Kids wave to WM truck passing by in residential area

Communities are Thriving

We collaborate to strengthen the resiliency of the diverse places where we live and work.

We're empowering people to live sustainably

WM is striving to do things differently by empowering our people, and the communities where we live and work, to be more sustainable and resilient. Not only is putting our people first one of our fundamental values, but we also know we can thrive better as a business if our communities are supported, clean, safe and presented with diverse and inclusive opportunities.

Our Impact:
In 2022, we:

Refreshed our Safety Vision & Promise, "Get Home Safe Every Day"and maintained a key safety performance metric, a TRIR of 3.0

Continued to better reflect the communities we serve with the percentage of women in WM's workforce remaining at 19.2%, while ethnic and racial minorities in leadership positions increased to 22.9%

Spent $28+ million on training and development for WM employees

Donated nearly $16 million through charitable contributions and supported over 775 nonprofit organizations across North America

Protected nearly 13,500 acres of land in collaboration with Wildlife Habitat Council

Looking Ahead:
In the years ahead, we plan to:

Add even more automated features to our trucks and recycling facilities to enhance safety and efficiency

Launch a program focused on growing talent acquisition from the veteran community and continued engagement with diverse populations in our workforce

Expand frontline and leadership development programs and further develop career pathways to continue to help employees connect with various WM opportunities

Leverage Environmental Justice (EJ) data tools to ensure that we are supporting and listening to communities

Focus on biodiversity initiatives including microforests in urban areas

Sharing Inspiration WM Sustainability Stories

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WM frontline worker smiles with pride in vest and hard hat

Innovative Employment Pathways

Our Innovative Employment Pathways (IEP)® program provides a pipeline for people who are currently outside the workforce into careers at WM through three talent pipelines: veterans, fair chances (individuals impacted by homelessness, previous incarceration or disability) and early career development.

Through partnerships with workforce development organizations, participants receive skills training, career roadmapping and practical support.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Two people holding caterpillars in jars as part of pollinator conservation initiative

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Through our 30-year relationship with Wildlife Habitat Council, we have carried out nearly 300 conservation, biodiversity and environmental education projects and helped preserve nearly 13,500 acres.

In 2022, we planted hundreds of native trees, shrubs and flowering plants at our Monarch Hill Landfill in Pompano Beach, FL to nurture pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Since completing the planting, over 36 species of butterflies have been spotted at the site. In recognition of these efforts, the site was Certified Silver by Wildlife Habitat Council in April 2023.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Group of WM frontline workers stand in a circle for their morning meeting

Career Growth and Mobility Through Upskilling

WM has numerous training programs to help employees find the right path for them to build their career, regardless of where they start.

For example, through internal development and mentorship, Matt Orr, who started his WM career as a litter picker at the Okeechobee Landfill, has risen to be the Director of Disposal Operations for the entire Florida area.

And Betty Trimper, who started as a recycling sorter in Detroit, is now the head of recycling for Michigan and Ohio.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

WM frontline worker smiles with pride in vest and hard hat

Innovative Employment Pathways

Our Innovative Employment Pathways (IEP)® program provides a pipeline for people who are currently outside the workforce into careers at WM through three talent pipelines: veterans, fair chances (individuals impacted by homelessness, previous incarceration or disability) and early career development.

Through partnerships with workforce development organizations, participants receive skills training, career roadmapping and practical support.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Two people holding caterpillars in jars as part of pollinator conservation initiative

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Through our 30-year relationship with Wildlife Habitat Council, we have carried out nearly 300 conservation, biodiversity and environmental education projects and helped preserve nearly 13,500 acres.

In 2022, we planted hundreds of native trees, shrubs and flowering plants at our Monarch Hill Landfill in Pompano Beach, FL to nurture pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Since completing the planting, over 36 species of butterflies have been spotted at the site. In recognition of these efforts, the site was Certified Silver by Wildlife Habitat Council in April 2023.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Group of WM frontline workers stand in a circle for their morning meeting

Career Growth and Mobility Through Upskilling

WM has numerous training programs to help employees find the right path for them to build their career, regardless of where they start.

For example, through internal development and mentorship, Matt Orr, who started his WM career as a litter picker at the Okeechobee Landfill, has risen to be the Director of Disposal Operations for the entire Florida area.

And Betty Trimper, who started as a recycling sorter in Detroit, is now the head of recycling for Michigan and Ohio.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

WM frontline worker smiles with pride in vest and hard hat

Innovative Employment Pathways

Our Innovative Employment Pathways (IEP)® program provides a pipeline for people who are currently outside the workforce into careers at WM through three talent pipelines: veterans, fair chances (individuals impacted by homelessness, previous incarceration or disability) and early career development.

Through partnerships with workforce development organizations, participants receive skills training, career roadmapping and practical support.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Two people holding caterpillars in jars as part of pollinator conservation initiative

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Through our 30-year relationship with Wildlife Habitat Council, we have carried out nearly 300 conservation, biodiversity and environmental education projects and helped preserve nearly 13,500 acres.

In 2022, we planted hundreds of native trees, shrubs and flowering plants at our Monarch Hill Landfill in Pompano Beach, FL to nurture pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Since completing the planting, over 36 species of butterflies have been spotted at the site. In recognition of these efforts, the site was Certified Silver by Wildlife Habitat Council in April 2023.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

Group of WM frontline workers stand in a circle for their morning meeting

Career Growth and Mobility Through Upskilling

WM has numerous training programs to help employees find the right path for them to build their career, regardless of where they start.

For example, through internal development and mentorship, Matt Orr, who started his WM career as a litter picker at the Okeechobee Landfill, has risen to be the Director of Disposal Operations for the entire Florida area.

And Betty Trimper, who started as a recycling sorter in Detroit, is now the head of recycling for Michigan and Ohio.

Next

Supporting Biodiversity Across Our Sites

2023

Sustainability Report

Read more sustainability stories and learn more about our goals, progress and initiatives in this year's report

Download 2023 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

News & Press Coverage