Waste Management history

1970 | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is founded as an independent federal agency to regulate the safety and security of the natural environment across the nation.

In 1975 yet another rich opportunity presented itself to the company's founders.

1976 | The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is created to plan for recycling, conservation and waste management.

Management came up with a slightly curtailed package of services at a cost of US$242 million over five years and was awarded the contract beginning in 1977.

In 1979 earnings were almost 10% of sales.

By 1982 Waste Management had become the world’s largest waste disposal company, with more than $1 billion in sales.

Most significant among its many acquisitions was the 1984 purchase of 60% of SCA Services, Inc., a Boston-based company ranking third in the waste-treatment industry.

Sales continued to spiral, approaching $2 billion by 1985.

Waste Management was founded on September 30, 1987 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.“

In 1988 when Wheelabrator sold 20% of its stock to WMI, it was the second-leading builder and operator of such systems, with sales of about $1 billion.

In 1990 WMI's residential recycling service grew 150%.

By 1991 WMI, the largest collector of recyclable materials in the United States and Canada, served some four million households.

In 1993, Waste Management, Inc. changes to WMX Technologies, Inc.

Later in 1995, USA Waste acquired the assets of Allied Waste Industries, Inc. in Canada, after the Laidlaw acquisition.

In 1996 USA Waste Services acquired Kosti Shirvanian hauler Western Waste Industries, which put USA Waste right behind number 1 hauler WMX Technologies, Inc., and number 2 Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc.

When a new CEO took charge of the company in 1997, he ordered a review of the company's accounting practices in 1997.

In 1998, in a pivotal development point, Waste Management merged with USA Waste Services, Inc.

In late 1999, John Drury stepped down as chairman due to brain surgery.

In April 2000, Drury died.

On August 15, 2008, Republic Services, Inc. denied Waste Management's bid for a second time.

In January 2009, a global economic crisis forced Waste Management to aggressively reduce and restructure its corporate workforce.

On February 7, 2010, CBS debuted a new TV series called Undercover Boss after the Super Bowl.

In 2015, Winters Brothers assumed all of WM's operations in Connecticut and New York (excluding New York City, and continues to service these regions under contract with WM.