WASTE MANAGEMENT INC
S-3/A, 1999-06-11
REFUSE SYSTEMS
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<PAGE>   1


     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 11, 1999


                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-80063

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------


                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------

                             WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
                     DELAWARE                                           73-1309529
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
                   organization)
</TABLE>

                         1001 FANNIN STREET, SUITE 4000
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
                                 (713) 512-6200
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)

                              GREGORY T. SANGALIS
                 VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                         1001 FANNIN STREET, SUITE 4000
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
                                 (713) 512-6200
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
                             ---------------------

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                             ---------------------


     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a) MAY DETERMINE.

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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2


                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 11, 1999


PROSPECTUS

                                 $3,000,000,000

                             WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

                                DEBT SECURITIES

                                  COMMON STOCK

We may offer from time to time

     - Debt securities

     - Shares of our common stock

Our shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "WMI."

            CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.

     We will provide a prospectus supplement each time we issue the securities
covered by this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will provide specific
information about the terms of that offering and also may add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus.

     You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement
carefully before you invest in our securities. This prospectus may not be used
to offer and sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

     The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We
may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JUNE   , 1999
<PAGE>   3

                         WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION


     We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No.
333-80063) with respect to the securities we are offering. This prospectus does
not contain all the information contained in the registration statement,
including its exhibits and schedules. You should refer to the registration
statement, including the exhibits and schedules, for further information about
us and the securities we are offering. Statements we make in this prospectus
about certain contracts or other documents are not necessarily complete. When we
make such statements, we refer you to the copies of the contracts or documents
that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement, because those
statements are qualified in all respects by reference to those exhibits. The
registration statement, including exhibits and schedules, is on file at the
offices of the SEC and may be inspected without charge. We file annual,
quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement, are available to the
public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You can
also read and copy any document we file at:


     - the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth
       Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and

     - the regional offices of the SEC located at:

       - 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and

       - 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.

     Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the public
reference facilities.

     You can also inspect material filed by us at the offices of the New York
Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which shares of
our common stock are listed.

     We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus some information we
file with the SEC. This means that we are disclosing important information to
you by referring you to those documents. Specifically, we incorporate by
reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the
SEC:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEC FILINGS (FILE NO. 1-12154)                           PERIOD/DATE
- ------------------------------                           -----------
<S>                                                      <C>
- - Annual Report on Form 10-K                             Year ended December 31, 1998
- - Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q                          Quarter ended March 31, 1999
- - Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of         April 5, 1999
  Stockholders
</TABLE>

     We also incorporate by reference the information contained in any future
filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act until we sell all of the securities covered by this
prospectus, which information will be deemed to automatically update and
supersede this information.

     You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:

        Waste Management, Inc.
        1001 Fannin Street, Suite 4000
        Houston, Texas 77002
        (713) 512-6200
        Attn: Secretary

                                        2
<PAGE>   4

                                  OUR COMPANY

     We are a global leader in providing integrated waste management services.

     In North America, where we have our principal operations, we provide solid
waste collection, transfer, recycling, resource recovery and disposal services.
We also are a leading operator and owner of waste-to-energy and waste-fuel
powered independent power facilities in the United States. We conduct other
operations in North America, including landfill disposal of hazardous wastes,
additional hazardous waste management services and low-level and other
radioactive waste services.

     Outside of North America, we operate in Europe, the Pacific Rim, South
America and other select international markets, where we provide collection and
transportation services for solid, hazardous and medical wastes and collection,
treatment and disposal services for recyclable materials. We also operate solid
and hazardous waste landfills, municipal and hazardous waste incinerators, waste
and wastewater treatment facilities and hazardous waste treatment facilities, as
well as construct waste treatment or disposal facilities for third parties.

     Our diversified customer base includes commercial, industrial, municipal
and residential customers, other waste management companies, governmental
entities and independent power markets.

     On July 16, 1998, we changed our name to "Waste Management, Inc.," from
"USA Waste Services, Inc." On that date, we acquired all of the shares of Waste
Management Holdings, Inc., which at the time was the largest publicly traded
waste management services company in North America and which operated under the
"Waste Management" name.

     Our executive offices are located at 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 4000,
Houston, Texas 77002, and our telephone number is (713) 512-6200.

                                        3
<PAGE>   5

                                  RISK FACTORS

     In addition to the information set forth in this prospectus, you should
carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment in the
securities offered. The risks described below are not the only ones facing us.
There may be additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently
deem immaterial which may also impair our business operations.

