Approach of Hurricane Irma Puts Readiness Plans in Motion
Tips from Waste Management on pre- and post-storm preparation
POMPANO BEACH, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In order to keep you safe as Hurricane Irma 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 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 reach 35 miles per hour or
local authorities instruct Waste Management to suspend service.
AFTER THE STORM:
-
If Hurricane Irma does directly impact your area, you must separate
normal household garbage such as food, 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 as soon as local authorities deem it safe for our
trucks to be on the road. Initial focus will be on 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 www.wm.com/alerts
for timely information about service. You can also find community
information from Waste Management at 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 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.
Contacts
Waste Management
Local Contact
Dawn McCormick,
954-226-9894
dmccormick@wm.com