Q2 2024 Waste Management Inc Earnings Call

Operator: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to WM's second quarter 2024 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode.

Operator: After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star 1-1 on your telephone. You will then hear an automatic message advising that your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, simply press star 1-1 again.

Wm: Good day and thank you for standing by. Welcome to WM's second quarter 2024 earnings conference call.

Speaker Change: At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode.

Speaker Change: After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star 11 on your telephone. You will then hear an automatic message advising your hand is raised.

Operator: Please note that today's conference is being recorded. I will now hand the conference over to speaker host Ed Eagle, Vice President of Investor Relations.

Speaker Change: To withdraw your question, simply press star 11 again. Please note that today's conference is being recorded. I will now hand the conference over to speaker host, Ed Egl, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Edward A. Egl: Thank you, Livia. Good morning, everyone. And thank you for joining us for our second quarter 2024 earnings conference call. With me this morning are Jim Fish, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Devina Rankin, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. You'll hear prepared comments from each of them today.

Edward A. Egl: Thank you, Livia. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for our second quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. With me this morning are Jim Fish, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Devina Rankin, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Edward A. Egl: Jim will cover high-level financials and provide a strategic update. John will cover an operating overview, and Devina will cover the details of the financials. Before we get started, please note that we have filed a Form 8K that includes the Earnings Press Release and is available on our website at www.wm.com. In addition, we have published a supplemental presentation with additional information elaborating on the strategic rationale for the company's planned acquisition of Stericycle. The supplemental presentation is available on our website at www.investors.wm.com and as an exhibit to the Form 8K. The Form 8K, the press release, and the schedule for the press release include important information.

Edward A. Egl: You will hear prepared comments from each of them today.

Edward A. Egl: Before we get started, please note that we have filed a Form 8K that includes the Earnings Press Release and is available on our website at www.wm.com.

Edward A. Egl: During the call, you will hear forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, projections, or opinions about future periods. However, all forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in today's press release and in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. John will discuss our results in the areas of yield and volume, which, unless stated otherwise, are more specifically references to internal revenue growth or IRG from yield or volume. During the call, Jim, John, and Devina will discuss operating EBITDA, which is income from operations before depreciation and amortization.

Edward A. Egl: Any comparisons, unless otherwise stated, will be with the prior year. Net income, EPS, income from operations, and margin, operating EBITDA and margin, and SG&A expense and margin results have been adjusted to enhance comparability by excluding certain items that management believes do not reflect our fundamental business performance or results of operations. These suggested measures, in addition to free cash flow or non-GAAP measures; please refer to the earnings press release and tables, which can be found on the company's website at www.wm.com, for reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures and additional information about our use of non-GAAP measures and non-GAAP projections.

Edward A. Egl: Any comparisons, unless otherwise stated, will be with the prior year. Net income, EPS, income from operations and margin, operating EBITDA and margin, and SG&A expense and margin results have been adjusted to enhance comparability by excluding certain items that management believes do not reflect our fundamental business performance or results of operations.

Edward A. Egl: This call is being recorded and will be available 24 hours a day beginning approximately 1 p.m. Eastern Time today. To hear a replay of the call, access the WM website at www.investors.wm.com. Time-sensitive information provided during today's call, which is occurring on July 25, 2024, may no longer be accurate at the time of the replay. Any redistribution, retransmission, or rebroadcast of this call in any form without the express written consent of WM is prohibited.

Edward A. Egl: This call is being recorded and will be available 24 hours a day beginning approximately 1 p.m. Eastern Time today.

Edward A. Egl: To hear a replay of the call, access the WM website at www.investors.wm.com

James C. Fish: Time-sensitive information provided during today's call, which is occurring on July 25, 2024, may no longer be accurate at the time of a replay. Any redistribution, retransmission, or rebroadcast of this call in any form without the express written consent of WM is prohibited. Now I'll turn the call over to WM's President and CEO , Jim Fish.

James C. Fish: Now I'll turn the call over to WM's President and CEO, Jim Fish. Okay, thanks, Ed, and thanks for joining us. Our results for the quarter were fueled by strong operating performance in the collection and disposal business. We once again achieved double-digit operating EBITDA growth in the second quarter, keeping us on pace to achieve the full-year outlook that we provided last quarter. The quarterly operating EBITDA margin reached 30% for the first time in the company's history.

Operator: We once again achieved double-digit operating EBITDA growth in the second quarter, keeping us on pace to achieve the full-year outlook that we provided last quarter.

James C. Fish: We once again achieved double-digit operating EBITDA growth in the second quarter, keeping us on pace to achieve the full-year outlook that we provided last quarter.

James Fish: Quarterly operating EBITDA margin reached 30% for the first time in a company's history, driven by operating efficiencies from technology investments and the sustained effectiveness of our pricing strategy. We're pleased with our performance in the first half of 2024 and are well positioned to deliver another year of strong financial results. Our teams executing very well on our strategic priorities as evidenced by the expected growth in operating EBITDA approaching 10% for the full year.

James C. Fish: Driven by operating efficiencies from technology investments and the Sustained Effectiveness of our Pricing Strategy, we are pleased with our performance in the first half of 2024 and are well positioned to deliver another year of strong financial results. Our team is executing very well on our strategic priorities, as evidenced by the expected growth in operating EBITDA, approaching 10% for the full year. A big part of our strategic approach to growth is to find future opportunities where we can leverage our own expertise, whether it's using technology to improve our routing efficiencies, turning landfill gas into renewable natural gas, or automating recycling plants to drive greater throughput and lower operating costs.

Speaker Change: and the Sustained Effectiveness of our Pricing Strategy.

Speaker Change: We're pleased with our performance in the first half of 2024 and are well positioned to deliver another year of strong financial results. Our team is executing very well on our strategic priorities, as evidenced by the expected growth in operating EBITDA, approaching 10%.

James Fish: A big part of our strategic approach to growth is to find future opportunities where we can leverage our own expertise, whether it's using technology to improve our routing efficiencies, turning landfill gas into renewable natural gas, or automating recycling plants to drive greater throughput and lower operating costs. Each of these recognizes a future need and capitalizes on it.

Speaker Change: for the full year.

Speaker Change: A big part of our strategic approach to growth is to find future opportunities where we can leverage our own expertise, whether it's using technology to improve our routing efficiencies,

Speaker Change: Turning landfill gas into renewable natural gas, or automating recycling plants to drive greater throughput and lower operating costs.

James C. Fish: Each of these recognizes a future need and capitalizes on it. And now, our recently announced agreement to acquire SteriCycle presents another opportunity to leverage our expertise and drive higher growth. SteriCycle has a leading position in the growing medical waste industry.

James Fish: And now our recently announced agreement to acquire StereoCycle presents another opportunity to leverage our expertise to drive higher growth. StereoCycle has a leading position in the growing medical waste industry. The planned acquisition adds complimentary business platforms to further our leading suite of comprehensive waste and environmental solutions. And these strategic benefits are accompanied by attractive financial benefits. Our team is progressing through the regulatory approval process and integration planning, and we're excited to welcome StereoCycle's team members to WM. Even as we add medical waste as a new vertical within our business to complement our existing collection and disposal business, we continue to position our solid waste network for future growth.

Speaker Change: Each of these recognizes a future need and capitalizes on it.

Speaker Change: And now our recently announced agreement to acquire Stericycle presents another opportunity to leverage our expertise to drive higher growth.

James C. Fish: The planned acquisition adds complementary business platforms to further our leading suite of comprehensive waste and environmental solutions, and these strategic benefits are accompanied by attractive financial benefits. Our team is progressing through the regulatory approval process and Integration Planning, and we're excited to welcome StairCycle's team members to WSU.

StericCycle: StairCycle has a leading position in the growing medical waste industry.

Speaker Change: The planned acquisition adds complementary business platforms to further our leading suite of comprehensive waste and environmental solutions.

Speaker Change: And these strategic benefits are accompanied by attractive financial benefits. Our team is progressing through the regulatory approval process.

James C. Fish: Even as we add medical waste as a new vertical within our business to complement our existing collection and disposal business, we will continue to position our solid waste network for future growth. As we've said, the pipeline for solid waste tuck-in acquisition opportunities was strong coming into 2024. Our teams worked hard to move tuck-in acquisitions to completion, and we've now closed more than $750 million in solid waste acquisitions through July. These transactions strengthen our core collection and disposal operations in North America in new geographies like Long Island, New York, and complement existing operations through tuck-in acquisitions in growth markets in Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona. We also continue to execute well on sustainability, our sustainability growth investment. We expect to bring five new renewable natural gas projects online in 2024, adding to the two new facilities completed in 2022 and 2023.

Speaker Change: and Integration Planning, and we're excited to welcome StairCycle's team members to WM.

Speaker Change: Even as we add medical waste as a new vertical within our business to complement our existing collection and disposal business.

James C. Fish: As we've said, the pipeline for solid waste tuck-in acquisition opportunities was strong coming into 2024. Our teams worked hard to move tuck-in acquisitions to completion, and we've now closed more than $750 million of solid waste acquisitions through July. These transactions strengthen our core collection and disposal operations in North America, in new geographies like Long Island, New York, and complement existing operations through tuck-in acquisitions in growth markets. In Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona.

Speaker Change: We continue to position our solid waste network for future growth.

Speaker Change: As we've said, the pipeline for solid waste tuck-in acquisition opportunities was strong coming into 2024. Our teams worked hard to move tuck-in acquisitions to completion, and we've now closed more than $750 million of solid waste acquisitions through July .

Speaker Change: These transactions strengthen our core collection and disposal operations in North America in new geographies like Long Island, New York, and complement existing operations through tuck-in acquisitions in growth markets in Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona.

James Fish: We also continue to execute well on sustainability growth investments. We expect to bring five new renewable natural gas projects online in 2024, adding to the two new facilities completed in 2022 and 2023. We have another nine projects in active construction, with construction beginning that are expected to begin on the remaining four facilities later this year. Momentum is building, and we're excited about the progress we're making. Investing directly in building our renewable natural gas platform meets all of our investment criteria. We're driving strong returns with expected payback periods of three or four years, had better multiples than traditional M&A.

Speaker Change: We also continue to execute well on sustainability, our sustainability growth investments.

Speaker Change: We expect to bring five new renewable natural gas projects online in 2024, adding to the two new facilities completed in 2022 and 2023.

James C. Fish: We have another nine projects in active construction, with construction expected to begin on the remaining four facilities later this year. Momentum is building, and we're excited about the progress we're making. Investing directly in building our renewable natural gas platform meets all of our investment criteria.

Speaker Change: We have another nine projects in active construction.

Speaker Change: With construction expected to begin on the remaining four facilities later this year.

Speaker Change: Momentum is building and we're excited about the progress we're making.

James C. Fish: We're driving strong returns with expected payback periods of three or four years at better multiples than traditional M&A. Plus, we're expanding environmental benefits by collecting and beneficially using more landfill gas. And we're strengthening our core business by positioning our landfill assets as community energy partners. Looking forward, we're exploring the scale of opportunity in future project development. And growth from our renewable energy business across our landfill network. At the same time, we continue to maximize the value of the renewable energy we produce through a balanced marketing strategy that leverages the transportation and voluntary market to secure returns, reduce risk, and manage volatility.

Speaker Change: Investing directly in building our renewable natural gas platform meets all of our investment criteria.

James C. Fish: Plus, we're expanding environmental benefits by collecting and beneficially using more landfill gas, and we're strengthening our core business by positioning our landfill assets as community energy partners. Looking forward, we're exploring the scale of opportunity in future project development and growth from our renewable energy business across our landfill network. At the same time, we continue to maximize the value of the renewable energy we produce through a balanced marketing strategy that leverages the transportation and voluntary markets to secure returns, reduce risk, and manage volatility. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to scaling this unique growth opportunity to create long-term value for the environment and shareholders alike.

Speaker Change: We're driving strong returns with expected payback periods of three or four years at better multiples than traditional M&A.

Speaker Change: Plus we're expanding environmental benefits by collecting and beneficially using more landfill gas.

Speaker Change: Looking forward, we're exploring the scale.

Speaker Change: of opportunity in future project development.

Speaker Change: and growth from our renewable energy business across our landfill network. At the same time, we continue to maximize the value of the renewable energy we produce through a balanced marketing strategy that leverages the transportation and voluntary markets to secure returns, reduce risk, and manage volatility.

James C. Fish: These efforts demonstrate our commitment to scaling this unique growth opportunity to create long-term value for the environment and shareholders alike. Turning to recycling our investments and automating our existing facilities and building capacity in new markets is helping differentiate WM with customers, unlocking new opportunities to further expand our network, such as recent successes in Ontario. At the same time, our automation investments are providing consistent financial results, improving labor costs per ton by 30 to 35 percent and increasing the blended value on commodity sales by 15 to 20 percent. We completed our Pittsburgh and Atlanta automation projects during the second quarter, and both facilities ramped up quickly.

Speaker Change: These efforts demonstrate our commitment to scaling this unique growth opportunity to create long-term value for the environment and shareholders alike.

James C. Fish: Turning to recycling our investments and automating our existing facilities and building capacity in new markets is helping differentiate WM with customers, unlocking new opportunities to further expand our network, such as recent successes in Ontario. At the same time, our automation investments are providing consistent financial results, improving labor cost per ton by 30 to 35%, and increasing the blended value on commodity sales by 15 to 20%. We completed our Pittsburgh and Atlanta automation project during the second quarter, and both facilities ramped up quickly. We're on track to complete another seven automation projects and add new facilities in New York, Florida, and Portland by year end.

Speaker Change: Turning to recycling our investments and automating our existing facilities and building capacity in new markets is helping differentiate WM with customers, unlocking new opportunities to further expand our network, such as recent successes in Ontario.

Speaker Change: and increasing the blended value on commodity sales by 15 to 20 percent.

James C. Fish: We're on track to complete another seven automation projects and add new facilities in New York, Florida, and Portland by year end. Our progress to date increases our capacity from our recycling investments by more than a million tons. The WM story is one of delivering on our commitments. We achieved strong results in the first half of 2020 and are positioned to continue that trajectory during the balance of the year. As we kick off our planning process for next year,

Speaker Change: We completed our Pittsburgh and Atlanta automation projects during the second quarter, and both facilities ramped up quickly. We're on track to complete another seven automation projects and add new facilities in New York, Florida, and Portland by year-end.

James Fish: Our progress today increases our capacity from our recycling investments by more than a million times. The WM story is one of delivering our commitments, which gives strong results in the first half of 2024 and are positioned to continue that trajectory during the balance of the year.

Speaker Change: Our progress to date increases our capacity from our recycling investments by more than a million tons.

Speaker Change: The WM story is one of delivering our commitments.

Speaker Change: We achieved strong results in the first half of 2024, and are positioned to continue that trajectory during the balance of the year. As we kick off our planning process for next year,

James Fish: As we kick off our planning process for next year, we have some early enthusiasm about 2025. Based on all the opportunities we discussed today, we're particularly bullish on the long term.

James C. Fish: We have some early enthusiasm about 2025. Based on all the opportunities we discussed today, we're particularly bullish for the long term. It's our dedicated team that makes all of this possible, and I want to thank them for all of their contributions. And I'll now turn the call over to John to discuss our operation. Thanks, Jim, and good morning.

Speaker Change: We have some early enthusiasm about 2025.

James C. Fish: It's our dedicated team that makes all of this possible, and I want to thank them for all of their contributions. I'll now turn the call over to John to discuss our operation results.

Speaker Change: Based on all the opportunities we discussed today, we're particularly bullish on the long term.

Speaker Change: It's our dedicated team that makes all of this possible and I want to thank them for all of their contributions and I'll now turn the call over to John to discuss our operational results. Thanks Jim and good morning.

John J. Morris: Thanks, Jim, and good morning. We're pleased with our second quarter results, particularly our ongoing optimization of operating costs. Our teams remain intently focused on delivering safe and reliable service to our customers.

John J. Morris: We're pleased with our second quarter results, particularly our ongoing optimization of operating costs. Our teams remain intently focused on delivering safe and reliable service to our customers, and I want to thank them for their dedication, especially those in areas impacted by Hurricane Beryl in early July. Second quarter operating expenses as a percentage of revenue improved by 130 basis points year over year to 60.9%.

