Approach of Erika Puts Readiness Plans in Motion

Tips from Waste Management on pre- and post-storm preparation

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–After a severe tropical storm or hurricane, garbage and recycling
collection and debris removal are vital to beginning local recovery and
revitalization.

To prepare prior to advancing storms, all residents and businesses
should take actions to secure their garbage cans and other recycling and
trash containers in a safe location. Remember to tie down or secure all
loose items on the property that can become unsafe in high winds.

If a tropical storm or hurricane does directly impact your area, there’s
one way you can help. Simply remember to put household garbage such as
food scraps and diapers – everything you ordinarily throw away – into
trash containers or bags. Then place them at the curb separate from
storm debris like large household debris, trees and limbs. By separating
your household garbage from storm debris, you help your street get
picked up more quickly and safely.

Waste Management also uses various social media tools to assure that
local residents can find up-to-date information in the event of service
disruptions resulting from challenging post-storm conditions. Once a
storm strikes and is severe enough to warrant community updates, turn to http://www.wm.com/
for timely information about service. You can also find community
information from Waste Management at http://www.facebook.com/wastemanagement
or follow the company on Twitter at twitter.com/wastemanagement.

After a storm, Waste Management works to restart waste and recycling
collection and operations as soon as possible on streets that are
passable. Reminders to separate household garbage from storm debris are
issued. The company expands its routes to additional areas as more
streets become clear of debris and other impediments.

“Following a powerful tropical storm or hurricane strike, one of the
most essential needs for a community to begin recovery is the reliable
return of its most vital services,” said Dawn McCormick, Director of
Communications for Waste Management. “That’s why we spend a lot of time
in the weeks prior to the start of hurricane season focusing within our
company on annual hurricane preparation and recovery planning.”

As part of its hurricane planning and pre-storm preparation, Waste
Management puts its hurricane response plan into action as soon as a
storm becomes a verified threat to the area.

Waste Management’s investment in emergency and storm recovery
preparedness includes stockpiling of supplies and needed rapid-response
equipment, including communications technologies and response vehicles.
The effort includes mobile “command centers” that include overnight
functionality plus satellite voice and data-enabled systems. These are
stationed in Georgia and Texas but can be mobilized to be accessible
anywhere in the Southeast following a storm’s impact.

“Our value to a community is not always apparent unless collection
stops,” said McCormick. “Doing everything we can to prepare before a
storm, and return to service and help local residents recover after a
crisis, is what being a good community partner is all about.”

More tips for hurricane preparedness are available on www.ready.gov.

ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider
of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its
subsidiaries,

the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource
recovery, and disposal services. It is also one of the largest
residential recyclers and a leading operator of landfill gas-to-energy
facilities in the United States.

The company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and
municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information
about Waste Management visit www.wm.com/.

Contacts

Waste Management
Dawn McCormick, 954-226-9894
dmccormick@wm.com