The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) National Members elected James Law, PE, BCEE, and vice president of SCS Engineers, as ISWA’s new president. The election occurred as part of the ISWA General Assembly conducted before the 2024 ISWA World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. Law will serve a 2-year term as ISWA President and be eligible for re-election for one additional term.
Law’s successful campaign platform resonated with ISWA’s National Members because he offers a vision for addressing the international implementation of circular economy principles, closure of open dumpsites and transition into sanitary landfills, and other relevant policy and technical initiatives in the broader solid waste management industry.
As Chair of the ISWA Landfill Working Group (WGL) and the Task Force on Closing Dumpsites Initiative, many countries learn about the key steps and economics of closing dumpsites, the climate benefits, and the pros and cons of biomining.
Law explains that since the operation of a dumpsite does not include the application of daily cover or waste compaction and also it does not have a bottom liner or gas and leachate collection system, the most common risks are groundwater contamination, fire hazards that could generate black carbon fume and toxic gases to impact the air quality and thus affect the public health in the immediate area or areas miles away in downwind direction.
The gas emissions from open dumpsites have a direct impact on climate change. Then, there are odor issues, either from the decomposed waste mass itself or from the leachate seep outbreaks located on the side slopes of a dumpsite. The leachate seeps will impact the surface water bodies, such as rivers and lakes nearby in the downstream direction, as well as the groundwater below the dumpsite.
Says Bob Dick, SCS Senior Vice President, and long-time ISWA Landfill Working Group Member, “I believe James’ election to President of ISWA is recognition of his passion for promoting a healthy environment and as an advocate for ISWA’s leadership in the field of global waste management and his demonstration of a high level of commitment for enhancing ISWA’s contributions in promoting the best waste management practices in all aspects of the solid waste industry.”
Doug Doerr, SCS Engineers CEO, states,
As SCS Engineers employee-owners, we are extremely proud of James’s contributions and accomplishments within the global waste management community and his dedication to ISWA for the past 16 years. His professionalism in serving as the Chair of ISWA’s Working Group on Landfills, his tenure as an ISWA Board Member representing Organizations, and the recognition he achieved upon being designated as an honorary member of ISWA during the 2023 World Congress in Muscat, Oman, point to his remarkable leadership capabilities.
About the International Solid Waste Association
ISWA’s governance and organizational structure is based on countries and National Member Organizations representing each country. For example, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) serves as the National Member of the United States within the association. ISWA Working Groups are the best opportunity for getting involved as ISWA Members benefit from the association’s global expert exchange with waste management experts worldwide.
ISWA, a worldwide organization, promotes and develops professional waste management to protect human health and the environment as well as to ensure sustainable resource management.
The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) General Secretariat announced the reelection of James Law for a second term as a board member representing the Organization Members of ISWA. His second term begins on October 6, at the ISWA General Assembly held during the 2019 World Congress in Bilbao, Spain. He is currently the Chair of the ISWA Working Group on Landfill and the Task Force on Closing Dumpsites Initiative as well.
Mr. Law has been a member of ISWA for 11 years. He became active after attending a World Congress conference in Singapore as a presenter and a trainer at the Landfill training workshop on how to use HELP modeling. “I love to attend and network at the annual World Congress, it is such a rewarding and educational experience with the world top experts in waste management and sustainability,” said Law.
James Law, PE, BCEE, LEED AP BD+C, SC, IWM, and SCS Engineers’ National Expert for Geotechnical and Landfill Engineering, has over three decades of engineering and management experience in geotechnical engineering and subsurface soil investigation – exploration programs (including landfill slope stability, embankment and MSE Wall evaluations), solid waste management, landfill engineering, and closure design. Mr. Law’s solid waste management experience also includes landfill gas collection and utilization as alternate energy expertise.
He has a commendable public-service record and contributes widely and regularly to industry associations and non-profits holding the International Status certification as an International Waste Manager by ISWA. James Law is recognized globally for his work toward the remediation and closure of open dumps; imperative to mitigate the impact on the environment and adverse effects on public health.
Law co-authored an ISWA publication on “The Roadmap for Closing Open Dumpsites,” released at the 2016 World Congress in Novi Sad, Serbia and has been involved in ISWA’s ongoing campaign to close the world’s 50 largest dumpsites ever since. ISWA and its national member, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) work together along with other global organizations such as Climate Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) on this globally significant movement.
Law regularly speaks and publishes papers at national and international conferences, as well as serving on the Editorial Board for the ISWA WM&R publication as a reviewer and author. His recent editorial article on “ISWA’s Closing Dumpsites Initiative: Status of Progress” co-authored with Dave Ross was published in the 2019 WM&R publication, Volume 37 (6).
The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) awarded James Law of SCS Engineers the International Waste Manager (IWM) Program Certification for individual professional waste managers based on his academic and professional work experience achievements.
The certification program has four levels of the award of which three are designated as Intermediate, Advanced, and the most prestigious International, depending on how applicants meet the ISWA criteria. There is a fourth Preliminary level for those lacking professional work experience.
Congratulations James.
Read one of Jim’s white papers by searching the SCS Engineers website.
