starbucks hearts the environment

Your friendly neighbourhood Starbucks - known for double-roasted coffee, not for reducing waste - says its new roasting plant in South Carolina has been awarded a “silver” LEED certificate from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Company officials vowed to “significantly” reduce the company’s environmental footprint by 2015. At the new plant, 20 percent of building materials were from recycled content and more than 75 percent of construction waste was recycled, they said, adding that a portion of the plant’s power will be supplied by wind energy.

Clearly, they are serious about making money! “In this business climate, it’s more important than ever that we make the right investments in our business, while making sure we do it in ways that support our business, the communities we work in, the environment and our people,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement.

Now, let's see that team spirit by way of biodegradable cups and an end to the mermaid plastic 'spill-stoppers'...

green your love

Whether your gushing over your spouse or your dog, remember that Valentine’s Day ain't exactly eco-friendly. So ditch the waxy greeting cards and imported Cambodian roses, and find better-for-the-planet ways of expressing your love from divine.ca:

Find a card alternative - Valentine’s Day has the highest sales of greeting cards throughout the year, second only to Christmas. Opt for cards made from recycled paper, send a Valentine’s Day eCard or even a plantable Valentine’s Day card, embedded with wildflower seeds.

Toast with eco-friendly wine - What makes a wine eco-friendly? Anything from being made with certified organic grapes, to being made at a local vineyard, to being sold in aseptic packaging, which is more lightweight than bottles, making transport simpler and reducing carbon emissions. (Editor's note: we heart Frogpond Farm's Cabernet-Merlot)

Cook dinner together. Purchase some organic or locally-grown ingredients and spend some time together in the kitchen.

Read 'Giving Greener Love' from Treehugger. Our best tip? Stop buying stuff and start spending time ;)