February's Sustainability Challenge

Sharing the Love (for People & Planet)

February is often associated with love and connection — and this challenge is about extending that care to our homes, communities, and the planet. This month, we’re encouraging thoughtful choices, kindness, and creativity, showing that sustainability can also be about giving, sharing, and supporting one another.

🌿 Choose plants instead of cut flowers

Cut flower bouquets often have a high environmental impact due to pesticides, refrigeration, and long-distance transport. Many flowers are grown overseas and flown to the UK. A living plant lasts much longer, improves indoor air quality, and continues to grow.

Great plant options for the home include:

• Snake plant
• Peace lily
• Spider plant
• Aloe vera
• Pothos (devil’s ivy)

🎁 Rethink gifts with sustainability in mind

Try experiences, handmade items, second-hand finds, or locally made products instead of mass-produced gifts. Vouchers for shared activities, homemade food, or time spent together can be just as meaningful.

🚶 Nature-based dates and activities

A walk, picnic, coastal visit, or local explore can be low-cost, low-impact, and great for mental wellbeing. Nature-based activities reduce carbon emissions while encouraging connection.

🍽️ Cook and share seasonal food

Cooking with seasonal and local ingredients reduces food miles and supports local producers. Try sharing a meal, swapping recipes, or cooking together with friends or family.

🛍️ Support local and eco-friendly businesses

Buying locally helps reduce transport emissions and supports your community’s economy. Look out for refill shops, repair services, or independent retailers.

✂️ Make something by hand

Create cards, decorations, or small gifts using recycled or reused materials. Handmade gifts are personal, low-waste, and often more meaningful.

🤝 Share the love locally

Donate unwanted items, help a neighbour, or pass on sustainability tips. Small acts of kindness can strengthen communities and reduce waste at the same time.

Did You Know?

• Cut flowers can travel thousands of miles before reaching UK shops, increasing their carbon footprint.
• Extending the life of clothing and household items reduces carbon, water use, and waste significantly.
• Choosing experiences or handmade gifts over new items helps reduce waste and emissions.

How to Take Part:

Tell us how you’ve been sharing the love sustainably.

Share your photos, ideas, recipes, or stories with us on Engage, or email them to engagement@sng.org.uk. — whether it’s a plant gift, a homemade present, or a local business you’ve supported.

Everyone who takes part will be entered into a £20 voucher prize draw, and our favourite story or photo will receive a £25 voucher.