A Brief History of Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is a leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. The company has a rich history of growth and innovation in the field of waste collection, recycling, and disposal.

1968: Waste Management, Inc. was founded by Wayne Huizenga, Dean Buntrock, and Larry Beck in Chicago, Illinois. The company was initially formed by a merger of several small garbage collection firms in the Midwest.

1971: WM went public and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company's initial public offering (IPO) helped raise significant capital, which was used to fund further acquisitions and expansion.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, WM experienced rapid growth and became the largest waste hauler in the United States. This period was marked by several key events:

• 1972: Acquired Service Corporation of America, the largest waste handling company in the Southeast.
• 1981: Acquired SCA Services, Inc., one of its largest competitors.
• 1984: Reached $1 billion in annual revenue for the first time.

1993: WM acquired Chemical Waste Management, enhancing its capabilities in handling hazardous waste. This acquisition made it one of the top companies in hazardous waste disposal.

1998: Waste Management merged with USA Waste Services, Inc., another significant player in the industry, creating a vast network of waste services operations across the U.S. and Canada. After the merger, the company headquarters moved from Chicago to Houston, Texas.

The early 2000s saw WM addressing various challenges, including financial restatements and restructuring efforts. However, it continued to innovate and expand its services:

• 2004: Launched the "Think Green" initiative to promote environmental sustainability and responsible waste management practices.
• 2007: Introduced the single-stream recycling program, making recycling more accessible and efficient for customers.

2010: David Steiner, who was named CEO in 2004, led WM to focus on renewable energy and sustainability projects, including landfill gas-to-energy plants and waste-to-energy facilities.

2016: Jim Fish took over as CEO and continued to emphasize the importance of technological innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. Under his leadership, WM has made significant strides in digitizing its operations and enhancing its recycling capabilities.

Today, Waste Management, Inc. remains a leader in the waste management industry, serving millions of residential, commercial, and industrial customers across North America with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Who Owns Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol WM. This means that ownership of the company is distributed among a multitude of shareholders who buy and sell WM stock on the open market. Here are some of the key ownership details:

• Institutional Investors: A significant portion of WM's shares are held by institutional investors. These include mutual funds, pension funds, and other large entities that manage money on behalf of individual investors. Prominent institutional investors often listed in financial reports include The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation.
• Individual Shareholders: Individual investors also own shares of WM. These can range from small retail investors who purchase stock through brokerage accounts to company executives and board members who hold stocks as part of their compensation packages.
• Executive Ownership: Executives and board members of Waste Management, Inc. typically own a portion of the company’s shares. This is often disclosed in the company's proxy statements and can include shares directly owned, shares obtainable through stock options, and shares held in trust or through family members.
• Mutual Funds and ETFs: A variety of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) include WM in their portfolios, reflecting broader ownership by millions of individual investors who may not directly own WM stock but have exposure to it through these investment vehicles.
• Public Shareholders: Lastly, the general public, including individual and retail investors, holds a portion of WM shares. These investors can buy and sell shares through various trading platforms and brokerage firms.

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Mission Statement

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is committed to delivering innovative and sustainable waste solutions that are efficient, environmentally responsible, and customer-focused. The company aims to create a cleaner and more sustainable planet through a variety of practices and principles.

Key elements of Waste Management's mission include:

• Environmental Stewardship: WM is dedicated to protecting and improving the environment through sustainable waste management practices.
• Customer-Centric Approach: Providing high-quality, reliable, and efficient services to meet the individual needs of their diverse customer base.
• Innovation and Technology: Investing in advanced technologies and innovative solutions to enhance waste processing and improve environmental impact.
• Community Engagement: Actively participating in and supporting the communities they serve by promoting recycling, waste reduction, and environmental education.
• Safety and Compliance: Ensuring the safety and well-being of their employees, customers, and the public through strict adherence to safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Economic Value: Creating economic value for their shareholders and stakeholders through efficient operations and sustainable growth strategies.

How Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Works

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is a leading provider of comprehensive waste management and environmental services in North America. The company's primary focus is on the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste, as well as the recovery of valuable resources through recycling and other means. Here's a closer look at how Waste Management, Inc. operates:

WM offers a variety of collection services, including:

• Residential Collection: This involves regular pickup of household waste and recyclables from curbside bins.
• Commercial Collection: WM provides tailored waste disposal solutions for businesses, including scheduled pickups and customized waste containers.
• Industrial Collection: Services are designed to handle large volumes of waste generated by industrial activities, including construction and manufacturing.
• Special Waste Collection: This includes the collection of hazardous materials, medical waste, and other specialized waste streams that require careful handling and disposal.

Waste Management uses a fleet of specialized vehicles to transport waste from collection sites to processing and disposal facilities. The company invests in maintaining a modern fleet equipped with technology that optimizes route efficiency and minimizes environmental impact.

Once collected waste reaches processing facilities, it undergoes various treatments based on its type:

• Landfills: WM operates landfill sites that are engineered to meet rigorous environmental standards. These sites are designed to safely contain waste and minimize its impact on the surrounding environment.
• Recycling Centers: The company operates facilities where recyclable materials are sorted, cleaned, and processed into raw materials that can be used to manufacture new products.
• Composting Facilities: Organic waste, such as yard trimmings and food scraps, is processed into compost that can be used to enrich soil.
• Waste-to-Energy Plants: These facilities convert non-recyclable waste into energy, thereby reducing the volume of waste that ends up in landfills and generating renewable energy in the process.

WM places a strong emphasis on sustainability and resource recovery. The company employs a variety of strategies to reduce waste and promote recycling, including:

• Single-Stream Recycling: This system allows customers to place all recyclable materials into a single bin, making it easier to recycle and increasing participation rates.
• Public Education Programs: WM conducts outreach activities to educate communities about the importance of recycling and how to properly dispose of waste.
• Partnerships with Local Governments and Businesses: The company collaborates with municipal authorities and commercial entities to develop and implement waste management plans that meet local needs.
• Innovative Technologies: WM invests in advanced technologies that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations, such as automated sorting equipment and landfill gas-to-energy systems.

How Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Makes Money

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is a leading provider of comprehensive waste management services. The company generates revenue through various channels, each playing a crucial role in its business model. Below are the primary ways through which WM makes money:

• Collection Services: WM provides waste collection services to residential, commercial, and industrial clients. This includes the collection of municipal solid waste (MSW), recyclables, and yard waste. Collection services are typically provided under long-term contracts, which provide a stable and recurring revenue stream.
• Landfills and Disposal: The company owns and operates a substantial network of landfills across North America. WM charges tipping fees to customers who dispose of waste at these landfills. These fees are calculated based on the weight or volume of the waste being disposed of.
• Recycling: Waste Management processes recyclable materials such as paper, plastics, metals, and glass. The company earns revenue from the sale of recycled materials to manufacturers and other entities that use them as raw materials. WM also offers recycling services to businesses and municipalities, charging service fees.
• Transfer Stations: WM operates transfer stations where waste is temporarily held before being transported to landfills or recycling centers. The company earns money by charging fees for the use of these facilities. Transfer stations help optimize the logistics of waste transportation, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
• Energy Generation: WM generates energy from waste through landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) projects and waste-to-energy plants. The company captures methane gas produced by decomposing waste in landfills and converts it into electricity. This electricity is then sold to utility companies or used for internal consumption.
• Special Waste Services: WM offers specialized waste management services for hazardous and industrial waste. These services include the collection, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials, as well as the management of industrial by-products. Specialized waste services generally command higher fees due to the complex handling and regulatory compliance involved.
• Consulting and Sustainability Services: The company provides consulting services to help businesses and municipalities develop and implement sustainable waste management practices. This includes advice on waste reduction, recycling programs, and regulatory compliance. Consulting services help WM build relationships and secure long-term contracts with clients.