Contact: Russell Nanod
(808) 668-2985 / (808) 479-5140

Share Your Love – Not Opala – This Valentine’s Day
Waste Management of Hawaii Urges Kamaaina to Give Sustainable Gifts

Kapolei, Hawaii, Feb. 7, 2008 – While Valentine’s Day is often associated with gifts of cut flowers, balloons, cards and boxes of chocolate covered macadamia nuts, Waste Management of Hawaii is asking the community to consider more durable or sustainable alternatives for their Feb. 14 gift-giving.

“The idea of the holiday is to share your sentiments with those you care about – not create additional opala that ends up in our landfills,” said Russell Nanod, community affairs manager for Waste Management of Hawaii. “There are a number of gestures you can make to celebrate the holiday without generating additional items that have excess packaging or ultimately get thrown out.”

Waste Management of Hawaii suggests considering the following alternatives instead of the traditional Valentine’s Day gifts:

• Instead of cut flowers;
  
  Give potted plants and flowers, such as orchids or jade, and trees, such as plumeria or tangerine, which can be transplanted into a garden.
  
  
• Instead of balloon bouquets;
  
  Give more durable, long-lasting items that will remind your Valentine every day that you care, like a framed photo or a piece of artwork for his or her home.
  
  
• Instead of Valentine’s cards;
  
  Give e-mail greetings, a photo with a message written on the back or share your holiday wishes verbally.
  
  
• Instead of boxes of candy;
  
  Give sweets with less packaging, homemade treats, a dessert out at a restaurant or a gift card to your Valentine’s favorite restaurant or coffeehouse.
  
  
• Instead of perfume/lotions;
  
  Give a “day of beauty,” a trip to the spa or a massage (if you do give perfume or lotions, check to see if the packaging, once empty, can be recycled).
  
  
• Instead of Jewelry;
  
  Get his or her existing jewelry repaired or cleaned or make it seem like new by changing stones, adding charms or putting on a new watch band (if you do give new jewelry, make sure it is durable and well-made so that it can be worn for a lifetime and will not be thrown away).
  
  
• Instead of Stuffed animals;
  
  Give other items that are warm, cozy – and useful, such as a nice blanket, bedding or a robe.