Going Green

Interest continues to grow among individuals and businesses in ways to keep the Green in Greenville. From recycling to green building and remodeling, more and more Greenvillians are looking for ways to help protect the environment for future generations.

Upstate Forever, a membership-based nonprofit organization in Greenville, SC, promotes sensible growth and the protection of special places in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Since it was founded in 1998, Upstate Forever has grown to a staff of 21 and a membership of more than 3,500. Upstate Forever concentrates on four program areas: Sustainable Communities; Clean Water; Land Trust; and Clean Air, Energy and Climate Change.

Greenville also is home to Addison Homes LLC, 2007 EarthCraft HouseTM Regional Builder of the Year. Addison Homes President Todd Usher is a recognized leader in sustainable building, maintaining certifications as a Southface LEED™ For Homes Representative, a National Green Building Standard verifier for the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, and EarthCraft House™ Technical Advisor for Atlanta-based Southface Energy Institute.

Many small businesses and corporations in Greenville also have announced eco-friendly products and programs that protect the environment, lower energy consumption and improve indoor air quality for better health. The Going Green movement also has spawned Ecopreneurs in Greenville such as Ever-Green Recycling, which provides commercial recycling services for offices, restaurants and hotels in the Upstate region of South Carolina.