Going Green: Eco-Friendly Businesses

It’s Easy Being Green

Entrepreneurs embrace environmental consciousness

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, we sought out some local business owners who took on the challenge of bringing eco-friendly, sustainable, and healthy living products to our community. From organic hydroponically grown produce to laundry detergents with no toxins, these St. Petersburg entrepreneurs hold strong beliefs that going green is a necessary step to a healthier, more sustainable and environmentally friendly planet.

SPL salutes these role models. Now, go forth and go green!

BY KAYLA GLEASON

Brick Street Farms

2001 2nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg brickstreetfarms.com

Brick Street Farms

Started in 2016, Brick Street Farms brings freshly grown produce into the urban jungle.

Shannon O’Malley founded Brick Street after moving to Florida from her home in Pennsylvania and fi nding that the growing season here was short, if not non-existent. She turned to hydroponics because it does not involve any soil, can be done year-round and uses very little water – a major issue in standard agricultural practices both because it leads to a great deal of waste and because it severely limits the locations of farms to where water demands can be met.

“We also don’t use any chemical pesticides or fertilizers, which eliminates the risk for contamination,” said General Manager Megan McKenna. “It’s got a much smaller environmental impact than traditional agriculture. We can hold up to two acres worth of produce in each container.”

The farm is considered hyper-local because they produce at the point of consumption, rather than contributing to fossil fuel depletion from national and global shipment. “This means our food has a much longer shelf-life and it maintains more of its nutrients,” McKenna said.

Brick Street produces everything from leafy greens to herbs and microgreens, but lettuce remains their most popular product, with 10 different varieties including kale and chard. And currently they are looking to move into a larger warehouse as well as renovate their 2nd Ave. property, which opens the door to growing even more types of food. “We definitely want to expand production here in St. Pete and we’re talking about other cities and maybe even states, too,” McKenna said.

Brick Street produce can be bought fresh from their on-location store – along with a pantry fi lled with other local goods like jams, nut butters and pickled veggies. “Something we’re really excited about is that we’ve just announced a partnership with Publix. We’re starting out at the new Greenwise location in Lakeland, but we’re hoping to work our way into the Tampa Bay area,” McKenna said.

And if you eat out a lot, you’ve probably already tried Brick Street Farms without even realizing it. Their produce is found in restaurants from downtown Tampa’s Oxford Exchange and Armature Works to St. Pete’s IL Ritorno and Vinoy Renaissance.

Molly’s Suds

mollyssuds.com

Born at local farmers markets from a desire to create skin- and body-safe cleaning supplies, Molly’s Suds has grown into a heavilydemanded supplier of soaps, sprays and “super powders,” selling both in-person at local shops like The Refi llery and Rollin’ Oats, and online through Amazon, Walmart and Target, as well.

Inspired by the loss of her stillborn daughter and company’s namesake, Molly, owner Monica Leonard made it her mission to create cleaning products safe for the entire family.

“I used to be a pediatric nurse and that side of me worked through the grief by trying to fi nd the ‘why.’ We already ate organic and stayed healthy but we never thought about window cleaner, detergent, things like that,” she said. “It wasn’t until I started researching that I found all these studies on the side-eff ects of cleaning products. One tested the blood in newborns – babies who had never been directly exposed to any of these materials – and they found household chemicals already in their bodies.”

Unfortunately, safer replacements or alternatives for cleaning and laundry supplies weren’t always available. And with this discovery, Leonard felt like it was her responsibility to do something about it. “I started making my own products and it was awful,” she joked.

But Leonard eventually found an Oregon-based chemist who helped her perfect the products and combat elements larger corporations have made us feel are necessity. She notes one of the biggest marketing tactics by companies today is scent which is typically artifi cial and even causes allergic reactions in some cases. Just do an online search for your detergent of choice and “rash” and you’ll probably fi nd countless articles and forum posts of people claiming these brands have given them contact dermatitis and red, itchy skin.

Molly’s Suds, on the other hand, are naturally fragranced. The cleaning vinegars, for instance, come in a wide variety, from rosemary and orange to grapefruit and mint. “We’ve had people call and say their skin has been breaking out for years and, after making the change to our products, it isn’t anymore,” said Leonard. “And if it’s safe for people, it will inherently be better for the planet.” All of the products produced by Molly’s Suds are biodegradable, cruelty-free and vegan. They are also septic-safe and high-effi ciency machine safe for those struggling to fi nd compatible cleaning supplies. At the offi ce, Molly’s Suds have even replaced disposable products like paper towels, plastic cutlery and single-use coff ee cups with their washable counterparts.

“We are always safe for people and the planet so we want the culture here to refl ect that,” Leonard said.

