Waste Management Announces Second Quarter 2008 Earnings

July 29, 2008 at 7:31 AM EDT
    Company Posts Higher Revenue and Increased Cash from Operations

    Company Expresses Confidence in Achieving the Upper End of Full
                      Year 2008 Earnings Guidance

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 2008--Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WMI) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2008. Revenue for the second quarter of 2008 was $3.49 billion compared with $3.36 billion in the year ago period, an increase of 3.9%. Net income for the quarter was $318 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared with $338 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

The Company noted several items that impacted the results in the 2007 and 2008 second quarters. Results in the second quarter of 2008 included a net $0.01 per diluted share benefit from income tax items. Results in the second quarter of 2007 included a combined benefit of $0.08 per diluted share consisting of $0.05 per diluted share from income tax items and $0.03 per diluted share from divestitures of under-performing operations.

Excluding those items, earnings would have been $311 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2008 compared with $296 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007. This is a 12.5% increase in adjusted earnings per diluted share.(a)

Income from operations as a percent of revenue was 18.1% in the second quarter of 2008. This is a 20 basis point improvement compared with the second quarter of 2007, as adjusted for the items noted above.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, Waste Management reported operating revenue of $6.76 billion, compared with $6.55 billion for the same period last year. Net income was $559 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared with $576 million and $1.09 per diluted share, respectively, for the same period in 2007.

"We are pleased with our second quarter 2008 financial performance, as we again accomplished our primary goals of strong free cash flow, and adjusted earnings and operating margin expansion," said David P. Steiner, Chief Executive Officer of Waste Management. "Our financial performance continues to reflect the strength of our managers and the success of our pricing and operational excellence programs. The 12.5% growth in adjusted earnings per share is an impressive accomplishment in the current business environment. It is even more impressive when you consider that we had a $0.03 per diluted share benefit from Section 45K tax credits in the second quarter of 2007 and no benefit in 2008, as the program has expired. Excluding that benefit, year-over-year earnings per diluted share would have grown nearly 19% in the second quarter of 2008.(a)

"We grew revenue by 3.9% during the second quarter of 2008, due mainly to our disciplined approach to pricing, which led to internal revenue growth from yield on base business of 3.1%. We also benefited from higher recycling commodity prices, which contributed 1.7% to revenue growth, and higher fuel surcharge revenue, which contributed an additional 2.2% to revenue growth. Internal revenue growth from yield for municipal solid waste stood at the highest level we have seen in the last two and one-half years. Internal revenue growth from volumes declined 3.8%, mostly in the collection lines of business. At our landfills we saw positive year-over-year internal revenue growth for the first time since the first quarter of 2007."

Steiner continued, "We once again met our goal of producing strong cash from operations during the second quarter of 2008, generating $570 million in net cash from operations, a 6% year-over-year increase. Capital expenditures were $273 million, a $64 million increase compared with the prior year quarter. This was an expected increase in accordance with our capital plan for the year, which includes increased fleet purchases. We received only $24 million in net proceeds from divestitures this quarter, a $123 million decline from the second quarter of 2007, as we have fewer under-performing operations for sale this year. As a result, we produced $321 million in free cash flow during the second quarter of 2008 compared with $475 million in the prior year quarter. At $683 million of free cash flow for the first six months of 2008, we are on track to meet our free cash flow goal for the year.

"We overcame the impact of sharply rising diesel fuel prices and a slow economy during the second quarter of 2008. Higher diesel fuel prices caused an approximate $0.015 per diluted share reduction in earnings during the quarter because the increase in our fuel surcharge revenue lagged the sharp rise in diesel fuel prices. This also caused an approximate 80 basis point decline in income from operations as a percent of revenue. Excluding this 80 basis point impact, our income from operations as a percent of revenue increased to 18.9% in the second quarter of this year, a 100 basis point improvement when compared with the as adjusted prior year period. This is in line with our full year expectations."(a)

    Key Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2008

    --  Internal revenue growth from yield on base business was 3.1%.
        Including the positive impact of higher recycling commodity
        prices and higher fuel surcharge revenue, internal revenue
        growth from yield was 7.0%.