John: We're pleased with our second quarter results, particularly our ongoing optimization of operating costs. Our teams remain intently focused on delivering safe and reliable service to our customers, and I want to thank them for their dedication, especially those in areas impacted by Hurricane Beryl in early July .

John Morris: I want to thank them for their dedication, especially those in areas impacted by Hurricane Barrel in early July. Second quarter operating expenses is a percentage of revenue improved by 130 basis points year over year to 68.9%. This improvement is a testament to our discipline, management of operating costs and our collection lines of business. Combining our strong operating expense performance with discipline pricing, we significantly enhanced overall operating EBITDA margins. In the second quarter, operating EBITDA and our collection and disposal growth business grew by 203 million dollars, with margin expanding to 37.3%. Our continued adoption of technology and automation was a key driver of the significant operating cost improvements.

John J. Morris: This improvement is a testament to our disciplined management of operating costs and our collection. Combining our strong operating expense performance with disciplined pricing, we significantly enhanced overall operating EBITDA margin. In the second quarter, operating EBITDA on our collection and disposal business grew by $203 million, with margin expanding to $37.3 billion. Our continued adoption of technology and automation was a key driver of these significant operating costs. Specifically, in labor, the use of scheduling and planning tools, advanced mapping technology, expansion of our dynamic routing capabilities, and automation of our residential collections... resulted in improved efficiency across all three of our collection lines of business for the second consecutive quarter. In residential, efficiency improved by nearly 6% in Q2, largely due to fleet automation.

Speaker Change: Second quarter operating expenses is a percentage of revenue improved by 130 basis points year-over-year to 60.9%. This improvement is a testament to our disciplined management of operating costs and our collection lines of business.

Speaker Change: Combining our strong operating expense performance with discipline pricing, we significantly enhanced overall operating EBITDA margins. In the second quarter, operating EBITDA in our collection and disposal business grew by $203 million, with margin expanding to 37.3%.

John Morris: Specifically in labor, the use of scheduling and planning tools, advanced mapping technology, expansion of our dynamic routing capabilities, and automation of our residential fleet resulted in improved efficiency across all three of our collection lines. In residential efficiency improved by nearly 6% in Q2, largely due to fleet automation. Our automated routes achieved over 30% efficiency improvement, contributing to a significant increase in residential operating EBITDA margin when compared to last year. Additionally, our people-first focus led to reduced driver turnover, which improved 300 basis points from a year ago. Companywide, the integration of technology and approved driver retention contributed to a 90 basis point reduction in labor cost as a percentage of revenue.

Speaker Change: Our continued adoption of technology and automation was a key driver of these significant operating cost improvements.

Speaker Change: Specifically, in labor, the use of scheduling and planning tools, advanced mapping technology, expansion of our dynamic routing capabilities, and automation of our residential fleet resulted in improved efficiency across all three of our collection lines of business for the second consecutive quarter.

John J. Morris: Our automated routes achieved over 30% efficiency improvements, contributing to a significant increase in residential operating EBITDA margin when compared to last year. Additionally, our People First focus led to reduced driver turnover, which improved 300 basis points from a year ago. Company-wide, the integration of technology and approved driver retention contributed to a 90 basis point reduction in labor costs as a percentage of revenue. We remain confident in the value of our technology and optimization efforts, and we expect to continue driving labor cost improvements throughout the year.

Speaker Change: In residential, efficiency improved by nearly 6% in Q2, largely due to fleet automation.

Speaker Change: Our automated routes achieved over 30% efficiency improvement, contributing to a significant increase in residential operating EBITDA margin when compared to last year. Additionally, our people-first focus led to reduced driver turnover, which improved 300 basis points from a year ago.

Speaker Change: Company-wide, the integration of technology and approved driver retention contributed to a 90 basis point reduction in labor costs as a percentage of revenue.

John Morris: We remain confident in the value of our technology and optimization efforts, and we expect to continue driving labor cost improvements throughout the year. Lower fuel costs also contributed 20 basis point improvement to operating expenses as a percentage of revenue. We remain committed to optimizing our cost structure to meet both operational and financial objectives, and we're proud of the results we've achieved so far.

Speaker Change: We remain confident in the value of our technology and optimization efforts, and we expect to continue driving labor cost improvements throughout the year.

John J. Morris: Turning to other operating costs, repair and maintenance spending as a percentage of revenue improved by 20.., reflecting our continued adoption of technology-enabled processes and Improving Truck Delivery Skills. Lower fuel costs also contributed a 20 basis point improvement to operating expenses as a percentage of revenue.

Speaker Change: Attorney and other operating costs, repair and maintenance spending as a percentage of revenue improved by 20 basis points.

Speaker Change: reflecting our continued adoption of technology-enabled processes and an improving truck delivery schedule.

Speaker Change: Lower fuel costs also contributed a 20 basis point improvement to operating expenses as a percentage of revenue.

John J. Morris: We remain committed to optimizing our cost structure to meet both operational and financial objectives, and we're proud of the results we've achieved so far. And finally, turning to revenue growth, our customer lifetime value model continued to drive organic revenue growth from price in line with our full year expectations. Our pricing results relative to plan remain on track, reflecting our team's focus on using customer-specific data and insights to deliver price increases that keep pace with inflation and margin expansion objectives. Churn remains at 9%, and service increases continue to outpace decreases.

Speaker Change: We remain committed to optimizing our cost structure to meet both operational and financial objectives, and we're proud of the results we've achieved so far.

John J. Morris: Finally, turning to revenue growth, our customer lifetime value model continued to drive organic revenue growth from price in line with our full-year expectations. Our pricing results relative to plan remain on track, reflecting our team's focus on using customer specific data and insights to deliver price increases that keep pace with inflation and margin of expansion objectives. Churn remains at 9%, and service increases continued outpaced decreases, further reinforcing our execution. On the volume front, trends in commercial collection, MSW, and special waste remain strong in the quarter and are generally aligned with expectations. As our CND landfill volumes, when adjusted for the lapping of volumes related to Hurricane Ian cleanup last year.

Speaker Change: And finally, turning to revenue growth, our customer lifetime value model continued to drive organic revenue growth from price in line with our full year expectations.

Speaker Change: Our pricing results relative to plan remain on track, reflecting our team's focus on using customer-specific data and insights to deliver price increases that keep pace with inflation and margin expansion objectives. Churn remains at 9% and service increases continue to outpace decreases.

John J. Morris: On the volume front, trends in commercial collection, MSW, and special waste remain strong in the quarter and are generally aligned with expectations, as are C&D landfill volumes when adjusted for the lapping of volumes related to Hurricane Ian cleanup last year. However, volume in our roll-off line of business is one area where we continue to see a bit of softness. Similar to last quarter, we continue to see moderation in both the temporary business driven by home building as well as a portion of our permanent roll-off business in the industrial segment.

Speaker Change: further reinforcing our execution.

Speaker Change: On the volume front, trends in commercial collection, MSW, and special waste remain strong in the quarter and are generally aligned with expectations, as are C&D landfill volumes when adjusted for the lapping of volumes related to Hurricane Ian cleanup last year.

John Morris: However, volume in our rolloff line of business is one area where we continue to see a bit of softness. Similar to last quarter, we continue to see moderation in both a temporary business driven by home building, as well as a portion of our permanent rolloff business in the industrial segment. While a few segments of our collection buyer are trending a bit behind our full year expectations, our discipline revenue management combined with our strong execution on cost optimization continue to give us ample confidence that we are positioned to deliver strong financial performance throughout the rest of the year.

Speaker Change: However, volume in our roll-off line of business is one area where we continue to see a bit of softness.

Speaker Change: Similar to last quarter, we continue to see moderation in both a temporary business driven by home building, as well as a portion of our permanent roll-off business in the industrial segment.

John J. Morris: While a few segments of our collection volume are trending a bit behind our full-year expectations, our disciplined revenue management, combined with our strong execution on cost optimization, continue to give us ample confidence that we are positioned to deliver strong financial performance throughout the rest of the year. In closing, I want to thank the entire WM team again for their contributions.

Speaker Change: While a few segments of our collection volume are trending a bit behind our full year expectations, our discipline revenue management combined with our strong execution on cost optimization continue to give us ample confidence that we are positioned to deliver strong financial performance throughout the rest of the year.

John Morris: In closing, I want to thank the entire WM team again for their contributions. Their performance so far in 2024 sets us up for continued success.

Devina A. Rankin: Their performance so far in 2024 sets us up for continued success. I'll now turn the call over to Devina to discuss our second quarter financial results and further. Thanks, John, and good morning. We're pleased with the strong start to 2024, particularly when we focus on the three most important financial financial measures we track, operating EBITDA, operating EBITDA margin, and free cash flow. Starting with operating EBITDA, through the first six months, we have seen this metric grow more than 12%, with all of this growth being organic.

Speaker Change: In closing, I want to thank the entire WM team again for their contributions. Their performance so far in 2024 sets us up for continued success. I'll now turn the call over to Devina to discuss our second quarter financial results in further detail. Thanks, John , and good morning.

Devina Rankin: I'll now turn to call over to Davina to discuss our second quarter financial results in further detail. Thanks, John, and good morning. We're pleased with the strong start to 2024, particularly when we focus on the three most important financial measures we track: operating EBITDA, operating EBITDA margin, and free cash flow. Starting with operating EBITDA through the first six months, we have seen this metric grow more than 12% with all of this growth being organic. This puts us on track to deliver our full year outlook of nearly 10% operating EBITDA growth, well above our long range annual target of 5 to 7%.

Devina: We're pleased with the strong starts of 2024, particularly when we focus on the three most important financial measures we track, operating EBITDA, operating EBITDA margin, and free cash flow.

Devina: Starting with operating EBITDA, through the first six months we have seen this metric grow more than 12% with all of this growth being organic.

Devina A. Rankin: This puts us on track to deliver our full-year outlook of nearly 10% operating EBITDA growth, well above our long-range annual target of 5-7%. As a reminder, in setting our operating EBITDA target for 2024 and then quickly increasing it by $100 million in April, we projected that achieving this year's outsized growth would be driven by two things. The first is the benefits of price and cost optimization in the collection and disposal business, which we expected to be weighted toward the first half of the year.

Devina: This puts us on track to deliver our full year outlook of nearly 10% operating EBITDA growth, well above our long-range annual target of 5-7%.

Devina Rankin: As a reminder, in setting our operating EBITDA target for 2024 and then quickly increasing it by $100 million in April, we projected that achieving this year's outsides growth would be driven by two things. The first is the benefits of price and cost optimization and collection and disposal business, which we expected to be weighted toward the first half of the year. And the second is incremental earnings contributions from our investments and growing our recycling and renewable energy businesses, which would be weighted toward the back half of the year. This is exactly how 2024 is tracking, giving us confidence in meeting or exceeding the midpoint of our guidance range for operating EBITDA, with our current projection being $6.475 billion.

Devina: As a reminder, in setting our operating EBITDA target for 2024 and then quickly increasing it by $100 million in April , we projected that achieving this year's outsized growth would be driven by two things.

Devina A. Rankin: And the second is incremental earnings contributions from our investments in growing our recycling and renewable energy businesses, which would be weighted toward the back half of that. This is exactly how 2024 is tracking, giving us confidence in meeting or exceeding the midpoint of our guidance range for operating EBITDA, with our current projection being $6.475 billion. This includes about 20 to $30 million of incremental growth from technology in solid waste acquisitions in 2024.

Devina: The first is the benefits of price and cost optimization in the collection and disposal business, which we expected to be weighted toward the first half of the year.

Speaker Change: And the second is incremental earnings contributions from our investments in growing our recycling and renewable energy businesses, which would be weighted toward the back half of the year.

Speaker Change: This is exactly how 2024 is tracking, giving us confidence in meeting or exceeding the midpoint of our guidance range for operating EBITDA, with our current projection being $6.475 billion.

Devina A. Rankin: This includes about $20 to $30 million of incremental growth from tech in solid waste acquisitions in 2024.

Speaker Change: This includes about $20 to $30 million of incremental growth from Tech-in solid waste acquisitions in 2024.

Devina A. Rankin: Turning now to operating EBITDA margin, it's worth highlighting again that at 30%, Q2 was the best quarterly operating EBITDA margin result in our company's history. In the second quarter, total company operating EBITDA margin expanded 130 basis points, and this was driven by about 200 basis points of margin expansion from price and cost optimization efforts in the collection and disposal business. And then it benefit from the sale of non-strategic assets of about 50 basis points. These strong margin results were partially offset by higher risk management costs, an increase in incentive compensation costs, and a modest drag from the net impact of recycled commodity prices and fuel.

Devina A. Rankin: Turning now to operating EBITDA margin, it's worth highlighting again that at 30%, Q2 is the best quarterly operating EBITDA margin result in our company's history. In the second quarter, Total Company operating EBITDA margin expanded 130 basis points.

Speaker Change: Turning now to operating EBITDA margin, it's worth highlighting again that at 30%, Q2 is the best quarterly operating EBITDA margin result in our company's history.

Devina A. Rankin: This was driven by about 200 basis points of margin expansion from price and cost optimization efforts in the collection and disposal business, and then a benefit from the sale of non-strategic assets of about 50 basis points. These strong margin results were partially offset by higher risk management costs, an increase in incentive compensation costs, and a modest drag from the net impact of recycled commodity prices and fuel. The key takeaway from looking at these puts and takes is that we saw a 200 basis point lift in our core business versus last year.

Speaker Change: In the second quarter, total company operating EBITDA margin expanded 130 basis points.

Speaker Change: And this was driven by about 200 basis points of margin expansion from price and cost optimization efforts in the collection and disposal business, and then a benefit from the sale of non-strategic assets of about 50 basis points.

Speaker Change: These strong margin results were partially offset by higher risk management costs, an increase in incentive compensation costs, and a modest drag from the net impact of recycled commodity prices and fuel.

Devina Rankin: The key takeaway from looking at these puts and takes is that we saw a 200 basis point lift in our core business versus last year. And we see the benefits of employee retention, truck deliveries, and the use of technology and process to optimize the business that started in the second half of 2023 holding. The significant margin expansion in operating EBITDA growth in 2024 is delivering robust operating and free cash flow growth. Through the first six months of 2024, we've generated cash flow from operations of $2.52 billion. That's an increase of nearly $450 million, or 22%, compared to the same period in 2023.

Speaker Change: The key takeaway from looking at these puts and takes.

Devina A. Rankin: And we see the benefits of employee retention, truck deliveries, and the use of technology and processes to optimize the business that started in the second half of 2023. A significant margin expansion in operating EBITDA growth in 2024 is delivering robust operating and free cash flow growth. Through the first six months of 2024, we've generated cash flow from operations of $2.52 billion.

Speaker Change: is that we saw a 200 basis point lift in our core business.

Speaker Change: And we see the benefits of employee retention, truck deliveries, and the use of technology and process to optimize the business that started in the second half of 2023 holding.

Speaker Change: The significant margin expansion in operating EBITDA growth in 2024 is delivering robust operating and free cash flow growth.

Speaker Change: Through the first six months of 2024, we've generated cash flow from operations of $2.52 billion. And that's an increase of nearly $450 million or 22% compared to the same period in 2023.

Devina A. Rankin: That's an increase of nearly $450 million, or 22% compared to the same period in 2023. Our double-digit operating EBITDA growth, favorable working capital trends, and lower cash incentive compensation payments are driving this strong performance. For the first half of the year, capital expenditures to support the business totaled $947 million.

Devina Rankin: Our double-digit operating EBITDA growth, favorable working capital trends, and lower cash incentive compensation payments are driving this strong performance. For the first half of the year, capital expenditures to support the business totaled $947 million. Sustainability growth investments were about $388 million. Both are tracking at plan that we anticipate spending at or slightly above the high end of our prior guidance of between $850 and $900 million for sustainability growth investments in 2024. Pulling this all together, we've generated $1.24 billion with free cash flow in the first six months of the year. And we're confident that we will achieve our guidance range of between $2.15 billion with free cash flow in 2024.

Speaker Change: Our double-digit operating EBITDA growth, favorable working capital trends, and lower cash incentive compensation payments are driving this strong performance.

Speaker Change: For the first half of the year, capital expenditures to support the business totaled $947 million. Sustainability growth investments were about $388 million.

