Reactivate And WM To Transform 50+ Former Landfills Into Community And Utility-Scale Solar With Storage, Boosting Local Economies

Reactivate, an Invenergy company, and WM, North America’s leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions, have announced an agreement to transform over 50 former landfill sites into community solar, small utility-scale solar, and energy storage projects. Under the partnership, Reactivate will develop, construct, own, and operate these solar and storage installations on WM sites. The projects are designed to support grid resiliency while generating meaningful economic and social benefits in the communities where they are implemented.

Tara Hemmer, Chief Sustainability Officer at WM, emphasized the company’s commitment to community development. She said, “WM is dedicated to strengthening the communities where we live and work. We are proud to partner with Reactivate, selected for this project, to transform these former landfill sites into sources of much-needed solar energy.”

The projects aim to provide multiple community benefits, including expanding access to energy savings for households, nonprofits, and local businesses, creating workforce training and skills-building opportunities, and increasing local contracting opportunities for contractors and equipment suppliers. In addition, the projects are expected to generate local tax revenue, supporting essential community services and infrastructure improvements.

Utopia Hill, CEO of Reactivate, highlighted the strategic value of repurposing former landfill sites. She said, “Transforming sites that would otherwise remain vacant and cannot support traditional development allows us to meet America’s growing energy demand in a sustainable way.”

Myles Burnsed, Vice President of Development at Reactivate, noted that the company is committed to safe and responsible operations that prioritize community wellbeing. He added that the first phase of projects is expected to reach commercial completion by late 2027. Through this collaboration, Reactivate and WM aim to turn previously underutilized land into clean energy assets, providing both environmental and economic benefits while advancing the transition to renewable energy across North America.