    --  Internal revenue growth from volumes was a negative 3.8%.

    --  Acquisitions contributed 1.0% to higher revenue in the
        quarter, while divestitures caused a 0.8% decline in revenue
        in the quarter. Foreign currency translation contributed an
        additional 0.5% to revenue growth.

    --  Operating expenses were 62.5% of revenue, up from 62.3% of
        revenue in the same period in 2007. Excluding the impacts of
        higher diesel fuel prices and higher recycling commodity
        prices on both operating expenses and revenue, operating
        expenses were 61.0% of revenue in the second quarter of 2008,
        or a 130 basis point improvement compared with the prior year
        period.(a)

    --  Year-over-year operating expenses were reduced by $10 million
        due to gains realized on the sale of surplus real estate
        properties.

    --  Depreciation and amortization expenses were 9.1% of revenue,
        down from 9.6% of revenue in the second quarter of 2007, due
        mainly to lower volumes.

    --  A $10 million decrease in interest expense from terminated
        interest rate swaps associated with the senior notes that we
        elected to retire in May 2008.

    --  Net cash provided by operating activities was $570 million,
        compared with $537 million in the prior year quarter.

    --  Capital expenditures were $273 million, compared with $209
        million in the prior year quarter.

    --  Proceeds from divestitures of businesses, net of cash
        divested, and other sales of assets, were $24 million,
        compared with $147 million in the prior year quarter.

    --  Free cash flow was $321 million, compared with $475 million in
        the prior year quarter due to our expected increase in capital
        expenditures and lower divestiture proceeds.(a)

    --  We returned $253 million to shareholders in the form of $133
        million in dividend payments and $120 million, or over 3
        million shares, in common stock repurchases.

Steiner concluded, "We had a great first half of 2008, and our business remains healthy as we enter the last half of the year. Consequently, we are confident that we will meet the upper end of the range of our previously announced full-year earnings guidance of $2.19 to $2.23 per diluted share. We also expect to achieve our free cash flow guidance of $1.4 billion. In each case we exclude costs associated with our proposal to acquire Republic Services. We remain committed to making that acquisition in a timely manner, and we believe we can integrate their operations while at the same time continuing to produce strong financial results from our operations."

(a) This earnings release contains a discussion of non-GAAP measures, as defined in Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company reports its financial results in compliance with GAAP, but believes that also discussing non-GAAP measures provides investors with (i) additional, meaningful comparisons of current results to prior periods' results by excluding items that the Company does not believe reflect its fundamental business performance and (ii) financial measures the Company uses in the management of its business. GAAP measures that have been adjusted to exclude the impact of certain unusual, non-recurring or otherwise non-operational items include:

    --  Net income;

    --  Earnings per diluted share;

    --  Projected earnings per diluted share;

    --  Income from operations as a percent of revenue; and

    --  Operating expenses as a percent of revenue.

The Company also discusses free cash flow and projected free cash flow, which are non-GAAP measures, because it believes that investors are interested in the cash produced by the Company from non-financing activities that is available for uses such as the Company's acquisitions, its share repurchase program, and the payment of dividends. However, free cash flow has material limitations, as it does not represent cash flow available for discretionary expenditures because it excludes certain expenditures that we have committed to such as debt service obligations. The Company defines free cash flow as:

    --  Net cash provided by operating activities

    --  Less, capital expenditures

    --  Plus, proceeds from divestitures of businesses, net of cash
        divested, and other sales of assets.

The Company's definition of free cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and therefore not subject to comparison.

The quantitative reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures, other than projections of earnings per diluted share, are included in the accompanying schedules. Investors are urged to take into account GAAP measures as well as non-GAAP measures in evaluating the Company.

