Cultivating Circularity in Wisconsin

At WM, we're reimagining a circular economy by investing in and operating innovative recycling and waste solutions that help fuel the continuous reuse of materials.

Cultivating Circularity in Wisconsin

$39 Million Toward Your Community

WM has invested nearly $39 million to help drive circularity across Wisconsin, by investing in a state-of-the-art single stream recycling facility, located in Germantown. The WM Germantown Recycling Facility is capable of processing more than 230,000 tons of material a year, increasing the amount of materials that can be captured on behalf of local communities and businesses for future potential reuse. 

This upgraded facility’s technological advancements are expected to utilize intelligent sorting to capture more types of material and optimize the quality of recycled materials. Additionally, the operation includes an advanced fire detection system designed to detect fires before they spread.

This project is part of WM’s previously announced enterprise-wide plans to invest over $1 billion in new and upgraded recycling facilities across North America. To learn more about our environmental efforts, visit our Sustainability Hub.

WM Germantown Recycling Facility

"This facility provides recycling technology to over half a million customers in the state of Wisconsin," says Frank Fello, Area Vice President of the WM Upper Midwest Area. "At this facility, we expect to process over 230,000 tons of material each year."

Sustainability at WM

We’re building on our infrastructure, innovation, and expertise to turn bold ambitions into a better future. WM’s sustainability vision is centered around three core ambitions: material is repurposed, energy is renewable, and communities are thriving. 

By investing in the technology to maximize the reuse of waste, the systems and infrastructure to advance decarbonization, and the tools and educational resources to empower people to live sustainably, we’re reinventing what’s possible.

Learn more about how we're investing in sustainable technology.  

We operate innovative recycling and waste solutions that fuel the continuous reuse of materials.

We leverage advanced technologies to turn waste into energy that powers communities and reduces emissions.

We collaborate to strengthen the resiliency of the diverse places where we live and work.

What Is Single Stream Recycling?

See step by step how all of your recyclables make their way to a recycling facility before going on to live a second life. Visit Recycle Right for more information on how to become a recycling expert. 

Mixed recyclables are collected curbside or at businesses or stores by a truck.

Trucks travel to a WM Recycling Facility, where recyclables are unloaded onto a receiving floor.

Material is inspected and stored until it's ready to be transferred to a conveyor.

Sorting equipment separates cans, containers, glass and bottles from paper. An eddy current and magnets work to sort aluminum and tin cans into a metals-only stream.

Sorted materials are baled and shipped to customers, where they are used as feedstock for new products.

Who We Are

WM is North America’s leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions and is the largest recycler of post-consumer materials.

We provide collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America and is the 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.  

Driven by Our Commitments, Guided by Our Values

We are driven by our commitments to put people first and to achieve success with integrity as we enable sustainability progress for businesses and cities. Now, leveraging our infrastructure, innovation and expertise, we’ve set a bold sustainability vision for the future: one where material is repurposed, energy is renewable and communities are thriving.

With our best-in-class capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, we are poised to partner with customers to help them achieve their sustainability goals, today and into the future.

We Value Our Customers

We place our customers at the center of what we do and aspire to delight them every day.

We Value Safety

We have zero tolerance for unsafe actions and conditions and make safety a core value without compromise.

We Value Our Environment

We are responsible stewards of the environment and champions for sustainability.