Solar hot water systems use a thermos-like setup to catch the energy of the sun. (Photo courtesy of Earth Energy Innovations.)

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—John Vlahakis received a lesson in standing up for what he believes in at a very young age. Just 12 years old in 1972 during the Vietnam War, Vlahakis was arrested for distributing Earth Day propaganda without a permit. There was no jail time for the pre-teen, but he did have to go in front of the village town board and argue for his right to distribute fliers without a permit. "I learned at an early age to challenge authority," he said.

From that point forward, he was constantly questioning the status quo and asking, "What can we do better?"

That instinct for planetary improvement helped him steer part of his father's cleaning product company in a more earth-friendly direction. Later, Vlahakis created Earth Friendly Products, a domestic manufacturer of popular (and affordable) cleaners and Ecos, the most popular liquid laundry detergent in the country.

In terms of truly green cleaning product companies, Earth Friendly Products is among the best. That's because Vlahakis and his team don't just worry about the product in the bottle, but aim to reduce the overall footprint the company and its workers leave on the planet.

Also a daily blogger for The Earthy Report, Vlahakis last month published a book, Green Bites: Ecological Musings from the Front (New Leaf Distributing Co., 2011), which provides quick snippets of information on all things green, from dumpster-diving and plastic pollution to sewage sludge and the health of our oceans.

Here are some green innovations Vlahakis adopted for his company (including giving workers incentives to buy hybrid cars!) that you can work into your own growing-greener regimen.

• Locally sourced ingredients. Vlahakis says Earth Friendly Products is the only green cleaning company that sources its ingredients domestically. The company also manufactures its products here. You can do the same in your life by sourcing your kitchen ingredients from as close to your front door as possible. Just make sure they're organic, otherwise the food could harbor toxic pesticides that pollute not only the food, but your local waterways, air, and soil, too.

• Solar power. Earth Friendly Products receives 60 percent of its power from solar rooftops, and the company offers cash to employees if they want to put solar panels on their own homes. While your company may not be so generous, and may not be in the market for a roof full of panels, there are even more affordable ways to adopt solar energy, and one great way is solar hot water—it's more affordable than you think.

• Organic gardens for employees. Earth Friendly Products employees are given the opportunity to garden and harvest organic food in company gardens. Your boss may not allow you to go outside and till a bed to grow your own organic tomatoes, but that doesn't mean you can't start a garden at home, even an easy one, this Earth Day!

• Smarter flooring. Instead of using toxic flooring like vinyl or carpeting, Earth Friendly Products facilities are lined with bamboo floors, and the walls are painted with low- or no-VOC paint, which makes it safer for employees to breathe. More and more mainstream home stores are offering ecofriendly options like cork, bamboo, and no-VOC paints for the next time you remodel.

• Cool roofs and parking lots. Instead of using oil-based asphalt shingles or dark-colored roofing and paving material, the company uses reflective materials on the roof and driveway. This is a proven way to help lessen the impact of climate destabilization. Instead of absorbing the sun's heat, as dark surfaces do, these surfaces bounce it, thus eliminating some of the need for cooling, which also saves money!

Here's how you can do it:

To Save Cash and Cool the Planet, Start at the Top (Of Your House)

Your Driveway Could Pave the Way for a Cooler Climate