Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM)

Waste Management · Houston, TX, United States · Founded 1968

$85.0B

Market Cap

$14.48B

Revenue

48,000

Employees

$2.71B

Net Income

📊 Key Statistics for Waste Management Inc. (WM)

Market capitalization: $85.0 billion
Annual revenue: $14.48 billion
Net income: $2.71 billion
Employees: 48,000
Sector: Industrials
Headquarters: Houston, United States
Founded: 1968

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📋 About Waste Management Inc.

Waste Management is the largest trash collection and recycling company in North America, serving 21 million residential customers and operating 254 landfills — more than any other company. When you put your trash on the curb, there's a 1-in-4 chance Waste Management picks it up.

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💰 How Waste Management Inc. Makes Money

Collect trash (residential and commercial), transport it to transfer stations, and dispose of it in company-owned landfills. Also operates recycling facilities and renewable natural gas plants (capturing methane from landfills). The landfill permits are the moat — getting new landfill permits is nearly impossible due to NIMBY opposition.

📜 Key Milestones

Founded in 1968 in Chicago, Waste Management grew through hundreds of acquisitions to become the dominant waste hauler in North America. A 1998 accounting scandal ($1.7 billion restatement) led to SEC charges and management overhaul. The company has since rebuilt its reputation and compounded shareholder returns for decades.

📊 Financial Overview

Market Capitalization	$85.0B
Annual Revenue	$14.48B
Net Income	$2.71B
Profit Margin	19%
Revenue per Employee	$301667K
Stock Exchange	NYSE
Ticker Symbol	WM

Financial data is approximate and based on most recent annual filings.

💡 Did You Know?

Waste Management's 254 landfills represent an irreplaceable asset — no new large landfills have been permitted in the US in decades. The company converts landfill gas (methane) into renewable natural gas, turning a waste product into revenue. Their fleet of 26,000+ trucks is one of the largest in North America.

📝 Analyst Take

Waste Management is the ultimate boring compounder. Trash collection is recession-resistant (people generate garbage regardless of the economy), and the landfill permits create a permanent moat. The renewable natural gas business adds a growth angle to an otherwise steady-state business. Dividend growth has been consistent for 20+ years.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions