In the early 1990s, Brenda Robinson and her late husband Phil took their business idea to CIT consultants. With years of prior business experience and a passion for nature and the environment, the Robinsons wanted to prove that protecting the environment made good business sense.

With guidance and investment from CIT, the Robinsons formed Environmental Solutions, Inc. (ESI), to deliver environmental solutions integrating innovative processes and state of the art technology that converted waste byproducts into commercial materials.

Today, ESI has discovered uses for other waste products, including turning sewage into soil conditioner. ESI also uses online technology to manage waste more efficiently and economically with a database for companies to post and sell their byproducts in a virtual global auction. This year, ESI renovated the old Brown & Williamson tobacco-processing facility to create the Sustainability Park in Chester, Va., a 143-acre complex that will house multiple manufacturers, all using by-products as feedstock. Plans are underway to implement new wastewater technology and investigate renewable energy. In addition to numerous innovations and technology efforts, ESI will compost the tobacco sludge, producing a high quality soil additive.

ESI’s green business model helps preserve the Commonwealth’s natural resources.