The Waste Managers

Waste Management, Inc. started as a small waste collection and disposal company in Chicago and transformed into North America's leading provider of waste collection, recycling, and disposal services. Dean Buntrock, a twenty-something from rural Columbia, South Dakota, managed his wife's family garbage hauling business in Cicero, Illinois, and partnered with Wayne Huizenga and Lawrence Beck to take the company public in 1971. The expansion strategy of the company required more than just money; it needed people, and Buntrock had a talent for recruiting bright people and energizing them to achieve goals they thought were beyond their reach. The recruits came from finance and public accounting firms or top engineering schools and formed the corporate backbone and management to propel the business forward and create a model for consolidating an industry.

Format: Hardback
Length: 450 pages
Publication date: 17 April 2023
Publisher: Republic Book Publishers

Waste Management, Inc. is a leading provider of waste collection, recycling, and disposal services in North America, having started as a modest waste collection and disposal company in Chicago. The company's creation and transformation are detailed in The Waste Managers, highlighting the stories of the young and untested talent pool who helped grow the company into what it is today.

One of the key players in Waste Management's history was Dean Buntrock, a twenty-something from rural Columbia, South Dakota, who unexpectedly began to manage his wife's family garbage hauling business in Cicero, Illinois, in the mid-1950s. After a dozen years of hard work, Buntrock had assembled the early assets that would become Waste Management Inc. Buntrock had a vision for the company's future, but he knew he needed resources and investment capital.

Buntrock partnered with Wayne Huizenga, a fledgling waste entrepreneur, and Lawrence Beck, a Chicago-area operator, to form Waste Management Inc. In a daring step, the group rejected a corporate suitor and took their company public in June 1971. This move provided the company with the initial capital it needed to fund its growth, partner with others of a similar vision, and respond to the growing number of federal and state environmental requirements.

Environmental law and regulations were changing the future of the waste collection and disposal industry, and the founders of Waste Management Inc. understood that they needed more funds to respond to the new rules. The environment was ripe for industry consolidation, and Waste Management Inc. would consolidate thousands of companies over the following decades.

The expansion strategy of the company required more than just money. It needed people, and Buntrock had a talent for recruiting bright people and developing them into successful leaders. Buntrock's leadership style was characterized by his ability to inspire and motivate his employees, and he created a culture of innovation and excellence within the company.

Under Buntrock's leadership, Waste Management Inc. expanded its operations to include waste disposal, recycling, and waste-to-energy facilities. The company also developed innovative technologies, such as its automated waste sorting system, which increased efficiency and reduced waste.

Waste Management Inc. has become a global leader in the waste industry, with operations in over 40 countries and more than 10,000 employees. The company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility has earned it recognition and awards, including the EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry Award and the World Economic Forum's Global Leader for Sustainable Development.

In conclusion, Waste Management Inc. is a remarkable story of entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth. The company's creation and transformation are a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and talent. Buntrock's leadership has played a critical role in the company's success, and Waste Management Inc. continues to be a leader in the waste industry, shaping the future of waste management and environmental sustainability.

Weight: 744g
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781645720706