Devina A. Rankin: Sustainability growth investments were about $388 million. Both are tracking a plan that we anticipate spending at or slightly above the high end of our prior guidance of between $850 and $900 million for sustainability growth investments in 2024. Pulling this all together, we've generated $1.24 billion of free cash flow in the first six months of the year, and we're confident that we will achieve our guidance range of between $2 and $2.15 billion of free cash flow in 2024. As Jim mentioned, we've closed more than $750 million in TECN acquisitions through July, and we look forward to closing the acquisition of Stericycle as early as the fourth quarter of this year.

Speaker Change: Both are tracking a plan that we anticipate spending at or slightly above the high end of our prior guidance of between $850 and $900 million for sustainability growth investments in 2024.

Speaker Change: Pulling this all together, we've generated $1.24 billion of free cash flow in the first six months of the year, and we're confident that we will achieve our guidance range of between $2 and $2.15 billion of free cash flow in 2024.

Devina Rankin: As Jim mentioned, we've closed more than $750 million in token acquisitions through July. And we look forward to closing the acquisition of Styrocycle as early as the fourth quarter of this year. Given our elevated M&A activity, we want to reiterate our capital allocation priorities and emphasize our commitment to a strong balance sheet. WM has a disciplined approach to allocating capital to strategic growth opportunities, including the capital needed to sustain and grow our core solid waste businesses and investments that we're making to grow our recycling and renewable energy. We prioritize return on invested capital and making these decisions, and we expect all of our investments to provide healthy returns above our cost of capital.

Speaker Change: As Jim mentioned, we've closed more than $750 million in Tekken acquisitions through July , and we look forward to closing the acquisition of StereoCycle as early as the fourth quarter of this year.

Devina A. Rankin: Given our elevated M&A activity, we want to reiterate our capital allocation priorities and emphasize our commitment to a strong balance sheet. WM has a disciplined approach to allocating capital to strategic growth, the Capital Needed to Sustain and Grow our Core Solid Waste Businesses and the investments that we're making to grow our recycling and renewable energy assets. Prioritize return on invested capital in making these decisions, and we expect all of our investments to provide healthy returns above our cost of capital. We also remain committed to growing shareholder returns, which includes increasing the dividend as free cash flow grows. We intend to finance the SteriCycle transaction using a combination of bank debt and senior notes.

Speaker Change: Given our elevated M&A activity, we want to reiterate our capital allocation priorities and emphasize our commitment to a strong balance sheet.

Speaker Change: WM has a disciplined approach to allocating capital to strategic growth opportunities, including the capital needed to sustain and grow our core solid waste businesses and investments that we're making to grow our recycling and renewable energy assets.

Speaker Change: We prioritize return on invested capital in making these decisions, and we expect all of our investments to provide healthy returns above our cost of capital.

Devina Rankin: We also remain committed to growing shareholder returns, which includes increasing the dividend as free cash flow grows. We intend to finance the Stereocycle transaction using a combination of bank debt and senior notes when combining the impacts of the $750 million of solid waste token acquisitions. With the funding of Stereocycle, we now expect our leverage to be about 3.6 times post-close.

Speaker Change: We also remain committed to growing shareholder returns, which includes increasing the dividend as free cash flow grows.

Operator: When combining the impacts of the $750 million of solid waste tuck-in acquisitions with the funding of SteriCycle, we now expect our leverage to be about 3.6 times post-close. In light of this elevated leverage, we're temporarily suspending our share repurchase program so that we can work our way back to our targeted leverage range of 2.75 to 3 times about 24 months after the close of Stare Cycle. The slight revisions in our projected leverage figures since our announcement of the planned acquisition of SteriCycle are updates that reflect the impacts of layering on the additional tuck-in acquisition activity this year.

Speaker Change: We intend to finance the SteriCycle transaction using a combination of bank debt and senior notes. When combining the impacts of the $750 million of solid waste check-in acquisitions with the funding of SteriCycle, we now expect our leverage to be about 3.6 times post-close.

Devina Rankin: In light of this elevated leverage, we're temporarily suspending our share repurchase program so that we can work our way back through our targeted leverage range of 2.75 to 3 times, about 24 months after the close of Stereocycle. The slight revisions in our projected leverage figures since our announcement of the planned acquisition of Stereocycle are updates that reflect the impact of layering on the additional token acquisition activity this year. We're steadfast in our commitment to debt investors and rating agencies because we know the value of our strong investment-grade credit profile.

Speaker Change: In light of this elevated leverage, we're temporarily suspending our share repurchase program so that we can work our way back to our targeted leverage range of 2.75 to 3 times about 24 months after the close of Stare Cycle.

Speaker Change: The slight revisions in our projected leverage figures since our announcement of the planned acquisition of Stericycle are updates that reflect the impacts of layering on the additional tuck-in acquisition activity this year.

Operator: We're steadfast in our commitment to debt investors and rating agencies because we know the value of our strong investment grade credit profile. To wrap up, we're very pleased with our strong results, and I know the WM team remains hard at work to deliver on all of our goals for 2024. With that, Livia, let's open the line for questions. Ladies and gentlemen, to ask a question, you will need to press star 1-1 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced.

Speaker Change: We're steadfast in our commitment to debt investors and rating agencies because we know the value of our strong investment grade credit profile.

Devina Rankin: To wrap up, we're very pleased with our strong results, and I know the WN team remains hard at work to deliver on all of our goals for 2024.

Speaker Change: To wrap up, we're very pleased with our strong results and I know the WM team remains hard at work to deliver on all of our goals for 2024.

Operator: With that, Rivia, let's open the lines for questions. Certainly, ladies and gentlemen, to ask a question, you will need to press star 11 on your telephone and wait for a name to be announced. To enjoy your question, simply press star 11 again.

Operator: To withdraw your question, simply press star 1-1 again. And our first question coming from the lineup, Tyler Brown from Raymond James. Hey, good morning. Morning. Hey, Devina.

Speaker Change: With that, Livia, let's open the line for questions.

Livia: Certainly. Ladies and gentlemen, to ask a question, you will need to press star 1-1 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, simply press star 1-1 again. And our first question coming from the line of Tyler Brown from Raymond James.

Tyler Brown: And our first question coming from Delina, Tyler Brown from Raymond James. Hey, good morning. Good morning.

Tyler Brown: Hey, Davina, so obviously solid quarter grade starts of the year. I think last call, you mentioned north of 30% margins in Q2, possibly north of 31 and Q3. Looks like Q2 came in more around 30.

Devina A. Rankin: So obviously, you know, solid quarter and a great start to the year. I think last call you mentioned north of 30% margins in Q2, possibly north of 31 in Q3. Looks like Q2 came in more around 30.

Patrick Tyler Brown: Hey, good morning.

Livia: Morning.

Patrick Tyler Brown: Hey, Devina, so obviously, you know, solid quarter, great start to the year.

Patrick Tyler Brown: I think last call you mentioned north of 30% margins in Q2, possibly north of 31 in Q3. Looks like Q2 came in more around 30, so I just wanted to see if that north of 31 is still a good placeholder, or should we maybe think about moving that down a smidge?

Devina A. Rankin: So I just wanted to see if that north of 31 is still a good placeholder, or should we maybe think about moving that down a smidge? So I'll start by highlighting that the one item that was different from our expectations at the end of April when we spoke about that little north of 30% for Q2 was the risk management impact of 50 basis points in the quarter. So if we had not had that item, which we couldn't have predicted, we would have come in at or above the target that I provided on the call last time.

Devina Rankin: So I just wanted to see if that north of 31 is still a good placeholder, or should we maybe think about moving that down its image. So I'll start by highlighting that the one item that was different than our expectations at the end of April when we spoke about that little north of 30% for Q2 is the risk management impact of 50 basis points in the quarter. So if we had not had that item, which we couldn't have predicted, we would have come in at or above the target that I provided on the call last time.

Speaker Change: So I'll start by highlighting that the one item that was different than our expectations at the end of April when we spoke about that

Livia: A little north of 30% for Q2 is the risk management impact of 50 basis points in the quarter. So if we had not had that item, which we couldn't have predicted, we would have come in at or above the target that I provided on the call last time. What I would say about when we look forward to Q3, what's changed a little bit, there's a couple of things. One is recycle. Come on. Recycle.

Devina A. Rankin: But I would say when we look forward to Q3, what's changed a little bit. There are a couple of things. One is recycled commodity prices, and you guys know that we have a different geography than our competitors do with regard to the impact of recycled commodity prices.

Devina A. Rankin: But I would say about when we look forward to Q3, what's changed a little bit; there's a couple of things. One is recycle commodity prices, and you guys know that we have a different geography than our competitors do with regard to the impacts of recycle commodity prices. And that was a 40 basis point headwind in the quarter, and we expect elevated commodity prices to continue into the back half of the year. So there is a little bit of a headwind that we want projecting from recycling brokerage in particular that would carry over. And then, in addition to that, with lower industrial volumes that John mentioned, the flow through on industrial volumes is generally strong 40% levels.

Livia: And you guys know that we have a different geography than our competitors do with regard to the impact of recycled commodity prices.

Devina A. Rankin: And that was a 40 basis point headwind in the quarter, and we expect elevated commodity prices to continue into the back half of the year. So there is a little bit of a headwind that we weren't projecting from recycling brokerage in particular that would carry over. And then, in addition to that with lower industrial volumes that John mentioned, the flow through on industrial volumes is generally at a strong 40% level. And so that again is one of the things that created a headwind in the quarter and that would impact Q3. The third item relates to the tech and acquisition contributions.

Livia: And that was a 40 basis point headwind in the quarter, and we expect elevated commodity prices to continue into the back half of the year. So there is a little bit of a headwind that we weren't projecting from recycling brokerage in particular.

Livia: that would carry over and then in addition to that with lower industrial volumes that John mentioned.

Devina Rankin: And so that again is one of the things that created a headwind in the quarter, and that would impact Q3.

John: The flow through on industrial volumes is generally strong 40% levels, and so that again is one of the things that created a headwind in the quarter and that would impact Q3.

Devina Rankin: The third item relates to the tech and acquisition contributions. As you know, based on where we are in integration processes, integrated M&A revenue and activity tends to come in in early innings at a lower contribution margins than our based business. So what I would say is that right now our Q3 outlook is in the range of 30.5 to 31%. with all those things taken into account?

Devina A. Rankin: As you know, based on where we are in the integration processes, integrated M&A revenue and activity tends to come in in the early innings at a lower contribution margin than our base business. So what I would say is that right now, our Q3 outlook is in the range of 30.5% to 31%, with all those things taken into account. Yes, quite a few things. Okay, perfect.

Speaker Change: The third item relates to the tech and acquisition contributions, as you know, based on where we are in integration processes.

Speaker Change: Integrated M&A revenue and activity tends to come in early innings at a lower contribution margin than our base business. So what I would say is that right now our Q3 outlook is in the range of 30.5% to 31%.

Patrick Tyler Brown: Yes, quite a few things. Okay, perfect. And then, as we think about EBITDA dollars, so I just want to make sure I understand some of the moving pieces to the guidance.

John J. Morris: And then as we think about EBITDA dollars... So I just want to make sure I understand some of the moving pieces in the guidance. So, because I believe at the end of Q1, you had only spent like maybe $10 million on acquisitions. You mentioned $750 million through July. I would have thought that that would have, you know, obviously included Winter Brothers, so I would have thought that would have helped maybe with the guidance.

Speaker Change: with all those things taken into account.

Speaker Change: Yes, quite a few things. Okay, perfect. And then, as we think about EBITDA dollars...

Tyler Brown: So, because I believe at the end of Q1, you had only spent like maybe 10 million acquisitions, you mentioned 750 million, 3 July. I would have thought that that would have, you know, obviously, including winter brothers, so I would have thought that would have helped maybe the guidance as soon as you EBITDA associated with that.

Speaker Change: So I just want to make sure I understand some of the moving pieces to the guidance.

Speaker Change: Because I believe at the end of Q1, you had only spent like maybe $10 million on acquisitions. You mentioned $750 million through July .

John J. Morris: I assume there's some EBITDA associated with that. So, I guess one, can you talk about what the end-year revenue contribution from M&A should be in 2024? And then can you just talk about, you know, maybe some of the puts and takes, because again, I would have thought there would have been some EBITDA contributions there. Maybe there's something, and you mentioned a few things breaking against. Yeah, Tyler's John.

John Morris: So, I guess one can you talk about what the end year revenue contribution from M&A should be in 24? And then can you just talk about, you know, maybe some of the puts and takes, because again, I would have thought there would have been some EBITDA contributions there, but maybe there's something. And you mentioned a few things breaking against you.

Speaker Change: Maybe the guidance, I assume there's some EBITDA associated with that. So, I guess, one, can you talk about what the end-year revenue contribution from M&A should be in 2024?

Speaker Change: And then can you just talk about, you know, maybe some of the puts and takes, because again, I would have thought there would have been some EBITDA contributions there. Maybe there's something, and you mentioned a few things breaking against you.

John Morris: Yes, I was John. Good question. I mean, if you look at what we did in Q2, it was about $77 million of revenue that was acquired. The 750 that we put, that we've all talked about, represents about $300 million of acquired revenue by the end of the year.

John J. Morris: Good question. I mean, if you look at what we did in q2 was about $77 million of revenue that was acquired. The 750 that we put that we've all talked about represents about $300 million of acquired revenue by the end of the year. So hopefully that clarifies a little bit and then to do what Devina and I talked about is there is some benefit that we've talked about in the back half of the year that 25 ish million dollars that will be a contribution from some of the M&A, So, in terms of overall EBITDA growth for the year, what I would say is when we look at the first half of the year, right, the first half of the year, solid waste EBITDA has grown $415 million, quite remarkable.

John Morris: So, hopefully that clarifies a little bit. And then to what to mean, and I talked about is there is some benefit that we've talked about in the back half of the year that $25 million that will be a contribution from some of the M&A we've referenced. So, in terms of overall EBITDA growth for the year, what I would say is when we look at the first half of the year, right? The first half of the year, Solid Waste Deep Adolf has grown $415 million, quite remarkable. The headwind that I talked about in risk management, it shows up in the corporate and other category.

Devina: by the end of the year. So hopefully that clarifies a little bit. And then what Devina and I talked about is there is some benefit we've talked about in the back half of the year, that $25-ish million that will be a contribution from some of the M&A we've referenced.

Speaker Change: The first half of the year, Solid Waste, EBITDA, has grown $415 million, quite remarkable. The headwind that I talked about in risk management...

John J. Morris: The headwind that I talked about in risk management shows up in the corporate and other category, and so what you see is, you know, there was more of an offset to that solid waste growth in the first half of the year and in the second quarter than what we experienced in the first quarter. But the sustainability businesses, we still expect to be on track to generate that $115 million of EBITDA contribution for the year.

John Morris: And so what you see is, you know, there was more of an offset to that solid waste. It's growth in the first, in the second quarter than what we experienced in the first quarter. But the sustainability businesses, we still expect to be on track to generate that $15 million of EBITDA contribution to the year. And when we think about what happened over the second quarter that may not be showing up as a direct increase in that amount, it really is a put-in-take story. One is the value, the incremental value we expect from higher commodity prices in the recycling business, partially offset by the impact of a slowdown in some of the construction projects on the renewable energy business.

Speaker Change: It shows up in the corporate and other category. And so what you see is, you know, there was more of an offset to that solid waste growth in the first...

Speaker Change: in the second quarter than what we experienced.

Devina: in the first quarter, but the sustainability businesses, we still expect to be on track to generate that $115 million.

John J. Morris: And when we think about what happened in the second quarter that may not be showing up as a direct increase in that amount, it really is a put and take story. One is the value, the incremental value we expect from higher commodity prices in the recycling business, partially offset by the impact of a slowdown in some of the construction projects in the renewable energy business. Now, we're talking weeks, not months here, right?

Devina: of EBITDA contribution to the year. And when we think about what happened over the second quarter that may not be showing up as a direct increase in that amount, it really is...

James C. Fish: These are contributions that we now expect to start to ramp up more in the fourth quarter than we were expecting earlier in the second half of the year. So all in all, what I would tell you is that our EBITDA growth story for us is approaching 10% for the year, and still most of that coming from the solid waste business, with the contributions coming from the sustainability business in total tracking according to plan, though there was a put and take. Tyler: Jim here.

