The grass is greener -- and cleaner -- at the TPC Scottsdale golf course thanks to Waste Management’s  (WM) sponsorship of the PGA’s biggest tournament, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, held there each February, but WM staffers keep their eyes peeled year-round for ways to improve the environment. 

In addition to working with the group of young businessmen who help put on the tournament, the event's vendors and its many fans to keep every bit of waste material from the tournament out of landfills, Waste Management goes the extra mile throughout the Grand Canyon State to generate renewable energy in addition to protecting communities’ appearance, upkeep and hygiene via its regular waste pickup services.

The company, which employs 1,500 workers in Arizona, was named to Fortune’s 2015 “Change the World” list as it continues to balance supporting other businesses, reach its own goals for sustainable practices and remain profitable simultaneously.

Waste Management places emphasis on increasing the level of value derived from waste products as it participates in renewable energy initiatives, from streetside recycling pickup to converting landfill gas into energy at facilities such as the Northwest Regional Landfill in Surprise. 

WM also operates compressed natural gas fueling stations in Phoenix and Mesa. These facilities are available both for commercial and private vehicles. In addition, WM partners with local utilities such as Arizona Public Service and the Salt River Project, to mutually realize sustainability initiatives, and offer advice on LEED building certification and other environmentally sound incentives.