In a time when the planet’s well-being teeters on a delicate edge, waste management emerges as both a profound responsibility and a transformative opportunity—an invitation to rethink our relationship with the environment and redefine the future of our communities. For Africa, where rapid urbanization converges with escalating ecological pressures, the demand for innovative and sustainable waste solutions has become a defining challenge. Leading this vital transformation is Dean Thompson, a visionary who views obstacles as stepping stones to progress. Under his guidance, EnviroServ transcends the conventional role of a waste management company.
Contributing to the Greater Good of Society
Dean Thompson’s decision to transition into the waste management industry was driven by an alignment of values. His move into this sector stemmed from a deep desire to contribute to the greater good, improve quality of life, and make a tangible impact on the environment. In a time when climate change and global warming are global challenges, Thompson saw an opportunity to address these issues through responsible and sustainable waste management practices. His decision was further influenced by EnviroServ’s strong reputation in the market as champions of environmental stewardship, which made the company an ideal place for him to lead. Thompson firmly believes that waste management is an essential service that plays a crucial role in both environmental and social dialogue.
Dean’s vision for EnviroServ over the next five years is clear and ambitious. He envisions the company becoming an agile organization playing a pivotal role in addressing the waste and water challenges facing Africa. Dean aims for EnviroServ to maintain and strengthen its position as a thought leader and environmental solutions provider, helping organizations meet their sustainability targets.
Dean emphasizes the importance of leveraging the platform EnviroServ has built as the largest waste management company in Southern Africa, with over 45 years of experience in providing sustainable solutions. The company is committed to continuous innovation, offering cost-effective solutions, and attracting skilled professionals to drive the industry forward. He has prioritized training the various teams to ensure they are equipped to meet the company’s goals.
Charting a Bold Path to Sustainable Transformation
With the recent acquisition of EnviroServ by SUEZ, a global leader in water and waste management, along with local partners like Royal Bafokeng Holdings and African Infrastructure Investment Managers, Dean is excited about the future. In the next five years, he plans to introduce new technologies, such as biogas and waste-to-energy solutions, and build water treatment plants. Biogas feasibility studies have already been conducted at facilities in Shongweni, Chloorkop, and Vissershok, with the aim of achieving carbon reductions in the medium term.
Regarding his extensive experience across industries, Dean highlights the importance of continuous innovation, accountability, and the relentless pursuit of operational efficiency and improvement. He acknowledges that while waste management is unique, it shares key commercial aspects with other industries, such as collaborating with large corporations with sustainability goals and engaging with SMMEs. Dean believes in mobilizing teams around common targets and ensuring that strategy and vision are clearly communicated. He credits his experience in other industries for helping him implement these principles at EnviroServ, although he also notes that the waste management sector presented its own learning curve. He relied heavily on the expertise within the organization to navigate this unique industry.
Overcoming Hurdles to a Greener Tomorrow
Dean identifies several significant challenges faced by the waste management industry in managing hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The most pressing issue is the lack of investment, particularly in the public sector, which has resulted in insufficient waste treatment capacity nationally. This has led to illegal dumping, pollution, and public health concerns. Another challenge is the lack of capacity in transport and collection services.
To address these issues, Dean believes that getting the basics right is essential. All waste generated must be collected and transported to authorized and compliant facilities, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. He also advocates for exploring advanced disposal and waste management techniques, such as Waste to Energy. However, affordability remains a significant challenge, as landfilling continues to be the most cost-effective option in the absence of a landfill tax in South Africa. Dean emphasizes that government support is crucial to tackle these challenges and sees Public-Private Partnerships as key to facilitating solutions. Consistent compliance monitoring is also essential to ensure progress.
While landfilling remains prevalent in the traditional solid waste sector, Dean acknowledges that it can still be a viable option if done in compliance with regulations. However, delays in the issuance of key permits by responsible authorities continue to hinder operations.
