Waste Management Sustainability Profile
Waste Management, Inc., commonly referred to as Waste Management, is a leading provider of comprehensive waste management services headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1968, the company has established a strong presence across North America, with operations spanning major urban regions and communities. Specialising in waste collection, recycling, and disposal, Waste Management is committed to sustainability and innovative waste solutions. Their unique approach includes advanced recycling technologies and landfill management practices that prioritise environmental responsibility. Recognised as a market leader, Waste Management has achieved significant milestones, including the development of one of the largest recycling networks in the country. With a focus on customer service and operational efficiency, Waste Management continues to set industry standards while contributing to a cleaner, greener future.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Waste Management's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Hazardous Waste Landfill Treatment industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Waste Management's score of 64 is higher than 97% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Let us know if this data was useful to you
Waste Management's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Waste Management, headquartered in the US, reported total carbon emissions of approximately 15,285,700,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes 13,223,300,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, primarily from mobile combustion, and 108,900,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions. Additionally, Scope 3 emissions accounted for about 1,953,500,000 kg CO2e, with significant contributions from purchased goods and services (352,100,000 kg CO2e) and upstream transportation and distribution (544,100,000 kg CO2e). For 2023, Waste Management's emissions were reported at approximately 16,873,500,000 kg CO2e globally, with Scope 1 emissions at 14,938,700,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions at 123,000,000 kg CO2e. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint, committing to a 42% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2031, using 2021 as the baseline year. This target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Furthermore, Waste Management aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, with interim goals including a 10% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2022, which they successfully achieved. The company is also working towards a 45% reduction in fleet emissions by 2038, against a 2010 baseline. Overall, Waste Management's climate commitments reflect a strong dedication to sustainability and significant efforts to mitigate its environmental impact through targeted emissions reductions across all scopes.
Unlock detailed emissions data
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 15,689,993,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 244,828,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 8,665,585,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Waste Management's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Waste Management's Location?
Waste Management's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Waste Management's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 8% last year and decreased by approximately 77% since 2017, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 13% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Upstream Transportation & Distribution" being the largest emissions source at 28% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Waste Management's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Waste Management has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waste Management's sustainability data and climate commitments