The 2008 full year adjusted earnings of $2.19 to $2.23 per diluted share projected by the Company excludes the first quarter impact of a $6 million income tax audit settlement and the second quarter impact of $7 million in income tax audit settlements. GAAP net earnings per diluted share for the remaining two quarters of 2008 may include other items that are not currently determinable, but may be significant, such as asset impairment and unusual items; charges, gains or losses from divestitures; additional resolution of income tax items; or any costs incurred as a result of our proposal to acquire all of the shares of Republic Services, Inc. that may be expensed. The full year 2008 adjusted projected earnings per diluted share reaffirmed today exclude the impact of any such items that may occur. GAAP net earnings per diluted share projected for the full year would require inclusion of the projected impact of these items. Due to the uncertainty of the likelihood, amount and timing of any such items, we do not believe we have the information available to provide projected full year GAAP net earnings per diluted share and the quantitative reconciliation to our current adjusted earnings per diluted share projection.

The Company has scheduled an investor and analyst conference call for later this morning to discuss the results of today's earnings announcement. The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the information on the conference call. The call will begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time and is open to the public. To listen to the conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, go to the Waste Management Website at http://www.wm.com, and select "Earnings Webcast." You may also listen to the analyst conference call by telephone by contacting the conference call operator 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and asking for the "Waste Management Conference Call - Call ID 53383277." US/Canada Dial-In Number: (877) 710-6139. Int'l/Local Dial-In Number: (706) 643-7398. For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available 24 hours a day beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on July 29th through 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 12th. To hear a replay of the call over the Internet, access the Waste Management Website at http://www.wm.com. To hear a telephonic replay of the call, dial (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 and enter reservation code 53383277.

Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The Company's customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America.

The Company, from time to time, provides estimates of financial and other data, comments on expectations relating to future periods and makes statements of opinion, view or belief about current and future events. Statements relating to future events and performance are "forward-looking statements." The forward-looking statements that the Company makes are the Company's expectations, opinion, view or belief at the point in time of issuance but may change at some future point in time. By issuing estimates or making statements based on current expectations, opinions, views or beliefs, the Company has no obligation, and is not undertaking any obligation, to update such estimates or statements or to provide any other information relating to such estimates or statements. Outlined below are some of the risks that the Company faces and that could affect our financial statements for 2008 and beyond and that could cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be set forth in forward-looking statements made by the Company. However, they are not the only risks that the Company faces. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial which could also impair our business. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The following are some of the risks that we face:

    --  competition may negatively affect our profitability or cash
        flows, our price increases may have negative effects on
        volumes and price roll-backs and lower than average pricing to
        retain and attract customers may negatively affect our yield
        on base business;

    --  we may be unable to maintain or expand margins if we are
        unable to control costs or raise prices;

    --  we may not be able to successfully execute or continue our
        operational or other margin improvement plans and programs,
        including pricing increases; passing on increased costs to our
        customers; reducing costs due to our operational improvement
        programs; and divesting under-performing assets and purchasing
        accretive businesses, any of which could negatively affect our
        revenue and margins;

    --  weather conditions cause our quarter-to-quarter results to
        fluctuate, and harsh weather or natural disasters may cause us
        to temporarily shut down operations;

    --  inflation, higher interest rates and other general and local
        economic conditions may negatively affect the volumes of waste
        generated, our financing costs and other expenses;

    --  possible changes in our estimates of costs for site
        remediation requirements, final capping, closure and
        post-closure obligations, compliance and regulatory
        requirements may increase our expenses;

    --  regulations may negatively impact our business by, among other
        things, restricting our operations, increasing costs of
        operations or requiring additional capital expenditures;

    --  climate change legislation, including possible limits on
        carbon emissions, may negatively impact our results of
        operations by increasing expenses related to tracking,
        measuring and reporting our greenhouse emissions and
        increasing operating costs and capital expenditures that may
        be required to comply with any such legislation;

    --  if we are unable to obtain and maintain permits needed to
        open, operate, and/or expand our facilities, our results of
        operations will be negatively impacted;

    --  limitations or bans on disposal or transportation of
        out-of-state, cross-border, or certain categories of waste, as
        well as mandates on the disposal of waste, can increase our
        expenses and reduce our revenue;

    --  fuel price increases or fuel supply shortages may increase our
        expenses or restrict our ability to operate;

    --  increased costs to obtain financial assurance or the
        inadequacy of our insurance coverages could negatively impact
        our liquidity and increase our liabilities;

    --  possible charges as a result of shut-down operations,
        uncompleted development or expansion projects or other events
        may negatively affect earnings;

    --  fluctuating commodity prices may have negative effects on our
        operating revenue and expenses;

    --  trends toward recycling, waste reduction at the source and
        prohibiting the disposal of certain types of wastes could have
        negative effects on volumes of waste going to landfills and
        waste-to-energy facilities;

    --  efforts by labor unions to organize our employees may increase
        operating expenses and we may be unable to negotiate
        acceptable collective bargaining agreements with those who
        have been chosen to be represented by unions, which could lead
        to labor disruptions, including strikes and lock-outs, which
        could adversely affect our results of operations and cash
        flows;

    --  negative outcomes of litigation or threatened litigation or
        governmental proceedings may increase our costs, limit our
        ability to conduct or expand our operations, or limit our
        ability to execute our business plans and strategies;

    --  problems with the operation of our current information
        technology or the development and deployment of new
        information systems could decrease our efficiencies, increase
        our costs, or lead to an impairment charge;

    --  the adoption of new accounting standards or interpretations
        may cause fluctuations in reported quarterly results of
        operations or adversely impact our reported results of
        operations; and

    --  we may reduce or eliminate our dividend or share repurchase
        program or we may need to raise additional capital if cash
        flows are less than we expect or capital expenditures or
        acquisition spending are more than we expect, and we may not
        be able to obtain any needed capital on acceptable terms.

Additional information regarding these and/or other factors that could materially affect results and the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained herein may be found in Part I, Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

                        Waste Management, Inc.
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
               (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
                             (Unaudited)


                                              Quarters Ended June 30,
                                             -------------------------
                                                 2008         2007
                                             ------------ ------------

Operating revenues                           $     3,489  $     3,358
                                             ------------ ------------

Costs and expenses:
    Operating                                      2,181        2,092
    Selling, general and administrative              358          343
    Depreciation and amortization                    318          322
    Restructuring                                      -            1
    (Income) expense from divestitures,
     asset impairments and unusual items               -          (33)
                                             ------------ ------------
                                                   2,857        2,725
                                             ------------ ------------
Income from operations                               632          633
                                             ------------ ------------

Other income (expense):
    Interest expense                                (105)        (132)
    Interest income                                    4           11
    Equity in net earnings (losses) of
     unconsolidated entities                          (2)         (22)
    Minority interest                                (13)         (11)
    Other, net                                         1            1
                                             ------------ ------------
                                                    (115)        (153)
                                             ------------ ------------

Income before income taxes                           517          480
Provision for income taxes                           199          142
                                             ------------ ------------
Net income                                   $       318  $       338
                                             ============ ============


Basic earnings per common share              $      0.65  $      0.65
                                             ============ ============

Diluted earnings per common share            $      0.64  $      0.64
                                             ============ ============

Basic common shares outstanding                    490.7        519.0
                                             ============ ============

Diluted common shares outstanding                  494.6        523.9
                                             ============ ============

Cash dividends declared per common share     $      0.27  $      0.24
                                             ============ ============

                        Waste Management, Inc.
                          Earnings Per Share
               (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
                             (Unaudited)


                                              Quarters Ended June 30,
                                             -------------------------
                                                 2008         2007
                                             ------------ ------------

EPS Calculation:

Net income                                   $        318 $        338
                                             ============ ============



Number of common shares outstanding at end
 of period                                          490.2        518.9
   Effect of using weighted average common
    shares outstanding                                0.5          0.1
                                             ------------ ------------
Weighted average basic common shares
 outstanding                                        490.7        519.0
   Dilutive effect of equity-based
    compensation awards, warrants and other
    contingently issuable shares                      3.9          4.9
                                             ------------ ------------
Weighted average diluted common shares
 outstanding                                        494.6        523.9
                                             ============ ============



