Tips from Waste Management on pre- and post-storm preparation

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2016-- In order to keep you safe as Hurricane Matthew approaches and enable our drivers to restart essential services as soon as the storm passes, Waste Management offers the following tips to all its residential and business customers in Florida:

BEFORE THE STORM:

• Secure all garbage and recycling containers. Place empty containers in a secure location away from open spaces.
• Stop all yard maintenance and tree trimming activities.
• Bundle and tie down all loose trash such as tree limbs, wood planks or building and roof tiles. Place these materials in a location where debris cannot become hazardous to homes and vehicles in high winds.
• Waste Management will continue to collect household garbage and recycling materials in the neighborhoods it serves according to regular schedules until sustainable winds are 35 miles per hour or more.

AFTER THE STORM:

• If Hurricane Matthew does directly impact your area, you must separate normal household garbage such as food refuse, diapers and regular household waste from storm debris caused by high winds and rain. Storm debris including tree limbs, carpet, aluminum and wood fencing, and household appliances should be placed curbside in a separate pile.
• Separating normal household waste from storm debris will allow Waste Management employees to collect your household garbage more quickly and safely. The separation is also necessary because other firms independent from Waste Management may be authorized to collect your storm debris in accordance with arrangements made by local municipalities and/or the County.
• Waste Management will restart curbside garbage collection of normal household waste immediately on the streets that are passable. The company will expand its routes to additional areas as more streets become clear of debris and other impediments.

Waste Management uses various social media tools to assure that local residents can find up-to-date information in the event of service disruptions resulting from challenging post-storm conditions. Once a storm strikes and is severe enough to warrant community updates, turn to http://www.wm.com for timely information about service. You can also find community information from Waste Management at http://www.facebook.com/wastemanagement or follow the company on Twitter at twitter.com/wastemanagement.

“Following a powerful tropical storm or hurricane strike, one of the most essential needs for a community to begin recovery is the reliable return of its most vital services,” said Dawn McCormick, Director of Communications for Waste Management. “Doing everything we can to prepare before a storm, and return to service and help local residents recover after a crisis, is what being a good community partner is all about.”

More tips for hurricane preparedness are available on http://www.ready.gov.

ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also one of the largest residential recyclers and a leading operator of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States.

The company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management visit www.wm.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161004006306/en/

Source: Waste Management, Inc.

Waste Management
Local Contact:
Dawn McCormick, 954-226-9894
dmccormick@wm.com