An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
Promoting Sustainable Waste Management at All Levels: A cleaner planet requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, and governments to rethink how we manage waste. It’s essential that we all collaborate and take responsibility, ensuring that sustainable waste practices are integrated into every aspect of society. By working together, we can drive meaningful change and create a more sustainable future.
As we face an unprecedented environmental crisis, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. This series seeks to spotlight the innovative minds and passionate advocates who are leading the charge in environmental conservation and sustainable practices. We aim to explore the most effective strategies, breakthrough technologies, and transformative policies that are shaping a more sustainable future for our planet. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Gagan Sood, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer.
Gagan Sood serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for Reworld™. In this role he oversees commercial governance, sales excellence, key product lines including carbon-negative solutions, and other growth initiatives.
Mr. Sood joined Reworld in May 2022 as Chief Transformation Officer, responsible for the company’s corporate priorities and actionable initiatives to guide it into the next phase of growth.
Prior to joining Reworld™, Mr. Sood was Chief Executive Officer, Americas for GE Power Conversion, a GE subsidiary, where he oversaw the company’s Latin America and North America operations. Previously, while serving as Chief Experience Officer/Chief Operating Officer for GE Power Conversion, Mr. Sood led the conceptualization and execution of the company’s transformation plan, achieving profitable growth for the business and accomplishing a culture transformation to a “customer first” approach.
Mr. Sood holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (E&E) from Gulbarga University and a Master of Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a Lean Practitioner and a Six Sigma Certified Professional.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
I spent 18 years at General Electric (GE), where I specialized in product management, business development, and P&L management. I began as a product manager for locomotives, then transitioned into the international locomotive business leadership, and later became the general manager for mining. Eventually, I moved up to become the CEO for GE Power Conversion’s Americas business. Currently, I serve as the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Reworld™, a role that aligns with my passion for sustainability and transformational leadership.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
One of the most defining experiences of my career was during my time at GE, where I joined their Corporate Audit Staff Program, a storied program within the company that cultivates leadership skills through rigorous training across its many business units. This leadership program was primarily focused on finance professionals, and as someone with a background in marketing, business, and engineering, I was the one of few who didn’t have that financial background. Despite this, I successfully advanced through the program. Over the course of the program, I developed strong leadership skills and mastered various aspects of finance and accounting, eventually becoming a subject matter expert in areas that were entirely new to me. This taught me that with dedication, critical thinking, and hard work, one can excel in any field, regardless of prior expertise. It also reinforced the importance of adaptability and reinforced a commitment to lifelong learning in leadership.
Another highlight from my time at GE was leading the government relations program for GE Transportation in Washington, DC. Despite not being a U.S. citizen at the time, I successfully navigated the complexities of government relations, working with both Democratic and Republican leaders. This earned me the ‘Best Business Liaison in Government’ award, highlighting my belief that you don’t need to have grown up in a specific area to succeed — you just need the willingness to learn and the drive to excel.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Resourcefulness: Throughout my career, I’ve faced numerous challenges that required perseverance and the ability to understand issues and quickly come up with the right solution. One of the biggest challenges in solving an issue is defining the problem clearly, understanding the root cause of the problem and then effectively putting in counter measures to address the issue.
For example, in my time at GE Power Conversion, we were very focused on developing products for the solar and wind business, Our revenue was increasing but we were not making much money due to a lot of quality issues in the field. When we really tried to understand the root cause of the problem, we found that our people were not used to making high volume standard products but had expertise in more systems/solution vs. product. We later decided to move the business to another GE arm that had more experience in product manufacturing.
- Honesty and Courage: I have always been true to what I believe and have voiced my opinion in a clear and direct manner to my leadership, no matter how unpopular my views are or if I have anyone else agreeing with me. For example, during my time at GE, I was hired to lead the development of a hybrid electric locomotive –a project that was way ahead of its time. This was a very high-profile project with a lot of expectations and the business leadership had already announced the development and subsequent launch to the market. As product manager, when I evaluated the benefits of the hybrid battery electric locomotive to the customer, I quickly realized that given the cost of the batteries and low cost of fuel at that time, it will be difficult for is to justify the increase price to our customers for the fuel saving benefit they would receive. I recommended the business put the project on hold and complete development and launch when battery prices stabilize, and fuel cost are higher. The management finally agreed with my proposal and delayed the launch of the locomotive. After more than a decade, GE successfully brought the product to market. This reinforced the importance of being courageous and expressing your views in a confident and data driven manner.
- Strategic Thinking: Being able to see the big picture has served me well throughout the years. For example, when I transitioned from the energy sector to leading the transformation at Reworld™, I drew on my strategic thinking skills to align the company’s goals with broader environmental objectives. This approach has allowed us to stay ahead in the sustainability space, particularly in developing innovative solutions like Alternative Engineered Fuel (AEF), which addresses some of the most pressing environmental challenges through a carbon-negative approach that not only repurposes waste but positively impacts one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world — cement.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
Yes, I’m currently leading several innovative projects at Reworld™ that are poised to make a significant impact on sustainability and environmental preservation. One of the most exciting initiatives is our development of AEF, described above and performed by our ReKiln™ service at Reworld™. This project focuses on creating sustainable fuel alternatives for cement kilns, which are traditionally heavy producers of carbon. By replacing conventional fuels with AEF, we are drastically reducing carbon emissions. As more manufacturers adopt AEF, they can lower operational costs associated with carbon taxes and regulatory compliance, making their businesses more cost effective and sustainable in the long run.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. What pivotal moment led you to dedicate your career to sustainability, and how has that shaped your approach to environmental challenges?