John Morris: And now we're talking weeks, not months, here, right? This is contributions that we now expect to start to ramp more in the fourth quarter than what we were expecting earlier in the second half of the year. So all in all, what I would tell you is the EBITDA growth story for us is approaching 10% and in the year, still most of that coming from the Solid Waste business, with the contributions coming from the sustainability business in total tracking according to plan, though there was a put in take.

Devina: partially offset by the impact of a slowdown in some of the construction projects.

Devina: on the Renewable Energy Business. Now, we're talking weeks, not months here, right? This is...

Devina: contributions that we now expect to start to ramp more in the fourth quarter than what we were expecting earlier in the second half of the year. So all in all what I would tell you is the EBITDA growth story for us is approaching 10% and

Devina: in the year, and still most of that coming from the solid waste business, with the contributions coming from the sustainability business, in total tracking according to plan, though there was a put and take.

James Fish: So Tyler, Jim here, let me just give you a little bit of extra color here. The 25 that's divina referenced in kind of our forecast over the revised guidance number of 6450 that we gave last quarter, that 25. has some of what John talked about, which is the Winter Brothers acquisition. We'll get five months of that. We already had baked into our original guidance, some M&A EBITDA on revenue, but can't say we baked in Winter Brothers. So you're going to get part of that; you're going to get, as Devina said, you're going to get some of the sustainability stuff, which, by the way, is working both ways for us.

James C. Fish: Let me just give you a little bit of extra color here. The 25 that Devina referenced in kind of our forecast over the revised guidance number of 6450 that we gave last quarter, that 25... has some of what John talked about, which is the Winter Brothers acquisition. We'll get five months-ish of that. We already had baked into our original guidance some M&A EBITDA and revenue, but I can't say we baked in Winter Brothers.

Jim: So Tyler, Jim here. Let me just give you a little bit of extra color here. The 25 that Devina referenced in kind of our forecast over the revised guidance number of 6450 that we gave last quarter, that 25...

Speaker Change: has some of what John talked about, which is the Winter Brothers acquisition. We'll get five months-ish of that. We already had baked into our original guidance some M&A EBITDA and revenue.

James C. Fish: So you're going to get part of that. You're going to get, as Devina said, you're going to get some of the sustainability stuff, which is, by the way, working both ways for us. I mean, we get some commodity pickup.

Devina: But I can't say we baked in Winter Brothers, so you're going to get part of that. You're going to get, as Devina said, you're going to get some of the sustainability stuff, which, by the way, is working both ways for us. I mean, we get some commodity pickup. We also are seeing a few minor delays in a couple of the R&G plants.

James Fish: I mean, we get some commodity pickup. We also are seeing some a few minor delays in a couple of the RG plants. We're still building not five RG plants for the years we said we would, but you know, three days or so of delay is impacting us. So all of that adds up to the 25.

James C. Fish: We also are seeing a few minor delays in a couple of the R&G plants. We're still building that five R&G plants for the year, as we said we would, but 30 days or so of delay are impacting us. So all of that adds up to the 25. I think Devina's point, though, is really worth reiterating here. I mean, you're talking about almost 10% of you.

Speaker Change: We're still building, not five RG plants for the year, as we said we would, but, you know, 30 days or so of delay is impacting us. So all of that adds up to the 25. I think Devina's point, though, is really worth...

James Fish: I think Devina's point, though, is really worth reiterating here. I mean, you're talking about almost 10% EBITDA growth. And for some degree, I feel like we have a great story to tell, and sometimes we are great storytellers because I feel like we've got 10%, which is the strongest EBITDA growth probably back to the 1990s. I'm sure the company grew by more than 10% in 1982, but since the 1990s, that's the strongest EBITDA growth we've ever seen, and yet we're doing it. You remember in 2019 when we said we would grow EBITDA between five and seven percent. We said at the top end of the range, that's going to be in a really robust economy.

James C. Fish: And to some degree, I feel like we have a great story to tell, and sometimes we aren't great storytellers because I feel like we've got 10%, which is the strongest EBITDA growth since probably the 1990s. I'm sure the company grew by more than 10% in 1982, but since the 1990s, that's the strongest EBITDA growth we've ever seen. And yet, we do it. You remember in 2019, when we said we would grow EBITDA between five and 7%, we said at the top end of the range, that's gonna be in a really robust economy where we're seeing, you know, two plus percent volume growth. We're not seeing two plus percent volume growth. We're flat on volume.

Speaker Change: Really reiterating here, I mean you're talking about almost 10% EBITDA growth.

Speaker Change: And to some degree I feel like we have a great story to tell and sometimes we aren't great storytellers because I feel like we've got 10%, which is...

Devina: The strongest EBITDA growth.

Devina: Probably back to the 1990s. I'm sure the company grew by more than 10% in 1982, but since the 1990s, that's the strongest EBITDA growth we've ever seen.

Devina: And yet we're doing it. You remember in 2019, when we said we would grow EBITDA between five and 7%, we said at the top end of the range, that's going to be in a really robust economy where we're seeing, you know, two plus percent volume growth. We're not seeing two plus percent volume growth, we're flat on volume.

James Fish: We're seeing two plus percent volume growth. We're not seeing two plus percent volume growth. We're flat on volume. And yet, in an economy that's kind of stumbling along, honestly, and yet we're growing EBITDA by 10%. Almost all of that, except for that 25 million issue or whatever that number is for us, almost all of that's coming from organic growth. Same with last year, we grew by 7% last year, and it was almost all organic growth. It's coming from those things that we've talked about in the past. You remember a couple of years ago, we started talking about technology probably five years ago.

James C. Fish: And yet, in an economy that's kind of stumbling along, honestly, and yet we're growing EBITDA by 10%. Almost all of that. Except for that $25 million-ish or whatever that number is for us, almost all that's coming from organic growth. Same with last year.

Devina: And yet, in an economy that's kind of stumbling along, honestly, and yet we're growing EBITDA by 10 percent.

Devina: Almost all of that.

James C. Fish: We grew by 7% last year, and it was almost all organic growth. It's coming from those things that we've talked about in the past. You know, we started talking about technology probably five years ago. We said, we're going to talk, we're going to bring technology to bear, and we're going to really make a commitment to sustainability, and we're going to put operating processes in place, improve efficiencies, we're going to get smarter with pricing through data analytics, all that stuff. And I remember on the earnings call getting questions like, Okay, that's great, Jim.

Devina: Except for that 25 million-ish or whatever that number is for us, almost all that's coming from organic growth. Same with last year. We grew by 7% last year, and it was almost all organic growth. It's coming from those things that we've talked about in the past.

James Fish: We're going to talk, we're going to bring technology to bear, and we're going to really make a commitment to sustainability, and we're going to put operating processes in place, improve efficiencies, we're going to get smarter with pricing through data analytics. All that stuff, and I remember on the earnings call getting questions like, okay, that's great, Jim, when are we going to see the impact on the bottom line? You are seeing the impact on the bottom line. When you see 10% EBITDA growth, a 160 basis points of margin growth, and still 5% revenue growth, it's all coming from price.

Devina: You know, you remember a couple years ago, we started talking about technology, probably five years ago. We're going to talk, we're going to bring technology to bear, and we're going to really make a commitment to sustainability.

Devina: We're going to put operating processes in place, improve efficiencies, we're going to get smarter with pricing through data analytics, all that stuff.

James C. Fish: When are we going to see the impact on the bottom line? You are already seeing the impact on the bottom line. When you see 10% EBITDA growth, 160 basis points of margin growth, and still five-ish percent revenue growth, it's all coming from price, you are absolutely seeing that kind of strategic growth. And then, at the same time, we're doing some acquisitions, I mentioned in my script where we're filling holes, either where we weren't before or adding to really strong strategic positions like Texas, like Florida, like North Carolina, Tennessee, go down And Then you've all seen a deck on Stericycle.

Devina: And I remember on the earnings call getting questions like, OK, that's great, Jim.

Speaker Change: When are we going to see the impact on the bottom line?

Jim: You are seeing the impact on the bottom line. When you see 10% EBITDA growth, 160 basis points of margin growth, and still 5-ish percent revenue growth, it's all coming from price.

James Fish: You are absolutely seeing that, that kind of strategic growth. At the same time, we're doing some acquisitions. I mentioned in my script where we're filling holes, where we weren't before, or adding to really strong strategic positions like Texas, like Florida, like North Carolina, Tennessee; you could go down the list: Arizona. And then you've all seen a deck on stair cycle. I mean, stair cycle is basically a fourth line of business for us. We've got Rezi, we've got commercial, we've got industrial, now we've got medical. And with stair cycle comes significant opportunities for synergy, and comes with a higher growth trajectory in medical waste than in the solid waste base.

Jim: You are absolutely seeing that.

Jim: Well, that kind of strategic growth, and then at the same time...

Jim: We're doing some acquisitions. I mentioned it in my script where we're filling holes where we weren't before.

Jim: or adding to really strong strategic positions like Texas, like Florida, like North Carolina, Tennessee, you can go down the list, Arizona.

James C. Fish: I mean, Stericycle is basically a fourth line of business for us. We've got recycling, we've got commercial, we've got industrial, and now we've got medical. And with SteriCycle, there are significant opportunities for synergies and comes with a higher growth trajectory in medical waste than in the solid waste space.

Jim: And then you've all seen the deck on Stericycle. I mean, Stericycle is basically a fourth line of business for us.

Devina: We've got resi, we've got commercial, we've got industrial, now we've got medical.

Devina: And with Stericycle comes significant opportunities for synergy and comes with a higher growth trajectory in medical waste.

James C. Fish: We're very excited about that, which basically gets me to a 25 number.

James C. Fish: So we're very excited about that, which basically gets me to a 25 number. And, you know, 2025. We'll give you guidance in February. But my gosh.

James Fish: And, you know, 2025 will give you guidance in February, but my gosh, I could not be more bullish when I think about 2025 when you add all those things up. I mean, you know, think about these sustainability investments. Tara will tell you, we've spent probably three quarters of the capital, or we will have by the end of the year. And we will have only realized 15% of the even. So, 2025, I don't care who gets elected in November, but it doesn't matter who gets elected in November, and it doesn't matter whether we have geopolitical problems, it doesn't matter whether the economy is up or down; we're going to have a blockbuster year in 2025. We'll talk about it in February, but that's on top of what we considered to be a blockbuster year this year. So, a bit longer answer than I think you were bargaining for when you were first in the queue, but I just want to make sure everybody understands all that.

Devina: Than in the solid waste space, so we're very excited about that, which basically gets me to a 25 number, and you know, 2025, we'll give you guidance in February , but my gosh.

James C. Fish: I could not be more bullish. When I think about 2025, when you add all those things up, I mean, you know, think about these sustainability investments. Tara will tell you we've spent probably three quarters of the capital or we will have by the end of the year. And we will have only realized 15% of the even, So 2025, I don't care who gets elected in November, well I do, but it doesn't matter who gets elected in November, and it doesn't matter whether we have geopolitical problems, it doesn't matter whether the economy is up or down, we're going to have a blockbuster year in 2025, we'll talk about it in February, but that's on top of what we consider to be a blockbuster year this year.

Tara: I could not be more bullish when I think about 2025, when you add all those things up. I mean, you know, think about these sustainability investments. Tara will tell you we've spent probably three-quarters of the capital, or we will have by the end of the year, and we will have only realized 15% of the EBITDA.

Devina: So 2025, I don't care who gets elected in November , well I do, but it doesn't matter who gets elected in November , and it doesn't matter whether we have geopolitical problems, it doesn't matter whether the economy is up or down.

Devina: We're going to have a blockbuster year in 2025, we'll talk about it in February , but that's on top of what we consider to be a blockbuster year this year.

James C. Fish: So, so a bit, a bit longer answer than I think you were bargaining for when you got on, when you were first in the queue, but, but I just want to make sure everybody understands all that. Yeah, Jim, that's, this is, it's great.

Devina: So, a bit longer answer than I think you were bargaining for when you got on, when you were first in the queue, but I just want to make sure everybody understands all that. Yeah, Jim, that's great. I really appreciate it. I don't mean to split hairs too much, but we're kind of in that business, but I appreciate the call. Thank you.

James C. Fish: I, I really appreciate all of it. I don't mean to split hairs too much, but we're kind of in that business, but I appreciate the call. Thank you. You bet.

Tyler Brown: Yeah, that's great. I really appreciate all; I don't mean to split hairs too much, but we're kind of in that business. But I appreciate the color, thank you.

Hilary Lee: Thank you, and our next question coming from Delina, Toni Kaplan, for Morgan Stanley. Yellen is open. Hi, this is Hilary Lee on for Toni Kaplan. Good morning, guys. Great quarter.

Operator: Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of Toni Kaplan from Morgan Stanley. Your line is open. Hi, this is Hilary Leon on behalf of Toni Kaplan.

Jim: You bet.

Speaker Change: Thank you. And one more question coming from the lineup. Toni Kaplan from Morgan Stanley . Your line is open.

Operator: Good morning, guys. Great quarter. So yeah, speaking of the election, sorry to bring it up. But, you know, we've had a couple of inquiries surrounding potential implications of it. You know, depending on who's elected or, you know, if, you know, who's in the house, how would you expect RNG and RINs to be affected, or if at all?

Tara J. Hemmer: So, speaking of the elections, I'd like to bring it up. But we've had a couple of number of inquiries surrounding potential implications of it, depending on who's elected or who's in the house. How would you expect R&G and RINs to be affected, or if at all, and what sort of increase, decrease the C potentially in your R&G projects? Sure, I'll answer that one. We've been obviously tracking this very closely, and I think it was important to note related to our R&G business as we're in a very different time than we were in the previous Trump administration.

Speaker Change: Hi, this is Hilary Leon for Toni Kaplan.

Hilary Lee: Good morning, guys. Great quarter. So, you know, speaking of the election, sorry to bring it up, but...

Speaker Change: You know, we've had a couple number of inquiries surrounding potential implications of it, you know, depending on who's elected or, you know, if

Speaker Change: You know, who's in the house. How would you expect R&G and RINs to be affected, or if at all, and, you know, what sort of increase, decrease do you see potentially in your R&G projects?

Tara J. Hemmer: And, you know, what sort of increase or decrease do you see potentially in your RNG projects? Sure, I'll answer that one. We've been obviously tracking this very closely, and I think what's important to note related to our R&G business, as we're in a very different time than we were in the previous Trump administration. We've really seen a lot more development on plants, we've seen the voluntary market really shore up, and we also have the RVO that is in place through 2025.

Speaker Change: Sure, I'll answer that one. We've been obviously tracking this very closely and I think what's important to note related to our R&G business, as we're in a very different time than we were in the previous Trump administration,

James C. Fish: You've really seen a lot more development on plants. We've seen the voluntary market really short up, and we also have the RVO that is in place through 2025. So if you look at analysts that really cover the R&G industry by any measure, most are saying that they don't expect a significant decrease in RIN pricing, really more solidly in that 250 range in a year. So we have the potential Trump presidency, and as you know, that is well above our investment thesis of $26 per MBTO. So Tony, real quickly, Tara did a great job of answering that, and she's absolutely right.

Speaker Change: You've really seen a lot more development on plants, we've seen the voluntary market really shore up.

Tara J. Hemmer: So if you look at analysts that really cover the R&G industry, by any measure, most are saying that they don't expect a significant change, and Wren Price is really more solidly in that 250 range under a potential Trump presidency. And as you know, that is well above our investment. Tony, real quickly, Tara did a great job of answering that, and she's absolutely right. I would just tell you, we've always said, no matter who's in office, we're pretty agnostic about that.

Speaker Change: And we also have the RVO that is in place through 2025. So if you look at...

Speaker Change: analysts that really cover the R&G industry.

Speaker Change: By any measure, most are saying that they don't expect a significant decrease in RIN pricing.

Speaker Change: really more solidly in that 250 range in a potential Trump presidency and as you know that is well above our investment thesis.

James Fish: I would just tell you, we've always said, no matter who's in office, we're pretty agnostic about that. I mean, we all have our own personal preferences, but the business itself does really well in just about any regulatory environment. Short of somebody coming in and saying, you know, landfills are closed all tomorrow morning, but short of that, we are pretty agnostic with respect to regulation, whether it's the Chevron doc or whatever it is. We do well in just about any environment.

Speaker Change: of $26 per member.

