Leaders of Tomorrow 2014 • Cover
Leader of Tomorrow:
Zakir I. Hussein Company: Organo Group Ltd.
O
rgano Group Ltd., the successful Calgary-based waste management company, not only has a bottom line — it has an ambitious and dynamic triple bottom line. “We are unconditionally committed to the social, economic and environmental benefits of what we do,” says Organo Group founder and CEO Zakir I. Hussein. “We are still growing and expanding but, at the moment, our key clients are Calgary area restaurants, malls and hospitals.” Organo Group handles the gamut of commercial and residential waste management services, from bulk paper and cardboard recovery, glass, styrofoam and metal recycling to large waste bins for oilfields and compacting services to the collection and recycling of used cooking oil and motor oil. “Did you know just one litre of used motor oil can pollute as much as one million litres of water,” says the enthusiastically environment-focused Hussein, whose much-in-demand company refines oils and resells it for biodiesel companies. Positively impacting the future of the environment and the quality of life in the Calgary community were the key motivators for Hussein deciding to start Organo Group in 2011. Three years later, with lots of hard work and vital, innovative waste management services, Organo Group has 14 employees and several heavy-duty trucks for the collection and disposal of the various commercial and residential waste. The company continues to earn Alberta-wide respect as a waste management leader in the field of organic and non-organic waste recovery, drilling waste characterization and treatment and various applications to monitor environmental waste reduction and diversion. “Even back when I was a University of Calgary student,” he recalls, “I loved the topic of the environment. Looking after the environment is vital. Not long ago that was a hard sell, but now, most people realize that thinking about the long-term future of the environment is a real necessity.” “Alberta, and especially Calgary, are very supportive and a majority of people now understand the time-sensitive issues.” In addition to providing his “triple bottom line” of vital waste management services, giving back to the community runs deep for Hussein. Of every gallon of recycled fuel that Organo Group sells, two per cent of proceeds are donated to the Calgary Homeless Foundation. “The social, economic and environmental aspects of waste management are so important.”
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners Photo by Ewan Nicholson Photography.
HUMAN RESOURCES INSTITUTE OF ALBERTA