1. SPONSOR
The WM “Recycling Is Real” Challenge sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is sponsored by Waste Management National Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, located at 800 Capitol Street, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77002. (“Sponsor”).
2. 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 the prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
3. SWEEPSTAKES DATES
The Sweepstakes runs from March 31, 2025, at 12:00:01 AM ET until December 12, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM ET (“Sweepstakes Period”) and is subject to the Official Rules. Sponsor’s servers are the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes.
4. WHO CAN ENTER
The Sweepstakes is open to all legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia), 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.
5. HOW TO ENTER
During the Sweepstakes Period, visit www.wm.com/recyclingisreal, 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. Limit one (1) entry per person. 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.” By entering this Sweepstakes you agree that you have read and understand these Official Rules.
6. PRIZE / ODDS
One (1) Grand Prize is available -- A VIP trip to the 2026 WM Phoenix Open for two persons, comprising: Round-trip economy air transportation between major airport nearest winner’s home and Phoenix; Two (2) VIP Hospitality Tickets for each Day – Friday, February 6 – Sunday, February 8, 2026; Two (2) Bird’s Nest Concert Tickets for Saturday, February 7, 2026; all subject to the conditions described in the next rule. Approximate retail value: $3,500. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received.
7. CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO PRIZE
The following conditions apply to the Prize:
1) Unless explicitly included in the Prize description above, all costs, charges or expenses, including without limitation air transportation, all other traveling expenses, money allocation, all taxes (including income, airport, hospitality or other taxes if applicable), insurance, fuel surcharges, travel related fees and items of a personal nature, passports and other travel documents, meals and beverages, internet access charges, bar and wine charges, souvenirs, room service, gratuities and local and long distance telephone calls are the sole responsibility of the Winner (as defined below) and his/her guests.
2) No compensation will be awarded to the Winner or his/her guest if the actual value of the traveling expenses is less than the approximate retail value detailed hereinabove. If winner lives within 300 miles of Phoenix, ground transportation may be substituted in lieu of air.
3) If the Prize or any part of the Prize is not used, no compensation will be awarded to the Winner and/or his/her guest;
4) The Prize may be accepted by the Winner in whole or in part. In the event that the Prize is accepted in part by the Winner, Sponsor shall have no other obligation than to provide to Winner such accepted part of the Prize. Winner shall not be entitled to claim any part of the Prize that he/she has refused and Sponsor shall be released of any obligations pertaining to such refused part of the Prize;
5) All accepted parts of the Prize must be used by the Winner during the same trip;
6) The Entrants are hereby advised that tax implications may arise from winning the Prize and they should seek independent financial advice prior to acceptance of the Prize. All federal, state or local taxes are the sole responsibility of Winner. Winner must cooperate with Sponsor in order to complete all applicable federal, state or local documentation pertaining to taxation;
7) No prize substitution or cash redemption allowed by the Winner. The Prize is not transferable. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater value in its sole discretion.
8) All dates are subject to change. No responsibility is assumed for cancellation or postponement of any events beyond Sponsor’s control. If any prize-related activities become cancelled or postponed after travel is booked, the rest of the prize will be awarded as the complete prize.
8. WINNER SELECTION
The one (1) winner (“Winner”) will be selected at random, on or about December 15, 2025, 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 the 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, time permitting.
9. WINNER VALIDATION
In order to be declared Winner, the Entrant selected pursuant to Section 9 above must meet the following conditions:
1) Compliance with these Official Rules and conditions for eligibility;
2) 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 his/her compliance with the Official Rules, and releasing Sponsor, and its 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 to use the selected Entrant’s name, photographs, likeness, statement concerning the prize, place of residence, without compensation, in any publicity carried out by Sponsor, and for any required disclosures without selected Entrant’s consent (“Winner’s Declaration Form”);
3) A declaration form similar to the Winner’s Declaration Form must also be signed by the selected Entrant's guests or, if such guest has not reached the age of majority in accordance with the laws of such guest’s residence, by such guest’s legal guardian.
Failure of the selected Entrant to meet any of the above-mentioned conditions will result in the selected Entrant’s automatic disqualification and loss of entitlement to his/her Prize. In such event, Sponsor shall have the right to draw or select another Entrant as described in Section 9 until the Alternate Winner has been determined and qualifies.
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, AND ITS 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, WINNER WILL BE DETERMINED VIA RANDOM DRAWING FROM AMONG ALL ELIGIBLE AND COMPLIANT ENTRIES RECEIVED UP TO THE TIME OF CANCELLATION. THE 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.
11. 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
12. PUBLICITY RELEASE
By participating in the Sweepstakes, the 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.
13. WINNER LIST
For the name of the winner, available after approximately December 22, 2025, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your written request to WM “Recycling Is Real” Challenge Winner List, 800 Capitol Street, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77022. Requests must be received by February 28, 2026.
15. DISPUTES
Except where prohibited, Entrant agrees 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 Entrant hereby waives 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.
Each Entrant must be the rightful owner or have authorized use of the email account or mobile telephone account associated with the Entrant’s 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.
15. GOVERNING LAW
All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the Entrant 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 for the Southern District of Texas located in Houston, Texas or a Texas State Court located in Houston, Texas.