Modern Landfills

As North America’s largest landfill operator, WM is deeply committed to managing waste safely and sustainably every day.

Committed to the Environment

Items that cannot be reused or recycled often end up at our landfills, and each year, WM processes more than 100 million tons of waste, including common municipal trash and highly specialized materials such as industrial waste.

WM's modern landfills are highly engineered to maximize environmental safety and sustainability by leveraging technology such as engineered liners, groundwater monitoring systems, landfill gas collection and control systems and cover systems. WM plans to continue investing strategically in landfill modernization, focusing on improved operational management and emissions measurement.

WM’s modern landfills are designed and operated to meet and even go beyond regulatory requirements. We continually monitor and work to improve the safety and environmental security of our disposal facilities.

By the Numbers

250+ municipal solid waste landfills across North America

100M+ tons of waste processed annually

4 hazardous waste landfills

People of Fairless

Transforming Landfills

Learn how WM is transforming what you think of as landfills into engineering marvels that can generate energy while helping to protect the environment.

WM collects waste and disposes of it at our landfills. As organic matter decomposes in the landfill, it produces gases, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. The gas is then collected and can be processed into a renewable energy source.

The Many Lives of Landfills

Sooner or later, all landfills reach capacity. But that doesn’t mean it’s the end of their useful life. By capping landfills with synthetic membranes, clay and topsoil, WM converts land surrounding closed disposal sites into beneficial community assets.