Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Waste Management (EESWM)

Dear Members of ASME’s Material & Energy Recovery (MER) Division, Environmental Systems Division (ESD) and the Research Committee on Energy, Environment and Waste (RCEEW): 

I’d like to inform you of some exciting developments that will enhance the member experience within your technical communities. Over the past year the leadership of MER, ESD and RCEEW have worked together with the ASME TEC Sector Council to unite our three groups to create a new division for Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Waste Management (EESWM).    

This new division will focus on the topics of Energy and Environment with a sub-focus on sustainable waste management centered on extraction of energy and materials from MSW with the simultaneous mission of minimizing environmental impact.  Importantly, waste management interests also encompass other waste streams such as biomass, batteries and plastics among others.  

We invite you to join us in our effort to move this new division forward by visiting our feedback form to indicate your interest in supporting the division and provide us with your feedback or questions regarding our initiatives and technical areas. 

Sustainable energy and environmental best practices are integral to our future. This new division will focus on energy and the environment with a sub-focus on sustainable waste management centered on extraction of energy and materials from MSW with the simultaneous mission of minimizing environmental impact.  Importantly, waste management interests also encompass other waste streams such as biomass, batteries and plastics among others. Other activities closely related to our merged group include technical support for several Standards and Code committees and providing expert comment on pending rules and regulations. This new division has a combined history of more than 50 years within ASME. The current advisory group is actively working on developing important projects and activities. 

Be sure to visit our feedback form to express your interest and support the division. We greatly value your participation and look forward to sharing more information about the new division’s activities in the coming year. 

The Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Waste Management (EESWM) Division was created through the merger of the Material & Energy Recovery Division, Environmental Systems Division, and the Research Committee on Energy, Environment, and Waste.

EESWM focuses on advancing sustainable solutions at the intersection of energy and the environment, with emphasis on recovering energy and materials from waste while minimizing environmental impact. Its scope also includes other key waste streams such as biomass, batteries, and plastics.

Society Level Awards

Dixy Lee Ray Award
Dixy Lee Ray was a prime supporter of technology and a friend of ASME. Dr. Ray was trained as a marine biologist, held a number of elected and appointed positions and received a number of awards. The Division has proposed to establish a principal environmental engineering award of ASME to be named after Dr Ray .The proposal to the Committee of Honors envisions an award to be given not only those who have contributed to environmental engineering but also those who have contributed to other environmental areas. The Division has provided the necessary funds to endow the Dixy Lee Ray Award. Within the Division, the Honors and Awards Committee will be responsible for administrative activities supporting the Dixy Lee Ray Award. The Award will be conferred at the Dixy Lee Ray Symposium.

Links to helpful online resources related to the division are below. If you have suggestions for other resources, please contact the division chair or ASME staff.

• ASME Landmarks Program
  Landmarks, sites and collections of historic importance to mechanical engineering are designated by ASME through its History and Heritage Landmarks Program.
• ASME History and Heritage
  ASME fosters the preservation of mechanical engineering innovations used in a wide range of applications through its History and Heritage program.

Other Links of Interest

• EPA Clu-In Site
• Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)
• Institute for Regulatory Science (for information on ASME D&D Handbook and the Dixy Lee Ray Symposium)

EESWM Interim Executive Committee

Marco J. Castaldi, Chair
The City College of New York

Ray Merrill, Vice Chair
Retired, US EPA

Lauren Creadore, Secretary
The City College of New York

Stephanie Bolyard, Treasurer
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Laura Herrera,Senior Manager, Technical & Engineering Communities (TEC) Operations
ASME Staff Liaison