-term impact of their products, and we’re all encouraged to do our bit when it comes to stocking our recycle bins. But what part should these considerations play when it comes to romance? If it’s important to focus on an eco-friendly life, how do you guarantee an eco-friendly love life?

Finding a Kindred Spirit

It may seem obvious, but one of the keys to ensuring you enjoy romantic get-togethers that are free of harmful toxins and other anti-social considerations is to make sure you’re dating someone who is on the same wavelength as you. If you flirt online, choose your dating sites wisely for a better chance of being matched with someone compatible.

When embarking on a new relationship it’s common to discover traits that make you uncomfortable. Even the most charming person might make comments about denying climate change. They might invite you to share a bottle of wine with them only to toss the empty into the domestic waste once you’ve finished enjoying your refreshments.

Of course, you don’t want to come across as bossy or preachy at this stage, however, it is acceptable to take the opportunity to politely point out how much you disagree with things like filling a landfill with items that are clearly recyclable. If your new partner really wants to make something of this relationship they’ll listen to what you have to say. After all, when it comes to the longer-term future of the planet, the case you are arguing could aptly be described as a ‘no-brainer.’ With a wink and a sincere smile, it should be easy enough to get across your sensible viewpoint.

Be romantic, but mindful.

Who doesn’t enjoy a romantic date? Rather than a night of busy restaurants and noisy nightclubs, your latest love interest might invite you over for a meal. You enter their flat to be confronted with soft music, dim lights, delicious smells wafting from the kitchen, and candles strategically placed around the living room, emitting alluring scents. Unfortunately, it’s time for another tactful word in their ear.

What type of candles are we talking about here? A lot of these are petroleum based: each tiny flickering flame you can see is actually burning off fossil fuels. So while their intention may have been to create the perfect atmosphere for snuggling up on their couch to let the meal go down, you’ll be doing so while contributing to global warming.

It is tempting to brush this off in terms of statistics. Exactly how destructive can a few scented candles really be compared to the wholescale destruction caused by those vast industrial sites in the Far East? But that’s missing the point. You either commit to environmental awareness or you don’t. Cherrypicking which aspects of eco-friendly activities suit your own lifestyle isn’t helpful because it flips the whole question the wrong way round. You should be aiming to work your lifestyle around what’s best for the planet.

This is an especially pertinent point when you consider the scale of the candle industry: in the US alone, around $2 billion dollars are spent on these miniature fuel burners each year. Candles fashioned from soy or beeswax will produce the same seductive glow, with the added bonus that you are not contributing to global warming.

When you invite your partner round to your place, why not cook up a feast prepared with items from your local farmer’s market? Not only will your romantic dinner be mouth-wateringly fresh, your carbon footprint will be considerably lower than if you chose mass-produced ingredients from a supermarket.

Bedroom Accessories

So you’ve been going out for a while and are enjoying a passionate, physical relationship? When it comes to those sex toys that can spice up your romance, steer away from plastic products such as PVC. Not only is their manufacturer unregulated, they can have an adverse effect on your skin. It's far better to opt for gadgetry made from silicone, stainless steel, or glass — all chemically inert but guaranteed to inject some zest into your love life!