Eco-Conscious Solutions for Home & Business
Along with an increasing desire to protect the environment, demand for sustainable products has grown among consumers. According to a recent Nielsen report, sales of products with sustainable attributes now make up 22% of total store sales and nearly 70% of consumers put a premium on brands that are either sustainable or eco-friendly. Another survey from Innova Market Insights shows that the two most important sustainability issues on people’s minds are food waste and plastic packaging waste.
Not surprisingly, businesses in Northeast Florida have taken note of this growing demand and consumers can find a multitude of eco-friendly products and services. To get started, here's a round-up of some of the local advocates for going green.
THE LOCAL REFILLERY
Store Location at 215 W King St Unit 2, St. Augustine, Florida
Reducing the use of single use plastic packaging has been the driving motivation behind The Local Refillery, a collaboration between CBD Supply House, Cultivate Tea & Spice and Peace in a Nutshell. This small store in St. Augustine offers plenty of eco-friendly bulk shopping, with more on the way. And with organic tea, matcha, coffee and kombucha at the “Botanical Beverage Bar,” networking with other like-minded shoppers is easy.
“Shopping in bulk allows customers to bring their own containers to be refilled, greatly reducing packaging waste and providing a more cost-efficient option,” says Jon Veniard, owner of Cultivate Tea & Spice. “We also carry locally made products, which reduces our carbon footprint with shipping and gives customers a way to support other small businesses.”
ZERO GOODS
Online Store
When Cora Good returned to the Florida coast after living in eco-friendly Colorado, she knew she wanted to encourage her community to think green. Zero Goods began as a modest pop-up and bloomed into a larger online presence offering waste-free products for cooking, cleaning and more. Most of Good’s products are locally sourced, and she delivers throughout St. Augustine. She also places “micro-shops” in various locations so consumers can browse at their convenience.
“For me, it’s not just about having a more natural home,” she says. “I would say in St. Augustine, maybe half the restaurants and food trucks are conscious about using eco products. And I’ve been trying to raise community awareness.”
BEACHES GO GREEN
Non-Profit Organization
Beaches Go Green, a local nonprofit, takes environmental education seriously, knowing what we do today affects the planet tomorrow. Founder and Executive Director Anne Marie Moquin notes that most people open their eyes to how much their footprint matters after adequate education. Social media is one way to spread the word, and youth programs are popular for teaching the under-18 age group to think green.
“We’ve had three school clubs this year, [which] educate the students, who then educate their peers and the younger students,” Moquin says, adding that awareness events, cleanups and sports bottle initiatives for local teams have proven successful.
Interested in getting your restaurant or business involved? Sponsors are needed for various clubs and programs, or sign up for monthly emails to learn more about local events.
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION’S OCEAN FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
Non-Profit Organization | Program
Floridians care about the ocean. The Surfrider Foundation understands this; its mission is to ensure our restaurants are environmentally responsible and skip single-use plastics, according to plastic pollution manager Rachael Coccia.
“Plastic foodware can be hazardous and is typically single-use,” she notes. “If it ends up in the landfill or incinerator, it produces toxic greenhouse gases, and, if it ends up in the environment, it can harm marine life or break down into microplastics.”
A few local restaurants are already onboard, and new ones can become members on the Surfrider Ocean Friendly website. Coccia points out that skipping plastic can save a business money, and reusables can still be safe during the pandemic provided they’re properly sanitized.
ECO-ECLECTIC
Online Shop, Pop-Ups & Select Product Placement at Retail Locations
Sara Fagen, founder and owner of Eco Eclectic, believes all of us should find a “sustainability niche” to start with and work on that "as your superpower, because it’s going to take millions of people making small changes … to change the course we’re on.” Eco Eclectic offers refillable products, a bottle swap program and even recycling options for difficult items, in partnership with recycling solutions company Terracycle.
“We are a community resource for those who want to vote with their dollar and create a sustainable future,” says Fagen, adding that Eco Eclectic strives to work with minority and women-owned businesses. “By supporting Eco Eclectic, you are supporting a network of small business owners committed to creating a better future for our planet.”
JOYFULL SUSTAINABLE REFILLS
Online Shop, Home Delivery and Pickup Service, Pop-Ups
Joyfull’s online shop and delivery service offers eco-friendly kitchen products such as liquid soap, food storage options, sponges, compostable dish brushes and more. Owner Lauren Bramwell is passionate about low-waste shopping and reducing the 300 million tons of plastic produced yearly. Besides providing eco-friendly products, Joyfull publishes a blog sharing green resources and green education for the community.
“Low-waste lifestyle is a journey,” Bramwell says. “Joyfull’s goal is to encourage more mindful consumption, minimize reliance on single-use plastics and help the local community move toward a circular economy.”
NORTH FLORIDA GREEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Non-Profit Organization for Business Owners
For restaurants and food-related businesses that aim to become green but need guidance, the North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce is an ideal resource. According to Executive Director Christina Kelcourse, the Chamber “makes it cool and convenient to be green, providing tools and resources to make sustainability easier.”
These tools and resources include: sustainability mentorships; business sustainability coaches; a listing in the green marketplace; a buyer’s club to purchase green products at discounted prices; and more.
“We are the only outlet for all green businesses in North Florida,” Kelcourse notes. “We’re making our local environment better by encouraging businesses to incorporate triple-bottom-line practices, providing real tools to reduce waste and toxins and reassuring people that sustainability pays off economically."
