U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Clean Cities

National Clean Fleets Partner: Waste Management

Photo of refuse hauler.

Waste Management has more than 2,000 heavy-duty natural gas trucks in North American cities today and plans to ultimately convert its entire fleet of 18,000 collection vehicles to natural gas operation. The company has 40 natural gas fueling stations across North America, 15 of which are publicly accessible, and another seven with pre-approved third-party access. Waste Management is planning 13 additional stations for early 2013, with more to follow. By 2020, the company expects its efforts to have saved 350 million gallons of fuel, about 3.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and $1 billion in operational costs.

Fast Facts

  • Joined the National Clean Fleets Partnership: March 2013
  • Headquarters: Houston, TX
  • Operations: Waste Management serves residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America.
  • Strategies and Technologies: Heavy-duty natural gas collection trucks, natural gas fueling infrastructure, landfill-gas-to-fuel

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Clean Fleets News


Aug. 1, 2012

Waste Management Adds 13 CNG Fueling Stations in First Half of 2012

HOUSTON – Waste Management announced that it has opened 13 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations across the country in the first half of 2012, of which nine have public access. This brings WM's natural gas fueling stations to 31, with another 17 either in operation or in construction by the end of 2012. Waste Management's new CNG fueling stations are located in the following communities: Mesa, Ariz.; Pompano Beach, Fla.; Venice, Fla.; Stickney, Ill.; Louisville, Ky.; Baltimore, Md.; Blaine, Minn.; Portland, Ore.; Washington, Pa.; West Jordan, Utah; Conroe, Texas; Auburn, Wash.; Woodinville, Wash.

Waste Management owns the stations, purchases the fuel, and finances the construction of the stations. It also enters into maintenance contracts with third-party companies. This strategy allows WM to secure better natural gas prices in the long run.

To optimize costs, the company's preferred platform for these stations is to time-fill its trucks according to a set schedule. The trucks use a slow-fill method, which carry approximately 70 diesel gallon equivalents (DGE) of CNG – a capacity that allows them to run for 10 to 12 hours and complete a typical day's waste or recycling collection route.

For publicly accessible fueling stations that serve commercial and consumer vehicles, fast-fill capability is installed. The self-service Clean N' Green Fuel stations are open 24/7 and accept major credit cards as well as fleet cards.

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