How to receive alerts and prepare for severe weather

In this article

Find tips for navigating inclement weather and learn how to sign up for severe weather alerts by text or email.

Want support information for your location?

When weather-related issues, natural disasters, or other serious situations occur, we work hard to keep you informed about how they may affect your service. Safety is our number one concern for our customers and employees.

For the latest updates on possible service delays, interruptions and storm recovery in your area, visit the Schedule & ETA page and search using your service address. If you have a My WM profile with linked account(s) with us, you can stay up to date on the status of your account by enrolling in email or text alerts.

Note: Please keep storm debris separate from your regular household garbage and recycling.

Storm debris is managed by your city, county, or area and will be handled by other contractors. You can refer to www.fema.gov for detailed instructions on debris collection.
Regular household garbage and recycling will be collected by WM until a warning is issued.

Extreme cold or warm weather can pose a safety hazard and disrupt your regular service. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for proper waste disposal.

Cold Weather Tips	Hot Weather Tips
These common winter weather factors may disrupt your regular service: • Plowed snow blocking access to your trash or recycling container • The snow or ice around your container is too deep, preventing our truck's ability to access your container • Steep hills or winding roads that have become icy, making it difficult for our drivers to navigate • Poor visibility • Non-plowed areas preventing our drivers from turning around • Your trash or recycling container has been covered or buried in snow and is not visible to our driver • Your trash or recycling container has been placed on or behind a snow mound and is inaccessible to our driver These tips will help ensure that your trash/recycling services run effectively during cold weather months: • Keep the area in front and around your container salted and clear of snow and ice. • Ensure all gates can be easily opened if your container is enclosed.	For personal and community safety, avoid placing these items in your trash: • Flammable or combustible liquid including gasoline or oil-based paint • Hazardous materials such as ammonia, bleach, pesticide, paint thinner and batteries • Aerosol cans still containing propellants • Hot ash from a fire pit, grill or fireplace Trash can give off unpleasant odor in hot or humid weather. Follow these tips to minimize odor: • When throwing out meat and/or meat packaging, put it in a grocery bag and then into a kitchen bag. Make sure your container lid is completely closed to reduce any odor. • Place all trash into a bag. This prevents liquid from settling at the bottom of a container and reduces odor and insect accumulation. • Items that go into recycling containers should be washed out but not bagged. • Keep your container lid closed and if possible, out of the sun. • Rinse your residential container with hot water and soap after each pickup. Discard water onto gravel, grass area and or into the sink to avoid pollutants going into storm drains. • Remove buildup at the bottom of your container using a sprayer or pressure washer. • Use baking soda to absorb strong odors.

Cold Weather Tips

Hot Weather Tips

These common winter weather factors may disrupt your regular service: • Plowed snow blocking access to your trash or recycling container • The snow or ice around your container is too deep, preventing our truck's ability to access your container • Steep hills or winding roads that have become icy, making it difficult for our drivers to navigate • Poor visibility • Non-plowed areas preventing our drivers from turning around • Your trash or recycling container has been covered or buried in snow and is not visible to our driver • Your trash or recycling container has been placed on or behind a snow mound and is inaccessible to our driver These tips will help ensure that your trash/recycling services run effectively during cold weather months: • Keep the area in front and around your container salted and clear of snow and ice. • Ensure all gates can be easily opened if your container is enclosed.

For personal and community safety, avoid placing these items in your trash: • Flammable or combustible liquid including gasoline or oil-based paint • Hazardous materials such as ammonia, bleach, pesticide, paint thinner and batteries • Aerosol cans still containing propellants • Hot ash from a fire pit, grill or fireplace Trash can give off unpleasant odor in hot or humid weather. Follow these tips to minimize odor: • When throwing out meat and/or meat packaging, put it in a grocery bag and then into a kitchen bag. Make sure your container lid is completely closed to reduce any odor. • Place all trash into a bag. This prevents liquid from settling at the bottom of a container and reduces odor and insect accumulation. • Items that go into recycling containers should be washed out but not bagged. • Keep your container lid closed and if possible, out of the sun. • Rinse your residential container with hot water and soap after each pickup. Discard water onto gravel, grass area and or into the sink to avoid pollutants going into storm drains. • Remove buildup at the bottom of your container using a sprayer or pressure washer. • Use baking soda to absorb strong odors.

Was This Information Helpful?

Information in this article may be inapplicable to customers who receive service pursuant to a WM agreement with a municipality, association or other entity, or where applicable law requires differing terms of service.

Still need help?

Tell us how you want to connect and we'll put you in touch with an agent.