POTENTIAL DIFFICULTIES IN CONTINUING TO EXPAND AND MANAGE GROWTH

     We have grown rapidly, primarily through acquisitions. We cannot guarantee
that we will be able to continue to expand and successfully manage our growth.
We also cannot guarantee that our existing or acquired operations will not be
adversely affected by the pace of our growth. Improving the productivity of our
acquired operations and using our asset base and strategic position to operate
more efficiently is very important to our financial results and prospects. In
particular, whether we will ultimately achieve the anticipated benefits of
acquired operations will depend on a number of factors, including our ability to
effect:

     - administrative costs savings;

     - rationalization of collection routes;

     - insurance and bonding cost reductions; and

     - general economies of scale.

     Moreover, our ability to continue to grow will depend on a number of
factors, including:

     - competition from other waste management companies;

     - the availability of attractive acquisition opportunities;

     - our ability to mitigate antitrust concerns related to acquisitions in
       several markets;

     - the availability of working capital;

     - our ability to maintain margins on existing or acquired operations; and

     - our ability to manage costs in a changing regulatory environment.

POTENTIAL RISKS OF ACQUISITION STRATEGY

     We regularly pursue opportunities to expand by acquiring additional waste
management businesses and operations that can be effectively integrated with our
existing operations. In addition, we regularly pursue mergers and acquisition
transactions, some of which are significant, in new markets where we believe
that we can successfully become a provider of integrated waste management
services. As one of the leading industry consolidators, we could announce
transactions with either publicly or privately owned businesses at any time.

     Our acquisition strategy involves potential risks. These risks include:

     - our failure to accurately assess all of the pre-existing liabilities of
       acquired companies;

     - unexpected difficulties in successfully integrating the operations of
       acquired companies with our existing operations;

     - a lack of attractive acquisition opportunities;

     - our inability to obtain the capital required to finance potential
       acquisitions on satisfactory terms;

     - the businesses we acquire not proving profitable; and

     - our incurring additional indebtedness or issuing additional equity
       securities as a result of future acquisitions.
                                        4
<PAGE>   6

SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

     Our operations in foreign countries generally are subject to a number of
risks inherent in any business operating in foreign countries, all of which are
beyond our control. These risks include:

     - political, social and economic instability;

     - inflation;

     - general strikes;

     - nationalization of assets;

     - currency restrictions and exchange rate fluctuations;

     - nullification, modification or renegotiation of contracts; and

     - governmental regulation.

     We can make no prediction as to how existing or future foreign governmental
regulations in any jurisdiction may affect us in particular or the waste
management industry in general.

POSSIBLE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CAPITAL; EFFECT OF FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATES

     We expect to generate sufficient cash flow from our operations in 1999 to
cover our anticipated cash needs for capital expenditures and acquisitions. If
our cash flow from operations during 1999 is less than currently expected, or
our capital requirements increase, either due to strategic decisions or
otherwise, we may elect to incur indebtedness or issue equity securities to
cover any additional capital needs. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be
successful in obtaining additional capital in this manner on acceptable terms.

     We also cannot guarantee that we will be successful in renewing our
existing credit facilities, or that we will be able to renew the credit
facilities on terms acceptable to us. If we are unable to renew our existing
credit facilities, or to obtain other financing sources, our business and
operating results could be affected adversely to a material extent.

     In the past, we have used variable rate debt under revolving bank credit
arrangements as one method of financing our rapid growth. Although our recent
financings have reduced the amount of variable rate debt as a percentage of
total indebtedness outstanding, issuing variable rate debt will continue to be
an alternative for us. Fluctuations in variable interest rates, which may occur
as general interest rates change, could have a material adverse effect on us.

EFFECT OF COMPETITION ON PROFITABILITY

     We encounter intense competition from governmental, quasi-governmental and
private sources in all aspects of our operations.

     In North America, the waste management services industry consists of large
national companies and local and regional companies of varying sizes and
financial resources. We compete with numerous waste management companies as well
as with counties and municipalities that maintain their own waste collection and
disposal operations. These counties and municipalities may have financial
competitive advantages because tax revenues and tax-exempt financing are
available to them. In addition, competitors may reduce their prices to expand
sales volume or to win competitively bid municipal contracts. Profitability may
decline because of the national emphasis on recycling, composting, and other
waste reduction programs that could reduce the volume of solid waste collected
or deposited in disposal facilities.