Basic earnings per common share              $       0.65 $       0.65
                                             ============ ============

Diluted earnings per common share            $       0.64 $       0.64
                                             ============ ============

                        Waste Management, Inc.
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
               (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
                             (Unaudited)


                                             Six Months Ended June 30,
                                             -------------------------
                                                 2008         2007
                                             ------------ ------------

Operating revenues                           $     6,755  $     6,546
                                             ------------ ------------

Costs and expenses:
    Operating                                      4,273        4,126
    Selling, general and administrative              726          696
    Depreciation and amortization                    615          632
    Restructuring                                      -           10
    (Income) expense from divestitures,
     asset impairments and unusual items              (2)         (32)
                                             ------------ ------------
                                                   5,612        5,432
                                             ------------ ------------
Income from operations                             1,143        1,114
                                             ------------ ------------

Other income (expense):
    Interest expense                                (227)        (267)
    Interest income                                    9           29
    Equity in net earnings (losses) of
     unconsolidated entities                          (4)         (46)
    Minority interest                                (20)         (21)
    Other, net                                         1            2
                                             ------------ ------------
                                                    (241)        (303)
                                             ------------ ------------

Income before income taxes                           902          811
Provision for income taxes                           343          235
                                             ------------ ------------
Net income                                   $       559  $       576
                                             ============ ============


Basic earnings per common share              $      1.13  $      1.10
                                             ============ ============

Diluted earnings per common share            $      1.13  $      1.09
                                             ============ ============

Basic common shares outstanding                    493.3        524.2
                                             ============ ============

Diluted common shares outstanding                  496.6        529.1
                                             ============ ============

Cash dividends declared per common share     $      0.54  $      0.48
                                             ============ ============

                        Waste Management, Inc.
                          Earnings Per Share
               (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
                             (Unaudited)


                                             Six Months Ended June 30,
                                             -------------------------
                                                 2008         2007
                                             ------------ ------------

EPS Calculation:

Net income                                   $        559 $        576
                                             ============ ============



Number of common shares outstanding at end
 of period                                          490.2        518.9
   Effect of using weighted average common
    shares outstanding                                3.1          5.3
                                             ------------ ------------
Weighted average basic common shares
 outstanding                                        493.3        524.2
   Dilutive effect of equity-based
    compensation awards, warrants and other
    contingently issuable shares                      3.3          4.9
                                             ------------ ------------
Weighted average diluted common shares
 outstanding                                        496.6        529.1
                                             ============ ============



Basic earnings per common share              $       1.13 $       1.10
                                             ============ ============

Diluted earnings per common share            $       1.13 $       1.09
                                             ============ ============

                        Waste Management, Inc.
                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                            (In Millions)



                                               June 30,   December 31,
                                                 2008         2007
                                             ------------ ------------
                                             (Unaudited)
Assets

Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                 $        210 $        348
   Receivables, net                                 1,904        1,892
   Other                                              296          240
                                             ------------ ------------
      Total current assets                          2,410        2,480

Property and equipment, net                        11,300       11,351
Goodwill                                            5,444        5,406
Other intangible assets, net                          128          124
Other assets                                          768          814
                                             ------------ ------------
      Total assets                           $     20,050 $     20,175
                                             ============ ============


Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable, accrued liabilities,
    and deferred revenues                    $      2,145 $      2,269
   Current portion of long-term debt                  435          329
                                             ------------ ------------
      Total current liabilities                     2,580        2,598

Long-term debt, less current portion                7,958        8,008
Other liabilities                                   3,488        3,467
                                             ------------ ------------
      Total liabilities                            14,026       14,073

Minority interest in subsidiaries and
 variable interest entities                           302          310
Stockholders' equity                                5,722        5,792
                                             ------------ ------------
      Total liabilities and stockholders'
       equity                                $     20,050 $     20,175
                                             ============ ============

                        Waste Management, Inc.
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                            (In Millions)
                             (Unaudited)