Speaker Change: Thank you.

Toni Michele Kaplan: So, Toni, real quickly, I, you know, Tara did a great job of answering that, and she's absolutely right. I would just tell you, we've always said, no matter who's in office, we're pretty agnostic about that. I mean, we all have our own personal preferences, but the business itself...

James C. Fish: I mean, we all have our own personal preferences, but the business itself does really well in just about any regulatory environment, short of somebody coming in and saying, you know, landfills are closed all tomorrow morning. But short of that, we are pretty agnostic with respect to regulation, whether it's the Chevron doctrine, whatever it is; we do well in just about any environment. Got great appreciation for the color and just a minor question.

Speaker Change: does really well in just about any regulatory environment, short of somebody coming in and saying, you know, landfills are closed all tomorrow morning. But short of that, we are pretty agnostic with respect to regulation, whether it's the Chevron Doctrine, whatever it is, we do well in just about any environment.

Hilary Lee: Yeah, great. Appreciate the color and just a minor question.

Operator: So, you know, with hurricane barrel happening recently, do you expect any sort of volume impact or top line growth impact? Or is that not really significant? It's insignificant.

Hilary Lee: So, you know, with Hurricane Barrel happening recently, do you expect any sort of volume impact or top line growth impact, or is that not really significant? It's insignificant. We had our quarterly business reviews with the Texas market, who was hit the hardest, and they've made projections, but at this point it's not expected to be material. Wasn't insignificant. We all felt more significant than the business. Of course, it's significant at my house, but it's not going to be.

Speaker Change: Got it. Great. Appreciate the color. And just a minor question. So, you know, with Hurricane Beryl happening recently, do you expect any sort of volume impact or top line growth impact, or is that not really significant?

Operator: We had our quarterly business reviews with the Texas market, who was hit the hardest, and they've made projections, but at this point, it's not expected to. We all felt more significant within the business world. The Bulletproof Executive 2013, Okay. All right. That's it for me.

Speaker Change: It's insignificant. We had our quarterly business reviews with the Texas market, who was hit the hardest, and they've made projections, but at this point it's not expected to be material.

Speaker Change: was

Speaker Change: We all felt more significant at my house but it's not going to be material.

Hilary Lee: of Ontario. Got it.

Operator: Thanks, guys. Great quarter. Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of Jerry Revich from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open. Yes, hi. Thank you. Good morning, everyone.

Hilary Lee: All right, that's it for me. Thanks, guys.

Greg Order: Greg Order. Yeah.

Jerry David Revich: And our next question, coming from the line-off. Jerry Revich, from Goldman Sachs, you're on a self-in. Yes, hi. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Good morning.

Speaker Change: All right, that's it for me. Thanks, guys. Great quarter.

Speaker Change: Thank you.

Thank you. And our next question coming from the line of Jerry Revich from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open.

Operator: Good morning. Good morning. Jim, on Stericycle, you know, I'm wondering if you'd just weigh in, because historically, you know, the company has really struggled to push pricing, you know. I think that's been because of the autoclave business, and you folks in your businesses are obviously leaders in driving pricing and return. So I'm wondering if you could maybe peel back the onion on your strategy for that business and how you folks can have an impact One thing I can tell you is that StairCycle has talked a lot about the fact that as they roll out new systems... Those systems will give them better visibility, and boy, do we absolutely concur with that.

Jerry David Revich: Jim, I'm Sarah Cycle. You know, one of you just weigh in, because historically, you know, the company has really struggled to push. You know, I think that's been because of the autoclave business, and you folks in your businesses are obviously leaders in driving pricing and return. So I'm wondering if you just, maybe you killed back on you and on your strategy for that business and how you folks can help and impact on pricing discipline in the market through your ownership. Yeah, Jerry, it's a little hard to tell at this point. And one thing I can't tell you is that stairs cycle is talked a lot about the fact that they're as they roll out new systems. Those systems will give them better visibility, and boy, we absolutely concur with that.

Jerry David Revich: Yes, hi, thank you. Good morning, everyone. Good morning.

Jerry David Revich: Jim, on Stericycle, you know, I'm wondering if you could just weigh in, because historically, you know, the company has really struggled to push

Speaker Change: Pricing and I think that's been because of the autoclave business and you folks in your businesses are obviously leaders and

Speaker Change: I'm wondering if you could just maybe peel back the onion on your strategy for that business and how you folks can have an impact on pricing discipline in the market through your ownership.

Speaker Change: Yeah, Jerry, it's a little hard to tell at this point. One thing I can tell you is that StairCycle has talked a lot about the fact that as they roll out new systems,

James C. Fish: I mean, you know, we like the fact that our systems give us a lot of visibility all the way down at the customer level. So, we don't really know what that means in terms of pricing at this point because we haven't had a chance to kind of stick our heads under the covers, but we do know that the better the visibility, the smarter you can be with data and analytics and with pricing.

James Fish: I mean, you know, we like the fact that our systems give us a lot of visibility all the way down at the customer level. So we don't really know what that means in terms of pricing at this point, because we haven't had a chance to kind of stick our head under the covers. But we do know that the better the visibility, the smarter you can be with data analytics and with pricing.

Speaker Change: Those systems will give them better visibility, and boy, we absolutely concur with that. I mean, you know, we like the fact that our systems give us a lot of visibility all the way down at the customer level.

Speaker Change: So, we don't really know what that means in terms of pricing at this point because we haven't had a chance to kind of stick our head under the covers. But we do know that the better the visibility, the smarter you can be with data and analytics and with pricing.

James C. Fish: And in terms of the volume outlook, you know, historically, the industry has had a much tougher volume result than what the forecast is going forward. Can you just talk about what's driving the inflection, in your view?

Jerry Revich: And in terms of the volume outlook, you know, I think historically the industry has had a much tougher volume result. Then what the forecast is going forward, can you just talk about what's driving and flexion in your view? And sorry, this is a lot of medical waste.

Speaker Change: And in terms of the volume outlook, you know, I think historically the industry has had a much tougher volume result than what the forecast is going forward. Can you just talk about what's driving inflection in your view? And sorry, this is still on medical waste.

James C. Fish: And sorry, this is still on medical waste. Yeah, you know, I mean, I think this is really kind of an outsider looking in because again, we're not, you know, we don't own the business yet. And we really, for the most part, are looking at public documents; we're starting to go through, you know, an integration process where we get to look at some things. But I would tell you that, if we look at the medical industry, not just medical waste, but medical services, and as you look at the United States, or you look at Canada, or you look at just about any country, the UK, France, Germany, all those countries are getting older

James Fish: Yeah, you know, I mean, I think this is really kind of an outsider looking in because, again, we're not. You know, we don't own the business yet, and we really, for the most part, are looking at public documents. We're starting to go through, you know, an integration process where we get to look at some things. But I would tell you that if we look at at kind of the medical industry, not just medical waste, but medical services. And as you look at the United States, or as you look at Canada, or you look at just about any country, the UK, you know, France, Germany, I mean all those countries are getting older.

Speaker Change: Yeah, you know, I mean, I think this is really kind of an outsider looking in because, again, we're not, you know, we don't own the business yet, and we really, for the most part, are looking at public documents.

Speaker Change: We're starting to go through, you know, an integration process where we get to look at some things, but I would tell you that...

James C. Fish: And so that would seem to be a positive for the volume of services in that industry. And commensurate with that, you would expect to see medical waste increase at a similar pace. So why their volumes have been a bit slower than expected is hard for me to say. But I sure do look at the future of this and say this is a business that should have a very strong..?? www.youtube.com.uk So as you look at their business, which is going, in large part, from these small quantity generators to more large quantity generators, the UNHs and the HCAs and companies like that, I think that's right in our wheelhouse. Super

Speaker Change: If we look at the medical industry, not just medical waste, but medical services, and as you look at the United States, or you look at Canada, or you look at just about any country, the UK, France, Germany, all those countries are getting older.

James C. Fish: And so that would seem to be a positive for the volume of services in that industry. And, and commensurate with that, you would expect to see medical waste increase at a similar pace. So why their volumes have been a bit slower than expected. It's it's hard for me to say. But, but I sure do look at the future of this and say this is a business that should have a very strong volume trajectory to it. I do think it'll be helpful as we look at that starts to look at their customer base. They have a lot of customers that are that are moving towards kind of larger national account type customers.

Speaker Change: And so that would seem to be a positive for the volume of services in that industry. And commensurate with that, you would expect to see medical waste increase at a similar pace.

Speaker Change: So, why their volumes have been a bit slower than expected, it's hard for me to say.

Speaker Change: But I sure do look at the future of this and say this is a business that should have a very strong...

Speaker Change: I do think it will be helpful as we start to look at their customer base,

James C. Fish: And we're very good at national accounts. Our national account business has really been a driver of our growth over the last kind of five to ten years. So as you look at their business, it's going in large part from these small quantity generators to more large quantity generators, the UNHs and the HCAs and companies like that. I think that's right in our wheelhouse. We Can.

Speaker Change: They have a lot of customers that are moving towards kind of larger national account type customers. And we're very good at national accounts. Our national accounts business has really been a driver of our growth over the last kind of 5 to 10 years.

Speaker Change: So as you look at their business that's going, in large part, from these small quantity generators to more large quantity generators, the UNHs and the HCAs and companies like that, I think that's right in our wheelhouse.

James C. Fish: And can I ask one more, Devina, in terms of the risk management costs in the quarter, can you just expand on those, you know, or how much of that is non-recurring outside of the period versus what might linger with us? It looks like, based on the sequential outlook for margins in 3Q, it feels like you're applying normal seasonality to this lower base in 2Q that includes the headwind from the risk costs. So I'm wondering if you could just expand on that, if you don't mind.

Speaker Change: Super. And can I ask one more? Devina, in terms of the risk management costs in the quarter, can you just expand on those, you know, or how much of that is?

Speaker Change: non-recurring out of period versus what might linger with us. It looks like based on the sequential outlook for margins in 3Q, it feels like you're applying normal seasonality to this lower base in 2Q that includes the headwind from the risk costs. So I'm wondering if you could just expand on that, if you don't mind.

James C. Fish: Sure, so in terms of what we experienced in the second quarter, you know, this is a business where safety is priority one, and getting our team members home safe every day is the most important job that we all do. And I would tell you that, unfortunately, there were some incidents in the second quarter that resulted in reserves associated with some of the more significant incidents that we can from time to time incur in our business. It is not representative of long-term trends; it is not representative of something that we expect to recover. So, I would say non-recurring, not out of period.

Speaker Change: Sure, so in terms of what we experienced in the second quarter, you know, this is a business where we say safety is priority one and getting our team members home safe every day is the most important job that we all

Speaker Change: And I would tell you that, unfortunately, there were some incidents in the second quarter that resulted in reserves associated with some of the...

Speaker Change: You know, more significant incidences that we can, from time to time, incur in our business. It is not representative of long-term trends. It is not representative of something that we expect to repeat.

Devina A. Rankin: I would say with regard to the seasonal trends, and I mentioned this when Tyler and I were talking about margins as well, what's difficult about typical seasonal trends for us is that roll-off is really a big piece of what can drive seasonal trends upward, and we did not see the roll-off volume pickup that we would have expected to see, and we are cautious about that going into the third quarter. Aside from that, we do expect the traditional benefits that you get from higher MSW levels, and the commercial collection line of business, in particular, continues to be really, really strong in terms of both volume growth, price execution, and really strong flow-through from those efficiency gains that we've had. So overall, seasonality expectations are very strong, and we expect that to continue with the exception of the muted roll-off. I appreciate it.

Speaker Change: So I would say non-recurring, not out of period.

Patrick Tyler Brown: What I would say with regard to the seasonal trends, and I mentioned this when Tyler and I were talking about margins as well, is what's difficult about typical seasonal trends for us is that roll-off is really a big piece of what can drive seasonal trends upward, and we did not see the roll-off volume pickup that we would have expected to see, and we are cautious about that going into the third quarter. Aside from that, we do expect the traditional benefits that you get from higher MSW levels and the commercial collection line of business in particular continues to be really, really strong in terms of both volume growth, price execution, and

Patrick Tyler Brown: really strong flow through from those efficiency gains that we've had. So overall, seasonality expectations are very strong and we expect that to continue with the exception of the muted roll-off impacts.

Devina A. Rankin: Thank you. Thank you. Our next question coming from the line-up, Noah Kaye from Oppenheimer, your line is open. Good morning.

Speaker Change: I appreciate it. Thank you.

Speaker Change: Thank you.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our next question coming from the lineup, Noah Kaye from Oppenheimer. Your line is open.

Operator: Thanks for taking the questions and not trying to turn this into a stair cycle deal call, of course, but I just want to ask you one or two quick questions there, and thanks for the deck. The $125 million or greater cost synergies you're again referencing, just help us understand what the expected timeline is for realizing those. You talked about run rates. Is this basically something that you will reach a run rate on at some point in 2025? Is it earlier in the year or later in the year?

Noah Duke Kaye: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking the questions and not trying to turn this into stair cycles. Deal call, of course, but I just want to ask you one or two quick questions there and thanks for the deck.

Noah Duke Kaye: The $125 million or greater cost synergies you're again referencing, just help us understand what the expected timeline is for realizing those. You talked about run rates.

James C. Fish: How are you currently thinking about it? Yeah, so it's a good question, Noah. You know, Rafael Carrasco is our officer here who is going to be running this for us, and Rafael is in kind of right into the process of looking at what the synergies look like for this deal. We said 125 at the start; we didn't really give a kind of breakdown of when we realized some of those obviously, you know, you get upfront, whether it is some internalization benefits on the disposal side, it's also some of the SG&A piece.

Speaker Change: This is basically something that you get to a run rate on at some point in 2025. Is it earlier in the year, is it later in the year? How are you thinking about it currently?

Speaker Change: Yeah, so it's a good question, Noah.

You know, Rafa Carrasco is our officer here who's going to be running this for us, and Rafa is kind of right into the process of looking at what do the synergies look like for this deal. We said 125 at the start.

Speaker Change: We didn't really give a kind of a breakdown of when we realized those. Some of those obviously you know you get up front, whether it is some internalization benefits.

James C. Fish: But we do think that, as we said kind of early on, that the 125 is, you know, you can do some math to get to a point where you say that's pretty conservative, even if you're just looking at the SG&A line. We built in 300 basis points on the SG&A line, and their guidance for the year was 22 percent SG&A as a percent of revenue. And you know where ours is. I mean, we're at nine.

Speaker Change: On the disposal side, it's also, you know, some of the...

Some of the SG&A piece, but...

But we do think that, as we said kind of early on,

That the 125 is, you know, you can do some math to get to a point where you say that's pretty conservative, even if you're just looking at the SG&A line. We built in 300 basis points on the SG&A line, and their guidance for the year was 22%.

James C. Fish: And by the way, as Devina said a couple of times, you probably should compare them not to the nine, but to what our areas run at. Our areas run at like five percent. So you can do some math and get to a much bigger number than 125.

SG&A is a percent of revenue, and you know where ours is. I mean, we're at nine. And, by the way, as I think Devina said a couple of times, you know,

You probably should compare them not to the 9, but to what our areas run at. Our areas run at like 5%. So you can do some math and get to a much bigger number than 125. But that's what Raph and his team are doing right now is determining, all right, what do the synergies look like? What comprises the 125? Is the 125 twice as big as that? I mean, what is that number? And then to your point,

James C. Fish: But that's what Raph and his team are doing right now, determining, all right, what do the synergies look like? What comprises the 125? Is the 125 twice as big as that?

James C. Fish: I mean, you know, what is that number? And then, to your point, when will we get it? We've kind of said three years to get there, but you may have most of it coming in year one. You may have most of it coming in year two. We don't quite know yet. That's where he's digging in.

When do we get it?

Speaker Change: We've kind of said three years to get there, but you may have most of it coming in year one. You may have most of it coming in year two. We don't quite know yet.

James C. Fish: We will give quite a bit more color on this. First of all, once we own the business, we'll give a lot more color on it. And secondly, we'll give more color, and we'll give guidance in February. The one data point, Noah, that I think is really helpful in terms of thinking about timing and why it would differ from, you know, the timeline that we saw with ADS as an example, is that when you think about Serocycle and where they are in their journey, they are just completing their ERP implementation.