     Outside of North America, the waste management services industry is very
decentralized and highly fragmented. In some markets, however, we compete with
substantial companies that hold significant market shares, particularly in
Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Some of our
international competitors may have greater financial resources and greater
technical resources than
                                        5
<PAGE>   7

we do with respect to specific matters. Especially in the case of larger
contracts, we may be required to commit substantial resources over a long period
of time during the proposal phase without any assurance that the contract will
be awarded to us. Examples include contracts for city-cleaning services,
contracts or bids with respect to the construction or development of water and
wastewater facilities, or permitting and development of a new treatment
facility, waste-to-energy facility, incinerator or landfill.

POTENTIAL CHARGES FOR UNAMORTIZED CAPITALIZED EXPENDITURES

     In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, we capitalize
certain expenditures and advances relating to acquisitions, pending
acquisitions, and disposal site development and expansion projects. We expense
indirect acquisition costs, such as executive salaries, general corporate
overhead, public affairs and other corporate services, as incurred. Our policy
is to charge against earnings any unamortized capitalized expenditures and
advances relating to any facility or operation that is permanently shut down,
any pending acquisition that is not consummated, and any disposal site
development or expansion project that is not completed. The charge against
earnings is reduced by any portion of the capitalized expenditure and advances
that we estimate will be recoverable, through sale or otherwise. In future
periods, we may be required to incur a charge against earnings in accordance
with our policy. Depending on its magnitude, any such charge could have a
material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

RESTRICTIONS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNMENT REGULATION

     Stringent government regulations at the federal, state and local level in
the United States and in other countries have a substantial impact on our
operations. A large number of complex laws, rules, orders and interpretations
govern environmental protection, health and safety, land use, zoning and related
matters. Among other things, they may restrict our operations and adversely
affect our operating results and financial condition by imposing conditions such
as:

     - limitations on the expansion of waste disposal, transfer or processing
       facilities;

     - limitations or bans on disposal of out-of-state waste or certain
       categories of waste; or

     - mandates regarding the disposal of solid waste.

     Regulations also affect the siting, design and closure of landfills and
could require us to undertake investigatory or remedial activities, curtail
operations or close a landfill temporarily or permanently. Future changes in
these regulations may require us to modify, supplement or replace equipment or
facilities. The costs of complying with these regulations could be substantial.

     In order to develop, expand or operate a landfill or other waste management
facility, we must have various facility permits and other governmental
approvals, including those relating to zoning, environmental protection and land
use. These permits and approvals are difficult, time consuming and costly to
obtain, in part because of possible opposition by governmental officials or
citizens. In addition, these permits and approvals may contain conditions that
limit operations and our ability to change the facility or are otherwise
difficult to comply with. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in
obtaining and maintaining in effect permits and approvals required for the
successful operation and growth of our business, including permits and approvals
for the development of additional disposal capacity needed to replace existing
capacity that is exhausted.

     Courts in the United States, basing their decisions on constitutional law,
have ruled that state and local governments may not use regulatory flow control
laws to restrict the free movement of waste in interstate commerce. We cannot
predict what impact, if any, these decisions will have on our disposal
facilities.

                                        6
<PAGE>   8

POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES AND LACK OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

     We could be liable if our disposal facilities or collection operations
cause environmental damage to our properties or to nearby landowners,
particularly as a result of the contamination of drinking water sources or soil.
Under current law, we could even be held liable for damage caused by conditions
that existed before we acquired the assets or operations involved. Also, we
could be liable if we arrange for the transportation, disposal or treatment of
hazardous substances that cause environmental contamination, or if a predecessor
owner made such arrangements and under applicable law we are treated as a
successor to the prior owner. Any substantial liability for environmental damage
could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial
condition.

     In the ordinary course of our business, we may become involved in a variety
of legal and administrative proceedings relating to land use and environmental
laws and regulations. These may include proceedings in which:

     - agencies of federal, state, local or foreign governments seek to impose
       liability on us under applicable statutes, sometimes involving civil or
       criminal penalties for violations, or to revoke or deny renewal of a
       permit we need; and

     - citizen groups, adjacent landowners or governmental agencies oppose the
       issuance of a permit or approval we need, allege violations of the
       permits under which we operate or laws or regulations to which we are
       subject, or seek to impose liability on us for environmental damage that
       we may be responsible for.

