Waste Management Publishes 2018 Sustainability Report

Waste Management continued its focus on working to keep recycling both environmentally and economically feasible for customers. Waste Management has invested more than $1 billion in processing infrastructure alone, including almost $22 million in 2017, up more than $13 million year-over-year. This leadership resulted in 15.3 million tons of recycled goods in 2017, a 91.25 percent increase in recycling tons since 2007. To adapt to recycling challenges, WM worked to increase operational efficiencies and lower operating costs at recycling facilities, and actively works with customers, communities and environmental organizations across North America to educate about contamination. One example of new recycling education efforts includes the launch of a “no plastic bags” in the bin campaign.

Growing a cleaner fleet. Waste Management has committed to reducing emissions associated with its fleet by 45 percent by 2038, against a 2010 baseline. From 2010 through 2017, WM has reduced fleet emissions 28 percent.

Harnessing energy at the landfill. Waste Management operates the largest fleet of heavy-duty natural gas trucks in North America, and nearly one-third of these run on 100 percent renewable natural gas generated from landfill gas.

Technology innovations. Investing in state-of-the-art routing technology to improve fleet efficiencies, Waste Management’s fleet reduced miles driven by 2 percent. This equates to approximately 8.9 million fewer miles a year since 2017. Optimizing routes not only reduces the company's environmental impact but also increases the quality of service.