NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO ENTER. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID OUTSIDE THE ELIGIBLE REGION, AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
1. OVERVIEW
The WM “Recycling Is Real” NORTHWESTERN Challenge sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is a regional promotion offered to people in the Illinois area, as described in Section 6 below. Sponsor may offer similar promotions in other regions at the same or different times. Entry into one regional promotion is not entry for any other regional promotion. All eligible entries into this Sweepstakes will be entered automatically into the WM “Recycling Is Real” Nationwide Challenge, the Official Rules for which are available at https://www.wm.com/us/en/cpn/affiliate/recycling-is-real/terms
2. SPONSOR
The WM “Recycling Is Real” NORTHWESTERN Challenge sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is sponsored by WM National Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, located at 800 Capitol Street, Suite 300, TEXAS, TX 77002. (“Sponsor”).
3. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES
By entering the Sweepstakes, Entrants (as defined below) agree to be bound by the following general conditions (“Official Rules”) and decisions of the Sweepstakes judges, which are final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
4. SWEEPSTAKES DATES
The Sweepstakes runs from 02/24/2026 at 12:00:01 AM Central Time (“CT”) until 04/06/2026, at 11:59:59 PM CT (“Sweepstakes Period”) and is subject to these Official Rules. Sponsor’s server is the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes.
5. WHO CAN ENTER
The Sweepstakes is open to all legal residents of Illinois (“Eligible Region”), who are 21 years of age or older at the time they enter the Sweepstakes. Employees, agents and representatives of Sponsor, and/or of any of Sponsor’s respective subsidiaries, affiliated companies, controlling corporations, advertising or promotion agencies, sponsors, suppliers of materials, prizes and services related to the Sweepstakes, or any other person directly associated with the organization of the Sweepstakes, as well as members of their immediate families (father, mother, brothers, sisters, children), their legal or common law spouse, and any persons residing with these employees, representatives and agents are not eligible to participate.
6. HOW TO ENTER
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Simply visit www.wm.com/recycling-is-real, complete the free Recycling Is Real Challenge game, which takes just a few minutes, then complete the Entry Form, by entering all the required information, and click SUBMIT. By entering this Sweepstakes you agree that you have read and understand these Official Rules.
Limit one (1) entry per person and per email address. Any attempt to enter multiple times by use of different names, addresses, email addresses, or any other means, is grounds for disqualification. No sharing of email addresses. No responsibility is assumed for failed communications due to any change of contact information after submitting an entry. Entries submitted by script, macro, computerized or other mechanical means, or entries which are not in compliance with or otherwise subvert the entry process are void. Everyone submitting a valid entry is deemed an “Entrant.”
7. PRIZES/ ODDS
One first prize is available and includes One (1) autographed basketball by Coach Chris Collins AND $200 to the Official Team Store of Northwestern Athletics (ARV: $250)
Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received.
Entrants are hereby advised that tax implications may arise from accepting a prize and they should seek independent financial advice prior to acceptance of any prize. All federal, state or local taxes are the sole responsibility of Winner. Each Winner must cooperate with Sponsor in order to complete all applicable federal, state or local documentation pertaining to taxation. No prize substitution or cash redemption allowed by any Winner. Prizes are not transferable. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize (or prize component) with one of comparable or greater value in its sole discretion if an advertised item becomes unavailable.
WINNER SELECTION
One (1) potential winner will be selected at random, on or about April 15, 2026, from among all eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by phone and/or email, using the contact information supplied at the time of entry. In the event any potential winner fails to respond within five (5) business days of the initial contact attempt, or is otherwise found to be ineligible or declines the prize, he/she may be disqualified and the prize may be awarded to an alternate winner.
8. WINNER VALIDATION
In order to be declared a winner, anyone selected pursuant to Section 8 above must meet the following conditions:
1) Compliance with these Official Rules, including all conditions for eligibility;
2) If requested, complete and return to Sponsor, within three (3) days of receipt, an affidavit or other document of eligibility, liability/publicity release and compliance with the Official Rules, confirming compliance with the Official Rules, and releasing Sponsor, NORTHWESTERN, and their respective subsidiaries, affiliated companies, controlling corporations, employees, agents, representatives, administrators and officers, advertising or promotion agencies, sponsors, suppliers of materials, prizes and services related to the Sweepstakes, or any other person directly associated with the holding of the Sweepstakes from all liability, and, except where prohibited by law, permitting Sponsor, and its representatives and designees to use the potential winner’s name, photographs, likeness, statement concerning the prize, place of residence, without compensation, in any publicity carried out by Sponsor or its designees, and for any required disclosures without potential winner’s consent (“Winner’s Declaration Form”);
Failure of any potential winner to meet any of the above-mentioned conditions may result in disqualification and award of prize to an alternate winner.