     The adverse outcome of one or more of these proceedings could have a
material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.

     From time to time we have received citations or notices from governmental
authorities that our operations are not in compliance with our permits or
certain applicable environmental or land use laws and regulations. In the future
we may receive additional citations or notices. We generally seek to work with
the authorities to resolve the issues raised by such citations or notices.
However, we cannot guarantee that we will always be successful in this regard.
Where we are not, we may incur fines, penalties or other sanctions that could
have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations
or cash flows.

     Our insurance for environmental liability meets or exceeds statutory
requirements. However, because we believe that the cost for such insurance is
high relative to the coverage it would provide, our coverages are generally
maintained at statutorily required levels. Due to the limited nature of such
insurance coverage for environmental liability, if we were to incur liability
for environmental damage, such liability could have a material adverse effect on
our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ALTERNATIVES TO LANDFILL DISPOSAL AND WASTE-TO-ENERGY FACILITIES

     Our customers are increasingly using alternatives to landfill disposal,
such as recycling and composting. In addition, state and local governments are
increasingly mandating recycling and waste reduction at the source and
prohibiting the disposal of certain types of wastes, such as yard wastes, at
landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. These developments could reduce the
volume of waste going to landfills and waste-to-energy facilities in certain
areas, which may affect our ability to operate our landfills and waste-to-energy
facilities at full capacity as well as the prices that we can charge for
landfill disposal and waste-to-energy services.

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

     Our business is partially dependent upon the performance of certain of our
executive officers. We are particularly dependent upon John E. Drury, our Chief
Executive Officer, because of his knowledge of our operations as well as his
industry experience. We have entered into employment agreements with our
executive officers, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain their
services or that, in the event of
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<PAGE>   9

their departure, we will be able to enforce non-competition provisions in the
employment agreements. The loss of the services of our management could have a
material adverse effect upon us. We are in the process of establishing a
formalized management succession plan to prepare ourselves in the event of an
unexpected departure.

RECYCLABLE MATERIALS PRICE FLUCTUATIONS

     Recyclable materials that we process for sale, including paper, plastics,
aluminum and other commodities, are subject to significant price fluctuations.
These fluctuations will affect our future operating revenues and income.

MATTERS RELATED TO ACCOUNTING PRACTICES OF WASTE MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS

     The SEC has commenced a formal investigation with respect to the previously
filed financial statements (which were subsequently restated) and the related
accounting policies, procedures and system of internal controls of Waste
Management Holdings, Inc., or "WM Holdings," which we acquired through a merger
in July 1998. Several lawsuits and claims have been filed against WM Holdings
and some of its former officers and directors in connection with the restatement
of WM Holdings' financial statements. We are unable to predict the outcome or
impact of the investigation or any previously filed or future lawsuits or claims
arising out of the restatement. However, it is reasonably possible that they
could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of
operations in one or more future periods.

SEASONALITY OF OUR OPERATING REVENUES

     Our operating revenues are usually lower in the winter months, primarily
because the volume of waste relating to construction and demolition activities
usually increases in the spring and summer months and the volume of industrial
and residential waste in certain regions where we operate usually decreases
during the winter months. Our first and fourth quarter results of operations
typically reflect this seasonality.

POTENTIAL EFFECT OF CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS

     Certain provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us in a transaction that
is not approved by our Board of Directors. For example, our Board of Directors
has the power to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or
more series, and to fix the rights and preferences of any series, without
further authorization by the holders of our common stock. In addition, our Board
of Directors is divided into three classes, and each class serves for a
staggered three-year term. This makes it more difficult for a third party to
gain control of our Board of Directors. Generally, these provisions are designed
to permit us to develop our businesses and foster our long-term growth without
the disruption caused by the threat of a takeover that our Board of Directors
does not think is in our best interests or in the best interests of our
stockholders. Also, these provisions may discourage a third party from making a
tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of us even though the
attempt might be beneficial economically to us and our stockholders.

