e10vq
 

 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
 
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2008
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission file number 1-12154
 
Waste Management, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
     
Delaware
  73-1309529
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
1001 Fannin
Suite 4000
Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(713) 512-6200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer þ
    Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)          
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of the registrant outstanding at April 23, 2008 was 490,677,993 (excluding treasury shares of 139,604,468).
 


 

 
PART I.
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements.
 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Millions, Except Share and Par Value Amounts)
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
    (Unaudited)        
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 466     $ 348  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $46 at both dates
    1,605       1,674  
Other receivables
    211       218  
Parts and supplies
    107       103  
Deferred income taxes
    46       51  
Other assets
    130       86  
                 
Total current assets
    2,565       2,480  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $12,976 and $12,844, respectively
    11,297       11,351  
Goodwill
    5,411       5,406  
Other intangible assets, net
    125       124  
Other assets
    786       814  
                 
Total assets
  $ 20,184     $ 20,175  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 525     $ 656  
Accrued liabilities
    1,126       1,151  
Deferred revenues
    453       462  
Current portion of long-term debt
    490       329  
                 
Total current liabilities
    2,594       2,598  
Long-term debt, less current portion
    8,229       8,008  
Deferred income taxes
    1,422       1,411  
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities
    1,324       1,312  
Other liabilities
    697       744  
                 
Total liabilities
    14,266       14,073  
                 
Minority interest in subsidiaries and variable interest entities
    307       310  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued
    6       6  
Additional paid-in capital
    4,527       4,542  
Retained earnings
    5,187       5,080  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    207       229  
Treasury stock at cost, 137,892,025 and 130,163,692 shares, respectively
    (4,316 )     (4,065 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    5,611       5,792  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 20,184     $ 20,175  
                 
 
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


1


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Operating revenues
  $ 3,266     $ 3,188  
                 
Costs and expenses:
               
Operating
    2,092       2,034  
Selling, general and administrative
    368       353  
Depreciation and amortization
    297       310  
Restructuring
          9  
(Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items
    (2 )     1  
                 
      2,755       2,707  
                 
Income from operations
    511       481  
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense
    (122 )     (135 )
Interest income
    5       18  
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities
    (2 )     (24 )
Minority interest
    (7 )     (10 )
Other, net
          1  
                 
      (126 )     (150 )
                 
Income before income taxes
    385       331  
Provision for income taxes
    144       93  
                 
Net income
  $ 241     $ 238  
                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.49     $ 0.45  
                 
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.48     $ 0.45  
                 
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.27     $ 0.24  
                 
 
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


2


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 241     $ 238  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for bad debts
    14       8  
Depreciation and amortization
    297       310  
Deferred income tax provision
    17       3  
Minority interest
    7       10  
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, net of distributions
          7  
Net gain on disposal of assets
    (5 )     (9 )
Effect of (income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items
    (2 )     1  
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions
    (2 )     (7 )
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
               
Receivables
    61       51  
Other current assets
    (38 )     (35 )
Other assets
    4       13  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (22 )     (31 )
Deferred revenues and other liabilities
    (11 )     (21 )
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    561       538  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (69 )     (2 )
Capital expenditures
    (213 )     (272 )
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets
    14       69  
Purchases of short-term investments
          (525 )
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments
          663  
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts
    77       34  
Other
    (9 )     (3 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (200 )     (36 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
New borrowings
    803       134  
Debt repayments
    (544 )     (242 )
Common stock repurchases
    (281 )     (487 )
Cash dividends
    (133 )     (126 )
Exercise of common stock options and warrants
    10       34  
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions
    2       7  
Minority interest distributions paid
    (8 )     (3 )
Other
    (92 )     38  
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (243 )     (645 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
           
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    118       (143 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    348       614  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 466     $ 471  
                 
 
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


3


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In Millions, Except Shares in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
                                                         
                            Accumulated
             
                            Other
             
                Additional
          Comprehensive
             
    Common Stock     Paid-In
    Retained
    Income
    Treasury Stock  
    Shares     Amounts     Capital     Earnings     (Loss)     Shares     Amounts  
 
Balance, December 31, 2006
    630,282     $ 6     $ 4,513     $ 4,410     $ 129       (96,599 )   $ (2,836 )
Net income
                      1,163                    
Cash dividends declared
                      (495 )                  
Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes
                30       (2 )           6,067       182  
Common stock repurchases
                                  (39,946 )     (1,421 )
Unrealized loss resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $22
                            (34 )            
Realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $30
                            47              
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, net of taxes of $3
                            (5 )            
Translation adjustment of foreign currency statements
                            89              
Change in funded status of defined benefit plan liabilities, net of taxes of $3
                            3              
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
                      4                    
Other
                (1 )                 314       10  
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2007
    630,282     $ 6     $ 4,542     $ 5,080     $ 229       (130,164 )   $ (4,065 )
Net income
                      241                    
Cash dividends declared
                      (133 )                  
Equity-based compensation transactions, net of taxes
                (15 )     (1 )           1,337       42  
Common stock repurchases
                                  (9,068 )     (293 )
Unrealized gains resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $4
                            6              
Realized gains on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $3
                            (5 )            
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, net of taxes of $1
                            (1 )            
Translation adjustment of foreign currency statements
                            (22 )            
Other
                                  3        
                                                         
Balance, March 31, 2008
    630,282     $ 6     $ 4,527     $ 5,187     $ 207       (137,892 )   $ (4,316 )
                                                         
 
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


4


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1.   Basis of Presentation
 
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements presented in this report include the accounts of Waste Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and certain variable interest entities for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. Waste Management, Inc. is a holding company and all operations are conducted by subsidiaries. When the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are used in this document, those terms refer to Waste Management, Inc., its consolidated subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities. When we use the term “WMI,” we are referring only to the parent holding company.
 
WMI was incorporated in Oklahoma in 1987 under the name “USA Waste Services, Inc.” and was reincorporated as a Delaware company in 1995. In a 1998 merger, the Illinois-based waste services company formerly known as Waste Management, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of WMI and changed its name to Waste Management Holdings, Inc. (“WM Holdings”). At the same time, our parent holding company changed its name from USA Waste Services to Waste Management, Inc. Like WMI, WM Holdings is a holding company and all operations are conducted by subsidiaries. For detail on the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of WMI, WM Holdings and their subsidiaries, see Note 12.
 
We manage and evaluate our principal operations through six operating Groups, of which four are organized by geographic area and two are organized by function. The geographic Groups include our Eastern, Midwest, Southern and Western Groups, and the two functional Groups are our Wheelabrator Group, which provides waste-to-energy services, and our WM Recycle America, or WMRA, Group. We also provide additional waste management services that are not managed through our six Groups, which are presented in this report as “Other.” Refer to Note 9 for additional information related to our segments.
 
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments, which, unless otherwise disclosed, are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The financial statements presented herein should be read in connection with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
In preparing our financial statements, we make numerous estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, stockholders’ equity, revenues and expenses. We must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision from data available or simply cannot be readily calculated based on generally accepted methodologies. In some cases, these estimates are particularly difficult to determine and we must exercise significant judgment. In preparing our financial statements, the most difficult, subjective and complex estimates and the assumptions that deal with the greatest amount of uncertainty relate to our accounting for landfills, environmental remediation liabilities, asset impairments, and self-insurance reserves and recoveries. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use in the preparation of our financial statements.


5


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Accounting Change — In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157 for assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a recurring basis. Our adoption of SFAS No. 157 resulted in the recognition of a $6 million charge to operating expenses and a corresponding $3 million credit to minority interest expense for the re-measurement of the fair value of environmental remediation recovery assets accounted for in accordance with Statement of Position No. 96-1, Environmental Remediation Liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not materially affect our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Refer to Note 11 for information about our fair value measurements.
 
2.   Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities
 
Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs are presented in the table below (in millions):
 
                                                 
    March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
          Environmental
                Environmental
       
    Landfill     Remediation     Total     Landfill     Remediation     Total  
 
Current (in accrued liabilities)
  $ 104     $ 43     $ 147     $ 106     $ 44     $ 150  
Long-term
    1,090       234       1,324       1,072       240       1,312  
                                                 
    $ 1,194     $ 277     $ 1,471     $ 1,178     $ 284     $ 1,462  
                                                 
 
The changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the three months ended March 31, 2008 are reflected in the table below (in millions):
 
                 
          Environmental
 
    Landfill     Remediation  
 
December 31, 2006
  $ 1,121     $ 268  
Obligations incurred and capitalized
    54        
Obligations settled
    (64 )     (33 )
Interest accretion
    74       9  
Revisions in estimates
    (13 )     35  
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments
    6       5  
                 
December, 31, 2007
    1,178       284  
Obligations incurred and capitalized
    12        
Obligations settled
    (7 )     (9 )
Interest accretion
    18       2  
Revisions in estimates
    (7 )     1  
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments
          (1 )
                 
March, 31, 2008
  $ 1,194     $ 277  
                 
 
At several of our landfills, we provide financial assurance by depositing cash into restricted trust funds or escrow accounts for purposes of settling closure, post-closure and environmental remediation obligations. The fair value of these escrow accounts and trust funds was $226 million at March 31, 2008, and is primarily included as long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.


