A long-time environmental engineer urges citizens and leaders to rethink waste as a tool for community resilience and sustainability.

FREDERIKSTED, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 16, 2025 / Roger E. Merritt Jr., a veteran environmental engineer and former public agency executive, is calling on individuals, communities, and governments to rethink how they manage solid waste and wastewater infrastructure - especially in the face of growing environmental and economic challenges.

"Infrastructure isn't just roads and power lines," Merritt said. "When waste management systems fail - during hurricanes, floods, or even routine operations - it disrupts everything. Public health. Emergency response. Local business. Everything depends on good waste management planning."

Infrastructure That Serves People

Merritt, who has led operations across Georgia, Maryland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, has seen firsthand how poor planning and short-term fixes often leave communities vulnerable.

"After Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the Virgin Islands, we didn't have the luxury of ideal conditions. But we still had to collect and dispose of waste, repair wastewater sewer lines, and keep public health intact. People were counting on us."

He now works with island nations and developing communities to design smarter, scalable systems that work under pressure. According to the UN, only 38% of global municipal waste is managed in a controlled manner. In Small Island Developing States (SIDS), it's often much worse.

"Recycling isn't the first step. Reliable trash collection is. Resilient designed and operated landfills are. You can't upgrade if the basics don't work."

Everyone Has a Role-Not Just Governments

Merritt is urging everyday citizens to take small steps that have real impact.

"Start by learning how your waste management system works. Where does your trash go? Is there a local board meeting about solid waste infrastructure spending? Show up. Ask questions."

He also recommends residents pressure local leaders to fund long-term infrastructure instead of short-term patchwork fixes.

"Don't wait for a crisis to care," Merritt said. "Once the landfill's full or the wastewater pumps fail, you've already lost years of planning time."

Why Mentorship and Cross-Training Matter

In addition to engineering, Merritt holds an Executive MBA in Finance. He says technical people often underestimate the power of understanding budgets.

"Learning finance changed everything for me. It helped me build stronger teams, fight for smarter funding, and save millions in taxpayer dollars," he said.

He's now mentoring younger professionals to blend technical skills with leadership.

"You don't have to be a superhero. You just need to be curious. Understand the systems, the budgets, and the people. That's how real progress happens."

About Roger E. Merritt Jr.

Roger E. Merritt Jr. is an environmental engineer and consultant with nearly 30 years of experience in public and private sector waste management. He is the founder of REM Consulting, LLC, and has advised governments, private firms, and disaster recovery agencies across the United States and the Caribbean.

Contact: info@rogermerritt.com

SOURCE: Roger E. Merritt Jr.