March 31, 2014

Waste Management enters gas-to-liquids joint ventureSeveral companies organize to produce renewable fuels, chemicalsOklahOma City, Okla. Last week, a joint venture was announced that will produce renewable fuels and chemicals from biogas and natural gas using smaller-scale gas-to-liquids (“GTL”) technology. The companies participating in this joint venture are:

n Waste Management’s Organic Growth Group – the branch of the company overseeing new and immerging tech-nologies

n NRG Energy (NRG) – a For-tune 500 utility company

n Ventech – a global leader in the design and construction of modular refineries and gas processing systems

n Velocys – an owner of small-er-scale GTL technology

Under this program, WM will contribute its knowhow, as well as a demonstration unit that was developed as part of its ex-isting GTL program. In addition, the company will supply landfill gas and, in certain cases, offer sites to host a project. Ventech will construct facilities related to the joint venture, while Velocys will provide its GTL technology. NRG will provide clean energy development, as well as its natural gas expertise.

Using smaller-scale GTL tech-nology, the joint venture will

convert landfill gas, co-fed with natural gas, into renewable fuels and chemicals, like cleaner-burning diesel. Waste Manage-ment pioneered the use of this kind of technology by building and operating a demonstration unit at its East Oak Landfill, lo-cated just outside of Oklahoma City. That facility has since accumulated more than 10,000 hours of successful operation.

Following the joint venture, the first commercial facility is now under development and will also be located at the East Oak Landfill. For that project, engineering and design work is substantially complete, final draft permitting documents have been submitted, and development activities for ad-ditional facilities are expected to

commence shortly.

“From developing gas recov-ery and cleanup techniques, to registering GTL diesel as a fuel for on-highway use, Waste Management has been a leader in this area,” said Joe Vaillan-court, vice president, corporate venturing at Waste Manage-ment. “We are pleased to take this opportunity forward with a very strong team. Velocys’ leading smaller-scale GTL tech-nology, Ventech’s engineering capabilities, and NRG’s clean energy development expertise will complement our strengths.” n

PhOTO: A: Mock-up of Velocys’ 3-core FT reactor; B: Convention-ally produced diesel (left) vs. FT diesel (right) with very low impurities

A B

2 March 31, 2014

FOxbOrO, mass. The Total Re-cycle Program is one of WM’s value-added programs that’s dedicated to assisting custom-ers with landfill waste diversion through waste assessments, materials management sys-tem recommendations, on-site training, education and environ-mental reporting.

This program has now been extended to employees working at the company’s New Eng-land Area offices, where after months of waste assessments of individual bins and compre-hensive recycling training, the facility has moved from a failing grade to a solid “A.”

“Extracting more value from the materials we manage is a key transformation goal,” said Michelle Lee Guiney, Total Recycling Program manager for Waste Management. “Our employees came together and executed something we do for our customers every day, which is educating around, organiz-ing and instituting a successful recycling program.”

Before this initiative took off, survey results indicated less

New England “Recycles Right” Following recycling training, 100 percent improvement eliminating contamination

than 30 percent of employees in New England had received any sort of education around recycling. This created a tre-mendous opportunity.

To make New England’s Total Recycling Program a success, Guiney used collateral from Re-cycle Often. Recycle Right.®, an initiative WM launched in 2013 to educate communities on the importance of proper recy-cling. Guiney incorporated that program collateral into compre-hensive employee training, as well as information on common contaminants, Guiney MRF ca-pabilities, waste ban regulations, market area diversion rates and environmental facts.

Following their training, staff members said that learn-ing about recycling was very beneficial and would lead to them recycling more often. In addition, 88 percent of em-ployees said they were better prepared to educate custom-ers on everyday questions, like, can plastic utensils be recycled, does shredded paper go in a single-stream bin, are candy bar wrappers and chip bags recy-clable, etc. All of these ques-

tions mirror what WM is asked every day by customers.

