Deji Fawole
Senior Project Manager, SCS Engineers
SCS Engineers is an environmental engineering firm that designs and implements sustainable environmental solutions, serving clients across the US and around the world.
Tell us about yourself
I have a civil construction background and have been working at SCS Engineers for over 30 years. I serve as a Senior Project Manager, and my current role covers areas of engineering, construction, and operations management in the Landfill Engineering Division.
What inspired you to join ISWA, and how has ISWA helped in your career?
Since my early years at SCS, I’ve always had a strong interest in international work. My first international assignment in 2008, funded by ISWA, started my affiliation with ISWA. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing professionals at SCS, and my colleague and current ISWA President, James Law, was very instrumental in guiding my early years at ISWA.
Working with James on many solid waste projects and understanding ISWA’s global mission on sustainable waste management practices, I was inspired by how the shared alignment of my work and ISWA principles laid the foundation of my involvement. ISWA’s influence can be measured in many ways, but primarily, having the opportunity to connect with fellow ISWA members around the world and learn how solid waste management challenges in the different regions are addressed has been a great opportunity for me. My roles serving as the Vice Chair of the Working Group on Landfill and within the ISWA Africa Regional Chapter (Advisory Board Member and Chair of the Technical & Research Committee) have helped me amplify sharing my expertise towards a capacity and knowledge building platform at the international level.
What are the biggest projects/initiatives in waste management that your organisation has achieved so far?
There are too many big projects out there for me to even name a few. SCS Engineers is a big company that has been serving public and private clients across the US and around the world for its 56 years of existence.
Our successful project achievements cut across
environmental solutions in waste management, water/wastewater treatment, land remediation, pollution, energy, and emissions reduction among SCS’s many practice areas.
What are your biggest challenges so far?
Obviously, working in the landfill sector and being part of the ISWA Working Group on Landfill, I find the biggest challenge to be the lack of sustained commitment, on a global level, towards transitioning the open waste dumpsites to controlled and/or sanitary landfills in developing countries. While closing these poorly managed and unhealthy sites may not be immediately feasible everywhere due to socio-economic reasons, perhaps a shift in our campaign towards phased operational capacity building at these open dumpsites on a local level should be explored.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues in the waste sector that should be addressed today?
Transformation and Sustainability. Waste generation is increasing rapidly, and the push to transform the way waste is managed remains challenging, especially in developing countries. While implementation of waste diversion strategies (such as food and organic waste), adopting increased recycling efforts (plastics), or EPR mandates have yielded success in some regions, these initiatives still lack political will and investment support to achieve long-term sustainability. These issues need to be addressed with bold solutions based on local contexts to control increased open dumping from uncontrolled waste practices. Above all, we need to cultivate a mindset shift.
What are the trends in waste management that excite you the most?
Technology and Automation. There’s a lot of talk about smart waste systems, blockchain, and innovation in recycling in many countries, and that’s very encouraging.
What role do you see ISWA play in driving sustainable practices globally?
ISWA is already active in international policy and climate action on many advocacy platforms, such as the UNFCCC COP and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, to name a few, along with its industry publications, annual World Congress, and Working Groups.
I would like to see ISWA increase its role in knowledge transfer and capacity building in developing and emerging economies in support of the Regional Chapters.
How can ISWA members collaborate more effectively to address shared challenges?
ISWA’s Working Groups and the Regional Chapters are great platforms for members to network and share knowledge. While the Working Groups are specific to a waste sector, and active member engagements can be challenging sometimes due to geographical limitations, I see the Regional Chapters serving as an effective medium in fostering collaboration on shared challenges at the local level, where similar resource mobilisation and interventions are better coordinated.
ISWA has an active Young Professionals Group as a special task force. What would be your advice to them, looking to make a difference in the waste sector?
The waste industry is very broad. Pick one or two waste sectors or initiatives you’re passionate about. Focus on specialisation, learn the technology, and get some hands-on experience to develop a good knowledge base. Engage in networking and professional development opportunities to grow your career.