FACTORS INFLUENCING FUTURE RESULTS AND ACCURACY OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     In the normal course of our business, we, in an effort to help keep our
stockholders and the public informed about our operations, may from time to time
issue or make certain statements, either in writing or orally, that are or
contain "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in the U.S.
federal securities laws. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or
strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of such
plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions made by
or to be made by us, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings, or
other aspects of operating results. The words "may," "expect," "believe,"
"anticipate," "project," "estimate," their opposites and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. We caution readers that such
statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to
a number of factors that may tend to influence the accuracy of the statements
and the projections upon

                                        8
<PAGE>   10

which the statements are based, including but not limited to those discussed
above. All phases of our operations are subject to a number of uncertainties,
risks, and other influences, many of which are outside our control, and any one
of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our consolidated
financial statements and operations and whether forward-looking statements made
by us ultimately prove to be accurate.

                                        9
<PAGE>   11

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     Except as otherwise described in any prospectus supplement, we will use the
net proceeds from the sale of our debt securities or common stock for general
corporate purposes. We will determine any specific allocation of the net
proceeds of an offering to a specific purpose at the time of such offering and
will describe the specific allocation in the related prospectus supplement.

                      RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed
charges for the periods as shown:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              ENDED
                                                  ------------------------------------     MARCH 31,
                                                  1994    1995    1996    1997    1998        1999
                                                  ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ------------
<S>                                               <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Actual..........................................  2.7x    2.6x    2.1x    N/A(1)  N/A(2)      4.0x
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in 1997. Additional
    earnings of $660.4 million were necessary to cover fixed charges for this
    period. The earnings available for fixed charges were negatively impacted by
    merger costs of $112.7 million (primarily related to our merger with United
    Waste Systems, Inc. in August 1997), and asset impairments and unusual items
    of $1.8 billion. The asset impairments and unusual items primarily related
    to a comprehensive review performed by WM Holdings of its operating assets
    and investments.

(2) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in 1998. Additional
    earnings of $720.4 million were necessary to cover fixed charges for this
    period. The earnings available for fixed charges were negatively impacted by
    merger costs of $1.8 billion and unusual items of $864.1 million primarily
    related to our mergers with WM Holdings in July 1998 and Eastern
    Environmental Services, Inc. in December 1998.

     The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed
charges for the periods shown on an as adjusted basis excluding merger costs,
and asset impairments and unusual items. The consolidated ratios of earnings to
fixed charges on an as adjusted basis are not a measure of financial performance
required by SEC regulations. This as adjusted presentation has been provided
because we understand that they may be used by certain investors when analyzing
our financial position and performance:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              ENDED
                                                  ------------------------------------     MARCH 31,
                                                  1994    1995    1996    1997    1998        1999
                                                  ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ------------
<S>                                               <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
As adjusted.....................................  2.9x    3.2x    3.2x    2.8x    3.4x        4.2x
</TABLE>

     We computed our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges by
dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings are the sum of
income before taxes and extraordinary items and fixed charges, excluding
capitalized interest. Fixed charges are interest, whether expensed or
capitalized, amortization of debt expense and discount on premium relating to
indebtedness, and such portion of rental expense that can be demonstrated to be
representative of the interest factor in the particular case.

                                       10
<PAGE>   12

                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     The Debt Securities will constitute either our senior debt, or "Senior Debt
Securities," or our subordinated debt, or "Subordinated Debt Securities." Debt
Securities may be issued from time to time under one or more indentures, each
dated as of a date on or prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities to which
it relates. Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities may be
issued pursuant to separate indentures, respectively, a "Senior Debt Indenture"
and a "Subordinated Debt Indenture," in each case between us and Texas Commerce
Bank National Association, now known as Chase Bank of Texas, National
Association, or "Chase Bank," and in the form filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, subject to such
amendments or supplements as may be adopted from time to time.

     We have previously entered into a Senior Indenture dated as of September
10, 1997 with Chase Bank in the form filed as an exhibit to our Current Report
on Form 8-K (file no. 1-12154) filed with the SEC on September 24, 1997. We have
previously entered into a Subordinated Indenture dated as of February 1, 1997
with Chase Bank in the form filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form
8-K (file no. 1-12154) filed with the SEC on February 7, 1997. The Senior Debt
Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture, as amended or supplemented from
time to time, are sometimes hereinafter referred to individually as an
"Indenture" and collectively as the "Indentures." Chase Bank (and any successors
thereto as trustees under the respective Indentures) is hereafter referred to as
the "Trustee." The following summaries of actual or anticipated provisions of
the Indentures and the Debt Securities do not purport to be complete and such
summaries are subject to the detailed provisions of the applicable Indenture to
which reference is hereby made for a full description of such provisions,
including the definition of certain terms used herein. Section references in
parentheses below are to sections in both Indentures unless otherwise indicated.
Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the applicable Indenture are
referred to, such sections or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference
as part of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by
such reference. The Indentures are substantially identical, except for certain
of our covenants and provisions relating to subordination and conversion.

