ECONOMY

WASTE MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2014 92ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITIESSTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTWaste Management values open dialoguewith the diverse stakeholders thathave an interest in our business andhold us accountable to our principles.We engage broadly, and at every level,with industry peers and with multistakeholdergroups to discuss the issuesaffecting our business and the waysin which our operations may affectothers. Insights from these engagementshelp shape our strategic plansand business targets and are especiallyimportant for guiding our work withinour communities.We take a systematic approach to stakeholderengagement, and we identify andregularly engage with key stakeholders,from environmental groups to businessand manufacturing leaders, fromgovernment associations to scientificacademies. (See detailed stakeholderlist in the Appendix starting on p. 36.)These stakeholders can be found acrossmultiple sectors and deep within ourcommunities. All are essential in helpingour company stay abreast of currenttrends, perspectives and policy mattersthat might affect our industry, our customersand our communities.We interact with stakeholders in avariety of ways. When working onfacility upgrades and new construction,we map our community footprint andseek to engage groups and individualsin open dialogue through CommunityAdvisory Councils or more informalroutine interactions, open house events,public meetings, tours or other outreachopportunities. We also host sustainabilityforums with our larger customersthat focus on ways to reduce costs,lessen environmental footprints andincrease the reuse of resources.Participation in policy discussions supplementsour dialogue at the local leveland ensures that we are working withstakeholders from many perspectives.We believe it is important for stakeholdersfrom different viewpoints to meettogether in a sustained effort to findcommon ground and mutual understandingof difficult environmental challenges.The years 2012 and 2013 continued tobe active ones, with company representativesserving on a number of boardsand advisory councils, as noted in theAppendix in the list starting on p. 36. Aparticular focus for Waste Managementcontinues to be active engagement onenvironmental justice (EJ). (See more onenvironmental justice on p. 94.)One of the central principles of theenvironmental justice movement isthat community members speak forthemselves. We agree — and for thatreason we have been the principalsponsor for scholarships for the NationalEnvironmental Justice Conference andTraining Program. This annual event,co-sponsored by major federal agenciesand members of the private sector,brings together officials from variouslevels of government charged withprotecting human health, the environment,and economic prosperity andequality for all, along with the manystakeholders who share that commitment.Waste Management is pleased tobe able to promote these interactionson important policy issues involvingenvironmental justice.