WM announced it is taking the next steps in developing the landfill of the future. Building on a successful pilot of remote-controlled heavy equipment in landfill operations, WM is further collaborating with Caterpillar to test autonomous heavy equipment solutions.
WM is the first company to use the Cat Command remote-controlled technology in the solid waste industry. In 2025, WM began operating a bulldozer equipped with Cat Command remote-controlled technology at its Marana, Ariz., landfill, using the machine to move and disperse waste.
Based on the success of this remote-controlled technology pilot, WM and Caterpillar will collaborate on testing a Caterpillar-developed autonomous landfill compactor. This effort aims to advance the journey toward additional autonomous solutions in landfill operations, according to WM.
Remote-controlled technology offers the following benefits, including:
• Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity.
• Improved employee safety through remote operation from a climate-controlled environment.
• Increased operational visibility with a 360-degree view enabled by strategically positioned cameras.
• Autonomous solutions can offer even-greater operational efficiency, productivity, and help improve safety.
"At WM, technology advancement isn't just a business strategy—it's how we put our people-first approach into action," said John Morris, president of WM. "By leveraging innovation, we're reducing employee exposure to risk from challenging environments. As these technologies evolve, we see significant opportunity for operators to oversee a range of remotely-controlled and autonomous equipment across sites while enhancing safety, efficiency and performance and, at the same time, advance their careers with new skills."
"Collaborating with customers who are pioneering in their industry, like WM, is how we accelerate what's next," said Bob De Lange, group president for digital, technology & distribution of Caterpillar. "We're excited to work alongside WM on their journey — bringing advanced technologies into real-world operations to improve safety, drive productivity and help advance the landfill of the future."
