Press Release

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., April 24, 2009 - Waste Management executives and employees kicked off Earth Day on Wall Street today by sounding the New York Stock Exchange’s opening bell to mark the 39th international observance of environmental awareness.

Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, is intended to create awareness and appreciation for the environment. It is also a chance for individuals to reflect on their own environmental impact and look for ways to improve.

“Having the New York Stock Exchange recognize Earth Day so prominently is another promising sign that environmentally sound business and technology is here to stay,” said David Steiner, chief executive officer for Waste Management. “It was a genuine honor for Waste Management to be asked to open trading on Earth Day.”

Waste Management of Ventura County Earth Day activities included:

Simi Valley’s Cub Scout Pack 3663 planted five historical trees at the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center’s new Pollinator Garden in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Camp Cheesecake – “Go Green” annual event at Cheesecake Factory’s headquarters’ office in Calabasas. Sixty young people ranging from 7 – 13 years of age participated in a recycling workshop and experienced a live demonstration of a WM trash truck.

Amgen’s Employee Earth Day Celebration Event – Over 2,000 employees attended the annual event and WM provided and educational booth and interactive recycling questionnaire game.

Waste Management has been recognized by organizations such as Ethisphere, Forbes, and the Wildlife Habitat Council for its environmental protection efforts.

Waste Management’s 105 North American recycling facilities recover nearly eight million tons of recyclable material from the waste stream per year. Waste Management’s landfill gas recovery operations generate over 475 megawatts of energy annually, which is enough to power more than 400,000 homes and saves the equivalent of nearly seven million barrels of oil. Its 16 waste-to-energy plants generate 609 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 700,000 homes. Together, Waste Management provides enough energy to the equivalent of over one million homes.

Waste Management is undertaking an ambitious sustainability program to build the foundation for its growth in the years ahead. By 2020, the company plans to double renewable energy production to power the equivalent of two million homes, nearly triple the amount of materials it recycles to 20 million tons, increase the amount of land set aside for conservation and wildlife habitat to 25,000 acres, and improve fleet efficiency by 15 percent to reduce emissions. Internally, in its day-to-day operations, Waste Management is recovering the resources in waste to enhance and protect the environment – one community at a time. These initiatives will help Waste Management grow sustainably while protecting the communities in which it operates

Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a “green power” program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.