As public concern about pesticides increases, more and more lawn care companies may be advertising their products and services as organic or environmentally friendly. Unfortunately these terms may be used indiscriminately.

Despite their use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, many lawn care companies claim to be organic or environmentally friendly. When choosing a company to care for a lawn, be open about your needs and concerns.

Ask the following questions to gain a clear picture of a company's practices and ethics. Demand thorough and honest answers. If you don't get them from one company, try another. There are many to choose from.

Lawn Care Companies

Use the following links to search for an organic lawn care provider in your area or use the contact information for the Hamilton area.

• Canadians Against Pesticides
• Organic Landscape Alliance

Local Organic Lawn Care Professionals

Beaudry Landscape Contractors
905-639-6502
4031 Fairview St., Suite 215
Burlington, ON L7L 2A4

BlackLoam Homes
James D. Guse
102 Queen St. South
Hamilton, Ontario
(647) 234-9634
blackloam@gmail.com

Creative Organics
Paul Fiorentino/Greg Burghall
905-319-7664
905-975-9143
3472 Hannibal Rd.
Burlington, ON L7M 1Z6

Earthsong Garden Design
Theresa Barclay
905-330-1289
Burlington - Service the greater G.T.A. area incl. Dundas and Hamilton
www.earthsonggd.ca

Environmental Factor
905-297-0518
17 Pinehurst Dr.
Hamilton, ON L8T 4J1
hamilton@environmentalfactor.com
www.environmentalfactor.com

Healthy Lawn Care Services
905-648-9996
1-800-311-1100
992 Garner Rd. East R.R. #1
Ancaster, ON L9G 3K9

In the Garden
Gerard Parker
905-659-4342 (Burlington)
1-866-233-6433
16-11th Concession Road East, R.R. #1
Freelton, ON L0R 1K0

If you are an Organic Lawn Care provider in the Hamilton area and and would like to be listed on this page, please contact us.

Organic Lawn Care Companies and False Advertising

“No person shall package, label or advertise a control product in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety.” According to the PMRA [Pest Management Regulatory Agency], this clause makes it illegal to say a control product is 'safe'. From "Breaking the Law - Pesticide Advertising" - Toronto Environmental Alliance

Pesticide Companies Ordered to Change Ads
Fri, 16 Jan 2004
OTTAWA - Four pesticide and lawn care companies have been ordered to change the way they advertise their products after the Pest Management Regulatory Agency found the companies violated pest control laws.
An environmental group - Earth Action - asked the federal agency to review ads by Bayer, Syngenta, Weed Man and Bobby Lawn Care. The group was upset about the use of words like "safe" and government-approved" in ads for pesticides.
The PMRA concluded the ads violated pest control laws.
A spokesman for Earth Action says when it comes to advertising and promotion, it's important that people aren't left with the impression that the government is recommending or endorsing any particular product.
Companies violating the law can be fined between $500 and $4,000 per infraction.
Written by CBC News Online staff.

Pesticide, lawn care firms told to change ads: Federal agency rules ads using 'safe' and 'government-approved' violate pest control laws
Jan 22, 2004. pg. A.3

MONTAGUE -- A federal regulatory agency says it's time to call a spade a spade and in a surprise move ruled pesticide companies can no longer advertise toxic products as safe and environmentally friendly.
It was the first petition to ever challenge illegal advertising by pesticide companies and a P.E.I. environmental group is not only delighted but in shock. "We are delighted but we're also surprised that enforcement action was taken," said Sharon Labchuk of Earth Action that helped launch the challenge.
Four pesticide and lawn care companies have been ordered to change the way they advertise their products after a ruling from the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency.
Earth Action asked the federal agency to review ads by multi-nationals like Bayer and Syngenta, and P.E.I. operators Weed Man and Bobby Lawn Care.
The group was upset about the use of words like "safe" and "government-approved" in ads for pesticides.
In a victory for the environmentalists, the PMRA concluded the ads violated pest control laws.
"It's important that people aren't left with the impression that the government is recommending or endorsing any particular product," said Labchuk.
Companies violating the law can be fined between $500 and $4,000 per infraction. The petition was submitted under the Auditor General Act to the commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
"With the publicity this petition is attracting, others will start reporting illegal ads and perhaps we can put an end to this kind of propaganda," she said.
However, Labchuk said fines of $500 to $4,000 Canadian are simply pocket change for the corporations and the group would have preferred higher penalties applied.
Just last month a chemical company was taken to court by the State of New York for illegal pesticide advertising and ordered to pay a US$2 million fine.
She said the group would work to have legislation changed to establish stiffer penalties.
Source THE GUARDIAN (CHARLOTTETOWN) 2004 - Steve Sharratt

Please call the PMRA in Guelph to report false claims of safer/safe pesticide products.

Guelph: 1-519-837-9400 Regional Officer Ross Pettigrew

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) administers the federal Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) and will respond to misleading advertising. Please mail a copy of the advertising leaflet to:
PMRA
174 Stone Road West
Guelph, On., N1G 4S9