Valentine's Day: Sustainable Lifestyles Score Higher in Dating Game

Leading a sustainable life can reap more rewards than helping the planet and slowing down climate change: it can spice up your love life, too.

According to new research by Timberland, the outdoor gear company, more than three-quarters of Americans find green habits attractive when it comes to the dating game.

Timberland surveyed more than 1,000 men and women to find out how important green behavior patterns are when people look for love.

Littering is definitely a major turn-off for Americans: 46 percent said they would question whether to date someone who littered. A refusal to recycle also sends potential lovers running away (15 percent of respondents mentioned it). Other significant parameters include leaving the lights on when not at home (14 percent) and being a climate change denier (14 percent).

Okay, those were the don'ts, so how about the do's? 77% of respondents said they enjoy eco-minded behaviors such as spending time outdoors (57%), keeping a green home (50%) and being a conscious consumer (30%). But don't overdo it. Putting the environment before romance at all costs could jeopardize the relationship as well. 46 percent of respondents said that dates who insisted on environmentally responsible food (organic or local) or picked them on a bicycle (43 per cent) would get the boot.

Fair enough. So now you need to worry about what to wear. Embrace sustainability when it comes to clothing, as 30 percent of Americans are attracted to people who consider the environmental impact of the clothes they buy.

Timberland is teaming up with the dating experts at OkCupid to create the Green Guide to Dating and Love.

"One of the keys to a successful relationship is connecting with your mate on common interests," said Sam Yagan, CEO and Co-Founder at OkCupid. "The Timberland Green Guide to Dating and Love is resource for those who love the outdoors and want unique ideas for putting an eco-spin on the same-old cocktails or coffee dating routine."

So now you know. If you don't want to be dumped or left on the shelf, make sure you green up your act.

Image credit: Timberland