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Material is Repurposed
We operate innovative recycling and waste solutions that fuel the continuous reuse of materials.
We're Reimagining A Circular Economy
Our Impact:
In 2023 we
Looking Ahead:
In the years ahead
Looking Ahead:
In the years ahead
Ambitions in Action
Enabling the Circular Economy
WM plays an essential role in the circular economy by investing in and operating innovative recycling solutions that fuel the reuse of materials. Our plan to invest over $1.4 billion in recycling infrastructure from 2022 through 2026 aims to enhance safety, speed and sorting capabilities, with the ultimate goal of increasing the amount and quality of material we recover for reuse.
As demand for post-consumer recycled materials grows, WM is innovating to expand access to recycling, enabling more materials to be repurposed and reimagined as a resource. We’re leveraging state-of-the-art technology and automation in our recycling facilities, piloting solutions for hard-to-recycle materials such as plastic film, identifying new reuse opportunities for organic materials, and helping events, stadiums and businesses improve circular material management.
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Recycling
Growing Our Recycling Business
WM has the largest network of recycling facilities across North America, and we are growing this network to help expand access to recycling services to more communities and customers and increase utilization of our facilities’ capacity. In an effort to capture more material and improve the efficiency of our operations, we are upgrading and building facilities with advanced technologies.
In 2023, we opened eight new or upgraded recycling facilities, including a new single-stream recycling facility in Cleveland, Ohio. This facility leverages state-of-the-art technology to provide the community with essential recycling services it previously lacked. The facility can process up to 12,000 tons of recyclables per month and welcomes visitors to its community education center to learn about recycling. This facility is one of two that opened in new markets, with six facilities receiving upgrades in 2023.
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Organics
Creating Value from Organic Waste
WM is a leading solutions provider in organics recycling and composting. As we experience growing demand from customers looking to meet sustainability goals and adhere to increasing regulatory requirements around food waste diversion, we are also strategically growing this business.
To meet this growing demand, we opened nine organics processing facilities in 2023 including two FOG2Fuel℠ facilities which convert fats, oils and grease (FOG) into feedstock for biodiesel production. These innovative facilities benefit communities by diverting materials from landfills, reducing emissions and enriching soil. FOG2Fuel℠ fills a gap in the food industry because it can process waste streams with higher contamination than conventional facilities while still rendering a high-quality product. The remaining seven facilities brought online in 2023 transform food scraps and yard waste into high-quality compost.
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Circularity