12 Best Waste Management Stocks to Invest In Now

In this article, we will discuss: 12 Best Waste Management Stocks to Invest In Now.

Waste management stocks include those companies that provide supporting environmental, engineering, and consulting services, as well as those that gather, process, store, transport, recycle, and dispose of waste products.

The waste management industry is expanding rapidly. The market was worth $1,293.70 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% between 2023 and 2030, according to Grand View Research. Strict laws like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Waste Shipment Regulation are anticipated to drive the market to improve this service. In 2022, the collection segment held a dominant market share of over 62.0%. The industrial waste industry dominated the market, accounting for more than 85.9% in 2022. It is anticipated that during the projection period, the e-waste segment will grow at the quickest CAGR of 7.4%. Asia Pacific led the industry, accounting for more than 24.5% of the market in 2022. The projection period is anticipated to see the Middle East and Africa grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%.

According to Debra Reinhart, a Board of Scientific Counselors member for the EPA:

 “It’s a difficult industry, but it is profitable if it’s done right.”

Waste management is critical to promoting the growth of sustainable energy by reducing environmental impact, recovering valuable materials, and increasing resource efficiency. According to Deloitte’s insights, land, water, and waste management must all be integrated in order to achieve a sustainable energy transition. Repurposing brownfield sites, abandoned power stations, and landfills for solar or battery storage maximizes land usage, while spatial mapping technologies reduce environmental effects. Water efficiency can be improved by recycling wastewater, using brackish and greywater, and switching to closed-cycle cooling systems. Advanced sorting, material recovery from retired equipment, and robotics are all waste reduction solutions that prioritize safety and efficiency. Moreover, cross-industry collaboration promotes industrial symbiosis, resulting in maximum resource utilization. Circular design concepts help to increase product life and facilitate disassembly. Increased renewable energy efficiency reduces land and waste footprints. Smart sensors and IoT technology reduce water leaks, while industrial sites’ centralized recycling networks reduce freshwater extraction and wastewater outflow. These methods promote a sustainable and resource-efficient energy transition.

According to S&P Global’s October 2, 2024, report, private equity and venture capital investments in the waste management sector were projected to decline further in 2024 as investors moved their focus to circular economy solutions rather than traditional waste services. Global PE and VC-backed deals totaled $247.2 million in 2024, accounting for only 7% of the $3.62 billion reported in 2023, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The sector has steadily declined since peaking at $8.87 billion in 2021. The number of transactions declined in 2024 when compared to 2023 and 2022. In Q3 2024, the deal value was $8.3 million, down from $2.42 billion in Q3 2023, with only six transactions compared to 22 in the same period last year.

The report further mentioned that eleven deals were announced in the United States and Canada, with seven deals in Europe and Asia-Pacific each. In terms of deal value, the United States and Canada received $116 million in announced investments, while Europe raised $104.5 million. Waste management enterprises in the Asia-Pacific received $26.7 million in private equity financing.

Looking forward, as per the UN’s Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, municipal solid waste generation is projected to jump from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. In 2020, direct waste management expenses reached $252 billion, but hidden costs from pollution and climate change boosted the total to $361 billion. Without intervention, annual costs could nearly quadruple to $640.3 billion by 2050. Implementing waste management methods may reduce net expenses to $270.2 billion, whereas a circular economy could result in a $108.5 billion yearly net gain. The report calls on governments, businesses, and citizens to take action to mitigate rising prices and environmental impact.

With that said, here are the 12 Best Waste Management Stocks to Invest In Now.

12 Best Waste Management Stocks to Invest In Now

A fleet of Waste Management Vehicles travelling through a busy city.

Our Methodology

We sifted through holdings of waste management ETFs and online rankings to form an initial list of 30 Waste Management stocks. From the resultant dataset, we chose the top 12 stocks most favored by hedge funds, using Insider Monkey’s database of 1,009 hedge funds in Q4 2024 to gauge hedge fund sentiment for stocks. We have used the stock’s Revenue Growth Rate (year-over-year) as a tie-breaker in case two or more stocks have the same number of hedge funds invested.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

12. ESGL Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:ESGL)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 2

ESGL Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:ESGL) (formerly Environmental Solutions Group Holdings Ltd) is a waste management, treatment, and recycling company. It collects and recycles hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste from customers in the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, petrochemical, and electroplating industries. The stock is up over 52% year to date, making it one of the Best Waste Management Stocks.

