How Bill Gates Turned America's Trash into a Gold Mine
An investigation by ProPublica and CNN reveals that Bill Gates holds a 38% stake in the landfill giant Republic Services, valued at $29 billion. The company emits methane above permitted levels, and Gates has collected $2.6 billion in dividends without selling a single share since 1999.
An investigation by ProPublica and CNN reveals that Bill Gates, one of the most prominent voices in the fight against climate change, holds a 38% stake in Republic Services, the second-largest landfill operator in the United States. The stake is estimated to be worth approximately $29 billion, more than a fifth of his personal fortune. The company emits methane above the federal allowable limit, and at about 39 of its landfill sites, more than 1,400 leak points have been documented since 2020. Satellite studies have found that actual emissions are higher than reported. Gates first purchased the shares in 1999, has never sold a share, and has collected $2.6 billion in dividends. The company has opposed green policies, refused to adopt ambitious reduction targets, and declined the investigation's request to interview its executives. Gates did not respond to requests for comment.