WM Teams Up with Caterpillar on Autonomous Landfill Equipment

Waste Management (WM) is pushing forward in its vision for the 'Landfill of the Future', which involves the use of advanced technology to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. The company has announced a new collaboration with Caterpillar to test autonomous heavy equipment solutions at landfills.

This effort builds on WM's previous pilot project using Cat Command remote-controlled technology, which was first implemented in 2025 at its Marana, Ariz., landfill. The bulldozer equipped with this technology was used to move and disperse waste, demonstrating enhanced operational efficiency and improved employee safety.

The benefits of remote-controlled technology include increased operational visibility through strategically positioned cameras and the ability to operate from a climate-controlled environment. WM's president, John Morris, emphasized that technology advancement is essential in putting their 'people-first approach' into action, reducing employee exposure to risk and enabling operators to acquire new skills.

Caterpillar's group president for digital, technology & distribution, Bob De Lange, stated that collaborating with customers like WM accelerates the development of advanced technologies. The company aims to bring these solutions into real-world operations to improve safety, drive productivity, and advance the landfill industry.