In the first half of 2024, its operating subsidiary achieved its first-ever profitability, a significant milestone in comparison to the loss reported in the same period in 2023. Despite regulatory constraints and unpredictability in garbage volume, revenue rose 2.8% year on year to $3.49 million. The company dropped its loss before taxes by 45.3%, from $590,000 to $322,000, due to cost control and operational improvements. Logistics costs fell 66.6%, saving $527,000 and improving ESGL Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:ESGL)’s cost base.

Revenue in the Solid Waste Thermal Processing Solutions segment climbed by 8.15%, owing to new waste types and customer base development. However, Liquid Waste Synthesis Solutions’ revenue fell by 45.8% due to regulatory concerns affecting a key customer, with a rebound projected in H2 2024. Circular Products Sales fell 39.1% due to weaker demand for basic metals, although the firm is still confident about market improvements. Foreign exchange gains added $93,000 to other income, taking advantage of favorable currency fluctuations.

ESGL Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:ESGL) anticipates strong performance in the second half of 2024, with a focus on expanding its solid hazardous waste customer base and reclaiming liquid hazardous waste volume while preserving operational efficiency and cost savings. The company aims to renew long-term contracts with major clients to maintain and improve profitability.

11. LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNZA)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 4

One of the Best Waste Management Stocks, LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNZA) is a nature-based carbon refining company that converts waste carbon into chemical building blocks for everyday consumer goods like sustainable fuels, textiles, and packaging. The company’s mission is to minimize the demand for virgin fossil fuels by challenging and working to change the way the world uses carbon.

LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNZA) is well-positioned for 2025 due to major project breakthroughs like Project Drake and key partnerships, particularly in sustainable aviation fuel. The firm is diversifying its revenue streams by establishing its own initiatives and forming partnerships, such as Brookfield Asset Management’s $500 million investment in project funding. A new ethanol off-take agreement with ArcelorMittal will improve ethanol access and comprises a 6-million-dollar short-term contract and a 5-year deal that will generate $10-$20 million yearly. Moreover, LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNZA) is also approaching the $1 trillion alternative protein market with its single-cell protein technology, which has potential in animal feed, pet food, and human nutrition.

The company announced strategic initiatives to transform from an innovation hub to a successful firm on March 4, 2025, including an evaluation of collaboration prospects for LanzaTech Nutritional Protein and the spin-off of LanzaX, its synthetic biology platform. LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNZA) intends to restructure operations, cut yearly cash operating expenses by about $30 million, and concentrate on high-impact commercial initiatives such as waste-based ethanol-to-SAF facilities in the United Kingdom and the EU.

10. Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:PESI)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 8

Revenue Growth Rate (year-over-year): -34.12%

Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:PESI) is among the Best Waste Management Stocks. It specializes in nuclear services as well as nuclear and mixed waste management. The company is divided into two segments. The treatment segment provides nuclear, low-level radioactive, mixed, hazardous, and non-hazardous waste treatment, processing, and disposal services. On the other hand, the Services segment generates the majority of revenue by offering on-site waste management services to commercial and government customers, as well as technology-based services, construction, logistics, and transportation services.

Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:PESI) is gaining pace for 2025, with an even more robust waste treatment backlog likely to exceed Q4 2024 figures. The DF Law program at Hanford remains on schedule, with the Department of Energy highlighting the legally binding August 1st milestone for waste treatment activities, which represents a substantial industrial advancement. The business’s PFAS destruction technology has effectively fulfilled performance standards at the commercial level, and a second-generation unit is currently under development with the goal of tripling processing capacity by the end of Q3 2025. Troy Echeman’s hiring as COO has strengthened leadership, utilizing his nuclear and environmental services knowledge to drive operational efficiency and strategic growth.

Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:PESI)’s cash balance increased to $29 million from $7.5 million at the end of 2023, primarily due to stock raises, confirming the company’s financial resilience.

9. Quest Resource Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:QRHC)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 8

Revenue Growth Rate (year-over-year): 0.05%

Quest Resource Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:QRHC) is ranked ninth on our list of Best Waste Management Stocks. It is a national provider of waste and recycling services to customers in a variety of industries, most of whom are larger, multi-location firms. The company develops customer-specific plans and provides related services such as garbage collection, processing, recycling, disposal, and tracking. The company’s services are focused on waste streams and recyclables from box stores, grocers, and other specialty retailers.

