Has Waste Management Reformed?

Since 1990, Waste Management (WMX) has uttered environmental and good neighbor policies that are positive. Have they implemented these policies? Not in Dayton! As we read nationwide and worldwide, this new rhetoric appears to be smokescreen to fool the public.

ON RACISM

"Minority communities have been subjected to a greater overall pollution burden. ... We believe that our siting decisions should work in support of environmental justice. " (WMX Good Neighbor Policy, 1995)

Located smack in the middle of the African-American community in Dayton, WMX can readily implement this policy by vacating their unprofitable dump site. In addition WMX could also implement their Los Angeles Vice President's remarks, "Urban landfills are probably a thing of the past." (LA Times, 217/95) The Dayton landfill is their urban plan for the future!?

ON THE ENVIRONMENT

"The company is committed to improving the environment through the services we offer by providing our services in a manner demonstrably protective of human health and the environment, even if not required by law."

In Dayton, the WMX Stony Hollow Landfill is sited right on the line of a sole source aquifer, Dayton's source of drinking water. Despite all the so-called protections and required 30 year maintenance responsibility, the landfill is protected only by plastic which will leak someday and allow pollutants to infiltrate Dayton's water system.

In one step Waste Management can implement its good neighbor policies by vacating the Dayton landfill site.