EnviroServ, as a private entity, is in a better position to address these challenges. The company is able to collaborate with private investors and other stakeholders to drive positive change in the industry. As part of SUEZ, EnviroServ is able to leverage global resources to help customers achieve their sustainability and circular economy goals. Dean stresses the importance of building relationships with all role players in the industry who share a similar vision for the future.
Building a Future of Inclusivity
Regarding EnviroServ’s achievement of Level 1 BBBEE certification, Dean highlights the company’s commitment to driving sustainability and inclusivity. The journey began in 2018 when the company adopted the Transformation Charter for both ethical and commercial reasons. Since then, EnviroServ has made significant progress on all elements of the BBBEE scorecard, following a methodical plan. Dean emphasizes the importance of skills development, particularly for future generations, and ensuring equal opportunities for previously disadvantaged individuals at all levels within the organization.
The company has made notable strides in improving diversity and inclusivity, with employees from various cultural backgrounds, genders, and abilities contributing meaningfully to the organization. Dean is particularly proud of the progress made in employing differently-abled individuals, and he underscores the importance of procurement opportunities being open to all who meet SHEQ requirements. EnviroServ is also committed to fostering a culture of knowledge sharing, skills transfer, and upskilling to ensure its people are equipped to be leaders in the field. Dean views these efforts as part of a broader transformation within the industry, aimed at being as inclusive and sustainable as possible.
Commitment to Integrity and Safety in Waste ManagementBottom of Form
Dean explains that EnviroServ’s approach to ensuring legal compliance and safety in waste management starts with understanding the company’s strategic intent. The company’s tagline, “Environmental Peace of Mind,” encapsulates this purpose, guiding all of its actions and operations. This tagline represents the company’s commitment to providing value to stakeholders, including customers, communities, shareholders, and internal teams, ensuring that all efforts align with this core principle.
Customers are highly concerned with compliance and sustainability, and the company recognizes the importance of meeting these expectations. National and local governments are equally committed to ensuring that companies like EnviroServ remain compliant with regulations. As such, the company has made significant investments in qualified and skilled personnel, with a dedicated team of 60 professionals focused on meeting all SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality) and audit requirements. These investments also extend to assets and resources, ensuring that all operations are environmentally compliant and sustainable.
Operating in a highly regulated industry, EnviroServ’s motto is to “do things right.” The company is deeply familiar with all relevant legislation and remains committed to adhering to the highest standards of integrity. As a leader in the field, EnviroServ is recognized for its ethical approach and unwavering pursuit of compliance. Significant investments in people, plants, and resources have been made to ensure that the company achieves the highest level of legal compliance and safety.
Envisioning a Cleaner Africa
Regarding the future of the waste management industry in South Africa and Africa, Dean acknowledges that, for the foreseeable future, landfilling will likely remain prevalent unless legislative changes prompt a shift. He envisions improvements in waste collection methods, emphasizing that all waste produced must be handled in a compliant manner. Traditional collection and disposal methods need to be enhanced, and a reduction in illegal dumping and its associated risks, such as pollution and health impacts, must be prioritized. Dean advocates for more robust separation at the source across all supply chains—both private and public—to facilitate more effective and larger-scale recycling efforts.
In the medium term, Dean believes there is potential for waste-to-energy solutions within the municipal sector, along with anaerobic digestion of organic waste on a smaller scale. The collection and valorization of biogas from existing facilities will also play a critical role in achieving the company’s climate goals. For the industry to transform, Dean stresses the need for greater collaboration and open dialogue between industry players, authorities, and customers. He also emphasizes the importance of continuing stakeholder engagement, particularly with communities, as the company has a vested interest in ensuring a cleaner environment for all. Communities too, want cleaner greener environments.
Leading the Way in Environmentally Responsible Waste ManagementBottom of Form
EnviroServ is leading the way in South Africa’s waste management industry by embracing innovative technologies and approaches to enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. While traditional waste management methods still dominate, the company is pioneering key advancements that offer both financial and environmental benefits.