The Refillery

7490 30th Ave. N., Suite B, St. Petersburg, therefilleryfl.com

If you find yourself interested in Molly’s Suds, one of the best places to shop their line locally is at The Refillery, an apothecary-style, waste-free storefront right next door. Monica Leonard opened The Refi lery after moving Molly’s Suds into their current facility.

“The company we bought this from, this used to be their showroom, so we had this odd little space we didn’t know what to do with,” she said. “We decided to make a place where people can come in and be educated and where we could ensure what they are buying is safe and sustainable.”

The Refi llery utilizes the same bulk-bar style as Sans Market where customers can bring in clean, empty containers to refi ll – as the name suggests – purchase reusable jars or take free ones donated by other shoppers. “The planet has a huge waste problem so we saw this store as an incredible opportunity,” said Leonard. “If we all do even a little bit, it makes a tremendous diff erence.”

While many of the products available are from the Molly’s Suds line – like their bestselling laundry powders and natural whiteners – the Refi llery does partner with other companies to provide a wider range of supplies. The shop stocks everything from reusable straws to package-free toothpaste tablets to washable zip-top bags.

Even the décor adheres to their waste-free standards. “The big table in the middle of the store and the old Toledo scale were left here from the previous owners who said they were just going to throw them out,” said Leonard. “We’re such a consumer society that we don’t even think about what can be reused. We want to change that mindset.”

And, while you wouldn’t initially think of a cleaning supply store as the spot for your next big outing or group activity, The Refi llery is often host to baby showers, birthdays and bachelorette parties. “People can book us for events and come in and DIY their own deodorants, body lotions and more. We have a whole book of recipes and all the tools you could need whether it’s measuring cups, bowls, blenders, whatever,” Leonard said.

The Make and Take Station is also open to everyone during regular business hours and all of the equipment is free to use, you only have to pay for your product – usually in the fi ve-dollar range, according to the website. The Refi llery also has events planned to celebrate Earth Day and their anniversary in April, from clothing swaps to candle-making.

Truff ūla Eco-Boutique

2935 Central Ave., St. Petersburg truffulaeco.com

Open for just over a year, Truffūla Eco Boutique has set up shop in the heart of Kenwood and prides itself on being a one stop shop for all things environmentally friendly. Jeff Schorr, who owns the boutique as well as the nearby Craftsman House Gallery, says he fi rst became interested in ecoconscious products thanks to his previous career.

“My background is in the surf and skate industry and a lot of those brands, a lot of those companies were some of the earliest to begin looking into more sustainable products,” he said.

In fact, one of the best-selling lines at Truff ūla is made by professional surfer Kelly Slater. His brand, Outerknown, focuses on sustainable denim with a lifetime guarantee. Traditionally, the denim-making process is responsible for huge amounts of water waste but Slater’s brand is all made at the greenest denim factory in the world.

According to Schorr, Outerknown has also just released a highly demanded women’s line that Truffūla now stocks. “The apparel industry is the second highest polluter of the ocean, so it’s great to see all these smaller, sustainable companies coming out now and getting recognized."

But Truffūla doesn’t stop at clothing, the store has everything from reusable straws – a nice thing to have since St. Pete’s plastic straw ban! – to purses and accessories and even art.

Supporting local sustainable brands and artists is also important at Truff ūla, which prominently features beautiful blown glass straws made by an original member of the St. Pete Summer Market and upcycled necklaces made from metal salvaged from the old pier. “We are excited to continue growing as word gets out and as St. Pete develops,” said Schorr. “We do get customers who seek us out and are very eco-conscious, but it’s great when you meet people new to the subject and you just see that light go off in their head.”

Sans Market

1102 Central Ave., St. Petersburg sans.market

Right on Central Avenue in the heart of downtown St. Pete, one store is looking to encourage a zero-waste lifestyle. Sans Market focuses on changing the game when it comes to health, beauty and cleaning products – which typically come with exorbitant amounts of unnecessary packaging, plastic and harmful chemicals, according to shop owner Eniko Olah.

“The idea for the store came from personal inspiration. When I got pregnant, I really struggled to find products for my own life

PHOTOS /KAYLA GLEASON

that had little to no packaging or toxins, so I made a store to help others who are also searching,” she said. “Actually, that’s where the name came from. ‘Sans’ means ‘without’ in Latin, so we literally help you live without plastic, packaging and toxins.”

Some of Sans Market’s most popular items include shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets – which can be near-impossible to fi nd in your average retailer – stainless steel straws in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes and washable, reusable menstrual products.

“Our bulk bar is also a big draw,” said Olah, we have all diff erent kinds of cleaning products, everything you need. It’s something we’re always expanding. You can even bring your own packages to refi ll or you can buy a reusable container here.”

Customers also have the option of using a free jar – repurposed containers like pasta sauce glasses or drink bottles that are washed, de-labeled and donated by patrons. “It’s not just about saving the world; it’s about saving our health. I want to provide products and a place where people can come and ask questions We're all on this green journey together."

