CSI member Fitec Environmental Technologies recovers organic waste from a variety of sources and transforms it into renewable fuels. They strive to provide robust and reliable solutions for farmers, municipalities, project developers, waste management companies, and more. We talked to CEO Tom Ferencevic about how COVID is impacting those efforts, and how what made him decide he wanted to be part of CSI.
What is your biggest hope for Fitec Environmental Technologies? What does the world look like if those hopes come true?
I’m aiming to become a market leader in designing and building organic waste recovery and biogas production facilities. This will allow me to be more influential in my push for organics recovery and reuse policies. It will also show potential clients — like municipalities and waste management firms — that there are off the shelf options today that can improve plant performance, keep opex low and improve investment returns.
How has being a CSI member impacted Fitec Environmental Technologies?
I joined CSI because I wanted to surround myself with more like minded people and businesses. People who don’t just talk about action, but actually take it. I’m a small business right now and it’s so important to be involved with positive and outside the box thinkers and doers.
How is Fitec Environmental Technologies pivoting and surviving through COVID?
So far I’ve not been greatly impacted because all three of my projects this year started before COVID hit. They all fall into the category of “essential” because they are renewable energy related. But some of clients that collect commercial organics from restaurants, schools et cetera have seen their businesses cut in half. Many of those businesses aren’t producing even half the waste they used to, and some have gone out of business entirely. It’s not that we are necessarily producing less organic waste, but it has shifted to being generated at the household level.
What issues is Fitec Environmental Technologies working on?
My company is pretty new, going on three years old. So far it’s just been about getting a solid base and getting the business to a sustainable steady state. However, I need to do more than just sell organics recovery and biogas production systems. My goal is to be carbon neutral and to give back by joining a sustainable corporate movement like 1% For The Planet. I just don’t know which one(s) yet.
What impact does Fitec Environmental Technologies have, as in, who do you serve?
I serve municipalities, waste management companies, farmers. My systems make it easier for any potential client to recovery and beneficially reuse and recover any type of organic waste. This should allow for more diversion from landfills and the replenishment of organic matter in agricultural soils.
How can CSI members (or anyone!) get involved in Fitec Environmental Technologies?
Good question! I’m not sure at the moment, as I’ve been just too busy to lift my head up. I know there is proposed legislation to look at banning organics from landfills. Once I can free up some time I’d like to develop an education and lobbying campaign outside the traditional big corporately funded organizations like ONEIA, OWMA etc would be a hugely beneficial.
Do you want to be around people who take real action? We’d love to meet you! Check out our membership options today!
