As many of you may remember, in 2014 our planet lost a green science luminary, true leader in green cleaning products manufacturing. We lost our dearest friend and mentor, Dr. Van Vlahakis, Founder and CEO of Earth Friendly Products. His passing was unexpected.
Fortunately for the company and the marketplace, Dr. Vlahakis left the company to his amazing daughter Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, and for nearly two years she has made great strides that her father certainly would be proud of . We are indeed pleased to experience all the changes.
Since Vlahakis-Hanks assumed the role of CEO, Earth Friendly Products has seen strong growth. It is currently expanding its ECOS brand beyond its best-selling laundry detergent to rename its entire line of 200 green cleaning products under the ECOS brand.
Additionally, all five manufacturing centers have achieved PLATINUM ZERO WASTE Certification by the U.S. ZERO WASTE BUSINESS COUNCIL. This prestigious certification means that Earth Friendly Products diverts an astounding 95% of its waste from landfills. How do they do it? Education, leading by example and implementation.
“Whichever plant you visit, you will notice a very organized recycling system. Everything is sorted in the plant as well as the offices throughout each facility. White paper is in one bin, mixed paper in another and trash in another. But that last bin rarely even has anything in it. Throughout each building there are marked bins for aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles and even compost bins for leftover non-dairy and meat food waste. All 350 employees have company-provided reusable water bottles and coffee cups. Kitchens are equipped with reusable dishes and service ware. Whatever can possibly be done to prevent or at a minimum reduce waste has been implemented. We are a sustainable company at every turn,” said Vlahakis-Hanks.
What is equally exciting is the green chemistry that is sealed with love in each bottle of ECOS. Many ECOS products feature the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Safer Choice” label, which certifies that the products are made using the safest ingredients available for human health and the environment. In fact, the U.S. EPA awarded Earth Friendly Products its “Safer Choice Partner of the Year” award for advancing the goal of safer green chemistry. That is an accomplishment secured by few and an admirable achievement by Vlahakis-Hanks and her team. Next time you pick up your bottle of ECOS laundry detergent or other ECOS cleaner, look for the beautiful SAFER CHOICE logo featured on the label.
In an effort to keep people apprised of the benefits associated with green cleaning, Vlahakis-Hanks continues to partner with several non-profits and like-minded businesses.
Philanthropy is at the core of their business model. Over $300,000 was donated towards breast cancer research and prevention, cystic fibrosis research, children’s hospitals, and several green education foundations and schools throughout the country and around the world.
In San Francisco, I am proud to say that because of the partnership we have with Earth Friendly Products, they’ve also supported many local charities including Meals on Wheels, REAF, Rooms that Rock for Chemo and many others.
“Our company has a very straightforward mission which really hasn’t changed since my father founded our company back in 1967, when green was just a color. Create the most SUSTAINABLE products, the most EFFECTIVE products, and VALUE-added products. Green cleaning purchases should be affordable to all people across our beautiful country and around the globe. As CEO of Earth Friendly Products I will continue this legacy and hope to see the fruition of this philosophy within other companies. We owe this to our children, our pets and our planet,” concluded Vlahakis-Hanks.
Select products are available Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Raley’s, Whole Foods Markets, Sprouts, Rainbow and other independent natural markets, select Target, RiteAid, BuyBuy Baby, Babies R Us and Bed Bath & Beyond stores, and many other retailers across the Bay Area.
For more on Earth Friendly Products.
To win a FREE Baby ECOS detergent.
For more on Dr. Van Vlahakis and his green tips.