10. RELEASES, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMERS
BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES, AND AGREE TO RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS SPONSOR, THE NORTHWESTERN PANTHERS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES, ITS SUBSIDIARIES, ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, ITS CONTROLLING CORPORATIONS, ADVERTISING OR PROMOTION AGENCIES, CO-SPONSORS, SUPPLIERS OF MATERIALS, PRIZES AND SERVICES RELATED TO THE SWEEPSTAKES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOLDING OF THE SWEEPSTAKES (“RELEASED PARTIES”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND THAT RESULT FROM ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE OR FROM ENTRY OR ATTEMPTED ENTRY INTO THE SWEEPSTAKES. THE RELEASED PARTIES ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR LOST OR MISDIRECTED ENTRIES, WHETHER DUE TO TECHNICAL OR COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONS OR OTHERWISE OR ANY OTHER TECHNICAL OR COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONS, FRAUD, OR OTHER ERRORS. SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT, AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO CANCEL, TERMINATE OR SUSPEND THE SWEEPSTAKES IN ITS ENTIRETY, IN THE EVENT THAT THE WEBSITE IS INFECTED BY A VIRUS, A SOFTWARE BUG, THE WEBSITE IS HACKED, UNAUTHORIZED HUMAN INTERVENTION OCCURS OR THE INTEGRITY, ADMINISTRATION, IMPARTIALITY OR NORMAL OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES IS COMPROMISED IN ANY WAY. IF THE SWEEPSTAKES IS CANCELLED FOR ANY REASON, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE STATED ABOVE, IF POSSIBLE, WINNERS WILL BE DETERMINED VIA RANDOM DRAWING FROM AMONG ALL ELIGIBLE AND COMPLIANT ENTRIES NOT AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM. EACH WINNER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES HAVE NEITHER MADE NOR ARE IN ANY MANNER RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE PRIZE. ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF THE LAW. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
10. PERSONAL INFORMATION RETENTION RULES FOR SWEEPSTAKES
Any personal information you submit in connection with the Sweepstakes is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy posted at https://www.wm.com/us/en/privacy
11. PUBLICITY RELEASE
By accepting any prize, each winner grants to Sponsor, and its representatives, affiliates, licensees and assigns, the right and permission to record, film, videotape and photograph the Winner (“Images”). These Images will be owned by Sponsor. Sponsor and each of its designees shall have the right to use, re-use, reproduce, publish, display, exhibit, distribute, edit, adapt, post, stream, copy and exploit such Images, and all elements embodied therein, including any names, likenesses, address, voice, conversation, biographical and Prize information and any other attributes of Winner, individually or with others, in whole or in part, in conjunction with other material, if any, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, for the purpose of trade, advertising, publicity, promotion, or a Sweepstakes Winner List or any other lawful purpose whatsoever, in perpetuity, throughout the world, without additional compensation, consideration, notification or permission, except where prohibited by law.
12. WINNER LIST
For the name of the winners, available after approximately April 6, 2026, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your written request to WM “Recycling Is Real” NORTHWESTERN Challenge Winner List, 800 Capitol Street, Suite 300, TEXAS, TX 77022. Requests must be received by April 14, 2026.
13. DISPUTES
Except where prohibited, by entering, you agree that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all claims, judgments and awards against one or more of the Releasees shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees (or other professionals’ fees); and (iii) under no circumstances will Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and you hereby waive all rights to claim and/or seek indirect, punitive, incidental, special and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased.
You must be the rightful owner or have authorized use of the email account or mobile telephone account associated with your submitted email address and/or mobile telephone number (if provided). If a dispute arises about who submitted an entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the email account or mobile telephone account provided, as applicable. The “authorized account holder” is deemed the natural person who is (i) assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, service provider, or other online organization that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address; or (ii) assigned to a mobile telephone number by a wireless carrier or other entity responsible for assigning that mobile telephone number. A potential winner may be requested to provide the Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder associated with a winning entry and that all eligibility requirements are met.
14. GOVERNING LAW
All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrants and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas. By entering (or participating in any Sweepstakes-related activity), Entrants (and others) agree that all proceedings shall exclusively take place in a United States District Court in Houston, Texas or Texas State Court located in Houston, Texas.