That is why Sans Market will also be off ering educational classes on topics ranging from feminine hygiene to healthy cleaning to composting. A diff erent themed class will be off ered in the shop space once a month and each will start with a “green quiz” to see how environmentally friendly you are and to help create a dialogue on lifestyle changes and product substitutions you can make.

While the store was originally located above Baum Ave. Market, Olah expected to move into new digs up the street at 1102 Central Avenue by mid-March.

Miles Fetherston-Resch

Kids Saving Oceans

MILES FETHERSTON-RESCH

Just home from school and a day after speaking at a business summit for innovators in Tampa, Miles Fetherston-Resch makes time before homework to talk to a reporter about responsibility. As founder and CEO of Kids Saving Oceans, the 7-year-old seems to be setting a good example. In just one year, he has drawn attention to the plight of marine life aff ected by pollution with his own line of stickers, t-shirts and hats available on his website kidssavingoceans.com. He donates proceeds from the merchandise to local non-profi ts and conservation groups like Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Surfrider Foundation, Mission Blue and Shark Allies.

Miles is on an eco-crusade, eager to speak at meetings, events and festivals, to local and state offi cials, television and news reporters, on the dangers of not taking responsibility for an ocean environment that is threatened every minute of every day. With the help of his mom (who also serves as his driver and manager), Miles inspired his school - Country Day School in Largo – to change Earth Day to Earth Week last year and started a petition drive asking the cafeteria to move away from single-use plastics. They even held a Waste Challenge in which each grade was challenged to keep track of how much plastic and other waste they created and come up with ideas on how to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Miles launched Kids Saving Oceans early in 2019 after watching Shark Week on TV and deciding he wanted to do something to help marine wildlife. After sharing his idea with his mom, they started working together on creating a merchandise business that would promote beach conservation and protecting marine life while raising funds for organizations that espoused the same ideals. Of course, the products would use recycled materials that are environmentally sustainable. Miles came up with a colorful sticker featuring his favorite marine animals, and Kids Saving Oceans was born.

What is his mission?

“My message is that one person can change the world,” he says. Take, for instance, choosing not to use a plastic straw, or bringing your own water bottle, or using a reusable bag instead of a plastic shopping bag. “Every choice matters,” says Miles. “If one person starts, then others follow, and even more follow them, you really can make a difference.”

His passion and business sense helped sway judges to award him $5,000 last November in Tampa Bay Pitch Night, where Kids Saving Oceans was up against 27 other startup businesses. Organized by the City of St. Pete and Greenhouse, Pitch Night, through the generosity of Regions Bank, awarded fi ve innovative startups $5,000 each for seed funding. Kids Saving Oceans was one of them. With his winnings, Miles plans to expand his product line, and eventually write a book, which will allow him to donate $7,500 to his non-profi t partners. He recently added a reusable metal straw kit, since “plastic straws can blow into the water and harm the environment,” he says.

“Miles delivered a strong business plan that can rival any other organization like his,” said Regions Bank Market Executive Jim Donatelli, who was one of the judges at Pitch Night. “He presented a clear vision for his award and knew the fi ne details about what Kids Saving Oceans can and should do to be profi table. Whatever Miles decides to do in the long run in his career, he is going to be wildly successful. I hope he’ll continue to share that success with St. Pete.”

Five Things You Can Do for Earth Day

By Miles Fetherston-Resch

• Look around your house or offi ce for single-use plastic items you can eliminate (for example, swap shampoo and conditioner bottles for bars, use a water pitcher instead of bottled water, or opt for a wooden toothbrush instead of plastic.)

• Start recycling at home and at your offi ce or school. And you can always make a fun art or craft project out of some of the non-recyclable things.

• If you already recycle - great! Now you can think about composting your food scraps. The City of St. Petersburg has a composting program that will give you free bins and instructions.

• Consider a carbon off set or credit for your energy usage. Kids Saving Oceans does this for both the business and our home and we can see the kinds of projects that the money funds that pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, like planting trees, or investing in green energy. To learn more about carbon off set, check out Terrapass.com

• Organize a neighborhood cleanup. Your streets will look nicer and you will keep trash out of our waterways. His ultimate goal, says Miles, is to donate $1 million to marine conservation charities by the time he is 18 through sales of his Kids Saving Oceans merchandise.

Here Comes the Sun

Interested in going solar? A new solar co-op is forming in St. Pete! Three informational sessions are planned to explain the process. The St. Pete 2020 Solar Co-op aims to assist homeowners and small business owners in learning about solar energy and purchasing rooftop panels. Those who sign up for the co-op will leverage their numbers to solicit bulk pricing through an open bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors. The co-op is open to all homeowners and small businesses owners in the City of St. Petersburg. Visit solarunitedneighbors.org/stpete2020 for more information.