Sustainability was a cornerstone of my career long before it became a mainstream term. One of the bigger focuses of my career was working withing GE’s Eco Imagination initiative to reduce fuel consumption and emissions — a principle that has guided my work ever since. At Reworld™, we’re pushing the boundaries of sustainability further and I’m honored to be a part of a company that puts this at the forefront of everything we do. We are passionate about reimagining complex waste streams, helping to build a smarter and more sustainable world. In terms of sustainability, what we are doing today at Reworld™ is the evolution of everything I had done before.
Could you describe a groundbreaking project or initiative you’ve been involved in that significantly contributed to sustainability?
One of the most impactful initiatives I’ve been involved with at Reworld™ is the ReDirect360™ service line. This comprehensive solution is designed to help our customers achieve their decarbonization and zero-waste-to-landfill goals, which are critical aspects of sustainability for virtually all business industries and municipalities. ReDirect360™ provides a full-service approach to waste management, combining innovative technologies and strategic partnerships to divert waste from landfills and transform it into valuable resources.
The program addresses multiple types of waste streams, from non-hazardous industrial waste to more complex materials like post-consumer waste, e-waste and pharmaceutical waste. By leveraging our extensive network of facilities, including Thermomechanical Treatment Facilities (TTFs) and Material Processing Facilities (MPFs), ReDirect360™ deploys innovative waste processes to divert waste from landfills.
One of the unique things about ReDirect360™ is its ability to integrate directly with our clients’ operations, providing tailored solutions that align with their specific sustainability goals. For instance, we’ve partnered with major pharmaceutical companies to divert 100 percent of their non-hazardous waste from landfills.
How do you navigate the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation in your sustainability strategies?
We have found that sustainability and profitability do not have to be mutually exclusive. They must go hand in hand for any long-term strategy to be successful. My approach has always been rooted in the belief that for sustainability initiatives to gain traction and be widely adopted, they need to deliver economic benefits as well. This means developing solutions that not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance efficiency, lower costs, or even open new revenue streams.
For instance, at Reworld™, our sustainability strategies are designed to be economically viable for our clients. Services like ReDirect360™ are built on the premise that waste should not be seen as a cost burden but as a valuable resource. By transforming waste into a resource and reclaiming and reusing materials, we help companies reduce their waste management costs while also contributing to their sustainability goals.
What emerging technologies or innovations do you believe hold the most promise for advancing sustainability and why?
One of the most promising areas for advancing sustainability lies in the development of AEF, particularly in industries that are traditionally heavy polluters, such as cement kilns, mining, and metal production. These sectors currently rely heavily on fossil fuels, with around 90 percent of their energy needs being met by conventional sources like natural gas and coal. This makes them significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet”?
- Achieving Zero Waste to Landfill: One of the most critical strategies for a cleaner planet is the elimination of waste sent to landfills. A recent study administered by NASA found that U.S. landfills emit methane — a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO2 — at levels 1.4 times greater than previously reported. The ReDirect360™ service is a comprehensive waste solution that ensures waste is either recycled, reused, or resources extracted from it, rather than ending up in a landfill. This program is designed to handle a wide variety of waste streams, from industrial byproducts to everyday consumer waste.
- Implementing the Waste Hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The waste hierarchy remains a pillar of sustainable waste management. By prioritizing the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste streams, we can minimize generation and maximize resource efficiency. At Reworld™, our Total Ash Process System (TAPS) initiative exemplifies this approach. Through our TAPS program, we ensure that all ash is repurposed as an aggregate for construction materials and other products further reducing the environmental impact and promoting circularity.
- Focusing on Water Sustainability: Water is one of our most precious resources, and managing it sustainably is crucial for the future of our planet. At Reworld™, we’ve developed innovative solutions like ReDrop™, a system that treats and reuses industrial wastewater. For instance, in communities where complex waste streams, such as contaminated cleaning agents, pose significant challenges, ReDrop™ enables us to process and repurpose wastewater safely. This not only conserves water but also ensures that harmful substances are not released into the environment.
- Advancing Circular Solutions in Industrial Processes: Moving beyond linear waste management practices is essential for reducing environmental impact. Our approach at Reworld™ to creating circular solutions, such as turning waste into alternative fuels (ReKiln™), repurposed materials, is a powerful strategy for advancing sustainability. For example, our work with large manufacturers to streamline their waste streams has allowed us to transform what was once considered waste into valuable inputs for other processes, closing the loop on resource use.
- Promoting Sustainable Waste Management at All Levels: A cleaner planet requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, and governments to rethink how we manage waste. It’s essential that we all collaborate and take responsibility, ensuring that sustainable waste practices are integrated into every aspect of society. By working together, we can drive meaningful change and create a more sustainable future.
In your view, what are the key steps individuals, communities, and governments need to take to achieve a more sustainable future?
Making significant progress in reducing our reliance on landfilling is essential for creating a sustainable future. Landfills are a significant source of environmental harm, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, soil and water contamination, and the loss of valuable resources. Instead of burying waste, we must be more diligent in transitioning swiftly to more sustainable alternatives like TTF, alternative engineered fuels, and advanced recycling technologies. By reimagining waste as a resource rather than a burden, we can reduce our environmental impact, recover valuable materials, and move towards a circular economy where very little is wasted. This mind shift requires collective action from individuals, communities, and governments, and is crucial for preserving our planet for future generations.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
It would be to eliminate landfills entirely. Landfilling falls at the bottom of the EPA’s waste hierarchy as the third largest source of anthropogenic methane in the United States and globally.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
You can follow my work on the Reworld website: https://www.reworldwaste.com/. You can also keep up with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagan-sood-5616167/.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
The Future Is Green: Gagan Sood Of Reworld On Their Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.