                                             Six Months Ended June 30,
                                             -------------------------
                                                 2008         2007
                                             ------------ ------------

Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                 $       559  $       576
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                   615          632
     Other                                            55          (48)
     Change in operating assets and
      liabilities, net of effects of
      acquisitions and divestitures                  (98)         (85)
                                             ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities          1,131        1,075
                                             ------------ ------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash
   acquired                                         (127)         (46)
  Capital expenditures                              (486)        (481)
  Proceeds from divestitures of businesses
   (net of cash divested) and other sales of
   assets                                             38          216
  Purchases of short-term investments                  -         (743)
  Proceeds from sales of short-term
   investments                                         -          803
  Net receipts from restricted trust and
   escrow accounts, and other                         76           67
                                             ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities               (499)        (184)
                                             ------------ ------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  New borrowings                                     971          315
  Debt repayments                                 (1,001)        (452)
  Common stock repurchases                          (401)        (683)
  Cash dividends                                    (266)        (251)
  Exercise of common stock options and
   warrants                                           32          111
  Other, net                                        (106)          23
                                             ------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing activities               (771)        (937)
                                             ------------ ------------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
 cash equivalents                                      1            2
                                             ------------ ------------

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents               (138)         (44)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
 period                                              348          614
                                             ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $       210  $       570
                                             ============ ============

                        Waste Management, Inc.
                          Summary Data Sheet
                     (Dollar Amounts in Millions)
                             (Unaudited)


                               Quarters Ended
                   --------------------------------------
                     June 30,    March 31,     June 30,
                       2008         2008         2007
                   ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating Revenues
 by Lines of
 Business
------------------

  Collection       $     2,237  $     2,138  $     2,193
  Landfill                 786          685          791
  Transfer                 424          380          433
  Wheelabrator             225          213          219
  Recycling                324          320          276
  Other                     56           45           41
  Intercompany (a)        (563)        (515)        (595)
                   ------------ ------------ ------------
    Operating
     revenues      $     3,489  $     3,266  $     3,358
                   ============ ============ ============

Internal Growth of
 Operating
 Revenues from
 Comparable Prior
 Periods
------------------

  Internal growth          3.2%         2.8%         1.3%
  Less: Yield
   changes due to
   recycling
   commodities,
   electricity
   (IPP), fuel
   surcharge and
   mandated fees           3.9%         3.5%         2.3%
                   ------------ ------------ ------------
    Adjusted
     internal
     growth               -0.7%        -0.7%        -1.0%
                   ============ ============ ============

Acquisition
 Summary (b)
------------------

  Gross annualized
   revenue
   acquired        $        39  $        71  $        44
                   ============ ============ ============

  Total
   consideration   $        60  $       104  $        48
                   ============ ============ ============

  Cash paid for
   acquisitions    $        55  $        70  $        44
                   ============ ============ ============

WMRA Segment
 Supplemental Data
 (c)
------------------

  Operating
   revenues        $       270  $       269  $       225
                   ============ ============ ============

  Operating
   expenses        $       226  $       230  $       189
                   ============ ============ ============


                    Quarters Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,
                   ------------------------- -------------------------
                       2008         2007         2008         2007
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Free Cash Flow
 Analysis (d)
------------------

Net cash provided
 by operating
 activities        $       570  $       537  $     1,131  $     1,075
Capital
 expenditures             (273)        (209)        (486)        (481)
Proceeds from
 divestitures of
 businesses (net
 of cash divested)
 and other sales
 of assets                  24          147           38          216
                   ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Free cash flow     $       321  $       475  $       683  $       810
                   ============ ============ ============ ============

(a) Intercompany revenues between lines of business are eliminated
     within the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included
     herein.

(b) Represents amounts associated with business acquisitions
     consummated during the indicated periods.

(c) Information provided is after the elimination of intercompany
     revenues and related expenses.

(d) The summary of free cash flows has been prepared to highlight and
     facilitate understanding of the principal cash flow elements.
     Free cash flow is not a measure of financial performance under
     generally accepted accounting principles and is not intended to
     replace the consolidated statement of cash flows that was
     prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles.

