Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Visits Earth Friendly Products to Discuss Green Technology Innovation and Skilled Jobs Education in Illinois
ADDISON, Ill. (PRWEB) October 20, 2017 -- Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joined Earth Friendly Products®, the maker of ECOS™ environmentally friendly cleaning products, on Tuesday for a discussion with constituents about Illinois’ need for more green jobs and a strong, skilled workforce to compete in the new global economy.
Krishnamoorthi selected Earth Friendly Products in Addison as the location for his remarks because of the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable manufacturing, a high minimum wage, and benefits that support working families, making the company a model of innovative green business in the state.
“When it comes to trends that will keep America competitive in the global economy for generations to come, we think of innovation, entrepreneurship, environmentally friendly businesses, and manufacturing,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Earth Friendly Products is a great example of using clean technology to do that while creating jobs for Illinois working families.”
“We were honored to have Congressman Krishnamoorthi join us for this important event,” says Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, president and CEO of Earth Friendly Products, who welcomed the congressman to the Addison facility. “Congressman Krishnamoorthi has been a strong supporter of Earth Friendly Products, and we’re proud to be part of the conversation about strengthening Illinois’ economy through innovation and supporting working families,” added Vlahakis-Hanks.
Krishnamoorthi pointed to the need for greater investment in career and technical education, citing the fact the six million jobs across the U.S. remain unfilled because of a lack of qualified applicants. As the co-chair of the New Economy Task Force and the newly launched Jobs for America Task Force in the House Democratic Caucus, Krishnamoorthi is calling for modernizing and funding training programs to prepare students for the jobs of the 21st century economy.
Krishnamoorthi is the co-author of the Thompson-Krishnamoorthi Bill, also known as H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. Passed by the House and introduced into the Senate this summer, the bipartisan legislation will strengthen and improve career and technical education across the U.S.
Congressman Krishnamoorthi spoke to the group about the need for Illinois businesses to integrate sustainable energy technologies into their operations. As the former head of a company that researches national security & solar-energy technologies, Krishnamoorthi spoke from personal experience about the rewards and challenges of adopting renewable energy technologies to compete in the modern global economy.
Earth Friendly Products is a pioneer in innovative green technologies and sustainable manufacturing. Founded in 1967, the family-owned and -operated company uses 100% renewable energy, including solar energy generated at its four U.S. facilities, to manufacture its ECOS™ green laundry detergents and cleaners. The company’s Addison facility uses solar panels to supply a significant portion of its renewable energy needs. When the facility opened in 2010, it was the largest commercial solar array in the state.
Earth Friendly Products is also a leader in corporate social responsibility and “high-road employer” practices. Citing the benefits of supporting working families, Vlahakis-Hanks implemented a living wage policy in 2014 that raised the company’s minimum wage to $17 per hour, one of the highest in the country. It’s the latest in a series of above-average wage increases over many years.
Says Vlahakis-Hanks, “We’ve discovered that paying a living wage and providing strong benefits not only supports our employees and the local economy, it creates a workplace with lower turnover, higher productivity, and higher job satisfaction, which has been the key to our success for 50 years here in Illinois.”
ABOUT EARTH FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Family owned and operated since 1967, Earth Friendly Products® is the maker of ECOS™ Laundry Detergent and over 200 other environmentally friendly products that are safer for people, pets, and the planet. ECOS™ plant-powered cleaners are made in the USA using thoughtfully sourced global ingredients. Made without dyes, parabens, phosphates or phthalates, ECOS™ cleaners are pH balanced, readily biodegradable, and never tested on animals. Earth Friendly Products is a leader in sustainable manufacturing with carbon neutral, water neutral, and Zero Waste Platinum certified facilities that save over 53 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and divert over 95% of all their waste from landfills. The company has received many awards for its innovations in safer green chemistry and is a two-time winner of the U.S. EPA’s coveted Safer Choice Partner of the Year. ECOS™, Baby ECOS™, ECOS™ for Pets!, and ECOS™ Pro products are available at major club and grocery retailers and natural foods stores throughout the U.S., in over 60 countries, and online at http://www.ecos.com.
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Tricia Kent, ECOS, +1 (772) 633-8337, [email protected]
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