6


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
3.   Debt
 
The following table summarizes the major components of debt at each balance sheet date (in millions):
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Revolving credit facility (weighted average interest rate of 5.4% at December 31, 2007)
  $     $ 300  
Letter of credit facilities
           
Canadian credit facility (weighted average interest rate of 4.7% at March 31, 2008 and 5.3% at December 31, 2007)
    322       336  
Senior notes and debentures, maturing through 2032, interest rates ranging from 5.0% to 8.75% (weighted average interest rate of 6.9% at March 31, 2008 and 7.0% at December 31, 2007)
    5,234       4,584  
Tax-exempt bonds maturing through 2039, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 1.9% to 7.4% (weighted average interest rate of 4.0% at March 31, 2008 and 4.4% at December 31, 2007)
    2,579       2,533  
Tax-exempt project bonds, principal payable in periodic installments, maturing through 2027, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 1.3% to 9.3% (weighted average interest rate of 5.1% at March 31, 2008 and 5.3% at December 31, 2007)
    289       290  
Capital leases and other, maturing through 2031, interest rates up to 12%
    295       294  
                 
Total long-term debt
    8,719       8,337  
Current portion of long-term debt
    490       329  
                 
Long-term debt, less current portion
  $ 8,229     $ 8,008  
                 
 
The significant changes in our debt balances from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008 are related to the following:
 
  •  Revolving credit facility — We repaid $50 million of the outstanding borrowings with available cash and repaid the remaining $250 million of outstanding borrowings with proceeds from the issuance of senior notes as discussed below.
 
  •  Canadian credit facility — Approximately $168 million of advances matured, of which $9 million were repaid with available cash and the remaining $159 million were renewed under the terms of the credit facility. As of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008, $281 million and $273 million, respectively, of these advances were classified as long-term based on our intent and ability to refinance the obligations on a long-term basis under the terms of the facility.
 
  •  Senior notes — We issued $600 million of 6.1% senior notes due March 15, 2018. The net proceeds from the debt issuance were $594 million. A portion of the proceeds from this offering was used to repay $250 million of outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. In addition, we plan to use proceeds from this offering to repay $244 million of 8.75% senior notes that mature in 2018, but become callable by us in May 2008. The $244 million of 8.75% senior notes had been classified as long-term as of December 31, 2007 based on our intent and ability to refinance the debt on a long-term basis. On March 12, 2008, we notified note holders of our intention to call these notes in May 2008. Accordingly, the notes have been classified as current as of March 31, 2008.
 
In connection with our issuance of the senior notes, we executed interest rate swap contracts with a total notional value of $200 million. We designated these fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements as fair


7


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
value hedges, resulting in all fair value adjustments being reflected as a component of the carrying value of the underlying debt. For information related to the fair value of our interest rate derivatives, refer to Note 11.
 
We have $386 million of 6.5% senior notes that mature in November 2008. As of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008, $310 million and $386 million, respectively, of these notes were classified as long-term based on our intent and ability to refinance the obligation on a long-term basis. Although we intend to refinance the entire obligation on a long-term basis, our classification of the borrowing as long-term as of December 31, 2007 was limited by the available capacity of our $2.4 billion revolving credit facility at that time.
 
  •  Tax-exempt bonds — We issued $49 million of tax-exempt bonds during the three months ended March 31, 2008. The proceeds from the issuance of the bonds were deposited directly into a trust fund and may only be used for the specific purpose for which the money was raised, which is generally to finance expenditures for landfill construction and development, equipment, vehicles and facilities in support of our operations. Accordingly, the restricted funds provided by these financing activities have not been included in “New Borrowings” in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, $3 million of our tax-exempt bonds were repaid with available cash.
 
4.   Income Taxes
 
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was 37.5% compared with 28.1% for the comparable prior year period. The difference between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008 is primarily due to the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes, which was offset, in part, by the favorable impacts of tax audit settlements and the true-up of our 2007 non-conventional fuel tax credits. The difference between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 is primarily due to the favorable impact of non-conventional fuel tax credits, which was offset in part by the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes. We evaluate our effective tax rate at each interim period and adjust it accordingly as facts and circumstances warrant.
 
Tax audit settlements — The settlement of tax audits during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 resulted in reductions in our provision for income taxes of $6 million and $16 million, respectively. The impact of the audit settlements did not significantly affect our estimated effective tax rate for either period.
 
Non-conventional fuel tax credits — The favorable impact of non-conventional fuel tax credits on our 2007 effective tax rate was derived from our investments in two coal-based, synthetic fuel production facilities and our landfill gas-to-energy projects. The fuel generated from the facilities and our landfill gas-to-energy projects qualified for tax credits through 2007 pursuant to Section 45K of the Internal Revenue Code. Our recorded taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 included a $29 million benefit from Section 45K tax credits.
 
Our effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2007 reflected our expectations for the phase-out of 30% of Section 45K tax credits generated during 2007. As of December 31, 2007, our estimate of the 2007 phase-out rate had increased to 69%. In April 2008, the IRS published the phase-out percentage that must be applied to Section 45K tax credits generated in 2007, which was 67.2%. Our provision for income taxes for the first quarter of 2008 includes an adjustment of our 2007 year-end estimate to the final 2007 phase-out, which resulted in the recognition of a $3 million benefit.


8


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The tax credits generated by our investments in the synthetic fuel production facilities are offset, in part, by the recognition of our pro-rata share of the facilities’ losses, which are recognized as “Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities.” The following table summarizes the total impact of our investments in the synthetic fuel production facilities on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions) for the periods presented:
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities
  $ (2 )   $ (27 )
Benefit from income taxes
    3       33  
                 
Net income
  $ 1     $ 6  
                 
 
5.   Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income was as follows (in millions):
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Net income
  $ 241     $ 238  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes
    6       (4 )
Realized (gains) losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes
    (5 )     3  
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, net of taxes
    (1 )      
Translation adjustment of foreign currency statements
    (22 )     5  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (22 )     4  
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 219     $ 242  
                 
 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows (in millions):
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Accumulated unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax benefit
  $ (19 )   $ (20 )
Accumulated unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes
    4       5  
Cumulative translation adjustment of foreign currency statements
    218       240  
Underfunded post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes
    4       4  
                 
    $ 207     $ 229  
                 


9


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
6.   Earnings Per Share
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share were computed using the following common share data (shares in millions):
 
                 
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Number of common shares outstanding at end of period
    492.4       520.9  
Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding
    3.6       8.5  
                 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
    496.0       529.4  
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards, warrants and other contingently issuable shares
    2.3       4.7  
                 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    498.3       534.1  
                 
Potentially issuable shares
    17.9       24.7  
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding
    2.3       4.5  
 
7.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
Financial instruments — We use letters of credit, performance bonds and insurance policies as well as trust funds and financial guarantees for our financial assurance needs, which include supporting tax-exempt bonds, contracts, performance of landfill closure and post-closure requirements, environmental remediation and other obligations. Letters of credit generally are supported by our revolving credit facility and other credit facilities established for that purpose. We obtain surety bonds and insurance policies from an entity in which we have a non-controlling financial interest and obtain insurance from a wholly-owned insurance company, the sole business of which is to issue policies for us. In those instances where our use of captive insurance is not allowed, we generally have available alternative bonding mechanisms.
 
Management does not expect that any claims against or draws on these instruments would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements and we have not experienced any unmanageable difficulty in obtaining the required financial assurance instruments for our current operations.
 
Insurance — We carry insurance coverage for protection of our assets and operations from certain risks we believe are customary to the industry. Our exposure to loss for insurance claims is generally limited to the per incident deductible under the related insurance policy. We have retained a portion of the risks related to our automobile, general liability and workers’ compensation insurance programs. For our self-insured retentions, the exposure for unpaid claims and associated expenses, including incurred but not reported losses, is based on an actuarial valuation and internal estimates. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be affected if future occurrences or loss development significantly differ from the assumptions used. We do not expect the impact of any known casualty, property, environmental or other contingency to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Guarantees — In the ordinary course of our business, WMI and WM Holdings enter into guarantee agreements associated with their subsidiaries’ operations. Additionally, WMI and WM Holdings have each guaranteed all of the senior debt of the other entity. No additional liabilities have been recorded for these intercompany guarantees because all of the underlying obligations are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
We also have guaranteed the obligations of and provided indemnification to third parties in the ordinary course of business. Guarantee agreements outstanding as of March 31, 2008 include guarantees of unconsolidated entities’ financial obligations maturing through 2020 for maximum future payments of $10 million; agreements spanning


10


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
the life of certain landfills guaranteeing the market value of homeowners’ properties adjacent to landfills; and the guarantee of interest rate swap obligations of the funding entity in connection with our letter of credit facility. Our indemnification obligations generally provide that we will be responsible for liabilities associated with our operations for events that occurred prior to the sale of the operations. We do not believe that it is possible to determine the contingent obligations associated with these indemnities. Additionally, under certain of our acquisition agreements, we have provided for additional consideration to be paid to the sellers if established financial targets are achieved post-closing. The costs associated with any additional consideration requirements are accounted for as incurred.
 
Environmental matters — A significant portion of our operating costs and capital expenditures could be characterized as costs of environmental protection, as we are subject to an array of laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Under current laws and regulations, we may have liabilities for environmental damage caused by operations, or for damage caused by conditions that existed before we acquired a site. Such liabilities include potentially responsible party, or PRP, investigations, settlements, certain legal and consultant fees, as well as costs directly associated with site investigation and clean up, such as materials and incremental internal costs directly related to the remedy.
 
Estimating our degree of responsibility for remediation of a particular site is inherently difficult and determining the method and ultimate cost of remediation requires that a number of assumptions be made. There can sometimes be a range of reasonable estimates of the costs associated with the likely remedy of a site. In these cases, we use the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate. If no amount within the range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we use the amounts that are the low ends of such ranges in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and its interpretations. If we used the high ends of such ranges, our aggregate potential liability would be approximately $185 million higher than the $277 million recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2008. Our ongoing review of our remediation liabilities could result in revisions that could cause upward or downward adjustments to income from operations. These adjustments could also be material in any given period.
 
