Roger Achkar

Global Waste Cleaning Network, United Kingdom

Title: IWOC (Integrated Waste Opportunity Cost) – The Missing Sustainability Metric for Corporate Waste Intelligence

---

Biography

Dr Roger Achkar is the founder of the Global Waste Clean-up Network (GWCN) and a renowned engineer and social scientist with a profound commitment to environmental sustainability. He holds advanced degrees in engineering, business, and social sciences from eminent institutions, including Harvard University, the University of Leicester, Cranfield University, and CentraleSupélec. Additionally, he is a distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Leadership in the UK.

Dr Achkar combines his technical expertise with strong leadership skills to drive impactful environmental initiatives. His work spans over two decades, during which he has collaborated with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to implement effective waste management, waste-to-energy, and conventional and renewable energy strategies.

Dr Achkar's contributions to the field are widely recognized, and he has been a chair and keynote speaker at numerous international conferences and seminars. In addition to his professional achievements, Dr Achkar is dedicated to community engagement, promoting awareness about the importance of sustainable energy and waste management. His visionary approach and leadership have earned him several accolades and international awards.

Abstract

Global waste management systems are plagued by inefficiencies that result in billions of dollars in unrealized economic value and significant environmental harm. Traditional waste metrics focus narrowly on disposal volumes and costs, failing to capture the hidden opportunity costs and ecological impacts of mismanaged waste. This presentation introduces Integrated Waste Opportunity Cost (IWOC)*—a groundbreaking sustainability metric designed to transform waste from a liability into a strategic asset.

IWOC reframes waste as missed economic value rather than a mere disposal challenge. By integrating three critical components—Environmental Burden Cost (EBC), Lost Recovery Value (LRV), and Sustainability Deficiency Factor (SDF)—IWOC provides a comprehensive, data-driven approach to quantify both financial and environmental costs. This methodology enables corporations and investors to identify untapped revenue streams, reduce risk, and align sustainability with profitability.

The session will explore IWOC’s role as a new benchmark for waste optimization, detailing its potential integration into ESG strategies, corporate sustainability reporting, and smart waste management systems. Attendees will learn how IWOC-driven audits and AI-powered analytics can unlock circular economy opportunities, improve ESG scores, and enhance stakeholder trust. Additionally, the roadmap for industry adoption—from pilot programs in 2025–2026 to global scaling by 2028—will be presented, highlighting investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.

By adopting IWOC, businesses can move beyond compliance and embrace a proactive, monetizable approach to sustainability. This presentation calls on corporate leaders, investors, and policymakers to join the Global Waste Cleaning Network (GWCN) in shaping a future where waste intelligence drives both environmental stewardship and economic growth.

*IWOC is invented by Dr Roger Achkar and copyrighted to the Global Waste Cleaning Network.