WM Announces New, Modernized High-Tech Recycling and Renewable Gas Facilities across U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

WM (NYSE: WM) has announced the grand openings of four recycling and renewable natural gas (RNG) projects across the U.S., part of its $3 billion sustainability growth strategy for 2022-2026. The plan includes developing 39 new or upgraded recycling facilities and 20 new WM-owned RNG facilities.

The company has completed 8 out of 20 planned RNG facilities and 27 out of 39 planned recycling facilities, with more openings scheduled for 2025. Recent openings include upgraded recycling facilities near Baltimore and Central Texas, plus new RNG facilities in Chicago and Philadelphia areas, totaling $323 million in investments.

Once completed, the expanded network will add 2.8 million incremental tons of annual recycling capacity and 25 million MMBtu of renewable natural gas yearly. The facilities utilize AI and automation technology to increase material capture for reuse, while RNG facilities convert landfill gas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas, potentially powering up to 1.7 million homes by 2026.

Positive

• Major $3 billion investment in sustainability infrastructure (2022-2026)
• 69% completion rate of planned recycling facilities (27 out of 39)
• Significant progress in RNG facilities (40% complete, 8 out of 20)
• Addition of 2.8M tons annual recycling capacity upon completion
• Potential to power 1.7M homes with RNG by 2026
• Implementation of AI and automation for improved recycling efficiency

Negative

• Large capital expenditure requirement ($3B) may impact short-term financials
• 60% of planned RNG facilities still pending completion
• Significant execution risk in completing remaining facilities on schedule

WM plans to invest approximately $3 billion in sustainability growth strategy 2022-2026

HOUSTON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WM (NYSE: WM), North America's leading environmental solutions provider and largest recycler, today announced the company will celebrate the official grand openings for four recycling and renewable natural gas (RNG) projects across the U.S. The facilities are part of WM's plans to invest about $3 billion in its sustainability growth strategy from 2022-2026, expected to result in 39 new or upgraded recycling facilities and 20 new WM-owned RNG facilities.

"We are meeting our customers' needs today and investing in communities for the long term through our planned growth in recycling and renewable energy infrastructure," said Jim Fish, president and chief executive officer, WM. "As demand for recycling and renewable energy rises, WM is leading the industry in leveraging technology and automation to deliver solutions to our customers and help drive a more sustainable future."

During Earth Month, WM will have grand opening events for newly upgraded recycling facilities near Baltimore and in Central Texas, as well as new RNG facilities in the Chicago and Philadelphia areas, totaling more than $323 million in executed investments. Among these upgrades is the Mesquite Creek Recycling Facility in New Braunfels, Texas — one of the fastest-growing markets in America. Additionally, the Elkridge Recycling Facility near Baltimore is now WM's largest recycling facility by hourly processing capacity, and the Fairless RNG Facility outside Philadelphia is now the largest of its kind owned by WM.

So far, WM has completed eight out of 20 planned RNG facilities and 27 out of 39 planned recycling facilities and intends to open additional sites in 2025 as part of its enterprise-wide investment plans.
Once all planned recycling and RNG facilities are complete, the expanded network is expected to add more than 2.8 million incremental tons of annual recycling capacity and 25 million MMBtu of renewable natural gas each year. The new and upgraded recycling facilities leverage state-of-the-art technology that uses artificial intelligence and automation in an effort to increase the amount of material that can be captured for potential reuse. The RNG facilities process captured landfill gas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas, positioning WM's landfill assets as a community energy partner.

WM also continues to invest in innovative capabilities to monitor and mitigate landfill air emissions. WM recently acquired Blue Sky Resources and AirLogic analytics platform, providing WM a comprehensive tool to track and compare data from various detection technologies to help better locate and mitigate potential emissions. 

"Technology and innovation underpin our sustainability strategy, and we are adding optical sorters, intelligent sorting equipment and more at our recycling sites to help capture more material, including in areas that lack recycling access today," said Tara Hemmer, chief sustainability officer, WM. "We're also proud to turn landfill gas captured at WM landfill sites into a renewable energy source, which could power up to 1.7 million homes by 2026 and support our objective of maximizing the allocation of RNG to WM's natural gas collection fleet."

For more on WM's sustainability growth investments, visit Sustainability.WM.com.  

ABOUT WM
WM (WM.com) is North America's leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them pursue their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post-consumer materials and is a leader in beneficial use of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most landfill gas-to-electricity plants in North America. WM's fleet includes more than 12,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy-duty natural gas truck fleet in the industry in North America. WM Healthcare Solutions provides collection and disposal services of regulated medical waste, as well as secure information destruction services, in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. To learn more about WM and the company's sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including all statements regarding future events, future investments and all outcomes or benefits of such investments. Such statements are based on the facts and circumstances as of the date the statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different. Please see Part I, Item 1A of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and subsequent Forms 10-Q, available at investors.wm.com for information regarding such risks and uncertainties. WM assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

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SOURCE WM

FAQ

How much is WM investing in its sustainability growth strategy from 2022 to 2026?

WM is investing approximately $3 billion in its sustainability growth strategy from 2022 to 2026.

How many recycling and RNG facilities has WM completed so far?

WM has completed 27 out of 39 planned recycling facilities and 8 out of 20 planned RNG facilities.

What is the expected additional recycling capacity from WM's expansion plan?

The expansion will add 2.8 million incremental tons of annual recycling capacity and 25 million MMBtu of renewable natural gas yearly.

How many homes could WM's RNG facilities power by 2026?

WM's RNG facilities could power up to 1.7 million homes by 2026.

What is the total investment in WM's recently opened facilities?

WM's recently opened facilities in Baltimore, Central Texas, Chicago, and Philadelphia areas total $323 million in executed investments.