The company’s technologies help divert waste from landfills while simultaneously generating renewable energy, contributing to the company’s sustainability goals. Additionally, the company has adopted integrated waste management facilities that offer a broader range of solutions beyond conventional disposal methods. A strong focus on resource recovery is evident in EnviroServ’s three advanced leachate and effluent treatment plants located in Uganda, Aloes, and Shongweni. These plants utilize cutting-edge technologies such as Ultra Filtration (UF), Reverse Osmosis (RO), and Nano Filtration (NF) to recover clean water and valuable by-products like salts and nutrients, saving millions of liters of water each month.
In addition to water treatment, EnviroServ has embraced other innovative technologies like oil separation plants and the Bidox system for the biological removal of sulphides, which help mitigate environmental risks. The company also uses gas flare systems to reduce hazardous gas accumulation, further improving environmental safety.
Beyond technological advancements, EnviroServ is transforming waste in creative ways. For example, the company has found a way to convert brewery waste into animal feed, which in turn boosts milk production. The company also collaborates with partners to address the e-waste challenge across its areas of operations. EnviroServ is further committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 60% at its waste management facilities by 2028.
EnviroServ’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond just technology. The company invests in highly skilled teams across its operations, bringing a diverse range of expertise to tackle the complex challenges of waste management. By providing holistic, sustainable solutions, EnviroServ continues to lead the way in environmentally responsible waste management.
In the near future, EnviroServ aims to deploy key innovations including waste-to-energy and biogas technologies.
Fostering a Culture of Collaboration and Inclusivity
A culture of collaboration and inclusivity is fundamental to Dean’s leadership style at EnviroServ. He believes that having the right team is essential to success, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with passionate, skilled individuals who are committed to the company’s goals. For Dean, passion is a key driver, and he fully believes that when people work with purpose and conviction, they are motivated to do their best.
Once the right team is in place, Dean focuses on clearly communicating the purpose, vision, and strategy behind the work, ensuring everyone understands their role and how their efforts contribute to the broader goals of the organization. He recognizes that communication, feedback, and continuous recognition are vital to maintaining morale and ensuring alignment with the company’s vision.
During challenging situations, Dean’s approach is to take personal responsibility. He doesn’t delegate critical issues; instead, he gets directly involved and provides hands-on leadership. He believes that overcoming obstacles requires planning, open communication, and teamwork. To ensure alignment, Dean works to reach people’s hearts and minds, fostering trust through transparency and authenticity.
What drives Dean as a leader is the opportunity to set ambitious, bold goals and create a roadmap for the team to achieve them. He is focused on retaining and growing the company’s market share while differentiating EnviroServ in a competitive industry. For Dean, it’s crucial that the company delivers on its promises and exceeds customer expectations. His greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the entire team succeed—whether the goal is financial, operational, or customer-related. He strives to bring the team together, get involved, and drive results as a cohesive unit.
Bottom of Form
A Legacy of Resilience and Excellence
Bottom of Form
Looking back on his career, Dean is most proud of the decisions and choices that led to significant, positive changes within the organizations he’s been a part of. These are the moments that not only shaped the course of a company but also had a lasting impact on the people involved and the communities served. While one cannot always choose the legacy they leave behind, Dean hopes to be remembered as a leader who made tough but necessary decisions and created an environment where team members could thrive.
Among his proudest achievements are managing the journey to Level 1 BBBEE, a critical step toward doing what was right for the company and society. He also feels privileged to have overseen the integration of EnviroServ into SUEZ, a complex task that required immense effort but yielded substantial rewards. While there have been numerous commercial successes, one of the most notable was managing the largest clean-up operation in recent history—an effort that demonstrated the company’s capacity to handle complex challenges.
Navigating the organization through the difficulties of COVID-19 and ensuring the survival of the company and its people during that time is another achievement Dean holds dear. Additionally, he is incredibly proud of the Health and Safety award that EnviroServ won at the SUEZ Senior Management Conference in France the previous year. Being recognized as a top performer in health and safety speaks volumes about the team’s commitment to keeping people safe. These milestones, along with others, represent the core values Dean hopes to be remembered for—leadership, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