Quest Resource Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:QRHC) displayed strong development potential in 2024, with record client onboarding of eight new customers, each of which will likely generate at least seven figures in annual revenue and five expansion agreements with key clients. This contributed to a 0.9% gain in Q4 2024 revenue to $70 million and a 0.1% yearly revenue growth to $288.5 million, despite industry headwinds. New client wins, expanded service agreements, and increased contributions from existing contracts fueled revenue growth. The company successfully refinanced its debt, reducing interest costs by $1 million annually while strengthening terms and extending maturities.

Operational effectiveness initiatives, such as a 15% workforce reduction and technology integration, are expected to reduce SG&A expenses by $3 million a year. Furthermore, an innovative sales process has increased the pipeline, resulting in focused sales execution and future growth. Quest Resource Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:QRHC) further expanded its vendor network, adding over 1,200 new partners, improving its service capabilities, and positioning itself for long-term market leadership in waste and sustainability management.

8. Enviri Corporation (NYSE:NVRI)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 17

Revenue Growth Rate (year-over-year): -0.99%

One of the Best Waste Management Stocks, Enviri Corporation (NYSE:NVRI) is a global leader in providing environmental solutions for industrial and specialty waste streams, as well as rail equipment and technology. The company is currently divided into three divisions: Harsco Environmental, Harsco Rail, and Clean Earth. The company’s revenue comes from the Harsco Environmental business.

Since 2021, Clean Earth’s EBITDA has more than doubled, and its margins have expanded significantly. In Q4 of 2024, Enviri also posted its highest adjusted EBITDA in over a decade due to a 10% organic rise and a 100 basis point margin expansion. Clean Earth and Harsco Environmental improved their cash flow to approximately $200 million while boosting their safety performance. Clean Earth’s contribution to Enviri Corporation (NYSE:NVRI)’s consolidated EBITDA has surged from 25% to more than 50% since 2021, with double-digit EBITDA growth expected by 2025. Furthermore, Clean Earth and Harsco Environmental earned more than $190 million in free cash flow in 2024, showing excellent financial momentum compared to 2023.

Enviri Corporation (NYSE:NVRI)’s unit, Harsco Environmental, has announced the launch of a new SteelPhalt facility in Murga, Basque Country, Spain. This significant initiative marks SteelPhalt’s first permanent asphalt factory outside of the United Kingdom, highlighting the company’s effort to extend its worldwide footprint and develop sustainable asphalt industry practices.

7. Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. (NYSE:MEG)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 17

Revenue Growth Rate (year-over-year): 11.56%

Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. (NYSE:MEG) is an environmental services provider. The company’s operations segments include Assessment, Permitting and Response, Measurement and Analysis, and Remediation and Reuse. Its Assessment, Permitting, and Response segment offers scientific advising and consultancy services to assist with environmental assessments, emergency response, and environmental audits. Measurement and Analysis involves testing and analyzing air, water, and soil to determine contaminant concentrations, whereas the Remediation and Reuse segment provides clients engineering, design, implementation, operations, and maintenance services to treat contaminated water, remove contaminants, or generate biogas. The United States generates the majority of geographic revenue.

The waste management industry is fragmented, and Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. (NYSE:MEG) is looking for ways to strengthen its expertise through acquisitions. The business acquired two companies in 2024, including Colorado-based Two Dot Consulting, to expand its foothold in the Rocky Mountain states, making it one of the Best Waste Management Stocks for our list.

Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. (NYSE:MEG) achieved record financial results in 2024, with total sales of $696.4 million, an 11.6% surge year on year, led by 8.3% organic growth and acquisitions. Fourth-quarter 2024 revenue reached an all-time high of $189.1 million, representing a 14.1% YoY rise. In 2024, Adjusted EBITDA grew 21.9% to $95.8 million, with the EBITDA margin rising to 13.8%.

The company estimates revenue between $735 million and $785 million in 2025, driven by organic growth of 7% to 9%. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between $101 million and $108 million, reflecting ongoing margin expansion and enhanced operational efficiency. Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. (NYSE:MEG)’s priority remains on increasing profitability and significantly boosting operating cash flow, utilizing its strong financial basis and rising demand for environmental services.

6. Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CWST)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 24

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CWST) is a solid trash collection firm that offers resource management services to residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial clients. The company’s reportable geographical segments include the Eastern, Western, and Mid-Atlantic regions through the Resource Solutions business. It earns the most revenue from the Western region segment. The firm provides recycling, collection, organics, energy, landfills, special waste, and professional services.  The stock is up over 8% year to date, making it among the Best Waste Management Stocks.

