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It's Not Expensive Being Green

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By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: March 25, 2009

From green cleaning and all-electric lawn mowing services, to green-certified pest control, green businesses offer people living in the Sun City area choices that keep their consciences free and clear.

Joan Lawhead of Sun City Center, a member of The Elegant Gardeners Club of Sun City Center, said she is often attracted to products and services that boast the added benefit of helping the environment.

"We recycle and use all the things you are supposed to use," Lawhead said. "I think it's a good idea. I usually research services or products on the Internet before I use something to make sure it's safe for the environment."
Lawhead said many gardening club members avoid pesticides. They also think about ways to conserve water by using rain barrels and soaker watering systems for their lawns and gardens.

Although many businesses are struggling in the recession, green businesses such as NVirontect Pest Control Services, which serves people in Hillsborough County, are doing well.

Seth Garber, who owns NVirontect Pest Control Services with Christoph Nord and Craig Kurrack, said part of their mission is to preserve the environment for future generations.

"A lot of companies spray toxic products all over the place," Garber said. "Our products aren't going to kill the butterflies but they are going to get rid of the roaches."

Garber of South Tampa started his business with his partners in 1996, but took a new "green" detour in 2008 when they became the only green-certified company for inside pest control in the Tampa market

They use 'action threshold technology.' "We still use pesticides, but our procedures are minimally invasive to the environment," he said, adding they don't spray baseboards, but target specific areas where there is infestation.

Another area business owner who has a heart for the environment is Dawn McCann Bamboo Solutions.

McCann said she makes bamboo privacy fences to go around pools and screened-in lanais.

"We can make custom tiki bars for outdoor furniture for entertaining," she said. "The bamboo can be used for interior purposes also if someone wanted to create a tropical look inside."

She said bamboo is ideal because of its fast growth rate.

"People are getting very big into the environment now," she said. "My friend behind me has a cleaning business that is all green. It's something people care about these days."

She came up with the idea for her green business after installing a bamboo fence for privacy around her pool.

"I played around with it and experimented with it. I wound up finding a supplier for bamboo fencing," she said.

Wesley Stevenson of Brandon said he has always been an entrepreneur. He has an all-electric yard maintenance company called Earthling One.

In addition, he is an independent distributor for Amsoil, an eco-friendly oil change product. The American-made product is synthetic motor oil.

"I honestly believe this is how we are going to change the world," Stevenson said. "It's what the grassroots effort is all about."

He has studied a number of businesses that have embraced the green initiative.

Stevenson promotes businesses that have gone out of their way to "green up." He spreads awareness through a mobile educational center and showroom for all things green. He plans to take his mobile educational center to business organizations and clubs in Hillsborough County.

"It's about learning the economics of ecology," Stevenson said. "People sometimes think eco-friendly products cost so much. We bust the myth that green is expensive. In most cases it costs more not to go green."

For more information on environmentally friendly businesses in Hillsborough County, contact Earthling One at (813) 401-1697; NVirotect Pest Control Services at (813) 968-7031 or Bamboo Solutions at (813) 731-3663.

Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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