MEMBER PROFILE

ECOS

Family owned and operated since 1967, ECOS makes plant-powered laundry detergents and cleaners that are safer for people, pets, and the planet. ECOS products are made in the USA using globally sourced ingredients. Made without dyes, formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, parabens, phthalates, or optical brighteners, ECOS products are pH balanced, greywater and septic safe, and never tested on animals. ECOS has won many awards for its green chemistry innovations, including the U.S. EPA 2020 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award. ECOS, Baby ECOS, ECOS Pets and ECOS PRO cleaners are available at major club and grocery retailers and natural foods stores throughout the U.S., internationally and online.

Q&A

Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President and CEO

Why is a healthy democracy important to achieving your company’s purpose?

A strong democracy is good for society, but it’s also good for business. Uncertainty in America’s democracy and political system creates risk, instability, and chaos. And as a business we know that risk, instability, and chaos are detrimental to business.

Why are voting rights important to your business?

When there are barriers to voting, people doubt the workability of our representative system. These doubts lead to a chaotic and uncertain environment that makes it more difficult to invest in new opportunities they may carry risk along with potential benefit. On the other hand, a more transparent and accessible political system can create more confidence and stability in a business environment.

How do you encourage your employees to become more civically engaged?

We provide our employees two hours of paid time off to vote on Election Day as part of the national Time to Vote program. Also, we bring in guest speakers like Business for America to talk to our teams about the importance of voting and fighting to protect voting rights.

What are your company’s other projects to help support voters, protect elections, and overcome political divides?

In the 2020 election, we participated in Business for America’s “Operation Vote Safe” by providing safety supplies such as our ECOS One-Step Disinfectant Cleaner to voting locations. We advocate for support of legislation to protect voting rights and restore ethics and transparency to our democratic system.

Why did you decide to become a member of Business for America?

ECOS joined Business for America because they are so effective at both advocacy and education. We need to educate and fight for change at all levels of our society, from voters to employees to legislators, and Business for America is incredibly effective at helping us reach those groups and create real change that will benefit our business, the lives of our employees, and the communities we do business in.

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