                        Waste Management, Inc.
                          Summary Data Sheet
                     (Dollar Amounts in Millions)
                             (Unaudited)


                                            Quarters Ended
                                --------------------------------------
                                  June 30,    March 31,     June 30,
                                    2008         2008         2007
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance Sheet Data
-------------------------------

Cash, cash equivalents and
 short-term investments
 available for use (a)          $       210  $       466  $       694
                                ============ ============ ============

Debt-to-total capital ratio:
  Long-term indebtedness,
   including current portion    $     8,393  $     8,719  $     8,249
  Total equity                        5,722        5,611        6,070
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
    Total capital               $    14,115  $    14,330  $    14,319
                                ============ ============ ============

  Debt-to-total capital                59.5%        60.8%        57.6%
                                ============ ============ ============

Capitalized interest            $         4  $         4  $         6
                                ============ ============ ============


Other Operational Data
-------------------------------

Internalization of waste, based
 on disposal costs                     67.6%        67.7%        67.1%
                                ============ ============ ============

Total landfill disposal volumes
 (tons in millions)                    28.4         25.1         29.6
Total waste-to-energy disposal
 volumes (tons in millions)             1.7          1.7          1.8
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
    Total disposal volumes
     (tons in millions)                30.1         26.8         31.4
                                ============ ============ ============

Active landfills                        279          280          279
                                ============ ============ ============

Landfills reporting volume              262          260          262
                                ============ ============ ============



Amortization and SFAS No. 143
 Expenses for Landfills
 Included in Operating Groups
 (b)
-------------------------------
Non - SFAS No. 143 amortization
 expense                        $     101.1  $      86.1  $     102.0
Amortization expense related to
 SFAS No. 143 obligations              13.5          7.7         16.8
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
  Total amortization expense
   (c)                                114.6         93.8        118.8
Accretion and other related
 expense                               16.1         15.7         15.2
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
  Landfill amortization,
   accretion and other related
   expense                      $     130.7  $     109.5  $     134.0
                                ============ ============ ============

(a) The quarters ended June 30, 2008, March 31, 2008, and June 30,
     2007 include short-term investments available for use of $0
     million, $0 million, and $124 million, respectively.

(b) Prior year amounts have been revised to exclude amounts from
     closed landfills not included in our Operating groups.

(c) The quarter ended June 30, 2008, as compared with the quarter
     ended March 31, 2008 reflects a $20.8 million increase in
     amortization expense, of which $17.1 million was primarily due to
     the seasonal increase in landfill volumes. Additionally, there
     was a sequential rate increase primarily due to a reduction in
     the first quarter of 2008 resulting from changes in our estimates
     of capping costs.

                        Waste Management, Inc.
             Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Measures
           (Dollars In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
                             (Unaudited)

                                       Quarter Ended   Quarter Ended
                                        June 30, 2008   June 30, 2007
                                       --------------- ---------------
Adjusted Net income and Diluted        After-   Per    After-   Per
 Earnings Per Share                      tax    Share    tax    Share
                                        Amount  Amount  Amount  Amount
                                       ------- ------- ------- -------

  Net income and Diluted EPS, as
   reported                            $  318  $ 0.64    $338  $ 0.64

  Adjustments to Net income and
   Diluted EPS:
   Income tax audit settlements and
    adjustments to deferred taxes          (7)  (0.01)    (24)  (0.05)
   (Income) expense from divestitures,
    asset impairments and unusual
    items                                   -       -     (18)  (0.03)
                                       ------- ------- ------- -------

  Net income and Diluted EPS, as
   adjusted (a)                        $  311  $ 0.63    $296  $ 0.56

  Additional adjustment:
   Section 45K tax credit impact            -       -     (16)  (0.03)

                                       ------- ------- ------- -------
  Net income and Diluted EPS, as
   further adjusted (b)                $  311  $ 0.63    $280  $ 0.53
                                       ======= ======= ======= =======

