SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 28, 2005

Waste Management, Inc.

Registrant’s Telephone number, including area code: (713) 512-6200
 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Table of Contents

Item 5.02  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

     On January 28, 2005, the Board of Directors of Waste Management, Inc. (the “Company”) elected Thomas H. Weidemeyer as a director of the Company. Mr. Weidemeyer has been named a member of the Company’s Nominating & Governance Committee and its Compensation Committee. Mr. Weidemeyer was not elected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between him and any other persons. A copy of the press release issued by the Company on Monday, January 31, 2005, announcing the election of Mr. Weidemeyer, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit Index
 

Exhibit 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Further Information:
Waste Management, Inc.
Analysts:
Greg Nikkel
713.265.1358
Media:
Heather Browne
713-265-1514

WMI #05-05

Waste Management, Inc. Elects Thomas H. Weidemeyer to Board of Directors

HOUSTON — January 31, 2005 — Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WMI) today announced that Thomas H. Weidemeyer, formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of United Parcel Service, Inc. and President of UPS Airlines, was elected to its Board of Directors Friday, January 28^th.

Mr. Weidemeyer’s career at UPS included a broad range of experiences in the United States and managing Latin American operations. Mr. Weidemeyer started at UPS in 1972, and held various assignments of increasing responsibility before being named Vice President of UPS Airlines in 1990. He was named Senior Vice President for UPS in 1994 and along with his UPS Airlines responsibility, was also responsible for transportation operations and labor relations. In 2001, Mr. Weidemeyer assumed the additional responsibility of Chief Operating Officer for UPS.

“Tom’s knowledge and experience in the transportation services and package delivery industries will provide our Board and our company with valuable perspective and guidance. We are pleased to have him as part of our team,” said Jack Pope, Non-Executive Chairman of Waste Management.

Mr. Weidemeyer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina. He was a member of the UPS board of directors until his retirement in December 2003, and currently serves on the board of NRG Energy Inc., a leading independent power producer headquartered in Princeton, N.J., and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, the world’s largest tire company.

The election of Mr. Weidemeyer brings the size of Waste Management’s Board of Directors to nine members, eight of whom are independent.

Waste Management, Inc. is its industry’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management services. Based in Houston, the Company serves municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout North America.