Core Insights - Waste Management is the largest provider of trash and recycling services in the U.S. and Canada, with projected revenues of $22 billion in 2024 and a market capitalization of approximately $90 billion [3] Company Operations - The company employs over 60,000 individuals and has emphasized safety as a cornerstone of its operations, aiming to reduce its total recordable injury rate (TRIR) by 3% annually, targeting a TRIR of 2.0 by 2030 [4] - In the previous year, Waste Management reported a 5.8% reduction in overall injuries and a 2.4% decrease in lost-time injuries [4] Leadership and Management Practices - CEO Jim Fish has been with Waste Management for two decades and has held various roles, including CFO, before becoming president and CEO in November 2016 [3] - Fish's approach includes direct engagement with employees, visiting 20 to 30 sites annually and riding along with drivers to understand their challenges and improve communication [2][5] Employee Engagement and Safety Improvements - Fish identified that safety results in a district with a predominantly Spanish-speaking workforce improved significantly after hiring a bilingual manager, addressing communication barriers [10][13] - The company has taken steps to empower employees by promoting from within and ensuring that language barriers do not hinder safety communication [11][12] Cultural and Operational Insights - Fish's experiences in the field have highlighted the impact of environmental conditions on productivity, such as the challenges faced by drivers during winter months [7][8] - The company differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on understanding and improving the workforce's productivity and efficiency at the field level rather than solely at the executive level [14]