WM Creates a Sustainable Environment for Residents and Businesses
Generally, when you think about waste management, you want things to be rid of for good. But when the City of Fort Lauderdale contracted with Waste Management (WM) as their environmental services providers, residents were happy to bask in the residue of memories from the past, specifically the legacy of WM’s founder, Wayne Huizenga.
“He’s an iconic figure,” said Dawn McCormick, director of communications & government affairs for WM of Florida. “He came to Fort Lauderdale in the 60s and started a garbage hauling company that eventually became WM. He and his late wife were very philanthropic in Broward County and Fort Lauderdale. It’s been a public company for a while, but he founded it, and people make that association.”
And his company’s job is to keep the city clean and operating smoothly. Starting last year, WM provides waste and recycling collection for Fort Lauderdale residents. Their trucks are powered by compressed natural gas, making for quieter streets while emitting fewer greenhouse gasses than a typical diesel truck.
“When the city selected WM as their new provider, they saw our complete range of sustainability solutions we provide,” said McCormick. “We collect trash curbside with a fleet running on natural gas, we offer facilities for recycling construction and demolition material, we create renewable energy at our landfill, and we provide customers with sustainability consulting services. We’re a true partner to the residents and businesses of Fort Lauderdale.”
WM continues to make investments in Broward County, running facilities for construction debris in Deerfield Beach and in Davie. This means that as new buildings are built or households do a renovation or remodel, the owners can get their material processed at these state-of-the-art facilities.
The company processes recycling from businesses and residents at a facility in Pembroke Pines and are breaking ground on a new $800 million recycling facility at that location.
“It will be called WM Recycling South Florida,” said McCormick. “It will offer Broward County and all of South Florida with the latest technology to improve and enhance recycling in South Florida.”
Nine thousand homes in Broward County receive electricity via the Monarch Hill Landfill, where WM harvests methane for renewable energy from the active landfill.
The company also partners with organizations to create sustainability plans. The Panthers hockey team has contracted with WM to improve waste reduction, enhance recycling, water and energy conservation, and other sustainability initiatives at their facilities in downtown Fort Lauderdale and the arena in Sunrise.
In addition to their area of expertise, WM is now a Chamber trustee.
“WM is very pleased to be a trustee of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce,” said McCormick. ”As the leading business advocacy organization in Broward County’s largest city, the Fort Lauderdale Chamber is setting the vision and providing the leadership for so many initiatives and programs that benefit the greater Fort Lauderdale area and the county. It is an honor to be a part of this thriving and impactful business community.”
All the sustainability and environmental services serve to maintain the area as friendly and sustainable for business and residents alike, and so the legacy that Huizenga started continues to impact the region for the foreseeable future.