In order to keep employees informed, a bulletin board has been dedicated to recycling and sustainable practices, as well as a recyclometer (pictured).

Now that the Total Recycling Program has launched, the New England Area has set a goal to divert 85 percent of their materials from the landfill. In Q4 2013, the Area diverted nearly 600,000 tons, or 60 percent of their total waste, all of which went to either a single-stream recycling facility or Wheelabra-tor plant, where it was used to produce energy.

In terms of material conserva-tion, this performance was enough to:

n Power more than 55,365 homes for a full year

n Save nearly 9 million gallons of oil

n Save 1.2 million treesn Save 387,300 cubic yards of

landfill space, extending the life of the facility

“This exercise was a win on many levels,” said Area Vice President Chris DeSantis. “Not only did we dramatically improve our recycling perfor-mance, we’re also educated to teach others. It is very impor-tant for us to be experts at what we preach.” n

Safety TodaySpring resolutionStaying safe also means staying healthy and active. Need help setting a plan for a better diet? WM’s Get Well Guides make it easy, and they’re just one phone call away. Not only that, they’re a free benefit employees can tap into. You set the goals. You dictate how often you speak with a guide. And you are ultimately responsible for the results.

During that time, a Get Well Guide is there every step of the way, providing advice and coaching. So, if you’ve had a difficult time getting started on those New Year’s resolutions, spring is the time by calling 800-862-3558 to get started. In addition, get words of inspiration from Safety Vice President Jeff Martin on page 4. n

March 31, 20143

race for the Cure honors N.J. team

EwiNg, N.J. Organizers of Team Green Goes Pink accepted a Komen Foundation chap-ter award recognizing WM’s Greater Mid-Atlantic Area as its Top Corporate Fundraising Team for 2013-2014. An official presentation was made to team coordinators during a ceremony on March 13 at the Confer-ence Center at Mercer. Team Green Goes Pink raised almost $10,500 for the foundation’s Race for the Cure last October, far surpassing its goal for the event.

“We believe that the word ‘sup-port’ also means being there in person,” said Accountant Beth Katz, a team coordinator. “We wholeheartedly believe in sup-porting the cause and raising money.” n

PhOTO: (L-R) Accountant Beth Katz; Komen Executive Director Nancy healey; Accountant Kim Swayze; and Procurement Specialist Diane Frascella

route manager teaches recycling, craftsbirmiNgham, ala. Teaching re-cycling doesn’t just happen with customers — it happens in the communities where employees live and work every single day.

In Birmingham, Ala., Industrial Route Manager Cory Lebischak recently served as a Waste Management Recycle Ambas-sador when he visited his son’s first grade classroom. While there, he talked about the company, his job and what all the students can do to make their environment cleaner and greener. During that time, they also made a picture frame from recyclable materials. The kids even got to sport reflector vests. n

PhOTO: Lebischak (right) posing with his son’s first grade class

Prince george hauling awarded

PriNCE gEOrgE, b.C. In Western Canada, Community Living Brit-ish Columbia (CLBC), a nonprofit organization, recognized Prince George’s District Manager Jay Maybin and his team, for an exceptional contribution to cre-ating employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

CLBC presented Maybin with a provincial Widening Our World (WOW) Award, which spotlights individuals and organizations for offering an inclusive work environment. Working together with Employment Action, a local organization that advocates di-versity in the work place, May-bin found career opportunities for several individuals, who have since contributed to business growth and higher employment among the local populace. n

PhOTO: District Manager Jay Maybin with WOW staff and Prince George employees

Driver earns praise for simple actCharDON, OhiO The weather was particularly brutal this year for the midwest, where snow fell by the inches. That didn’t stop Driver Ray Palcic (pictured) from going out of his way to service a residential customer, who was unable to take his container out during the severe weather.

According to the customer, Charles Davis, “Your driver had to come back by and walked all the way to the house to empty the container and return it to the resting spot. This says a lot about your employee and you as a company. Many times, we as consumers find service eroding in the USA. Kudos to you and your company and the workers you have that go the extra mile for great customer service.” n

Four photos. Four stories.

