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NAPLES, FL – MARCH 29, 2018 – Waste Management Inc. of Florida has invested $3 million in the construction of the new WM Recycling Naples facility located at 4475 Exchange Avenue. The 14,000 square-foot building and site feature automated technologies to improve safety and efficiency in the management of Collier County’s 3,500 tons of single-stream recycling and 4,000 tons of construction demolition and debris generated each month in the county. WM Recycling Naples was built with safety, speed and efficiency in mind. With a self-service weigh station and multiple bays, both Waste Management trucks and local contractors will be able to offload their materials faster and more efficiently. The site’s layout has been configured to streamline the drive pattern to minimize turns and increase safety for the drivers. Additionally, there are multiple loaders to manage the recycling and construction and demolition material, which speeds processing and provides redundancy in equipment to ensure streamlined operations. By building a permanent structure, Waste Management is also reducing the amount of moisture and other contaminated materials in the recycling stream. Conventional recycling transfer stations are typically a canvas-styled enclosure which allows for rain intrusion that compromises the quality of recyclable materials and can result in materials being diverted to the landfill. The combination of the permanent structure, sloping floors and protected facilities ensures that more materials will be recycled. “Recycling quality is a critical concern in the industry,” said WM District Manager David Phillips. “We rely on residents to place the right materials into their carts, including clean and dry paper and cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs, and aluminum and steel cans, so we want to do our part to ensure the materials are managed and transferred responsibly.” In 2017, China, which until recently imported 30% of all recyclable material worldwide, announced a ban of 24 materials including mixed paper and mixed plastics and a contamination limit of .5%. In March, the country’s “Operation Blue Sky” initiative was introduced with Chinese custom agents beginning to inspect all loads at point of entry through the end of the year. “With the tightening of the world market, we must keep material that is non-recyclable curbside including plastic bags, clothing, hoses and cords, and food out of our recycling carts in order for recycling processing facilities to produce quality bales of product that have a viable end market, said Dawn McCormick, Director of Communications for Waste Management. “WM Recycling Naples is an important part of the process in improving the quality of recycling in Collier County.” In Waste Management’s commitment to protecting the environment, the design of the facility also incorporates features to minimize wind-blown litter and dust. In addition to perimeter screens and solid fencing, Waste Management has installed a state-of-the-art misting system that periodically emits a spray that traps airborne dust and odors. There is also a dedicated site-maintenance team member that monitors for dust and construction debris, ensuring the safety and convenience for all customers that go through WM Recycling Naples. ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of 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 or www.thinkgreen.com. ###