OUR PRIORITIES
Priority areas are selected for their potential to drive systemic change and lasting impact. SDS addresses root challenges at both local and global levels. Each initiative is informed by data, shaped through stakeholder collaboration, and implemented with a focus on relevance, scalability, and resilience.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Designing systems that never produce waste and rather leverage resources, logistics, and the Internet of Things to keep biological and technical nutrients efficiently circulating across a dynamic economy. Just as we see in nature, the cherry tree produces tens of thousands of blossoms to encourage a single offspring, yet no waste is created, only beauty and feedstock for wonderful soil. We believe that our systems can be similar, not always racing to the bottom for efficiency’ sake, but cultivating abundance through intelligent and benign design. SDS works with our clients to design and implement transition pathways from current linear systems to cutting edge circular systems for tomorrow. We can support individual processes within an organization and complex, multi-faceted systems across society.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
SDS offers a range of consulting and operational services across the solid waste management value chain from collection, to final disposal, recovery and recycling ecosystems, innovative financing, behavior change and technology-driven systems. We design turnkey solutions, and perform targeted and data driven assessments to identify viable development pathways. Our experts offer facility due diligence, economic and financial analysis, and transaction advisory services
PLASTICS POLLUTION
SDS has been at the frontline of plastic pollution for over two decades, supporting governments, the private sector, civil society, academia and the media to work on a wide range of solution pathways. We are leaders in design-for-recycling, reuse and refill systems, alternative materials, next generation recycling, policy and financing. We understand the complex and hazardous nature of plastic pollution compounded by the integration of plastics into every sector, and we work across that broad portfolio.
EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY
We support clients to develop EPR policies and compliance mechanisms that are adapted to local needs. We focus on developing efficient and targeted systems that deliver the greatest results with the smallest number of actors and support digitization to facilitate monitoring and reporting and to establish trust. We specialize in the integration of EPR in under capacity settings that have significant investment, legal and institutional requirements to bring their waste management and recycling performance up to their goals. SDS partners across the entire policy lifecycle from initial conceptualization, stocktaking, costing and impact assessments, to detailed system analysis for fee setting, target setting and facility expansion. SDS also has extensive experience in developing and retrofitting deposit return Schemes (DRS).
INFORMAL SECTOR
We focus on empowering underserved waste workers by creating inclusive pathways that recognize their critical contributions to resource recovery and waste management. By fostering collaboration between these workers, communities, and formal institutions, we help build systems that improve livelihoods, enhance social equity, and strengthen community resilience. This inclusive approach promotes sustainable economic opportunities while reducing environmental impact, supporting circular economy principles, and advancing broader sustainable development goals. Our work ensures that no one is left behind in the transition to more sustainable and efficient waste management solutions.
INNOVATION
We help our clients stay ahead of major industrial and technological advancements by positioning them as lead innovators in their fields. Our advisors maintain abreast with emerging technology and software trends and offer first-hand experience implementing the newest innovations.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
We help local and regional governments to attract business and industry that is genuinely lucrative, bringing high quality jobs and personal development opportunities for the local community. We help distinguish competitive advantage, creating shared identity and collaboration corridors where the benefits are greater than the sum of the individual parts. We work across sectors including industrial transformation, agriculture and agroprocessing, natural resource management, tourism, athletics and arts.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
SDS offers a full suite of solutions to help clients prepare for and recover from disasters. We start by undertaking risk assessments, stocktaking the real issues felt by citizens, performing root cause analysis, prioritizing interventions that will yield the greatest impact, fund match making design and delivery of both hard and soft infrastructure and warning systems. These services are complemented with risk mitigation planning to improve public works and safety in times of peace and prosperity.