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March 31, 20144

Robert Kidwell, Communications Manager & Editor Phone 713-512-6381

©2014 Waste Management www.wm.com/facebook rkidwell@wm.com

The use in this newsletter of the terms Waste Management, WM, company, organization, enterprise, group, area, district, partnership, joint venture or similar words, either individually, collectively or in conjunction with other terms or phrases, is only for convenience and is not intended to describe legal entities or legal relationships.

here’s to better health. After one long and very cold winter, we are finally begin-ning to see the earliest efforts of spring. And that returning warmth of the sun can inspire much more than a rebirth of all things green, it can bring renewed perspective to a willing heart.

Feeling so inspired, and now that I am beginning to thaw out, I have decided to take a person-al inventory and to assess where I am versus where I would like to be in several categories. And like many, I am now lamenting the physical activity I did not do during the winter months.

As the vice president of Safety, naturally, I believe that health is the best investment. The re-wards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle are immediate and it generates a sense of well-being that allows you to physically pursue your goals. health is a big part of personal happiness and has a positive effect on every aspect of your life, includ-ing your personal relationships. What a shame that it’s so easy to take good health for granted and to put it off when other aspects of our lives demand attention.

As sure as the sun rises, a number of us within the WM family boldly declared to better care for ourselves on the first of January this year. While some of you readers may be well on your way to recognizing that goal – and congratulations to you –

some may not have achieved the necessary traction. For those who have not, take heart. New Year’s will always bring the inevitable suite of resolutions, but spring brings a confidence that all things are possible. It’s a second chance to get things done.

I therefore want to issue you a challenge — dust off those discarded commitments from January and give them new legs and new fuel. If you made a commitment to better health, a better diet and more exercise, then join me in getting it done. If you are like me, the neglect

was mild and resulted in only a modest waistline expansion that can be easily erased after a week or two of salads.

however, also keep in mind that most experts will tell you that real health is a lifestyle choice – not simply a fad that eases you into a bathing suit for three months out of the year. Sure, a few of us have ridiculous genes that do most of the heavy lift-ing, but folks like me will have to sweat. We have to invest real effort to recognize our health goals. That doesn’t necessar-ily means two hours in the gym each day, but it definitely means more discipline and a smarter approach to fueling the body. Just imagine what quality of life we can have if we make

personal a health a top priority each and every day.

So, if you are waiting for someone to forgive you for not exercising or eating smart from January to the end of March, let me be the guy to wave the magic wand and tell you “no worries.” That’s as long as shedding the guilt will next lead to shedding a few pounds. And hey, it is not about vanity. It’s about the impact you have on the folks who care for you, and making sure that you can be with them for many decades to come.

Oh yeah, and if you start to really like what you see in the mirror each morning, that’s okay too. n

#13 WM implements composting program for Destiny USA 52 Customer

Stories

SyraCuSE, N.y. As the sixth largest shopping center in the country, Destiny USA is a 2.4 million square foot complex. Since the onset of their busi-ness relationship with WM, Destiny has demonstrated its leadership in sustainabil-ity. In fact, their shopping center has the distinction of being the largest LEED® Gold Certified commercial retail structure in the U.S. and third largest in the world.

In 2013, in an effort to increase landfill diversion, Destiny USA expressed a desire to implement a composting program in the

mall food court. In partner-ship with WM, the logistics of collection and transfer of food scraps to a composting facility was planned and the program is now fully opera-tional.

One year later, Destiny USA has experienced an enormous 138 percent carbon footprint reduction, largely attributed to its composting program. Other statistics for the initiative include: converting 275 tons of food waste into compost, recycling 38 tons of cooking oil and saving nearly 11,000 trees.

Special thanks goes out to Territory Manager Jesse Wright and Project Manager Frank Sabellico for their efforts.

Mission to ZeroJeff Martin, vice president of Safety Services