                                       Quarters Ended
                                          June 30,
                                       ---------------
Adjusted Income from Operations as a
 percent of Revenues                    2008    2007
                                       ------- -------

  As reported:
   Operating revenues                  $3,489  $3,358
   Income from operations              $  632  $  633

  Income from Operations as a percent
   of Revenues                           18.1%   18.9%

  Adjustment to Income from
   Operations:
   (Income) expense from divestitures,
    asset impairments and unusual
    items                              $    -    ($33)

  As adjusted:
   Operating revenues                  $3,489  $3,358
   Income from operations              $  632  $  600

  Adjusted Income from Operations as a
   percent of Revenues (c)               18.1%   17.9%

  Additional Adjustment for Fuel
   Impact:
   Operating revenues                    ($81) $    -
   Income from operations              $   12  $    -

  As further adjusted:
   Operating revenues                  $3,408  $3,358
   Income from operations              $  644  $  600

  Further Adjusted Income from
   Operations as a percent of Revenues
   (d)                                   18.9%   17.9%




(a) Increase in Diluted EPS, as adjusted, of 12.5%.

(b) Increase in Diluted EPS, as further adjusted, of 18.9%.

(c) Increase in Income from Operations as a percent of Revenues, as
 adjusted, of 20 basis points.

(d) Increase in Income from Operations as a percent of revenues, as
 adjusted for fuel impact, of 100 basis points.
                        Waste Management, Inc.
             Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Measures
                        (Dollars In Millions)
                             (Unaudited)



Full Year 2008 Free Cash Flow Reconciliation

   Net cash provided by operating activities (a)         $      2,700
   Capital expenditures                                        (1,450)
   Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of
    cash divested) and other sales of assets (b)                  150
                                                        --------------
Free cash flow                                           $      1,400
                                                        ==============


                                                        Quarter Ended
                                                           June 30,

Impacts of Rising Diesel Fuel Prices and Higher
 Recycling Commodity Prices on Operating Expenses as a
 percent of Revenues                                         2008
                                                        --------------

Adjusted Operating Expenses as a percent of Revenues

  As reported:
     Operating revenues                                  $      3,489
     Operating expenses                                  $      2,181

  Operating Expenses as a percent of Revenues                    62.5%

  Adjustments to Operating Revenues:
     Fuel surcharges (c)                                         ($81)
     Recycling commodity prices (d)                              ($56)

  Adjustments to Operating Expenses:
     Fuel (e)                                                    ($77)
     Subcontractor costs - fuel pass-through (f)                 ($16)
     Cost of goods sold due to recycling commodity
      prices (g)                                                 ($42)

  As adjusted:
     Operating revenues                                  $      3,352
     Operating expenses                                  $      2,046

  Adjusted Operating Expenses as a percent of Revenues           61.0%



(a) Full year 2008 net cash provided by operating activities exclude
     costs associated with our proposal to acquire Republic Services.

(b) Full year 2008 proceeds from divestitures of businesses exclude
     any divestiture proceeds that may be received in connection with
     our proposal to acquire Republic Services.

(c) Increase in fuel surcharge revenue due to higher diesel fuel
     prices. Excludes changes in fuel surcharge revenue caused by
     volume fluctuations.

(d) Increase in revenues due to increase in recycling commodity
     prices. Excludes changes in recycling commodity revenues caused
     by volume fluctuations.

(e) Increase in fuel costs due to higher diesel fuel prices. Excludes
     changes in fuel costs caused by volume fluctuations.

(f) Estimated impact of higher diesel fuel prices on fuel costs
     passed-through by subcontractors. Excludes changes in
     subcontractor costs caused by volume fluctuations.

(g) Increase in cost of goods sold due to increase in recycling
     commodity prices. Excludes changes in cost of goods sold caused
     by recycling commodity volume fluctuations.

    CONTACT: Waste Management, Inc., Houston
             Analysts: Greg Nikkel, 713-265-1358
             or
             Media: Lynn Brown, 713-394-5093
             http://www.wm.com

    SOURCE: Waste Management, Inc.