Dive Brief:
- Waste Management released its 2014 Sustainability Report, “Creating a Circular Economy.” The report highlights where the company stands in regard to recycling, energy production, helping businesses achieve zero waste status, and converting waste into resources.
- The waste and recycling hauler announced that it diverted more than 15 million tons of recyclables from entering the waste stream in 2013.
- In addition, the firm operates 3,500 compressed natural gas trucks and is able to heat almost half a million homes each year from methane produced at its landfills.
Dive Insight:
David Steiner, the president and CEO of Waste Management, said, “By finding new ways of extracting value from the materials we manage, we’re making advancements toward our long-term business strategy, and helping others do the same.”
The report breaks down the company’s progress up to this point in time, focusing on a variety of issues including waste reduction efforts, increasing the recycling rate with the introduction of its “Recycle Often, Recycle Right” campaign, lowering emissions through alternative fuel use, creating value from organic waste, and harnessing energy from landfills.
The hauler also provides stats regarding its environmental performance- including its fleet emissions to involvement in wildlife habitat protection.