As of March 31, 2008, we had been notified by the government that we are a PRP in connection with 75 locations listed on the EPA’s National Priorities List, or NPL. Of the 75 sites at which claims have been made against us, 16 are sites we own. Each of the NPL sites we own were initially developed by others as landfill disposal facilities. The NPL sites are at various procedural stages under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, known as CERCLA or Superfund. CERCLA generally provides for liability for those parties owning, operating, transporting to or disposing at the sites. Proceedings arising under Superfund typically involve numerous waste generators and other waste transportation and disposal companies and seek to allocate or recover costs associated with site investigation and remediation, which costs could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. At some of the sites at which we have been identified as a PRP, our liability is well defined as a consequence of a governmental decision and an agreement among liable parties as to the share each will pay for implementing that remedy. At other sites, where no remedy has been selected or the liable parties have been unable to agree on an appropriate allocation, our future costs are uncertain. Any of these matters potentially could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.
 
Litigation — In April 2002, a former participant in WM Holdings’ ERISA plans and another individual filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C. against WMI, WM Holdings and others, attempting to increase the recovery of a class of ERISA plan participants based on allegations related to both the events alleged in, and the settlements relating to, the securities class action against WM Holdings that was settled in 1998 and the securities class action against us that was settled in November 2001. Subsequently, the issues related to the latter class action have been dropped as to WMI, its officers and directors. The case is ongoing with respect to WM Holdings and others, and WM Holdings intends to defend itself vigorously.


11


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
There are two separate wage and hour lawsuits pending against us in California, each seeking class certification. Both actions make the same general allegations that the defendants failed to comply with certain California wage and hour laws, including allegedly failing to provide meal and rest periods, and failing to properly pay hourly and overtime wages. We deny the plaintiffs’ claims and intend to vigorously defend these matters. As the litigation is in the early stages of the legal process, and given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated.
 
From time to time, we pay fines or penalties in environmental proceedings relating primarily to waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities. As of March 31, 2008, there were five proceedings involving our subsidiaries where we reasonably believe that the sanctions could equal or exceed $100,000. The matters involve allegations that subsidiaries (i) failed to comply with leachate storage requirements at an operating landfill; (ii) violated federal air regulations at an operating landfill; (iii) failed to meet reporting requirements under federal air regulations at an operating landfill; (iv) violated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit conditions at an operating landfill; and (v) violated handling, disposal and transportation related requirements at an operating landfill. We do not believe that the fines or other penalties in any of these matters will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
From time to time, we also are named as defendants in personal injury and property damage lawsuits, including purported class actions, on the basis of having owned, operated or transported waste to a disposal facility that is alleged to have contaminated the environment or, in certain cases, on the basis of having conducted environmental remediation activities at sites. Some of the lawsuits may seek to have us pay the costs of monitoring of allegedly affected sites and health care examinations of allegedly affected persons for a substantial period of time even where no actual damage is proven. While we believe we have meritorious defenses to these lawsuits, the ultimate resolution is often substantially uncertain due to the difficulty of determining the cause, extent and impact of alleged contamination (which may have occurred over a long period of time), the potential for successive groups of complainants to emerge, the diversity of the individual plaintiffs’ circumstances, and the potential contribution or indemnification obligations of co-defendants or other third parties, among other factors. Accordingly, it is possible such matters could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
As a large company with operations across the United States and Canada, we are subject to various proceedings, lawsuits, disputes and claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. Many of these actions raise complex factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. Actions filed against us include commercial, customer, and employment related claims, including purported class action lawsuits related to our customer service agreements and purported class actions involving federal and state wage and hour and other laws. The plaintiffs in some actions seek unspecified damages or injunctive relief, or both. These actions are in various procedural stages, and some are covered in part by insurance. We currently do not believe that any such actions will ultimately have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
WMI’s charter and bylaws currently require indemnification of its officers and directors if statutory standards of conduct have been met and allow the advancement of expenses to these individuals upon receipt of an undertaking by the individuals to repay all expenses if it is ultimately determined that they did not meet the required standards of conduct. Additionally, WMI has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of the members of its Board of Directors as well as its Chief Executive Officer, its President and its Chief Financial Officer. The Company may incur substantial expenses in connection with the fulfillment of its advancement of costs and indemnification obligations in connection with current actions involving former officers of the Company or its subsidiaries or other actions or proceedings that may be brought against its former or current officers, directors and employees.
 
On March 20, 2008, we filed a lawsuit in state court in the Southern District of Texas against SAP AG and SAP America, Inc., alleging fraud and breach of contract. The lawsuit relates to our 2005 software license from SAP for a waste and recycling revenue management system and agreement for SAP to implement the software on a fixed-fee basis. We have alleged that SAP represented that customization of the software would not be necessary and that the


12


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
software would be fully implemented throughout the Company in 18 months. However, SAP had to write new code and extensively customize the software. SAP’s efforts did not deliver a usable and supportable application, as demonstrated by the failed pilot implementation in New Mexico, one of our smallest market areas. We are pursuing all legal remedies, including recovery of all costs we have incurred related to the licensing and implementation of the failed system, as well as the savings and benefits that the SAP software was promised to deliver. SAP recently filed a general denial to the suit. We will vigorously pursue all claims available.
 
We are still examining all of our alternatives associated with the development and implementation of a revenue management system, some of which may be affected by the ultimate resolution of the lawsuit. As we continue to assess the alternatives available to us, we may determine that the best course of action will be to move forward with another software and abandon the SAP revenue management system. If we decide to abandon the SAP software, the abandonment would result in a charge of between $45 million and $55 million.
 
Tax matters — We are currently in the examination phase of IRS audits for the years 2006 and 2007. We expect these audits to be completed within the next nine months. Audits associated with state and local jurisdictions date back to 1999 and examinations associated with Canada date back to 2002. To provide for certain potential tax exposures, we maintain a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, the balance of which management believes is adequate. Results of audit assessments by taxing authorities could have a material effect on our quarterly or annual cash flows as audits are completed, although we do not believe that current tax audit matters will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
 
We have approximately $2.9 billion of tax-exempt financings as of March 31, 2008. Tax-exempt financings are structured pursuant to certain terms and conditions of the Internal Revenue Code, which exempts from taxation the interest income earned by the bondholders in the transactions. The requirements of the Code can be complex, and failure to comply with these requirements could cause certain past interest payments made on the bonds to be taxable and could cause either outstanding principal amounts on the bonds to be accelerated or future interest payments on the bonds to be taxable. Some of the Company’s tax-exempt financings have been, or currently are, the subject of examinations by the IRS to determine whether the financings meet the requirements of the Code and applicable regulations. It is possible that an adverse determination by the IRS could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows and results of operations.
 
8.   Restructuring
 
In the first quarter of 2007, we restructured certain operations and functions, resulting in the recognition of a charge of $9 million. Approximately $6 million of our restructuring costs was incurred by our Corporate organization, $2 million was incurred by our Midwest Group and $1 million was incurred by our Western Group. These charges included $8 million for employee severance and benefit costs and $1 million related to operating lease agreements. We incurred an additional $1 million of costs for this restructuring during the second quarter of 2007 relating to operating lease agreements.
 
Through March 31, 2008, we had paid $6 million of the employee severance and benefit costs incurred as a result of this restructuring. The length of time we are obligated to make severance payments varies, with the longest obligation continuing through the first quarter of 2009.
 
9.   Segment and Related Information
 
We manage and evaluate our operations primarily through our Eastern, Midwest, Southern, Western, Wheelabrator and WMRA Groups. These six Groups are presented below as our reportable segments. Our segments provide integrated waste management services consisting of collection, disposal (solid waste and hazardous waste landfills), transfer, waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants that are managed by Wheelabrator, recycling services and other services to commercial, industrial, municipal and


13


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
residential customers throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico and Canada. The operations not managed through our six operating Groups are presented herein as “Other.”
 
Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments for the three months ended March 31 is shown in the following tables (in millions):
 
                                 
    Gross
    Intercompany
    Net
       
    Operating
    Operating
    Operating
    Income from
 
Three Months Ended:
  Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Operations  
 
March 31, 2008
                               
Eastern
  $ 759     $ (137 )   $ 622     $ 114  
Midwest
    690       (109 )     581       89  
Southern
    913       (126 )     787       214  
Western
    853       (107 )     746       158  
Wheelabrator
    213       (22 )     191       58  
WMRA
    275       (6 )     269       20  
Other
    78       (8 )     70       (15 )
                                 
      3,781       (515 )     3,266       638  
Corporate and Other
                      (127 )
                                 
Total
  $ 3,781     $ (515 )   $ 3,266     $ 511  
                                 
March 31, 2007
                               
Eastern
  $ 790     $ (146 )   $ 644     $ 120  
Midwest
    680       (113 )     567       98  
Southern
    919       (137 )     782       208  
Western
    851       (108 )     743       154  
Wheelabrator
    208       (17 )     191       36  
WMRA
    215       (5 )     210       19  
Other
    67       (16 )     51       (8 )
                                 
      3,730       (542 )     3,188       627  
Corporate and Other
                      (146 )
                                 
Total
  $ 3,730     $ (542 )   $ 3,188     $ 481  
                                 
 
The income from operations provided by our four geographic segments is generally indicative of the margins provided by our collection, landfill and transfer businesses, although these Groups do provide recycling and other services that can affect these trends. The operating margins provided by our Wheelabrator segment (waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants) have historically been higher than the margins provided by our base business generally due to the combined impact of long-term disposal and energy contracts and the disposal demands of the region in which our facilities are concentrated. Income from operations provided by our WMRA segment generally reflects operating margins typical of the recycling industry, which tend to be lower than those provided by our base business, but may fluctuate significantly as market prices for commodities change. Fluctuations in our operating results between quarters may be caused by many factors, including period-to-period changes in the relative contribution of revenue by each line of business and operating segment and general economic conditions.
 
