Waste Management First Company To Earn More Than 100 Wildlife Habitat Council Certifications

BALTIMORE, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At its 23rd Annual Symposium, People, Partnerships and Pathways, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) announced that Waste Management (NYSE: WM) is the only company to achieve greater than 100 WHC certifications. WHC presented the company with nine new certifications for Wildlife at Work(SM) programs (WaW), 35 WaW re-certifications, one new certification for Corporate Lands for Learning(SM)  programs (CLL) and seven CLL re-certifications. This brings the company-wide total to 128 certified programs at 110 sites.

(Logo:   http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090219/WMLOGO)

Two Waste Management locations were also nominees for awards presented at the symposium, including Rookie of the Year, Corporate Habitat of the Year and Wings over Wetlands.  Rookie of the Year and Corporate Habitat of the Year award nominees represent the top certified or re-certified programs of the year.  

"The sheer number of Waste Management programs certified by WHC highlights the company's role as a leader in environmental stewardship," said WHC President Robert Johnson. "WHC congratulates Waste Management for its commitment to wildlife habitat enhancement, community outreach, and conservation education."

While the grassroots efforts of employee volunteers form the basis of Waste Management's wildlife programs, these programs involve a variety of community partners. Environmental experts, scouts, elementary and high schools, community volunteers and even other companies have joined the local Waste Management teams to improve wildlife habitat and provide outdoor educational opportunities.

This year's certifications also helped Waste Management meet and exceed two of its company-wide sustainability goals well before the target year of 2020. In 2007, Waste Management pledged to preserve and restore 25,000 acres of wildlife habitat across North America. The company achieved this goal in 2010 and now protects more than 26,000 acres.  Waste Management also committed to have WHC certified programs at 100 or more of its facilities. With the addition of this year's certifications, the company has surpassed this goal.

"At Waste Management our conservation goals are aggressive but achievable. Look at what we've accomplished in just four years," said Waste Management President and CEO David Steiner. "The success of our WHC programs has driven us to work harder on developing long-term sustainability and conservation programs that provide a role for everyone in the community to pursue a common goal – making the planet a better place for future generations to enjoy."

Waste Management has been working closely with WHC since 2000. In 2008, the company was the first recipient of the organization's William W. Howard CEO Award recognizing the company's efforts in conservation, education and outreach efforts.