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  <xsd:import namespace="http://fasb.org/srt/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2025/currency-2025.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025/stpr-2025.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd-sub/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2025/ecd-sub-2025.xsd" />
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  <xsd:element name="AssetRetirementObligationAndEnvironmentalRemediationRollforwardAnalysisTableTextBlock" id="wm_AssetRetirementObligationAndEnvironmentalRemediationRollforwardAnalysisTableTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AssetRetirementObligationIncreaseDecreaseForAcquisitionsDivestituresAndOtherAdjustments" id="wm_AssetRetirementObligationIncreaseDecreaseForAcquisitionsDivestituresAndOtherAdjustments" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CommercialPaperProgramMember" id="wm_CommercialPaperProgramMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DisclosureRequiredUnderItemOneZeroThreeOfSecsRegulationSk" id="wm_DisclosureRequiredUnderItemOneZeroThreeOfSecsRegulationSk" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="EnvironmentalCostsMember" id="wm_EnvironmentalCostsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenueAndOtherOperatingLiabilities" id="wm_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenueAndOtherOperatingLiabilities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense" id="wm_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfLandfillsAdjacentToOrNearHomeownersPropertiesWithAgreementsGuaranteeingMarketValue" id="wm_NumberOfLandfillsAdjacentToOrNearHomeownersPropertiesWithAgreementsGuaranteeingMarketValue" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfNonOwnedSitesListedOnEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyNationalPrioritiesListForWhichWeHaveBeenNotifiedWeArePrp" id="wm_NumberOfNonOwnedSitesListedOnEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyNationalPrioritiesListForWhichWeHaveBeenNotifiedWeArePrp" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfOwnedSitesListedOnEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyNationalPrioritiesListForWhichWeHaveBeenNotifiedWeArePrp" id="wm_NumberOfOwnedSitesListedOnEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyNationalPrioritiesListForWhichWeHaveBeenNotifiedWeArePrp" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfSitesListedOnEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyNationalPrioritiesListForWhichWeHaveBeenNotifiedWeArePrp" id="wm_NumberOfSitesListedOnEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyNationalPrioritiesListForWhichWeHaveBeenNotifiedWeArePrp" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivestedAndProceedsFromSalesOfAssetsInvestingActivities" id="wm_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivestedAndProceedsFromSalesOfAssetsInvestingActivities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SanJacintoWastePitsMember" id="wm_SanJacintoWastePitsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CreditFacilityRevolvingMember" id="wm_CreditFacilityRevolvingMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SeniorNotesAggregateMember" id="wm_SeniorNotesAggregateMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="TaxExemptBondsMember" id="wm_TaxExemptBondsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="IncomeTaxesTable" id="wm_IncomeTaxesTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="IncomeTaxesLineItems" id="wm_IncomeTaxesLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CommercialMember" id="wm_CommercialMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ResidentialMember" id="wm_ResidentialMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="IndustrialMember" id="wm_IndustrialMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherCollectionMember" id="wm_OtherCollectionMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CollectionMember" id="wm_CollectionMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="TransferMember" id="wm_TransferMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InvestmentInLowIncomeHousingPropertiesMember" id="wm_InvestmentInLowIncomeHousingPropertiesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="TrustForFinalCappingClosurePostClosureOrEnvironmentalRemediationObligationsMember" id="wm_TrustForFinalCappingClosurePostClosureOrEnvironmentalRemediationObligationsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DebtMaturingOrSubjectToRefinancingWithinNextTwelveMonthsClassifiedAsLongTerm" id="wm_DebtMaturingOrSubjectToRefinancingWithinNextTwelveMonthsClassifiedAsLongTerm" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="DebtInstrumentInterestRatePeriodExpiringCurrent" id="wm_DebtInstrumentInterestRatePeriodExpiringCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AccruedCappingAndEnvironmentalCosts" id="wm_AccruedCappingAndEnvironmentalCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="StockActivityUnder10b51PlanMember" id="wm_StockActivityUnder10b51PlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredRevenueRecognitionPeriod" id="wm_DeferredRevenueRecognitionPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="GainLossFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentsAndUnusualItems" id="wm_GainLossFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentsAndUnusualItems" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="GainLossFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentsAndOtherNoncashPortion" id="wm_GainLossFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentsAndOtherNoncashPortion" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="FinancingLeasesAndOtherMember" id="wm_FinancingLeasesAndOtherMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="WeightedAverageNetNumberOfSharesReducedBasic" id="wm_WeightedAverageNetNumberOfSharesReducedBasic" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DebtAndFinancingLeasesMaturingOrSubjectToRemarketingWithinNextTwelveMonths" id="wm_DebtAndFinancingLeasesMaturingOrSubjectToRemarketingWithinNextTwelveMonths" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="CanadianSeniorNotesMember" id="wm_CanadianSeniorNotesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InvestmentMaturityTerm" id="wm_InvestmentMaturityTerm" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherLetterOfCreditFacilitiesMember" id="wm_OtherLetterOfCreditFacilitiesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ProvisionForDoubtfulAccountsAndOtherCreditLosses" id="wm_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccountsAndOtherCreditLosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="EastTierRegionAreasMember" id="wm_EastTierRegionAreasMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="WestTierRegionAreasMember" id="wm_WestTierRegionAreasMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="RecyclingProcessingAndSalesMember" id="wm_RecyclingProcessingAndSalesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="RenewableEnergySegmentMember" id="wm_RenewableEnergySegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="RoyaltyPercentage" id="wm_RoyaltyPercentage" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="CollectionAndDisposalMember" id="wm_CollectionAndDisposalMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="RenewableNaturalGasMember" id="wm_RenewableNaturalGasMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="CharlesBoettcherMember" id="wm_CharlesBoettcherMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="HealthcareSolutionsMember" id="wm_HealthcareSolutionsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="JamesFishJrMember" id="wm_JamesFishJrMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="SeniorNotes7.1PercentDueAugust2026Member" id="wm_SeniorNotes7.1PercentDueAugust2026Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="GainLossFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentAndUnusualItems" id="wm_GainLossFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentAndUnusualItems" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="DonaldJSmithMember" id="wm_DonaldJSmithMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="TaraJHemmerMember" id="wm_TaraJHemmerMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="MichaelJWatsonMember" id="wm_MichaelJWatsonMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="JohnJMorrisJrMember" id="wm_JohnJMorrisJrMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="TreasuryStockAcquiredWeightedAverageCostPerShare" id="wm_TreasuryStockAcquiredWeightedAverageCostPerShare" type="dtr-types:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="DepreciationDepletionAmortizationAndAccretion" id="wm_DepreciationDepletionAmortizationAndAccretion" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="IncomeTaxCreditsAndAdjustmentsProductionAndSalesActivity" id="wm_IncomeTaxCreditsAndAdjustmentsProductionAndSalesActivity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="CleanFuelProductionTaxCreditsProductionAndSalesDuringFirstQuarterOf2026Member" id="wm_CleanFuelProductionTaxCreditsProductionAndSalesDuringFirstQuarterOf2026Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="CleanFuelProductionTaxCreditsProductionAndSalesDuring2025OperationsMember" id="wm_CleanFuelProductionTaxCreditsProductionAndSalesDuring2025OperationsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
</xsd:schema>