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CWST) had notable acquisition activity in 2024, closing eight acquisitions for more than $200 million in annualized revenue, followed by three more in early 2025 at around $40 million. In Q4 2024, the firm boosted revenue by 18.9% year on year to $427.5 million, while adjusted EBITDA jumped by 15.6% to $95 million, extending a three-year streak that included adjusted EBITDA growth of more than 20%. Adjusted free cash flow improved by 23% to $158.3 million, exceeding expectations. The Resource Solutions segment rose by 9.7%, while the collection company increased its adjusted EBITDA margin over 100 basis points, showing improved operational efficiency and profitability.

Stifel boosted Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CWST)’s price objective to $129 from $127, maintaining a Buy recommendation on the stock. FY25 is expected to be “another year of double-digit growth,” driven by the roll-over impact of FY24 acquisitions, $40 million in annualized revenues closed year-to-date, and sustained mid-single-digit organic growth, according to the analyst in a post-earnings note.

5. GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE:GFL)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 31

One of the Best Waste Management Stocks, GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE:GFL) is an environmental services company. It provides non-hazardous solid waste management, infrastructure, soil remediation, and liquid waste management services. The majority of its revenue comes from its solid waste management business line, which includes the collection, transportation, transfer, recycling, and disposal of nonhazardous solid waste. Its Environmental Services division handles liquid waste and soil remediation. The company’s geographical segments include Canada and the United States. A significant portion of the company’s revenue comes from the United States.

GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE:GFL) generated an impressive financial performance, earning Q4 2024 consolidated revenue of $1.98 billion, showing a 5.48% YoY growth that is above expectations, with solid waste organic growth climbing to 7%. Adjusted EBITDA margins rose by 300 basis points to 29.1%, marking the second consecutive quarter of growth. The firm anticipates industry-leading organic growth across all financial measures in 2025, with an additional 100 basis points of adjusted EBITDA margin expansion. The sale of its ES division, which was set to finalize on March 1, will improve the company’s balance sheet, allowing it to repay debt and buy back shares worth $3.75 billion. Furthermore, the business completed 11 acquisitions in 2024 and intends to invest $325 million in growth activities in 2025, all while keeping a strong M&A pipeline to fuel expansion.

National Bank raised GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE:GFL)’s price objective to C$75 from C$70 and maintained an Outperform rating on the shares. According to the analyst, the company’s model has been updated following the sale of its Environmental Services segment to Apollo Funds and BC Partners last week for $8 billion in enterprise value.

4. Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 44

Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) is included among the Best Waste Management Stocks. It is an environmental and industrial service provider. It delivers parts cleaning and environmental services to commercial, industrial, and automotive customers. Its business units are Environmental Services and Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions. The majority of the company’s revenue comes from the Environmental Services division.

The firm is the leader in hazardous waste management, with significant entry hurdles, 90% recurring revenue, and great pricing power. Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH)’s competitive advantage consists of owning EPA-approved landfills, high-capacity incinerators, and exclusive contracts for emergency response and industrial services.

In Q4 2024, Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) reported solid consolidated results, exceeding Street expectations with a 10% EBITDA growth in 2024. It had record sales, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted free cash flow throughout the year. The Environmental Services division outperformed expectations, increasing revenue by 9% and adjusted EBITDA by 11%. The successful introduction of the Kimball Incinerator in Nebraska improved North American capacity by 12%.

The company launched its Total PFAS solution and performed successful PFAS incineration testing, expecting significant market growth. It is in a good position for strategic expansion prospects because of its low leverage and solid $790 million cash balance.

​​Risks include cost inflation, margin pressure, and volatility in the Safety-Kleen area, but Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) has the potential for long-term success.

Bell Global Equities Fund stated the following regarding Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:

“The other new name introduced to the portfolio was Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH), the largest hazardous waste company in North America. We expect Clean Harbors’ demand to grow a little faster than GDP as environmental regulations continue to tighten and the scarcity value of their landfill and incinerator assets allows them to consistently raise prices. Additionally, the onshoring of manufacturing and their Total PFAS solution act as further growth drivers. We initiated the position based on these robust fundamentals, coupled with our belief that the market has yet to fully appreciate the value of these assets and services, a view supported by recent private market transaction prices.”

3. Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 49

As a fully integrated waste carrier, Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) uses its extensive network of collection routes to maintain significant control over the waste stream, moving trash from commercial, industrial, and residential end markets to its valuable disposal properties. Its secondary and rural market strategy has lower competition and higher profit margins than larger, urban-focused competitors Waste Management and Republic Services. Moreover, the firm has great pricing power, which is a result of its wide economic moat. The business has been able to protect profit margins in the present inflationary climate because of its pricing power.