In addition, our revenues and income from operations typically reflect seasonal patterns. Our operating revenues tend to be somewhat higher in the summer months, primarily due to the higher volume of construction and demolition waste. The volumes of industrial and residential waste in certain regions where we operate also tend to


14


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
increase during the summer months. Our second and third quarter revenues and results of operations typically reflect these seasonal trends. Additionally, certain destructive weather conditions that tend to occur during the second half of the year actually increase our revenues in the areas affected. However, for several reasons, including significant start-up costs, such revenue often generates comparatively lower margins. Certain weather conditions may result in the temporary suspension of our operations, which can significantly affect the operating results of the affected regions. The operating results of our first quarter also often reflect higher repair and maintenance expenses because we rely on the slower winter months, when waste flows are generally lower, to perform scheduled maintenance at our waste-to-energy facilities
 
From time to time, the operating results of our reportable segments are significantly affected by unusual or infrequent transactions or events. Items that have significantly affected the operating results of our segments during the periods presented include the following:
 
  •  Eastern — The Group’s operating results were improved by $15 million during the first quarter of 2007 and $3 million during the first quarter of 2008 due to the favorable resolution of a disposal tax matter. These impacts were recognized as reductions to disposal fees and taxes within our “Operating” expenses.
 
  •  Wheelabrator — The Group’s income from operations for the first quarter of 2007 was negatively affected by $21 million of charges incurred for the early termination of a lease agreement in connection with the purchase of one of our independent power production plants. This charge was recorded as “Operating” expenses.
 
10.   (Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items
 
(Income) expense from divestitures (including held-for-sale impairments) — We recognized $2 million of net gains on divestitures during the first quarter of 2008 and $9 million of net gains on divestitures during the first quarter of 2007. The majority of these net gains relate to divestitures of operations in our Southern and Eastern Groups.
 
Impairments of assets held-for-use — During the first quarter of 2007, we recorded impairment charges of $10 million attributable to two landfills in our Southern Group. The impairments were necessary as a result of the re-evaluation of our business alternatives for one landfill and the expiration of a contract that we had expected would be renewed that had significantly contributed to volumes for the second landfill.


15


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
11.   Fair Value Measurements
 
SFAS No. 157 provides a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value, giving the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 inputs) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs).
 
We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. In measuring the fair value of our assets and liabilities, we use market data or assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk when appropriate. As of March 31, 2008, our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following (in millions):
 
                                 
          Fair Value Measurements Using  
          Quoted
    Significant
       
          Prices in
    Other
    Significant
 
          Active
    Observable
    Unobservable
 
          Markets
    Inputs
    Inputs
 
    Total     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
 
Assets:
                               
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 359     $ 359     $     $  
Interest rate derivatives
    32             32        
Environmental remediation recovery assets
    28             28        
                                 
Total assets
  $ 419     $ 359     $ 60     $  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Interest rate derivatives
  $ 1     $     $ 1     $  
Foreign currency derivatives
    20             20        
                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 21     $     $ 21     $  
                                 
 
12.   Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
 
WM Holdings has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of WMI’s senior indebtedness. WMI has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of WM Holdings’ senior indebtedness. None of WMI’s other subsidiaries have guaranteed any of WMI’s or WM Holdings’ debt. As a result of these guarantee arrangements, we are required to present the following condensed consolidating financial information (in millions):


16


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
 
March 31, 2008
(Unaudited)
 
                                         
          WM
    Non-Guarantor
             
    WMI     Holdings     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 457     $     $ 9     $     $ 466  
Other current assets
    1             2,098             2,099  
                                         
      458             2,107             2,565  
Property and equipment, net
                11,297             11,297  
Investments in and advances to affiliates
    9,695       10,899       373       (20,967 )      
Other assets
    56       16       6,250             6,322  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 10,209     $ 10,915     $ 20,027     $ (20,967 )   $ 20,184  
                                         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 5     $ 254     $ 231     $     $ 490  
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
    88       15       2,001             2,104  
                                         
      93       269       2,232             2,594  
Long-term debt, less current portion
    4,505       638       3,086             8,229  
Other liabilities
                3,443             3,443  
                                         
Total liabilities
    4,598       907       8,761             14,266  
Minority interest in subsidiaries and variable interest entities
                307             307  
Stockholders’ equity
    5,611       10,008       10,959       (20,967 )     5,611  
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 10,209     $ 10,915     $ 20,027     $ (20,967 )   $ 20,184  
                                         
 
December 31, 2007
 
                                         
          WM
    Non-Guarantor
             
    WMI     Holdings     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 416     $     $     $ (68 )   $ 348  
Other current assets
                2,132             2,132  
                                         
      416             2,132       (68 )     2,480  
Property and equipment, net
                11,351             11,351  
Investments in and advances to affiliates
    9,617       10,622       173       (20,412 )      
Other assets
    28       15       6,301             6,344  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 10,061     $ 10,637     $ 19,957     $ (20,480 )   $ 20,175  
                                         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                                       
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 129     $     $ 200     $     $ 329  
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
    79       22       2,236       (68 )     2,269  
                                         
      208       22       2,436       (68 )     2,598  
Long-term debt, less current portion
    4,034       889       3,085             8,008  
Other liabilities
    27       2       3,438             3,467  
                                         
Total liabilities
    4,269       913       8,959       (68 )     14,073  
Minority interest in subsidiaries and variable interest entities
                310             310  
Stockholders’ equity
    5,792       9,724       10,688       (20,412 )     5,792  
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 10,061     $ 10,637     $ 19,957     $ (20,480 )   $ 20,175  
                                         


17


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
(Unaudited)
 
                                         
          WM
    Non-Guarantor
             
    WMI     Holdings     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Operating revenues
  $     $     $ 3,266     $     $ 3,266  
Costs and expenses
                2,755             2,755  
                                         
Income from operations
                511             511  
                                         
Other income (expense):
                                       
Interest income (expense)
    (68 )     (16 )     (33 )           (117 )
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes
    284       294             (578 )      
Minority interest
                (7 )           (7 )
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities and other, net
                (2 )           (2 )
                                         
      216       278       (42 )     (578 )     (126 )
                                         
Income before income taxes
    216       278       469       (578 )     385  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (25 )     (6 )     175             144  
                                         
Net income
  $ 241     $ 284     $ 294     $ (578 )   $ 241  
                                         
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
 
                                         
          WM
    Non-Guarantor
             
    WMI     Holdings     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Operating revenues
  $     $     $ 3,188     $     $ 3,188  
Costs and expenses
                2,707             2,707  
                                         
Income from operations
                481             481  
                                         
Other income (expense):
                                       
Interest income (expense)
    (73 )     (24 )     (20 )           (117 )
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes
    284       299             (583 )      
Minority interest
                (10 )           (10 )
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities and other, net
                (23 )           (23 )
                                         
      211       275       (53 )     (583 )     (150 )
                                         
Income before income taxes
    211       275       428       (583 )     331  
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    (27 )     (9 )     129             93  
                                         
Net income
  $ 238     $ 284     $ 299     $ (583 )   $ 238  
                                         


18


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
(Unaudited)
 
                                         
          WM
    Non-Guarantor
             
    WMI     Holdings     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                       
Net income
  $ 241     $ 284     $ 294     $ (578 )   $ 241  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes
    (284 )     (294 )           578        
Other adjustments
    9       (7 )     318             320  
                                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (34 )     (17 )     612             561  
                                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
                (69 )           (69 )
Capital expenditures
                (213 )           (213 )
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets
                14             14  
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net
                68             68  
                                         
Net cash used in investing activities
                (200 )           (200 )
                                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
New borrowings
    644             159             803  
Debt repayments
    (350 )           (194 )           (544 )
Common stock repurchases
    (281 )                       (281 )
Cash dividends
    (133 )                       (133 )
Exercise of common stock options and warrants
    10                         10  
Minority interest distributions paid and other
    3             (101 )           (98 )
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net
    182       17       (267 )     68        
                                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    75       17       (403 )     68       (243 )
                                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
                             
                                         
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    41             9       68       118  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    416                   (68 )     348  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 457     $     $ 9     $     $ 466  
                                         


19


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
 
                                         
          WM
    Non-Guarantor
             
    WMI     Holdings     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                       
Net income
  $ 238     $ 284     $ 299     $ (583 )   $ 238  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes
    (284 )     (299 )           583        
Other adjustments
    9       1       290             300  
                                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (37 )     (14 )     589             538  
                                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
                (2 )           (2 )
Capital expenditures
                (272 )           (272 )
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets
                69             69  
Purchases of short-term investments
    (525 )                       (525 )
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments
    663                         663  
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net
                31             31  
                                         
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    138             (174 )           (36 )
                                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                       
New borrowings
                134             134  
Debt repayments
    (52 )           (190 )           (242 )
Common stock repurchases
    (487 )                       (487 )
Cash dividends
    (126 )                       (126 )
Exercise of common stock options and warrants
    34                         34  
Minority interest distributions paid and other
    7             35             42  
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net
    349       14       (394 )     31        
                                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (275 )     14       (415 )     31       (645 )
                                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
                             
                                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (174 )                 31       (143 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    675                   (61 )     614  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 501     $     $     $ (30 )   $ 471  
                                         


20


 

 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
13.   New Accounting Pronouncements
 
SFAS No. 157 — Fair Value Measurements
 
In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. FSP FAS 157-2 establishes January 1, 2009 as the effective date of SFAS No. 157 with respect to these fair value measurements for the Company. We do not currently expect the application of the fair value framework established by SFAS No. 157 to non-financial assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. However, we will continue to assess the potential effects of SFAS No. 157 as additional guidance becomes available.
 
