Green Businesses Grow Earth-Friendly Reputation

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Scott Montagna understood that his tiny clippings could trigger big trouble in the Indian River Lagoon. So he turned green.

"I make sure we blow everything back into the yard," said Montagna, owner of Lawns by Scott Inc.

His green reputation earned him a call from Cocoa Beach to join its new Green Business program. He's one of a dozen businesses recruited so far for the fledgling program, which targets lawn care, restaurant, painting and masonry businesses.

Those were the types of businesses that in a 1999 survey expressed the most interest in learning to reduce their pollution, said Maryann Civil, projects coordinator for the University of Central Florida's Stormwater Management Academy.

"Just small, everyday changes can make a huge difference to our waterways," Civil said. "This does not cost the businesses anything."

To join, businesses promise to limit waste. Restaurants stop hosing off greasy pans in their parking lots. Lawn services keep mowers maintained to prevent oil leaks. Other businesses clean up trash-bin areas.

Workers at the New Habit restaurant, for example, carefully sweep cigarette butts and other debris away from storm drains.

"Our parking lots are never hosed down," said Lisa Runde, who helps manage the restaurant. "We're very conscious of cleanliness."

Participants say they hope to help the lagoon and the image of their businesses. The city gives them certificates signed by the mayor, education and promotional materials, and some free advertising.

UCF set up the one-year pilot program though a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"It's the first of its kind in Florida," Civil said.

Unfortunately, customers aren't always green, said Lisa Blakeman, who owns Mowgirl & Sons lawn service.

Her wish to protect the lagoon sometimes clashes with their desires for perfect lawns. They insist their yard waste be dumped near street drains, not in their yards. Or they want fertilizer put right up to the edge of canals.

"The receptivity is not that great," Blakeman said. "Sometimes, we have to do what they ask us to do."

She still tries to educate them.

"I'm not out to change the world, just my little area, and if it catches on, it catches on," Blakeman said.

Civil said the businesses would be surveyed in a year to gauge their success in being green, then decide whether to continue the program.

If successful, it eventually could expand to pool services, hotels, marine contractors and auto services, she added.

"We hope that the employees will jump on the bandwagon," Civil said. "The real thrust is to make businesses aware of the land-water connection."