Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is currently investigating Waste Management (WM) for potentially unfair and deceptive billing practices tied to fuel and a so-called environmental surcharge. According to WM’s own billing disclosures, the 20% environmental charge is not specifically tied to costs for servicing customer accounts. Customers report year-over-year bill increases of 10-30% with no corresponding rise in base rates.
Concerns About Misleading Surcharges and Junk Fees
Customers across the country describe sudden increases of $30–$60 per month, often without clear explanation. The layered surcharge model, a rolling fuel charge with an additional percentage-based “environmental” fee, creates compounding price hikes untethered to actual costs. This raises concerns under unfair and deceptive trade practice (UDAP) statutes, breach of contract theories, and new state “junk fee” laws, such as California’s SB 478.
Why This Matters for Consumers
Customers paying these fees may be misled into believing the charges reflect actual environmental costs, when WM admits otherwise. Such practices can strain household budgets and unfairly inflate small business operating costs.
Did You Pay WM’s Fuel or Environmental Surcharge?
If you are a residential or small business customer who paid WM’s surcharges in the past four years, you may have been subject to unlawful fees. We are investigating possible legal claims to recover these charges.
Please complete the questionnaire below. For more information or to submit documentation, contact us at [email protected] or call (202) 470-3520.