SFAS No. 141(R) — Business Combinations
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, which establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer recognizes and measures in the financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. This statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the effect the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have on our accounting and reporting for future acquisitions.
 
SFAS No. 160 — Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the effect the adoption of SFAS 160 will have on our consolidated financial statements.


21


 

Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
In an effort to keep our shareholders and the public informed about our business, we may make “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements generally include statements containing:
 
  •  projections about accounting and finances;
 
  •  plans and objectives for the future;
 
  •  projections or estimates about assumptions relating to our performance; and
 
  •  our opinions, views or beliefs about the effects of current or future events, circumstances or performance.
 
You should view these statements with caution. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, circumstances or events. They are based on facts and circumstances known to us as of the date the statements are made. All phases of our business are subject to uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which we do not control. Any of these factors, either alone or taken together, could have a material adverse effect on us and could change whether any forward-looking statement ultimately turns out to be true. Additionally, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of future events, circumstances or developments. The following discussion should be read together with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.
 
Some of the risks that we face and that could affect our business and financial statements for 2008 and beyond include the following:
 
  •  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, including regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions, may negatively impact our business by, among other things, restricting our operations, increasing costs of operations or requiring additional capital expenditures;
 
  •  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;


22


 

 
  •  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.
 
These are not the only risks that we face. There may be other risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also impair our business or financial position.
 
General
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 4000, Houston, Texas 77002. Our telephone number at that address is (713) 512-6200. Our website address is http://www.wm.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K are all available, free of charge, on our website as soon as practicable after we file the reports with the SEC. Our stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WMI.”
 
We are the leading provider of integrated waste services in North America. Using our vast network of assets and employees, we provide a comprehensive range of waste management services. Through our subsidiaries we provide collection, transfer, recycling, disposal and waste-to-energy services. In providing these services, we actively pursue projects and initiatives that we believe make a positive difference for our environment, including recovering and processing the methane gas produced naturally by landfills into a renewable energy source. Our customers include commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers, other waste management companies, electric utilities and governmental entities.
 
Overview
 
In the first quarter of 2008, we saw continued earnings growth and margin expansion, reflecting the successes of our pricing program, cost control measures and fix-or-seek exit initiatives. This progress is particularly noteworthy in light of the challenges presented by the weakening of the U.S. economy, rising fuel costs and harsh weather conditions in the Midwest during the first quarter of 2008.
 
In the first quarter of 2008, our revenues increased by $78 million, or 2.4%, as compared with the prior year period. This increase was driven by yield on our collection business and higher recycling commodity prices. These contributions to revenue growth were partially offset by the impacts of divestures and volume declines that were due to the sluggish economy, our focus on shedding unprofitable customers and competition. Our income from operations was $511 million in the first quarter of 2008 as compared with $481 million in the first quarter of 2007,


23


 

an improvement of 6.2%. As a percentage of revenue, income from operations was 15.6% as compared with 15.1% in the first quarter of 2007. These improvements are a direct result of the disciplined approaches we have taken to our strategic initiatives.
 
Our operating expenses increased by $58 million, or 2.9%, in the first quarter of 2008 as compared with the prior year period. The increase is due primarily to higher fuel costs and commodity prices. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $15 million, or 4.2%, as compared with the first quarter of 2007, primarily as a result of a continued focus on our sales initiatives, which are currently concentrated on identifying new customers that will provide profitable growth for our business. This focus has resulted in higher labor and advertising costs. During the first quarter of 2008, our selling, general and administrative expenses also increased due to higher non-cash expenses for our provision for bad debts.
 
Our operating cash flow and free cash flow for the first quarter of 2008 also reflect the earnings growth experienced during the period. Operating cash flow increased by $23 million, or 4.3%, and free cash flow increased by $27 million, or 8.1%. We calculate free cash flow as shown in the table below (in millions):
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 561     $ 538  
Capital expenditures
    (213 )     (272 )
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets
    14       69  
                 
Free cash flow(a)
  $ 362     $ 335  
                 
 
 
(a) We have included free cash flow, which is a non-GAAP measure of liquidity, in our disclosures because we use this measure in the evaluation and management of our business and believe it is indicative of our ability to pay our quarterly dividends, repurchase our common stock and fund acquisitions and other investments. Free cash flow is not intended to replace the GAAP measure of “Net cash provided by operating activities”, which is the most comparable GAAP measure. However, by subtracting cash used for capital expenditures and adding the cash proceeds from divestitures and other asset sales, we believe free cash flow gives investors greater insight into our liquidity.
 
We expect that throughout 2008 we may continue to face challenges related to volume losses, the economy and rising fuel prices. We may also begin to face headwinds from customers’ and communities’ changing needs and desires regarding their waste services. For these reasons, we are continuing to implement measures that we believe will grow our business, improve our current operations’ performance and enhance and expand our services.
 
After terminating the pilot of a new revenue management system in the fourth quarter of 2007, we participated in a scheduled mediation in March 2008 in an attempt to resolve our disputes with the vendor, SAP. The mediation was not successful. We have filed suit against SAP and will pursue all legal remedies available to us. SAP recently filed a general denial to the suit. As a result, we will not be able to deploy a new revenue management system in the foreseeable future and we will continue to operate our current system, although it does not provide the benefits we were expecting from the licensed application. However, we may be able to make enhancements to our current system. Our plans to install a new revenue management system, to make enhancements to our current system and to address the issues with SAP may result in cost increases, each of which could negatively affect our future cash flow and earnings. As we continue to assess the alternatives available to us, we may determine that the best course of action will be to move forward with another software and abandon the SAP revenue management system. If we decide to abandon the SAP software, the abandonment would result in a charge of between $45 million and $55 million.
 
Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions
 
In preparing our financial statements, we make numerous estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, stockholders’ equity, revenues and expenses. We must make


24


 

these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision from data available or simply cannot be readily calculated based on generally accepted methodologies. In some cases, these estimates are particularly difficult to determine and we must exercise significant judgment. In preparing our financial statements the most difficult, subjective and complex estimates and the assumptions that deal with the greatest amount of uncertainty relate to our accounting for landfills, environmental remediation liabilities, asset impairments and self-insurance reserves and recoveries, as described in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use in the preparation of our financial statements.
 
Results of Operations
 
Operating Revenues
 
Our operating revenues were $3.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared with $3.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2007. We manage and evaluate our operations primarily through our Eastern, Midwest, Southern, Western, Wheelabrator (which includes our waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants, or IPPs) and WMRA Groups. These six operating Groups are our reportable segments. Shown below (in millions) is the contribution to revenues during each period provided by our six operating Groups and our Other waste services:
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Eastern
  $ 759     $ 790  
Midwest
    690       680  
Southern
    913       919  
Western
    853       851  
Wheelabrator
    213       208  
WMRA
    275       215  
Other
    78       67  
Intercompany
    (515 )     (542 )
                 
Total
  $ 3,266     $ 3,188  
                 
 
The mix of operating revenues from our major lines of business is reflected in the table below (in millions):
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Collection
  $ 2,138     $ 2,121  
Landfill
    685       720  
Transfer
    380       389  
Wheelabrator
    213       208  
Recycling
    320       258  
Other
    45       34  
Intercompany
    (515 )     (542 )
                 
Total
  $ 3,266     $ 3,188  
                 
 
The decreases in revenues in our collection and transfer lines of business due to third-party volume declines have negatively affected the revenues in our landfill line of business. These volume declines generally have resulted in a decrease in intercompany revenues at our landfills and have not significantly affected the change in our net


25


 

operating revenues for the landfill line of business. Changes in our third-party revenues when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are discussed further in the following table and analysis.
 
The following table provides details associated with the period-to-period change in revenues (dollars in millions) along with an explanation of the significant components of current period changes:
 
                 
    Period-to-Period
 
    Change for the
 
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
    March 31,
 
    2008 and 2007  
 
Average yield:
               
Base business
  $ 100       3.2 %
Commodity
    71       2.3  
Electricity (IPPs)
           
Fuel surcharges and mandated fees
    41       1.2  
                 
Total
    212       6.7  
Volume
    (123 )     (3.9 )
                 
Internal revenue growth
    89       2.8  
Acquisitions
    25       0.8  
Divestitures
    (61 )     (2.0 )
Foreign currency translation
    25       0.8  
                 
    $ 78       2.4 %
                 
 
Base Business — Yield on base business reflects the effect on our revenue from the pricing activities of our collection, transfer, disposal and waste-to-energy operations, exclusive of volume changes. Revenue growth from base business yield includes not only price and environmental and service fee increases, but also (i) certain average price changes related to the overall mix of services, which are due to both the types of services provided and the geographic locations where our services are provided; (ii) changes in average price from new and lost business; and (iii) price decreases to retain customers.
 
Our pricing excellence initiative continues to be the primary contributor to our base business yield growth. The increase in base business yield was driven by our collection operations. However, our transfer stations and landfill municipal solid waste streams also contributed significant base business yield improvements. We saw an increase in revenue from yield at our waste-to-energy facilities, largely due to annual rate increases for electricity under long-term contracts and favorable energy market pricing, which is generally indexed to natural gas prices.
 
Revenues from our environmental fee, which is included in base business yield, were $41 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with $22 million in the comparable prior year period.
 