Raph: That's where he's digging in. We will give quite a bit more color on this. First of all, once we own the business, we'll give a lot more color on it.

And secondly, we'll give more color and we'll give guidance in February .

Speaker Change: The one data point, Noah, that I think is really helpful in terms of thinking about timing and why it would differ from...

You know...

The timeline that we saw on ADS, as an example, is that when you think about Stericycle and where they are in their journey, they are just completing their ERP implementation, and we think that there's reason to be cautious with respect to the pace at which we could capture synergies with this business, and Jim did a great job of articulating, you know, some of the work that's going on right now in order.

Devina A. Rankin: And we think that there's reason to be cautious with respect to the pace at which we could capture synergies with this business. And Jim did a great job of articulating, you know, some of the work that's going on right now in order for us to be able to reinforce our expectations and outlook. But I think that the ERP implementation journey that the Serocycle team has been on is one of the reasons that we're not in a position to speak to how quickly we can get there.

to be able to fortify our expectations and outlook, but I think that the ERP implementation journey that the StereoCycle team has been on is one of the reasons that we're not at a position that we can speak to how quickly we can get there, although you know us as

Devina Rankin: Yeah, I think that those are both very fair points and well noted on the SGNA gap. That's something we look forward to hearing more about. Minor housekeeping question. It looked like in the investing line there was an outflow of roughly 800 million and other. Yeah, so it was about 775 million dollars of unusual activity, and it'll be disclosed specifically in the ten Q. But basically, because of the lead-up to the announcement of this motorcycle acquisition, we were in a period where we had material non-public information and we could not re-market our tax-exempt bonds to the marketplace.

Devina A. Rankin: Yeah, I think that those are both very fair points and well noted on the SG&A gap. That's something we look forward to hearing more about. A minor housekeeping question.

Well enough to know that we're going to move as fast as we can.

Speaker Change: Yeah, I think that those are both very fair points and well noted on the SG&A gap. That's something we look forward to hearing more about. A minor housekeeping question. It looked like in the investing line there was an outflow of roughly $800 million in other.

Operator: It looked like in the investing line, there was an outflow of roughly $800 million in other... What was that? Yeah, so it was about $775 million of unusual activity, and it'll be disclosed specifically in the 10-Q. But basically, because in the lead up to the announcement of the Stereo cycle acquisition, we were in a period where we had material non-public information, and we could not re-market our tax-exempt bonds to the marketplace. So we had to repurchase our own tax-exempt bonds for a short period of time.

Devina A. Rankin: That's what that relates to. We've since successfully re-marketed the ones that have been in place, or that could have gone back into the market through July. And then we have additional re-marketing activity that will happen in the third and fourth quarters, where we expect to fully place those back into the marketplace by the end of the year. Thank you. And I guess just one high-level, overarching question about the business, right?

What was that?

Yeah, so it was about $775 million of unusual activity and it'll be disclosed.

Speaker Change: specifically in the 10Q, but basically because of, with the lead up to the announcement of the SteriCycle acquisition, we were in a period where we had material non-public information and we could not re-market our tax-exempt bonds to the marketplace,

Devina A. Rankin: So we had to repurchase our own tax-exempt bonds for a short period of time. That's what that relates to. We've since already successfully we marketed the ones that have been in place or that could have gone back to the market through July. And then we have additional re-marketing activity that will happen in the third and fourth quarters, where we expect to fully place those back into the marketplace by the end of the year.

Speaker Change: So we had to repurchase our own tax-exempt bonds for a short period of time. That's what that relates to. We've since already...

We have successfully remarketed the ones that have been in place or that could have gone back to the market through July , and then we have additional remarketing activity that will happen in the third and fourth quarters where we expect to fully place those back into the marketplace.

Bryan Nicholas Burgmeier: Thank you for that, and I guess just one high-level overarching question on the business, right? And I think it speaks to Jim what you got into before around the outlook. Organically, you're still continuing to deliver growth; you're seeing this kind of price-cost spread continue. The market seems to be somewhat soft and volume-wise around parts of the economy industrial. How's the strength of the consumer, and what's your view into being able to continue to get a healthy level of price and an outside spread to your cost as we get into 25. Yeah, it's a great question, and I think the consumer has been pretty resilient through, you know, through all of this, through COVID, through the, you know, kind of the rebound.

by the end of the year.

Devina A. Rankin: And I think it speaks to, Jim, what you got into before around the outlook. Organically, you're still continuing to deliver growth. You're seeing this kind of price-cost spread continue. The market seems to be somewhat soft volume-wise in parts of the economy, industrial. How's the strength of the consumer, and what's your view of being able to continue to get a healthy level of price and an outsized spread to your cost as we get into 2025? Yeah, it's a great question.

Thank you for that. And I guess just one like high-level overarching question on the business, right? And I think it speaks to, Jim, what you got into before around the outlook.

Organically, you're still continuing to deliver growth. You're seeing this kind of price-cost spread continue. The market seems to be somewhat soft volume-wise around...

How's the strength of the consumer and what's your view into being able to continue to get a healthy level of price and an outsized spread to your cost as we get into 25?

James C. Fish: And I think the consumer has been pretty resilient through, you know, through all of this through COVID, through the, you know, kind of the rebound. And and through a bit of a, look, it's, it's, it's not been a bad economy, but it just hasn't been a, but it certainly hasn't been a blockbuster economy that consumers have been very resilient. And that's been the encouraging part. I think it shows up when you look at our kind of more small and medium businesses, which are reflected in our commercial, you know, the commercial line of business has been, has been fairly strong for us. You know, on the volume side, Rezzy, Rezzy's been soft, but it's not really driven by consumer behavior. It has really been driven by John Morris.

Yeah, it's a great question. And I think the consumer has been pretty resilient through, you know, through all of this, through COVID, through the, you know, kind of the rebound.

James Fish: And, and through a bit of a look, it's not been a bad economy, but it just hasn't been a blockbuster economy to consumers. It's been very resilient, and that's been the encouraging part. I think it shows up when you look at our kind of more small and medium businesses. Which are reflected in our commercial. You know, commercial line of business has been fairly strong for us, you know, on the volume side. Resi has been soft, but resi not really driven by consumer behavior. Resi has really been driven by John Morris, and John's been really working on improving margins in that line of business.

And through a bit of a, look, it's not been a bad economy, but it just hasn't been a, it certainly hasn't been a blockbuster economy. The consumer's been very resilient, and that's been the encouraging part. I think it,

It shows up when you look at our kind of more small and medium businesses, which are reflected in our commercial. You know, the commercial line of business has been...

James C. Fish: And John's been really working on improving margins in that line of business. The real softness has been in that temporary roll-off, more industrial space. You know, if you look at our numbers, C&D has been soft, but a lot of that is just difficult comps because of the big Florida hurricane last year. Special Waste has been pretty good, MSW has been quite good, so we're actually, you know, not that disappointed with flat volume, but it's just not the 2 to 3 percent that we kind of talked about in 2019, at the last Investor Day. I would tell you that the consumer Thank you very much.

has been fairly strong for us, you know, on the volume side. Rezzy's been soft, but Rezzy's not really driven by consumer behavior. Rezzy has really been driven by John Morris, and John's been really working on improving margins in that line of business.

James Fish: The the real softness has has been in that temporal off more industrial space. You know if you look at our numbers, see, and he has been soft. A lot of that is just difficult coms because of the big Florida hurricane last year. Special ways has been pretty good. MSW has been has been quite good so. So we're actually, you know, not that disappointed with flat volume, but it's just not the two to three percent that we kind of talked about and, you know, in 2019 at the last investor day. I would say that the consumer seems to resilience seems to be fairly strong.

The real softness has been in that temp roll-off, more industrial space.

You know, if you look at our numbers, C&D has been sought, but a lot of that is just difficult comps because of...

Special Waste has been pretty good. MSW has been quite good. So we're actually, you know, not that disappointed with flat volume, but it's just not the 2 to 3 percent that we're looking for.

that we kind of talked about in, you know, in 2019 at the last Investor Day. I would tell you that the consumer seems to be resilient, seems to be fairly strong. So all of that's good for us.

James C. Fish: So all of that's good for us.

Ross: Ross. Thank you very much.

James C. Fish: One last quick point here when you talk about the stair cycle. We really haven't talked that much about the operating side of this, but look, I think there's a real opportunity on the operating side. John's talked a lot about the efficiencies that we're bringing to the solid waste space, the technology that we're bringing to bear. All of that has application in the medical waste space, too, because they really run trucks the same way we run trucks. Yep. Well taken.

James Fish: One last quick point here: when you talk at Cercle, we really am talk that much about the operating side of this. But look, I think there's a real opportunity on the operating side. John's talked a lot about the efficiencies that we're bringing in the solid waste space; the technology that we're bringing to bear, all of that has the application in the medical waste space, too, because they really run trucks the same way we run trucks. Yep, yep, well taken. Thank you. Yeah.

Thank you very much.

One last quick point here when you talk about stair cycle. We really haven't talked that much about the operating side of this, but look, I think there's a real opportunity on the operating side.

talked a lot about the...

The efficiencies that we're bringing in the solid waste space, the technology that we're bringing to bear, all of that has application in the medical waste space too, because they really run trucks the same way we run trucks.

Brian Burgmeier: Thank you. Our next question, coming from the line up, Brian Burgmeier from City, you're on a self-in. Good morning. Thank you for taking the question. Just a couple of housekeeping items, so maybe you're following up on Jerry's question. It sounds like the risk management margin headwind is going to roll off at the end of three queue. If that's correct, can you provide any clarity on the tax rate for 2024? The one queue, I think, was in the high teams and it kind of moved into the low 20s and two queue. What do you think we should out for the remainder of the year?

James C. Fish: Thank you. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Bryan Burgmeier from Citi. Your line is open. Good morning.

Yep.

Well taken. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next question coming from the line of Bryan Burgmeier from Citi. Your line is open.

Operator: Thank you for taking the question. There are just a couple of housekeeping items. So maybe just following up on Jerry's question, it sounds like the risk management margin headwind is going to roll off at the end of 3Q, if that's correct. And then, can you provide any clarity on the tax rate for 2024? The, you know, 1Q, I think, was in the high teens, and it kind of moved into the low 20s, and 2Q, where do you think we'll shake out for the remainder of the year? Yeah, so what I would say is, I would describe the risk management item as a Q2 only item in terms of the magnitude of the 50 basis points headwind because it was activity-based. It's not something that will be recurring

Good morning. Thank you for taking the question. Just a couple of housekeeping items. So maybe just following up on Jerry's question. It sounds like the

Risk Management, Margin Headwind is going to roll off at the end of 3Q, if that's correct.

Can you provide any clarity on the tax rate for 2024, the, you know, one Q I think was in the high teens and it kind of moved into the low 20s and two Q, where do you think we shake out for the remainder of the year?

Devina Rankin: Yeah, so what I would say is, I would describe the risk management item as a queue to only item in terms of the magnitude of the 50 basis points headwind because it was activity based. It's not something that will be recurring in nature.

Yeah, so what I would say is I would describe the risk management item as a Q2 only item in terms of the magnitude of the 50 basis points headwind because it was

Devina A. Rankin: With regard to the tax rate, this is actually a little more complicated question to answer than you might anticipate, but what I would tell you is when we exited... Q2, our projection for that is 22%. I will clarify for you two important things. One is that it includes $145 million of investment tax credit benefits that we expect for the year. And if there is any change in the timing or place and service dates of our renewable natural gas facilities, you could see that change, but that's our best estimate as of right now.

Devina A. Rankin: With regard to tax rate, this is actually a little more complicated question to answer than you might anticipate. But what I would tell you is, when we exited queue queue, our projection for that is 22%. I clarify for you two important things. One is that it includes $145 million of investment tax credit benefits that we expect for the year, and if there is any change in the timing or place and service dates of our renewable natural gas facilities, you could see that change. But that's our best estimate as of right now.

It's not something that will be recurring in nature. With regard to tax rate, this is actually a little more complicated question to answer than you might anticipate, but what I would tell you is when we exited,

Q2, our projection for that is 22%. I clarify for you two important things. One is that it includes $145 million of investment tax credit benefits that we expect for the year. And if there is any change in the timing or place and service dates of our renewable natural gas facilities, you could see that change, but that's our best estimate as of right now. And then the second item is there was a change in accounting in 2024 related to our low-income housing tax credit investments, and that actually has a slight impact on the effective tax rate because

Devina A. Rankin: And then the second item is there was a change in accounting in 2024 related to our income housing tax credit investment, and that actually has a slight impact on the effective tax rate because of a change in geography on the income statement. Ed and Heather are happy to talk through that with you in more detail if you would like. Got it. Thanks for that detail. And there's one more kind of housekeeping item: there's a comment in the press release on a small rate down from waste diversion technology, and it's not exactly material, but just for our own knowledge, what are those investments?

Devina A. Rankin: And then the second item is there was a change in accounting in 2024 related to our low-income housing tax credit investments, and that actually has a slight impact on the effective tax rate because of a change in geography on the income statement. Ed and Heather are happy to talk through that with you in more detail if you would like. Okay.

Ed and Heather are happy to talk through that with you in more detail if you would like.

Devina A. Rankin: Thanks for that detail. And there's one more kind of housekeeping item: there's a comment in the press release on a small write-down from waste diversion technology. I know it's not exactly material.

Got it, got it. Thanks for that detail. And just one more kind of housekeeping item is there's a comment in the press release on a small write-down.

From waste diversion technology, I know it's not exactly material, but just for our own knowledge, you know, what what are those investments? I think there was a similar rate down last year. How many of these type of.

Devina Rankin: I think there was a similar rate down last year. How many of these type of venture capital style investments to WM5 out there at the moment? Thank you, and I'll turn it over. Sure.

Devina A. Rankin: But just for our own knowledge, you know, what are those investments? I think there was a similar write-down last year. How many of these type of, you know, maybe venture capital style investments does WM have out there at the moment? Thank you. And I'll turn it over to you.

Devina Rankin: So I would tell you, in terms of the portfolio, this was the largest investment of its kind that was remaining in our what you called venture capital type suite of investments, and so there's not anything significant that I would tell you is living here for similar investments. For this one in particular, it relates to the continuous investment that we had made, and you'll recall that this was all about looking for opportunities to divert MSW and see what we could do to create sustainable solutions for MSW. We can continue to be focused on ensuring that we are thoughtful about what opportunities exist in the marketplace, and we were optimistic about this one, but the viability of it proved to be different than our initial list.

You know, maybe venture capital style investments does WM have out there at the moment. Thank you, and I'll turn it over.

Sure. You know, so I would tell you in terms of the portfolio, this was the largest investment of its kind.

that was remaining in our, what you call venture capital type suite of investments.

Devina A. Rankin: You know, so I would tell you in terms of the portfolio, this was the largest investment of its kind that was remaining in our, what you call the venture capital type suite of investments, and so there's not anything significant that I would tell you is looming here for similar investments. For this one in particular, it relates to the continuous investment that we have made, and you'll recall that this was all about looking for opportunities to divert MSW and seeing what we could do to create sustainable solutions for MSW.

You'll recall that this was all about looking for opportunities to divert MSW and see what we could do to create sustainable solutions for MSW. We continue to be focused on ensuring that we are thoughtful about what opportunities exist in the marketplace, and we were optimistic about this one, but the viability of it proved to be different than our initial expectations.

Devina A. Rankin: We continue to be focused on ensuring that we are thoughtful about what opportunities exist in the marketplace, and we were optimistic about this one, but the viability of it proved to be different than our initial expectations. Thank you. And our next question, coming from the line of... Kevin Chiang from CIBC, Elan. Hi, good morning, everyone.

Thank you. And our next question coming from the lineup, Kevin Chiang from CIBC, your line is open.

Operator: Maybe just a few questions on the Winter Brothers acquisition. Strategically, if you could just walk me through, it looks like they have some waste-to-rail assets. Just wondering if that creates a platform for other opportunities for you. I think they were also a carrier for an operator in New York City as part of these commercial zones. Does that do anything?

Hi, good morning everyone. Maybe just a few questions, you know, the Winter Brothers acquisition. Just wondering, you know, strategically, if you could just walk me through, you know, it looks like they have

Some waste-to-rail assets, just wondering if that creates a platform for...