The firm’s fourth-quarter 2024 revenue climbed 11% year on year, with strong pricing and acquired revenue more than offsetting reduced volumes. The adjusted EBITDA margin, which excludes a substantial charge for landfill closure, was 32.4%, up 20 basis points year on year. Thus, Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) is among the Best Waste Management Stocks. 

Strategic acquisitions have been a key component of Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN)’s growth strategy. In 2024, the firm completed acquisitions that generated more than $700 million in yearly sales. Notably, the purchase of Royal Waste Services for $39 million raised the company’s presence in New York City, enabling it to oversee up to 15 waste collection zones, which is the maximum permitted by law due to overlapping service areas.

Oppenheimer raised Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN)’s price objective to $196 from $195, retaining an Outperform rating on the stock. The firm notes that shares dipped in the low single digits Thursday after it announced Q4 adjusted EBITDA/EPS below consensus projections while anchoring FY25 expectations toward the high end of guidance, which was slightly higher than the Street.

2. Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 51

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) is the second largest landfill owner in the industry and is included in the list of our Best Waste Management Stocks, with around 207 active landfills and 246 transfer sites, behind only Waste Management. As a fully integrated waste carrier, it uses a wide network of collection routes and transfer stations to exert great control over the waste stream, transporting rubbish from commercial, industrial, and residential end markets to its landfills. The company’s end markets include residential, commercial, and industrial. It also operates a significant recycling operation throughout North America. The scale of the market rapidly declines and fragments outside of the major public suppliers, which account for around half of industry revenue.

The company sees consistent demand for its services and has invested in green initiatives such as landfill gas-to-energy projects and fleet electrification. Its broad network of landfills and recycling facilities offers consistent revenue and long-term expansion opportunities. Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) generates significant cash flows because of its solid operation. In the previous 12 months, it earned $2 billion in net income and generated approximately $4 billion in operating cash flow.

The firm had a strong finish to the fiscal year 2024. Fourth-quarter revenue rose by approximately 6% year on year, driven by pricing gains, acquired revenue, and an upsurge in environmental services. The adjusted EBITDA margin improved 110 basis points to 31.0%. Management expects better sales and profitability in 2025.

TD Cowen upgraded the Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)’s price target to $235 from $220. According to the firm, it continues to execute effectively, and investors appear to be attracted to its straightforward strategy. While the 2025 outlook may appear unimpressive, analysts believe the company has set a low bar and anticipate numerous opportunities for upward estimate revisions throughout the year.

1. Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 67

The Best Waste Management Stock, Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) is a waste collection and disposal sector leader. It has a dominant market share and unrivaled landfill ownership, which is nearly impossible to reproduce given the immense legal constraints. This dominant position grew following the business’s October 2020 acquisition of Advanced Disposal, the fourth-largest publicly traded waste collection and disposal company in the United States.

In November 2024, Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) bought Stericycle, North America’s largest medical waste management company, for $7.2 billion. The acquisition adds a high-potential new market to the firm’s portfolio and could be its most significant growth catalyst.

Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM)’s success is driven by the nature of its business, the size and scale of its operations, and effective capital allocation. As an industry leader, it benefits from economies of scale. The company can produce recession-proof revenues and steady cash flows since waste management is not affected by economic cycles. It then uses these funds wisely to expand and compensate shareholders.

Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) has increased its dividend for 22 consecutive years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6% over the last five years. Dividend raises have substantially boosted shareholders’ total returns over the years. The stock has more than doubled investors’ money in five years and provided incredible profits in ten years.

The business reported strong figures for 2024, with 8.01% revenue growth year over year, and this year, it anticipates approximately 18% growth in free cash flow at the midpoint of its target range.

Diamond Hill Large Cap Concentrated Fund stated the following regarding Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:

“As valuations have continued rising and the economic cycle has gotten relatively long in the tooth, we’ve thought carefully about where and how we are exposed to more cyclical stocks. As such, we initiated just three new positions in Q4: Berkshire Hathaway, Aon and Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM).

Waste Management is one of the US’s largest providers of waste-collection services. Its leading footprint of landfill assets provides the company with long-term pricing power. Further, Waste Management has invested heavily in recent years in recycling and renewable natural gas projects — which we believe the market is underappreciating given the value these investments will create as the projects wind down and come online.”

Overall, Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) ranks first on our list of the 12 Best Waste Management Stocks to Invest In Now. While we acknowledge the potential for WM to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than WM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

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