Commodity — Increases in the prices of recycling commodities contributed $71 million of revenue growth during the first quarter of 2008. As compared with the first quarter of 2007, average prices for old corrugated cardboard increased by 23% and average prices for old newsprint increased by 18%. Approximately half of the increase in revenue from yield on our recycling operations is associated with our relatively lower margin brokerage activities.
 
Fuel surcharges and mandated fees — Fuel surcharges increased revenues year-over-year by $43 million. This increase is due to our continued effort to pass on higher fuel costs from increases in market prices to our customers through fuel surcharges. Although our fuel surcharge program is designed to respond to changes in the market price for fuel, there is a lag in the timing of revenue increases following fuel cost increases. This timing difference has negatively affected our ability to fully recover our cost increases in the first quarter of 2008 due to the continual increase in the market price for fuel during the quarter.


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The mandated fees included in this line item are primarily related to the pass-through of fees and taxes assessed by various state, county and municipal governmental agencies at our landfills and transfer stations. These mandated fees have not had a significant impact on the comparability of revenues for the periods included in the table above.
 
Volume — The $123 million decline in revenues due to lower volumes was driven by declines in our collection volumes and, to a lesser extent, lower disposal volumes.
 
Volume reductions in the first quarter of 2008 have significantly affected the revenues of each of our collection lines of business, accounting for $109 million of the revenue decrease. Volumes continue to be affected by our focus on improving margins through increased pricing. However, both the continued slowdown in the economy and the harsh winter weather in the Midwest during the first quarter of 2008 also had significant impacts on each of our collection lines of business. Our industrial collection operations experienced the most significant revenue declines due to lower volumes as a result of the significant slowdown in the housing market across the United States.
 
We also experienced declines in third-party revenue at our landfills due to reduced construction and demolition, municipal solid waste and special waste disposal volumes in the first quarter of 2008. The most significant decline was in our construction and demolition waste stream, which was down due to the significant slowdown in residential construction across the United States. Waste-to-energy revenue from disposal volumes also declined in the first quarter of 2008, largely due to the termination of an operating and maintenance agreement in May 2007.
 
Divestitures — Divestitures of under-performing or non-strategic operations accounted for decreased revenues of $61 million in the first quarter of 2008. These divestitures were primarily comprised of collection operations and, to a lesser extent, recycling and transfer station operations.
 
Operating Expenses
 
The following table summarizes the major components of our operating expenses, including the impact of foreign currency translation, for the three-month periods ended March 31 (dollars in millions):
 
                                 
    Three Months
             
    Ended
    Period-to-
 
    March 31,     Period
 
    2008     2007     Change  
 
Labor and related benefits
  $ 593     $ 593     $       %
Transfer and disposal costs
    257       280       (23 )     (8.2 )
Maintenance and repairs
    279       277       2       0.7  
Subcontractor costs
    217       213       4       1.9  
Cost of goods sold
    216       167       49       29.3  
Fuel
    168       129       39       30.2  
Disposal and franchise fees and taxes
    142       134       8       6.0  
Landfill operating costs
    64       63       1       1.6  
Risk management
    57       61       (4 )     (6.6 )
Other
    99       117       (18 )     (15.4 )
                                 
    $ 2,092     $ 2,034     $ 58       2.9 %
                                 
 
As summarized in the table above, our operating expenses increased by $58 million, or 2.9%, when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008 with the comparable prior year period. Our operating expenses as a percentage of revenues increased from 63.8% in the first quarter of 2007 to 64.1% in the current period. The increases in our operating expenses during the first quarter of 2008 can largely be attributed to the following economic and market conditions:
 
  •  Higher market prices for commodities — Market prices for commodities rose sharply when comparing the first quarter of 2008 with the corresponding prior year period. This significant increase in market prices was the driver of the current quarter increase in cost of goods sold.


27


 

 
  •  Fuel cost increases — On average, diesel fuel prices increased 39% from $2.55 per gallon in the first quarter of 2007 to $3.55 per gallon in the first quarter of 2008. Higher fuel costs caused increases in both our direct fuel costs and our subcontractor costs for the first quarter of 2008.
 
  •  Strengthening of the Canadian dollar — When comparing the average exchange rate for the first quarter of 2008 with the first quarter of 2007, the Canadian rate improved by 17%, which increased our expenses in all operating cost categories.
 
After considering the significant impacts that these general economic conditions had on our operating expenses for the first quarter of 2008, we are encouraged that our results continue to reflect our focus on identifying operational efficiencies that translate into cost savings and managing our fixed costs and reducing our variable costs as volumes decline due to our pricing program, divestiture activity and the slowdown in the economy.
 
Other items affecting the comparability of our operating expenses by category for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 include the following:
 
  •  Labor and related benefits — higher costs due to annual merit increases and, to a lesser extent, additional overtime and other labor costs attributed to severe winter weather conditions experienced in our Midwest Group, offset by costs savings provided by our operational improvement initiatives mentioned above;
 
  •  Transfer and disposal costs — cost decreases due to volume declines and divestitures;
 
  •  Maintenance and repairs — cost increases due to changes in the timing of maintenance projects at our waste-to-energy facilities, partially offset by the impact of various fleet initiatives that favorably affected our maintenance, parts and supplies costs;
 
  •  Cost of goods sold — in addition to the sharp rise in market prices for commodities mentioned above, our cost of goods sold are higher due to an increase in our brokerage activities;
 
  •  Disposal and franchise fees and taxes — the favorable resolution of a tax matter in our Eastern Group reduced expenses by $15 million during the first quarter of 2007 and $3 million during the first quarter of 2008;
 
  •  Landfill operating costs — (i) the unfavorable impact of the January 1, 2008 adoption of SFAS No. 157, which resulted in a $6 million charge to landfill operating costs; (ii) increased leachate collection, trucking, treatment and disposal costs that were attributed in part to higher precipitation levels experienced during the first quarter of 2008; and (iii) an $8 million charge taken during the first quarter of 2007 for a revision in our estimate associated with remediation costs at one of our closed landfills;
 
  •  Risk management — cost decreases due primarily to reduced costs related to workers compensation, partially offset by higher costs associated with auto and general liability; and
 
  •  Other — cost decreases due to $21 million of lease termination costs in the first quarter of 2007 associated with purchasing one of our independent power production plants that was previously operated through a lease agreement, partially offset by a decrease in gains recognized on sales of assets.


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Selling, General and Administrative
 
The following table summarizes the major components of our selling, general and administrative costs for the three-month periods ended March 31 (dollars in millions):
 
                                 
    Three Months
             
    Ended
    Period-to-
 
    March 31,     Period
 
    2008     2007     Change  
 
Labor and related benefits
  $ 217     $ 209     $ 8       3.8 %
Professional fees
    37       37              
Provision for bad debts
    15       9       6       66.7  
Other
    99       98       1       1.0  
                                 
    $ 368     $ 353     $ 15       4.2 %
                                 
 
Labor and related benefits — The increases in the first quarter of 2008 are primarily attributable to a continued focus on our sales initiatives. Also contributing to the cost increases were annual merit raises and an increase in headcount. These increases were partially offset by lower bonus expense.
 
Provision for bad debts — The increase in our provision for bad debts is due to the effects of the weakening economy, which has increased collection risks associated with certain customers.
 
Other — Our continued focus on our sales initiatives and identifying new customers resulted in a noteworthy increase in advertising costs in the current year. When comparing the first quarter of 2008 with the comparable prior year period, this increase was largely offset by the impact of the $4 million charge recognized during the first quarter of 2007 as a result of an unclaimed property audit settlement.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $297 million, or 9.1% of revenues, compared with $310 million, or 9.7% of revenues, for the comparable prior year period. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense in the first quarter of 2008 as compared with the prior year period can generally be attributed to landfill volume declines.
 
Restructuring
 
In the first quarter of 2007, we restructured certain operations and functions, resulting in the recognition of a pre-tax charge of $9 million. Approximately $6 million of our restructuring costs was incurred by our Corporate organization, $2 million was incurred by our Midwest Group and $1 million was incurred by our Western Group. These charges included $8 million for employee severance and benefit costs and $1 million related to operating lease agreements.
 
(Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items
 
(Income) expense from divestitures including held-for-sale impairments — We recognized $2 million of net gains on divestitures during the first quarter of 2008 and $9 million of net gains on divestitures during the first quarter of 2007. The majority of these net gains relate to divestitures of operations in our Southern and Eastern Groups.
 
Impairments of assets held-for-use — During the first quarter of 2007, we recorded impairment charges of $10 million attributable to two landfills in our Southern Group. The impairments were necessary as a result of the re-evaluation of our business alternatives for one landfill and the expiration of a contract that we had expected would be renewed that had significantly contributed to the volumes for the second landfill.


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Income From Operations by Reportable Segment
 
The following table summarizes income from operations by reportable segment for the three-month periods ended March 31 and provides explanations of significant factors contributing to the identified variances (dollars in millions):
 
                                 
    Three Months
             
    Ended
    Period-to-
 
    March 31,     Period
 
    2008     2007     Change  
 
Operating segments:
                               
Eastern
  $ 114     $ 120     $ (6 )     (5.0 )%
Midwest
    89       98       (9 )     (9.2 )
Southern
    214       208       6       2.9  
Western
    158       154       4       2.6  
Wheelabrator
    58       36       22       61.1  
WMRA
    20       19       1       5.3  
Other
    (15 )     (8 )     (7 )     *  
                                 
      638       627       11       1.8  
Corporate and Other
    (127 )     (146 )     19       (13.0 )
                                 
Total
  $ 511     $ 481     $ 30       6.2 %
                                 
 
 
Percentage change does not provide a meaningful comparison.
 