For other opportunities for you, I think there were also a Carter for an operator in New York City as part of these commercial zones. Does that do something? And then, I know it's a multi-part question here, but I guess the third part would be, it looks like they also have some shredding services. I'm just wondering how that plays into your proposed acquisition of Stericycle and its shredded assets.

John J. Morris: And then, I know it's a multi-part question here, but I guess the third part would be, it looks like they also have some shredding services. I'm just wondering how that plays into your proposed acquisition of Stericycle and its shredded assets. Thank you. I'll start backwards, Kevin.

John J. Morris: I think with respect to New York City, we've been a long-term licensed operator in New York City since the mid-1990s, so that's not the reason why Winter Brothers was attracted to us. They're certainly the premier environmental service provider on Long Island. I think you hit on a couple of key things. One, it's a white space for us, right?

I'll start backwards, Kevin. I think with respect to New York City, we've been a long-term licensed operator in New York City since the mid-90s, so that's not the reason why Winter Brothers was attracted to us there.

John J. Morris: It was sort of new real estate. It's not a secret that the Long Island market has got some disposal constraints that are growing, you know, at the end of this year with the planned closure of Brookhaven Landfill. They've got intermodal assets and capabilities that play very well into our network capabilities. And on top of that, the business runs really well standalone. So for us, we're really fortunate to have those folks join the WM team. They run about 150 routes out there.

Certainly the premier environmental service provider on Long Island. I think you hit on a couple of key things. One, it's a white space for us, right? It was sort of new real estate.

It's not a secret that the Long Island market has got some disposal constraints that are growing, you know, at the end of this year with the planned closure of Brookhaven Landfill. They've got intermodal assets and capabilities that play very well into our network capabilities.

And on top of that, the business runs really well stand-alone, so for us, we're really fortunate to have those folks join the WM team. They run about 150 routes out there. It's about 500 employees.

John J. Morris: It has about 500 employees, so we're excited about that. In terms of the commercial waste zone thing, we've obviously followed it like a lot of other folks, but that was not a reason for our interest in winter.

So we're excited about that. In terms of the commercial waste zone thing, we've obviously followed it like a lot of other folks, but that was not a reason for our interest in Winter Brothers.

John J. Morris: Okay, and just maybe a clarification, just those intramodal assets, does that create a platform for the future, I mean, I know you have a lot on your plate now, just kind of thinking further out, or is that primarily something you'd use for kind of internalizing waste as a diversion? Certainly, their ability to move waste off of Long Island in modes other than truck transportation was certainly something that was appealing to us, and we view that as, like I said, some of the disposal constraints continue to grow on Long Island.

Okay, and just maybe a clarification, just those intramodal assets, does that create a platform for future, I mean, I know you have a lot on your plate now, just kind of thinking further out, or is that primarily something you'd use for kind of internalizing waste as a diversion?

John J. Morris: Their capabilities on Long Island, in addition to the network of assets we have that can receive intramodal waste, were a key contributor in terms of the strategic outlook for us acquiring waste. Perfect. That's it for me.

Certainly, their ability to move waste off of Long Island in modes other than truck transportation was certainly...

Something that was appealing to us, and we view that as, like I said, as some of the disposal constraints continue to grow in Long Island.

Their capabilities on Long Island in addition to the network of assets we have that can receive intermodal waste was a key contributor in terms of the strategic outlook for us acquiring that business.

John J. Morris: Best of luck in the back half of this year. Thank you. Thank you. And our next question, coming from the line up, James Schumm from TDK, when the line is open. Hey, thanks for taking my questions.

Perfect. That's it for me. Best of luck in the back half of this year.

Thank you.

Thank you. And our next question, coming from the lineup, James Schumm from TD Cowen. Your line is open.

Operator: Just curious about the landfill revenues are sort of just up modestly; it looks like the tons were mostly flattest. Just curious what you're seeing in pricing trends for landfills. I think, you know, we talked earlier about C and D being actually positive net of the lapping of E, and the MS volumes continue to be strong. If you're talking about the yield spread, you know, clearly there's a little difference in our yield outlook for landfill volume this quarter versus last quarter, but that's really, that was really distinctive and showed up in one of our areas that took on a good chunk of volume, great business, but an average lower rate, and it has more to do with the geography of where the volume came in from.

Hey, thanks for taking my questions. I'm just curious on the landfill revenues or...

Sort of just up modestly look like the tons were mostly flat is just curious What you're seeing and pricing trends for for landfills

I think, you know, we talked earlier about, you know, C&D is actually a positive net of the lapping of E and the MS volumes continue to be.

If you're talking about the yield spread, clearly there's a little difference in our yield outlook for landfill volume this quarter versus last quarter, but that was really distinctive and showed up in one of our areas that took on a good chunk of volume, great business, but an average lower rate, and that has more to do with the geography of where the volume came in from.

Operator: So we, you know, in terms of our overall landfill volume, we're still positive, we still see decent trends on the landfill volume side, and if you look at it from a core price standpoint, which is really what we were focused on, if you look at both the landfill and the transfer station core price, you don't see any deviation there, so we're continuing to drive value in terms of the quality of revenue we're bringing into our Yeah, James, just to add a little bit to that, what John said there, I mean, sometimes it gets lost, but these different geographies have different rates, and this happened to be a pretty big pickup, about 20% in MSW, and as John said, it was good, very good for this area, but that area happens to have an average rate well below the average rate for the company, and that's driven by market conditions, that's driven This area, which picked up this nice bump in MSW, is well below that market rate. So when you look at yield, which includes mix, the yield calculation reflects that.

So we see, you know, in terms of our overall landfill volume, you know, they're still positive. We still see decent trends on the landfill volume side. And if you look at it from a core price standpoint,

Which is really what we were focused on. If you look at both the landfill and the transfer station core price, you don't see any deviation there. So we're continuing to drive value in terms of the quality of revenue we're bringing to our post-collection facilities. Yeah, James, just to add a little bit to that, what John said there.

In MSW, and as John said, it was good, very good for this area, but that area happens to have an average rate well below the average rate for the company, and that's driven by market conditions, that's driven by capacity, competition, all of those things.

This area, which picked up this nice, bumping MSW.

is well below that market rate. So when you look at yield, which includes mix, the yield calculation reflects that. That's why John talks about core price, because core price takes out the mix effect.

John J. Morris: That's why John talks about core price, because core price takes out the mixing effect. Core price is essentially flat. If you look at Q2 of 23 versus Q2 of 24, essentially flat, while yield was down a bit and yield was really mixed. And the last thing I want to add is that if you look at our special waste volume, that continued to be strong through Q2 as well. Okay, great. Thank you for that.

Core prices essentially flat if you look at Q2 of 23 versus Q2 of 24 essentially flat while yield was down a bit and the yield was really mixed related.

John J. Morris: With respect to RNG, there were some news reports out there that I think misled some investors a couple months ago, saying that you could potentially sell your RNG portfolio for $3 billion. You later said you were offended by that price, which made sense to us because the price would seem way too low. But is there any color you can provide about the strategy going forward with RNG assets, given the large purchase of Stericycle now? I'm still offended by that number.

And the last thing I want to add is if you look at our special waste volume, that continued to be strong through Q2 as well.

Okay, great. Thank you for that. With respect to RNG, there were some news reports out there that I think misled some investors a couple months ago, saying that you potentially sell your RNG portfolio for $3 billion.

You later said you were offended by that price, which made sense to us because the price would seem way too low. But is there any color you can provide about the strategy going forward with R&G assets, given the large purchase of Stericycle now?

James C. Fish: I think the way we look at that is, as we've said all along, this business is really a natural byproduct of our landfills. It's one that provides significant margin accretion for a strong EBITDA to free cash flow conversion. All of those good things that we like, that we talk about, and last but certainly not least, it adds to our sustainability focus that we really made, you know, kind of a tenant of our strategy a few years ago. So all of those things are really good.

I'm still offended by that number. I think the way we look at that is, as we've said all along, this business is really a natural byproduct of our landfills. It's one that provides...

Significant margin accretion for us. Strong EBITDA to free cash flow conversion. All of those good things that we like, that we talk about it. Last but certainly not least, it adds to our sustainability focus that we really made kind of a tenant of our strategy a few years back. So all of those things are really good.

James C. Fish: We've said kind of all along that everything is for sale at a price. But I would tell you, $3 billion is not that price. In fact, it's a long way from that price.

We've said kind of all along, everything is for sale at a price.

James C. Fish: So right now, our focus has been those 20 plants. I talked about kind of where we are on those, and we've got two that are out there, three, I guess that are out there, and we'll have another four coming online this year. We're in the process of construction on all of those.

But I would tell you $3 billion is not that price. In fact, it's a long way from that price. So right now our focus has been those 20 plants.

I talked about kind of where we are on those, and you know, we've got two that are...

That are out there. Three, I guess, are out there, and we'll have another four coming online this year.

James C. Fish: As I said in kind of my extra comments to Tyler's question, almost three-quarters of that CapEx is going to be spent by the end of the year, and only 15% of the EBITDA will have been realized. So that's why 2025 and 2026 really look like there's going to be a big step up there, not just from R&G but also recycling investments. So, again, you know, I know the Reuters article was out there, $3 billion. Anything that we own is for sale at the right price, and if somebody threw a gigantic number at us, we would look at it.

In process of construction on all of those.

As I said in kind of my extra comments to Tyler's question, almost three-quarters of that CapEx is going to be spent by the end of the year, and only 15% of the EBITDA will have been realized, so that's why 2025 and 26 really look like there's going to be a big step up there, not just from R&G, but also the recycling investments.

So I, again, you know, I know the Reuters article was out there, $3 billion. Anything that we own is for sale at the right price.

James C. Fish: But for now, we're focused on building out the remainder of those 20 plants. Tara has talked about the fact that we've got potential for a kind of phase two, some of these other landfills that are not in that 20. We're evaluating those as well. Yeah, that makes sense. That's clear. Thank you, guys.

And if somebody threw a gigantic number at us, we would look at it.

But for now, we're focused on building out the remainder of those 20 plants. Tara has talked about the fact that we've got...

Potential for a kind of phase two, some of these other landfills that are not in that 20.

We're evaluating those as well. We're super excited about the R&G business and the recycling rebuilds that we're doing.

Operator: Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of Stephanie Moore from Jefferies. Your line is open. Hi, good morning.

Yep. That makes sense. That's clear. Thank you, guys. Appreciate it. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. And our next question coming from the line of Stephanie Moore from Jeffrey's. Your line is open.

Operator: Thank you. I do want to follow up on Tyler's question at the beginning, and I don't mean to beat a dead horse here, but I think it's important, you know, and I agree. I think, you know, Jim, you're exactly right. Certainly, a blockbuster year with 10% growth is really strong.

Hi. Good morning. Thank you. I do want to follow up on maybe Tyler's question at the beginning, and I don't mean to beat a dead horse here, but I think it's important.

You know, and I agree, I think, you know, Jim, you're exactly right, certainly a blockbuster year with 10% growth. It's really strong. I think, you know, where we're coming from and

James C. Fish: I think, you know, where we're coming from, and this is probably part of all of our problem is that we're always kind of looking for more or where you can see that kind of incremental EBITDA growth. And I think, you know, as you alluded to and Tyler alluded to, M&A seems to be a little bit better, commodity dollars are a little bit better, and the underlying business is performing well.

you know, this is probably part of all of our problem is that, you know, we're always kind of looking for more or where you could see that kind of incremental EBITDA growth. And I think, you know, as you alluded to and Tyler alluded to, you know, M&A seems to be a little bit better. Commodity dollars are a little bit better. The underlying business is performing well. So I think, you know, what would be helpful is maybe if you could talk through areas where it's been a little bit maybe worse than expected or slightly negative. Obviously, we call that a little on the volume front, but anything else that suggests, you know, potentially, you know, maybe that is strong as.

James C. Fish: So, I think, you know, what would be helpful is maybe if you could talk through areas where it's been a little bit maybe worse than expected or slightly negative. Obviously, we call that a little on the volume front, but anything else that suggests, you know, potentially, you know, maybe not as strong as everything else, which, quite frankly, is clearly, you know, quite frankly, firing kind of on all cylinders.

James C. Fish: So, helpful there. Sorry for it's being long-winded. Thank you. No, no, no.

James C. Fish: That's a good question. Look, there are always ups and downs, puts and takes in the business. There's hardly ever, in fact, there may never be a year where every single thing we look at goes up. And you touched on one that we talked about a bit this morning, which is volume. Volume is softer than we expected coming into the year. We thought it would be approaching 1%. Now it's more flat.

and everything else, which clearly, you know, quite frankly, is firing kind of on all cylinders. So helpful there. Sorry for it's long-winded. Thank you. No, no, no. It's a good question. Look, there's always ups and downs, puts and takes in the business.

There's hardly ever, in fact, there may never be a year where every single thing we look at goes up.

And you touched on the one which we've talked about a bit this morning, which is volume. Volume is softer than we expected coming into the year. We thought it would be approaching 1%. Now it's more flat.

James C. Fish: But we've offset that, and that's the encouraging part for us, is not only have we offset it, but we are expecting 1% volume growth, and I think 7.6% was our original guidance on the EBITDA line. And now we're saying, okay, oops, volume's not going to be approaching 1%, it's going to be flat. Oh, but by the way, EBITDA's going to be approaching 10%. So while not everything is going in the right direction, and there are a couple of other things, we did mention the fact that there are some minor delays in some of these plants. They're minor delays, but they're not opening exactly when we said they would open.

But we've offset that, and that's the encouraging part for us, is not only have we offset it,

But, you know, expecting 1% volume growth and 7, I think 7.6% was our original guidance on the EBITDA line.

And now we're saying, OK, oops, volume's not going to be approaching 1%. It's going to be flat. Oh, but by the way, EBITDA's going to be approaching 10%.

So, while not everything is going in the right direction, I mean, there's a couple of other things. We did mention the fact that some minor delays in some of these plants. They're minor delays, but they're not opening exactly when we said they would open.

James C. Fish: They're still, you know, the five that we committed to opening in 24 are still going to open in 24, but slightly minor delays. I think the impact of that is about $11 million negative. So that's been a negative for us. But in no way, shape, or form does that indicate that we're experiencing long-term delays in these projects. So, yeah, there's been a couple of things.

There's still, you know, the five that we committed to opening in 24 are still going to open in 24, but slightly minor delays. I think the impact of that is about $11 million negative. So that's been a negative for us, but in no way, shape, or form does that indicate that we're experiencing long-term delays.

We feel like we're on a really good track for construction of those plants. So yeah, there's been a couple of things. One thing that we don't talk about, for example, is the fact that when you rebuild these recycle plants,

James C. Fish: One thing that we don't talk about, for example, is the fact that when you rebuild these recycling plants, there's a shutdown cost for that. And, by the way, you're shutting down in a really good commodity price environment. So that ends up, in kind of a strange way, being a pickup for us as we get into 2025. You know, there won't be as much of a shutdown cost as there was in 2024. But 24.

James C. Fish: It's why I've kind of tried to pound the table a little bit on how impressive 10% is. We've got some delays that have mounted to, you know, called 11 million bucks. We've got some shutdown costs that are, you know, you're going to have a shutdown cost because you have to shut the plant down in order to retool it. So there are a few negatives out there, you know. Could we have a higher tax rate depending on who gets in office in November?

There's a shutdown cost for that. And by the way, you're shutting down in a really good commodity price environment.

So that ends up in kind of a strange way being a pickup for us as we get into 2025.

You know, there won't be as much of a shutdown cost as there was in 2024, but 24...

It's why I've kind of tried to pound the table a little bit on how impressive 10% is.

We've got some delays that have amounted to, you know, call it $11 million.

We've got some shutdown costs that are, you know, you're going to have a shutdown cost because you have to shut the plant down in order to retool it. So there are a few negatives out there. You know, could we have a higher tax rate depending on who gets in office in November ? Yes.

James C. Fish: Yes, But really, the only thing that to us that looks kind of negative and doesn't seem to have prospects for improvement is that kind of industrial temporary roll-off business. I'm not sure I see that bouncing back in 2025. But that doesn't mean I'm not incredibly bullish about 2025. I just think we have to offset it just the way we did this year. Got it. I'll leave it at that. Thank you so much.