Operating segments — During the three months ended March 31, 2008 increased yield on base business as a result of our pricing strategies, particularly in our collection operations, and our continued focus on controlling costs through operating efficiencies have continued to be key contributors to our year-over-year operating margin improvement. The positive impact of these factors has been partially offset by declines in revenues due to lower volumes. The volume declines are generally the result of pricing competition, the significant downturn in residential construction and the slowdown of the general economic environment that began in 2007. Additionally, in 2008, the operating income of all of our geographic groups has been unfavorably affected by increases in fuel costs that have not been fully recovered through our fuel surcharge.
 
Other significant items affecting the comparability of the operating segments’ results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are summarized below:
 
Eastern — The Group’s operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 included a $15 million decrease in disposal fees and taxes due to the favorable resolution of a disposal tax matter. The same disposal tax matter resulted in a $3 million decrease in disposal fees and taxes in the first quarter of 2008. The impact of the disposal tax resolution in both periods is included as a reduction to “Operating” expenses in our Statements of Operations.
 
Midwest — During the first quarter of 2008, the Group was negatively affected by unfavorable weather conditions and an increase in bad debt expense that can be attributed to the downturn in the general economic environment.
 
Southern — The Group recognized $3 million of divestiture gains during the first quarter of 2008 and $7 million during the first quarter of 2007. In 2007, the impact of gains on divestitures was more than offset by $10 million of impairment charges attributable to two landfills.
 
Western — During the first quarter of 2008, the Group’s operating results were favorably affected by a reduction in landfill amortization expense as a result of changes in certain estimates related to our final capping, closure and post-closure obligations. This favorable impact was offset, in part, by an increase in bad debt expense due to the downturn in the general economic environment.


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Wheelabrator — During the first quarter of 2007, the Group purchased an independent power production plant that it had previously operated through a lease agreement. The early termination of the lease agreement resulted in a $21 million charge to “Operating” expenses.
 
WMRA — In the first quarters of 2007 and 2008, the Group’s operating income benefited from substantial increases in market prices for commodities. In addition, the Group experienced income growth due to an increased focus on maintaining or reducing rebates made to suppliers. During the first quarter of 2008, the Group increased its brokerage activities, which contributed to an increase in their operating revenues. However, due to the low-margin nature of this business, which is acceptable to us because of the relatively low capital investment required, the Group’s operating margins have declined. Higher than normal operating expenses in the first quarter of 2008 also negatively affected the Group’s operating margins.
 
Significant items affecting the comparability of the remaining components of our results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are summarized below:
 
Other — The changes in operating results are largely due to certain quarter-end adjustments recorded in consolidation related to our reportable segments that were not included in the measure of segment income from operations used to assess their performance for the periods disclosed.
 
Corporate and Other — The decline in expenses in the first quarter of 2008 as compared with the first quarter of 2007 is primarily due to (i) lower bonus expense in the current year; (ii) the recognition of approximately $6 million of restructuring charges during the first quarter of 2007 for employee severance and benefit costs; and (iii) a $4 million charge during the first quarter of 2007 as a result of a settlement reached with one of the states participating in our unclaimed property audits. These cost decreases were partially offset by an increase in advertising costs in the current year.
 
Other Components of Net Income
 
The following table summarizes the other major components of our net income for the three-month periods ended March 31 (dollars in millions):
 
                                 
    Three Months
             
    Ended
    Period-to-
 
    March 31,     Period
 
    2008     2007     Change  
 
Interest expense
  $ (122 )   $ (135 )   $ 13       (9.6 )%
Interest income
    5       18       (13 )     *  
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities
    (2 )     (24 )     22       *  
Minority interest
    (7 )     (10 )     3       (30.0 )
Other, net
          1       (1 )     *  
Provision for income taxes
    144       93       51       54.8 %
 
 
Percentage change does not provide a meaningful comparison. Refer to the explanations of these items below for a discussion of the relationship between current period and prior year period activity.
 
Interest expense — The decrease in interest expense when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008 with the comparable prior year period is generally related to (i) the maturity of higher rate debt that we have effectively refinanced at lower interest rates and (ii) a decline in market interest rates, which has reduced the interest expense associated with our interest rate swaps and our variable rate debt.
 
These interest expense reductions were offset in part by the impact of higher average debt balances. We plan to repay $244 million of 8.75% senior notes during the second quarter of 2008, which will reduce our debt balances and the weighted average interest rate of our senior notes. The senior notes mature in 2018, but become callable by us in May 2008. Upon redemption, we expect to recognize a credit to interest expense of approximately $10 million for the immediate recognition of fair value adjustments associated with terminated interest rate swaps that had been deferred and were being amortized over the life of the debt.


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Interest income — Decreases in our average cash and investment balances on a year-over-year basis resulted in a decline in interest income when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008 with the comparable prior year period. In addition, interest income for the first quarter of 2007 included $7 million of interest income received in connection with a favorable resolution of a disposal tax matter in our Eastern Group. The favorable resolution of this matter also had a $15 million favorable impact on our disposal fees and taxes, which are a component of our “Operating” expenses.
 
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities — The significant decline in these losses in 2008 as compared with the prior year period is due to the expiration of our investments in the two coal-based, synthetic fuel production facilities that have driven our equity losses for the last several years. The equity losses generated by the facilities have been more than offset by the tax benefits realized as a result of the investments’ generation of Section 45K tax credits.
 
Provision for income taxes — We recorded a provision for income taxes of $144 million during the first quarter of 2008, representing an effective tax rate of 37.5%, compared with a provision for income taxes of $93 million during the first quarter of 2007, representing a 28.1% effective tax rate. The significant increase in our provision for income taxes and our effective tax rate in 2008 is primarily due to (i) a $26 million decrease in the benefit of Section 45K tax credits due to the expiration of these tax credits at the end of 2007; and (ii) the impact of tax audit settlements. The settlement of tax audits reduced our provision for income taxes by $6 million during the first quarter of 2008 compared with a $16 million reduction of our provision for income taxes during the first quarter of 2007. The increase in our provision for income taxes when comparing the first quarter of 2008 with the prior year period is also due to the increase in our pre-tax income.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Summary of Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Trust and Escrow Accounts and Debt Obligations
 
The following is a summary of our cash, restricted trust and escrow accounts and debt obligations as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (dollars in millions):
 
                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 466     $ 348  
                 
Restricted trust and escrow accounts:
               
Tax-exempt bond funds
  $ 94     $ 117  
Closure, post-closure and environmental remediation funds
    226       231  
Debt service funds
    48       47  
Other
    9       23  
                 
Total restricted trust and escrow accounts
  $ 377     $ 418  
                 
Debt:
               
Current portion
  $ 490     $ 329  
Long-term portion
    8,229       8,008  
                 
Total debt
  $ 8,719     $ 8,337  
                 
Percentage of total debt at variable interest rates
    36 %     34 %
                 
Increase in carrying value of debt due to hedge accounting for interest rate swaps
  $ 124     $ 72  
                 
 
Changes in our outstanding debt balances from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008 can primarily be attributed to (i) $803 million of cash borrowings, including $594 million in net proceeds from the March 2008 issuance of $600 million of 6.1% senior notes; (ii) the cash repayment of $544 million of outstanding borrowings at their scheduled maturities; (iii) non-cash proceeds from tax-exempt borrowings of $49 million; (iv) a $52 million increase in the carrying value of our debt due to hedge accounting for interest rate swaps; and (v) the impacts of


32


 

accounting for other non-cash changes in our balances due to foreign currency translation, interest and capital leases.
 
We plan to use a portion of the proceeds from the March 2008 senior note offering to repay $244 million of 8.75% senior notes that mature in 2018, but become callable by us in May 2008. On March 12, 2008, we notified note holders of our intention to call these notes in May 2008. Accordingly, these notes have been classified as current as of March 31, 2008. The $244 million of 8.75% senior notes was classified as long-term as of December 31, 2007 based on our intent and ability to refinance the debt on a long-term basis.
 
We have $1.1 billion of scheduled debt maturities during the next twelve months. We have classified $659 million of these borrowings as long-term as of March 31, 2008 based on our intent and ability to refinance these borrowings on a long-term basis.
 
Summary of Cash Flow Activity
 
The following is a summary of our cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31 (in millions):
 
                 
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 561     $ 538  
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (200 )   $ (36 )
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
  $ (243 )   $ (645 )
                 
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities — The most significant items affecting the comparison of our operating cash flows for the first quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2007 are summarized below:
 
  •  Earnings improvements — Our income from operations, net of depreciation and amortization, increased by $17 million, on a year-over-year basis, which positively affected our cash flows from operations in 2008.
 
  •  Increased income tax payments — Cash paid for income taxes, net of excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions, was approximately $20 million higher on a year-over-year basis.
 
  •  Increased cash from trade receivable collections — The change in our receivables balances, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures, favorably affected the comparison of our cash flows from operations by approximately $15 million.
 
  •  Decreased bonus payments — Our bonus payments for 2007, which were paid in the first quarter of 2008, were lower than bonus payments for 2006 paid in 2007 due to the relative strength of our financial performance against incentive plan measures in 2006 as compared with 2007. The comparative changes in our liabilities for bonuses favorably affected the comparison of our cash flow from operations by approximately $15 million.
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities — The most significant items affecting the comparison of our investing cash flows for the first quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2007 are summarized below:
 
  •  Acquisitions and divestitures — Proceeds from divestitures (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets were $14 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $69 million in the first quarter of 2007. Our spending on acquisitions increased from $2 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $69 million in the first quarter of 2008. The decline in proceeds from divestitures and increase in acquisition spending reflect the shift from our focus on the divestiture of under-performing and non-strategic operations in 2007 to our current focus on accretive acquisitions and other investments that will contribute to improved future results of operations and enhance and expand our existing service offerings.
 