But really the only thing that to us that looks kind of negative and doesn't seem to have prospects for improvement

is that kind of industrial temp roll-off business. I'm not sure I see that bouncing back in 2025, but that doesn't mean I'm not incredibly bullish about 2025. I just think we have to offset it just the way we've done this year.

James C. Fish: Thank you. And our next question, coming from the line-up, is from Toby Sommer from Tour Security. Your line is open.

Got it. I'll leave it at that. Thank you so much.

Thank you. And our next question, coming from the lineup, Tobey Sommer from Toast Security. Your line is open.

Operator: Thanks. On the acquisition front, I'm wondering if you could kind of look through the lens of the other people that you're speaking with in terms of prospects, and what are the pressures they're feeling on the business over the last couple years. You know, fleet supply chain, technology investments, and some others have been pressuring them, perhaps driving them to the table to have dialogues with yourselves and others. How do you see that currently and into next year? I think Toby you hit on one of them in the supply chain, and we will go back to that for a second.

Thanks. On the acquisition front, I'm wondering if you could...

of look through the lens of the other people that you're speaking with in terms of prospects.

And what are the pressures they're feeling on the business?

Over the last couple years, you know, fleet supply chain, technology investments, and some others have been pressuring them, perhaps driving them to the table to have dialogues with yourselves and others. How do you see that currently and into next year?

John J. Morris: But first, let's start with labor. I mean, you know, we still see pressure on a lot of those frontline jobs, and I'm sure that they're enduring some of the same pressure there. We've been fortunate and had the capacity to really make some big changes in terms of wages and overall comp packages, etc., and you're seeing it show up in our turnover, which reduces training, improves safety, reduces our labor, etc., etc.

I think Toby you hit on one of them on the supply chain and we go back to that for a second But first I'd start with labor I mean, you know We still see pressure on a lot of those frontline contributing jobs and I'm sure that they're enduring some of the same pressure there

We've been fortunate and have had the capacity to really make some big changes in terms of wages and overall comp packages, etc. And you're seeing it show up.

In our turnover, which reduces training, improves safety, reduces our labor, etc., etc., I'm sure that's one area where they're seeing pressure. I think there's still a little bit of overhang. You talk to some of these folks on the supply chain side where they've got to recapitalize their fleet or their business.

John J. Morris: I'm sure that's one area where they're seeing pressure. I think there's still a little bit of an overhang. You talk to some of these folks on the supply chain side where they've got to recapitalize their fleet or their business. That cost is certainly not getting any cheaper. So those are a few areas we think about when we're seeing some of this activity. But I think Jim really hit on something that was important.

That cost is certainly not getting any cheaper, so those are a few areas we think about when we're seeing some of this activity. But I think Jim really hit on something that was important. I mean, the pipeline is strong, you know, we're on track probably to finish around a billion dollars plus of tuck-in acquisitions. We've got obviously three-quarters of that.

John J. Morris: I mean, the pipeline is strong. You know, we're on track probably to finish around a billion dollars plus of tuck-in acquisitions. We've got obviously three quarters of that done already. But we've continued to be disciplined and make sure that we're filling in white space or buying assets and companies in areas where we see real growth opportunities. And that's why you hear about Arizona, Texas, The Carolinas, Florida,

We've continued to be disciplined and make sure that we're filling in white space or buying assets and companies in areas where we see real growth opportunities. And that's why you hear about Arizona, Texas, the Carolinas, Florida, etc.

John J. Morris: I want to dig into something you said. Can the labor expense trend and that decelerating growth related to, you know, retention and less training expense, etc., continue into next year?

I want to dig into something you said. Can the labor expense trend and that decelerating growth related to, you know, retention and less training expense, etc. Can that momentum continue into next year?

John J. Morris: Well, I think what I would tell you is if you look at our labor trend over the last handful of quarters, it's certainly trended through Q2. And there are a handful of things. It's lower turnover that leads to some of that labor pressure easing, right? You're hiring fewer people, you're training fewer people, your efficiency is naturally better with someone who's experienced behind the wheel of a vehicle, as is your safety performance.

Well, I think what I would tell you is if you look at our labor trend over the last handful of quarters, it's certainly trended through Q2.

And it's a handful of things, it's lower turnover that leads to some of that labor pressure easing, right? You're hiring less people, you're training less people, your efficiency's naturally better with someone who's experienced behind the wheel.

of a vehicle, as is your safety performance. And that's why you continue to hear us talk about it. And the fact that we're, you know, hovering in the high teens for turnover, not only is that low considering what we were dealing with post-COVID, but those are historic lows. So we're gonna continue to stay intently focused on that because that is driving the labor benefit. Oh, in addition, sorry.

James C. Fish: And that's why you continue to hear us talk about it. And the fact that we're, you know, hovering in the high teens for turnover, not only is that low considering what we were dealing with post-COVID, but those are historic lows. So we're going to continue to stay intently focused on that because that is driving the labor benefit. Oh, sorry. I was just gonna say, in addition to what John said there, I, you know, we still have, call it 50% of the way to go on our conversion from rear load to ASL.

I was just going to say, in addition to what John said there, you know, we still have, call it 50 percent, of

James C. Fish: And in just about every one of those cases, you have a labor benefit. Well, in every case, you have a labor benefit. In most cases, you have a labor benefit because you don't have a helper on the back of that truck.

The way to go on our conversion from rear-load to ASL. And in just about every one of those cases, you have a labor benefit. Well, in every case you have a labor benefit.

John J. Morris: So that helper comes off, but at the same time, you're picking up 30% more homes with an automated side loader versus a rear loader. So in addition to the technology that John and his team have brought on board that is producing efficiency growth in these lines of business. You know, technology-driven pickup, you also get this pickup when you're shifting from manual collection to automated collection. And, Phil, the last point I would make on that is we've talked over the last two-plus years about reducing some of the labor intensity from those front-line individual contributor roles that are getting harder to fill and more expensive.

In most cases, you have a labor benefit because you don't have a helper on the back of that truck. So that helper comes off, but at the same time, you're picking up 30% more homes.

With an automated side loader versus a rear loader, so in addition to the technology that John and team have brought on board that is producing efficiency growth in these lines of business,

you know, a technology-driven pickup, you also get this pickup when you're shifting from manual...

And one last point I would make on that is we've talked over the last two plus years about reducing some of the labor intensity from those frontline individual contributor roles that are getting harder to fill and more expensive.

John J. Morris: You know, we're closing in on 2,000 of those positions that we don't need to fill anymore, and we'll be over 2,000. Call it 2,200 to 2,300 by the end of the year. And we're approaching sort of the halfway point of what we projected, that we could remove the need for as many as 5,000 of those roles, and those are really front-line contributor roles. And, again, it's important. It's not like we're walking a single person out the door. Those are folks who are not necessarily lined up anymore to come in the front door, and we're finding ways to do that. Technology and automation to replace them.

You know, we're closing in on 2,000 of those positions that we don't need to fill anymore, and we'll be over...

We're approaching sort of the halfway point of what we projected, that we could remove the need for as many as 5,000 of those roles, and those are really frontline contributor roles. And again, it's important. It's not like we're walking a single person out the door. Those are folks who are not necessarily lined up anymore to come in the front door, and we're finding ways to use technology and automation to replace that.

Operator: Thank you very much. Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of David Manthey from Baird. Your line is open. Hi, good morning.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Operator: Thank you for your time. Relative to your strategic intent for SteriCycle, about a third of what you're planning to acquire is document destruction. Could you provide some thoughts on how ShredIt fits in the WM portfolio? Yeah, look, I think the shredding business we look at that as being complementary to our own recycling business. It wasn't a reason to buy Stericycle, but it certainly wasn't a reason to not buy Stericycle either.

And our next question coming from the line of David Manthey from Baird, your line is open.

Hi, good morning. Thank you for the time. Relative to your strategic intent for Stericycle, about a third of what you're planning to acquire is document destruction. Could you provide some thoughts on how Shred It fits in the WM portfolio?

James C. Fish: I think the automation that Tara's talked about coming into those plants can really be a benefit to the Stericycle business. And by the way, the fact that we're the biggest recycler out there matters because size matters in this respect. So we're able to potentially command a better price, meaning we get paid for our material than might a smaller customer of those companies like AsteroCycle. We process a lot of paper in addition to other commodities.

Yeah, look, I think the shredded business, we look at that as being complementary to our own recycling business.

It wasn't a reason to buy SteriCycle, but it certainly wasn't a reason to not buy SteriCycle either. I think they're You know the automation that Tara's talked about coming into those plants

And by the way, the fact that we're the biggest recycler out there, it matters too. Size matters in this respect, so we're able to potentially command a better price.

that we get paid for our material than might a smaller customer of those companies like Astericycle. We process a lot of paper.

James C. Fish: So I think there's a couple of places where we really feel like this is going to work – where we can bring expertise, but we also bring size, which makes a difference on – potentially on price. You made the point earlier, Jim, about routes and customers. It's the fourth line of business. It has a lot of similarities to what we already do in our three collections, an opportunity for us to get under the covers here. Thank you. Best of luck to you. Thank you. Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of Bryan Butler from Stiefel, Jelena Sofin.

So I think there's a couple of places where we really feel like this is going to, where we can bring expertise, but we also bring size, which makes a difference potentially on price.

And you made the point earlier, Jim, it's routes and customers. It's the fourth line of business, got a lot of similarities to what we already do in our three collection lines of business, and that's an opportunity for us to get under the covers here once we get to that point.

Thank you. Best of luck. Thank you.

Thank you. And our next question coming from the line of Bryan Butler from Stiefel, Jelena Sofin.

Operator: Hey, thanks for squeezing in. I'll try to just make it quick. Most of my questions have been answered. Just on that thought about the kind of document destruction, the stereo cycle, you know, as well as the document destruction, there's also a handful of assets internationally. What are your thoughts on the international assets? Is it just going to keep those and run them? Or is that an opportunity for growth that you're looking at? Or maybe it's really more of a divestiture scenario?

Hey, thanks for squeezing in. I'll try to just make it quick. Most of my questions have been answered.

Just on that thought about kind of document destruction and stereo cycles, you know, as well as the document destruction, there's also a handful of...

What are your thoughts on the international assets? Is it just going to keep those and run them, or is that an opportunity for growth that you're looking at? Or maybe is that really more of a divestiture scenario?

Operator: So, as Jim said on the document destruction side, it certainly wasn't the reason to buy Stericycle, but it's also not something that we're looking at from a divestiture perspective. I would tell you that when we think about the role that their international footprint can play for WM, we've always been intentional about keeping our eye on the UK, in particular, with respect to the traction that they get from a sustainability and recycling perspective, and we've done that more from afar, and this gives us a more active position in an important market to be sure that we're keeping pace with sustainability objectives more broadly. Excellent question, Michael. I mean, Brian.

So, as Jim said on the document destruction side, you know, it certainly wasn't the reason to buy Stericycle, but it's also not something that we're looking at.

From a divestiture perspective, I would tell you that when we think about the role that their international footprint can play for WM, we've always been intentional about keeping our eye on the UK in particular with respect to traction that they get from a sustainability and recycling perspective. And we've done that more from afar, and this gives us a more active position in an important market to be sure that we're keeping pace with sustainability objectives more broadly.

Operator: That's quite a compliment. I'll take it. I'll leave it there. Thank you very much. Thank you. Our next question coming from the lineup, Sabahat Khan from RBC, your line is open.

Excellent question, Michael. I mean, Bryan. That's a compliment. I'll take it. I'll leave it there, though. Thank you very much.

Operator: Great. Thanks. And just one on my part.

You bet.

Thank you.

Operator: I'm afraid a lot of color on just your optimism about 25. You know, as you think about next year, are you able to share maybe some color on, maybe the cyclical side of the volume market that might be picking up some areas of improvement? Is it the pricing that you have some visibility on?

Our next question, coming from the lineup, Sabah Khan from RBC, your line is open.

Great. Thanks. Just one on my part. I'm afraid a lot of callers are optimistic on 25.

You know, as you think about next year, are you able to share maybe some color on, are there, you know, maybe the cyclical side of the volume market that might be picking up some areas of improvement?

James C. Fish: If you can maybe just hash out to the extent possible on, you know, what's driving the optimism on 25 as you head into the back end of this year. Thanks. Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, we're just at the end of July here.

Is it the pricing that you have some visibility, if you can maybe just hash out to the extent possible on, you know, what's driving the optimism on 25 as you head into the back end of this year. Thanks.

James C. Fish: So it's a little bit hard to say I did say that I don't, I can't tell you, I'm super optimistic about the industrial side of the business, the roll-off side. But by the way, I mean, you know, There's kind of no room to, the only direction is up on that business at this point. It's been pretty soft. But everything else seems to be, I think, pretty good.

Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, we're just in end of July here, so it's a little bit hard to say. I did say that I don't, I can't tell you, I'm super optimistic about the industrial side of the business, the roll-off side. But by the way, I mean, you know,

There's kind of no room to, the only direction is up on that business at this point, it's been pretty soft.

James C. Fish: Pricing is, you know, something we're pretty good at, and we use data and analytics, I think, quite well as we implement, you know, kind of our..., pricing changes. So I don't I don't see any reason to be concerned about pricing for next year. Volume itself, we'll know a bit more as we get to, you know, get closer to 25 and how the overall kind of economy is what the economy is going to look like.

But everything else seems to be, I think, pretty good. Pricing is, you know, something we're pretty good at, and we use data and analytics, I think, quite well as we implement, you know, kind of our

Pricing changes, so I don't see any reason to be concerned about pricing for next year. Volume itself, we'll know a bit more as we get to, you know, get closer to 25, and how the overall kind of economy is, what the economy is going to look like.

James C. Fish: But look, I think roll-off is, you know, I don't think it's going to be worse. Commercial, as one of the early questions was about the consumer, I think the consumer looks pretty strong, and I don't see any reason why the consumer won't continue to be strong next year.

But, um, look, I think, I think roll-off is, is, you know, I don't think it's going to be worse. Uh, commercial is a, uh, one of the early questions was about the consumer. I think the consumer looks pretty strong, and I don't see any reason why the consumer won't continue to be strong.

James C. Fish: And then, you know, look, we're adding a business in StairCycle that we do think has a stronger growth trajectory even than the solid waste business, just by nature of where they are. So I'm, you know, fairly encouraged by the volume outlook, but I'll be able to tell you more as we get closer. The only other thing I would add is 2025 really should be a big year for us in sustainability-related investments.

Next year. And then, you know, look, we're adding a business in StairCycle that we do think has a stronger growth trajectory, even in the solid waste business, just by nature of where they're

I'm fairly encouraged by the volume outlook, but I'll be able to tell you more as we get closer. The only other thing I would add is 2025 really should be a big year for us in sustainability-related investment.

James C. Fish: The Bulletproof Executive 2013, Seven of the 20 plans that will be online by the end of 2024 will represent roughly 30% of our EBITDA of the $510 million I had told you about, and we have a similar story on the recycling plants, and we should get a bit of a tailwind from the shutdown. So a lot of momentum, I would say.

Seeing them roll through. Jim mentioned...

The 7 of the 20 plans that will be online by the end of 2024 will represent roughly 30% of our EBITDA of the $510 million that we had told you about.

And we have a similar story on the recycling plants, and we should get a bit of a tailwind from the shutdown costs that we've been incurring in 2024. So a lot of momentum, I would say, on the sustainability investment side.

Operator: Great. Thanks very much for the call. Thank you. And I'm showing no further questions in the queue at this time. I will now turn the call back over to Mr. Jim Fish, President and CEO, for any closing remarks. Okay, well, thank you all for your questions this morning. I hope we gave a sufficient amount of color and we're able to...

Great, thanks very much for the call.

James C. Fish: I will demonstrate our reasons for our optimism, both for this year and for the coming years beyond 24. So thanks again for joining us, and we look forward to talking to you next quarter. Ladies and gentlemen, that does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

Thank you.

And I'm showing no further questions in the queue at this time. I will now turn the call back over to Mr. Jim Fish, President and CEO , for any closing remarks.

Okay, well thank you all for your questions this morning. I hope we gave a sufficient amount of color and we're able to demonstrate our reasons for our optimism both for this year and for the coming years beyond 24.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, Datasco.com for today. Thank you for your participation.

So, thanks again for joining us, and we look forward to talking to you next quarter.

Operator: You may now disconnect.

Ladies and gentlemen, that does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.