  •  Capital expenditures and net receipts from restricted funds — We used $213 million during the first quarter of 2008 for capital expenditures compared with $272 million in the first quarter of 2007. Net funds received from our restricted trust and escrow accounts contributed $77 million to our investing activities in the first


33


 

  quarter of 2008 compared with $34 million the first quarter of 2007. This increase is generally due to the issuance of $49 million of tax-exempt bonds during the quarter to support our on-going capital needs.
 
  •  Purchases and sales of short-term investments — Net sales of short-term investments provided $138 million of cash during the first quarter of 2007, which was used to contribute to the funding of our common stock repurchases, dividend payments and debt repayments. We did not hold any short-term investments at December 31, 2007 or during the first quarter of 2008.
 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities — The most significant items affecting the comparison of our financing cash flows for the first quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2007 are summarized below:
 
  •  Share repurchases and dividend payments — During the first quarter of 2008, we repurchased 9.1 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions for $293 million. Approximately $12 million of our first quarter 2008 share repurchases was paid in April 2008. We repurchased 14.7 million shares of our common stock for $511 million during the first quarter of 2007, of which approximately $24 million was paid in April 2007.
 
We paid $133 million in cash dividends in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $126 million in the first quarter of 2007. The increase in dividend payments is due to our quarterly per share dividend increasing from $0.24 in 2007 to $0.27 in 2008, partially offset by a reduction in the number of our outstanding shares as a result of our share repurchase program.
 
Share repurchases and dividend payments during the remainder of 2008 will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and management, and will depend on various factors, including our net earnings, financial condition, cash required for future acquisitions and other factors the Board may deem relevant.
 
  •  Net debt borrowings (repayments) — Net debt borrowings were $259 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and net debt repayments were $108 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The following summarizes our most significant cash borrowings and debt repayments made during each period (in millions):
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Borrowings:
               
Revolving credit facility
  $ 50     $  
Canadian credit facility
    159       134  
Senior Notes
    594        
                 
    $ 803     $ 134  
                 
Repayments:
               
Revolving credit facility
  $ (350 )   $  
Canadian credit facility
    (168 )     (145 )
Tax exempt bonds
    (3 )     (52 )
Capital leases and other debt
    (23 )     (45 )
                 
    $ (544 )   $ (242 )
                 
Net borrowings (repayments)
  $ 259     $ (108 )
                 
 
  •  Proceeds and tax benefits from the exercise of options and warrants — The exercise of common stock options and warrants and the related excess tax benefits generated a total of $12 million of financing cash inflows during the first quarter of 2008, compared with $41 million for the first quarter of 2007.
 
  •  Change in cash overdraft position — Changes in our cash overdraft position are reflected as “Other” financing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. There are often significant


34


 

  changes in our overdraft positions at period ends, which are generally attributable to the timing of cash deposits.
 
Liquidity Impacts of Uncertain Tax Positions
 
We have liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits and related interest. These liabilities are primarily included as a component of long-term “Other liabilities” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet because the Company generally does not anticipate that settlement of the liabilities will require payment of cash within the next twelve months. We are not able to reasonably estimate when we would make any cash payments required to settle these liabilities, but do not believe that the ultimate settlement of our obligations will materially affect our liquidity.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We are party to guarantee arrangements with unconsolidated entities as discussed in the Guarantees section of Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our third-party guarantee arrangements are generally established to support our financial assurance needs and landfill operations. These arrangements have not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the three months ended March 31, 2008 nor are they expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
 
Seasonal Trends and Inflation
 
Our operating revenues tend to be somewhat higher in the summer months, primarily due to the higher volume of construction and demolition waste. The volumes of industrial and residential waste in certain regions where we operate also tend to increase during the summer months. Our second and third quarter revenues and results of operations typically reflect these seasonal trends. Additionally, certain destructive weather conditions that tend to occur during the second half of the year, such as the hurricanes experienced in 2004 and 2005, can actually increase our revenues in the areas affected. However, for several reasons, including significant start-up costs, such revenue often generates comparatively lower margins. Certain weather conditions may result in the temporary suspension of our operations, which can significantly affect the operating results of the affected regions. The operating results of our first quarter also often reflect higher repair and maintenance expenses because we rely on the slower winter months, when waste flows are generally lower, to perform scheduled maintenance at our waste-to-energy facilities.
 
While inflationary increases in costs, including the cost of fuel, have affected our operating margins in recent periods, we believe that inflation generally has not had, and in the near future is not expected to have, any material adverse effect on our results of operations. However, management’s estimates associated with inflation have had, and will continue to have, an impact on our accounting for landfill and environmental remediation liabilities.
 
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures.
 
Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC. An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that we are able to collect, process and disclose the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file with the SEC within required time periods.


35


 

 
PART II.
 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.
 
Information regarding our legal proceedings can be found under the “Litigation” section of Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors.
 
There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 in response to Item 1A to Part I of Form 10-K.
 
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
Our Board of Directors has approved a capital allocation program that provides a maximum of $1,458 million in combined cash dividends and common stock repurchases in 2008. All of the common stock repurchases made in 2008 have been pursuant to this capital allocation program. The following table summarizes our first quarter 2008 activity:
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
                                 
                Total Number of
       
    Total
          Shares Purchased as
    Approximate Maximum
 
    Number of
    Average
    Part of Publicly
    Dollar Value of Shares that
 
    Shares
    Price Paid
    Announced Plans or
    May yet be Purchased Under
 
Period
  Purchased     per Share(a)     Programs     the Plans or Programs(b)  
 
January 1 — 31
    4,665,000     $ 31.24       4,665,000     $ 1,305 Million  
February 1 — 29
    1,693,476     $ 33.28       1,693,476     $ 1,248 Million  
March 1 — 31
    2,709,469     $ 33.38       2,709,469     $ 1,158 Million  
                                 
Total
    9,067,945     $ 32.26       9,067,945          
                                 
 
 
(a) This amount represents the weighted average price paid per share and includes a per share commission paid for all repurchases.
 
(b) For each period presented, the maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program has been provided net of the dividends declared and paid in the first quarter of 2008. However, this amount does not include the impact of dividend payments we expect to make throughout the remainder of 2008 as a result of future dividend declarations. The approximate maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program is not necessarily an indication of the amount we intend to repurchase during the remainder of the year. As discussed above, the amount of capital available for share repurchases and dividend payments during 2008 is $1,584 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we paid $133 million in dividends.
 
Item 6.   Exhibits.
 
             
Exhibit
       
No.
     
Description
 
  12       Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  31 .1     Certification Pursuant to Rule 15d — 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of David P. Steiner, Chief Executive Officer.
  31 .2     Certification Pursuant to Rule 15d — 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of Robert G. Simpson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
  32 .1     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 of David P. Steiner, Chief Executive Officer.
  32 .2     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 of Robert G. Simpson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  ROBERT G. SIMPSON
Robert G. Simpson
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  GREG A. ROBERTSON
Greg A. Robertson
Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
Date: April 29, 2008


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
             
Exhibit
       
No.
     
Description
 
  12       Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  31 .1     Certification Pursuant to Rule 15d — 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of David P. Steiner, Chief Executive Officer.
  31 .2     Certification Pursuant to Rule 15d — 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of Robert G. Simpson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
  32 .1     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 of David P. Steiner, Chief Executive Officer.
  32 .2     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 of Robert G. Simpson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.


38

exv12
 

 
EXHIBIT 12
 
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(In Millions, Except Ratios)
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    Three Months Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Income before income taxes, losses in equity investments and minority interests
  $ 395     $ 368  
                 
Fixed charges deducted from income:
               
Interest expense
    122       135  
Implicit interest in rents
    9       20  
                 
      131       155  
                 
Earnings available for fixed charges(a)
  $ 526     $ 523  
                 
Interest expense
  $ 122     $ 135  
Capitalized interest
    4       4  
Implicit interest in rents
    9       20  
                 
Total fixed charges(a)
  $ 135     $ 159  
                 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    3.9x       3.3x  
                 
 
 
(a) To the extent interest may be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts are classified as a component of income tax expense in our Statements of Operations. For purposes of this disclosure, we have elected to exclude interest expense related to income tax matters from our measurements of “Earnings available for fixed charges” and “Total fixed charges” for all periods presented.


39

exv31w1
 

 
EXHIBIT 31.1
 
SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION
 
I, David P. Steiner, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Waste Management, Inc.;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a — 15(e) and 15d — 15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a — 15 (f) and 15d — 15 (f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
  By: 
/s/  David P. Steiner
David P. Steiner
Chief Executive Officer
 
Date: April 29, 2008


40

exv31w2
 

 
EXHIBIT 31.2
 
SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION
 
I, Robert G. Simpson, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Waste Management, Inc.;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a — 15(e) and 15d — 15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a — 15 (f) and 15d — 15 (f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
  By: 
/s/  Robert G. Simpson
Robert G. Simpson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: April 29, 2008


41

exv32w1
 

 
EXHIBIT 32.1
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Waste Management, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David P. Steiner, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
  By: 
/s/  David P. Steiner
David P. Steiner
Chief Executive Officer
 
April 29, 2008


42

exv32w2
 

 
EXHIBIT 32.2
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Waste Management, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert G. Simpson, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
  By: 
/s/  Robert G. Simpson
Robert G. Simpson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
April 29, 2008


43