     The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series.
The following description of the Debt Securities sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Debt Securities of all series. The particular terms
of each series of Debt Securities offered by any prospectus supplement will be
described therein.

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

     General. The Debt Securities will be our unsecured senior or subordinated
obligations and may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The
Indentures do not limit the amount of Debt Securities, debentures, notes or
other types of indebtedness that we may issue or that any of our subsidiaries
may issue. The Indentures do not, other than as may be set forth in any
prospectus supplement, restrict transactions between us and our affiliates or
the payment of dividends or other distributions by us to our stockholders. The
rights of our creditors, including holders of Debt Securities, will be limited
to our assets and will not be an obligation of any of our Subsidiaries. In
addition, other than as may be set forth in any prospectus supplement, the
Indentures do not and the Debt Securities will not contain any covenants or
other provisions that are intended to afford holders of the Debt Securities
special protection in the event we experience either a change of control or a
highly leveraged transaction.

     Reference is made to the prospectus supplement for the following terms of
and information relating to the Debt Securities (to the extent such terms are
applicable to such Debt Securities):

     - the title of the Debt Securities;

     - classification as either Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
       Securities;

     - whether the Debt Securities that constitute Subordinated Debt Securities
       are convertible into common stock and, if so, the terms and conditions
       upon which such conversion will be effected, including the initial
       conversion price or conversion rate and any adjustments thereto in
       addition to
                                       11
<PAGE>   13

       or different from those described herein, the conversion period and other
       conversion provisions in addition to or in lieu of those described
       herein;

     - any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

     - whether the Debt Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities
       or Bearer Securities or both, whether any of the Debt Securities are to
       be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any of the
       Debt Securities are to be in permanent global form;

     - the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal
       amount thereof) at which the Debt Securities will be issued;

     - the date or dates on which the Debt Securities will mature;

     - the rate or rates per annum (or the method by which such will be
       determined) at which the Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, and
       the date from which any such interest will accrue;

     - the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest on the Debt
       Securities will be payable, the date on which payment of such interest,
       if any, will commence and the Regular Record Dates for any interest
       payable on any Debt Securities which are Registered Securities on any
       Interest Payment Date and the extent to which, or the manner in which,
       any interest payable on a temporary global Debt Security on an Interest
       Payment Date will be paid;

     - any mandatory or optional sinking fund or analogous provisions;

     - each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the Indentures as
       described below under "Payment and Paying Agents," the principal of and
       any premium and interest on the Debt Securities will be payable and each
       office or agency where, subject to the terms of the Indentures as
       described below under "Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer," the
       Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or
       exchange;

     - our right, if any, or our obligation, if any, to redeem the Debt
       Securities and the period or periods, if any, within which and the price
       or prices at which the Debt Securities may, pursuant to any optional or
       mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and
       the other detailed terms and provisions of any such optional or mandatory
       redemption;

     - the denominations in which any Debt Securities which are Registered
       Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and
       any integral multiple thereof, and the denomination or denominations in
       which any Debt Securities which are Bearer Securities will be issuable,
       if other than the denomination of $5,000;

     - the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which
       payment of principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt
       Securities is payable if other than United States dollars;

     - any index used to determine the amount of payments of principal of and
       any premium and interest on the Debt Securities;

     - information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

     - any deletions from, modification of or additions to the Events of Default
       or our covenants with respect to such Debt Securities; and

     - any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
       provisions of the Indentures. (Section 301) Any prospectus supplement
       will also describe any special provisions for the payment of additional
       amounts with respect to the Debt Securities.

     Debt Securities may be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities. An
Original Issue Discount Security is a Debt Security, including any zero-coupon
security, which is issued at a price lower than the amount payable upon the
Stated Maturity thereof and which provides that upon redemption or acceleration
of the maturity thereof an amount less than the amount payable upon the Stated
Maturity

                                       12
<PAGE>   14

thereof and determined in accordance with the terms of such Debt Security shall
become due and payable. We will set forth any special United States federal
income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities issued at an original
issue discount, including Original Issue Discount Securities, and special United
States tax considerations and other terms and restrictions applicable to any
Debt Securities which are issued in bearer form, offered exclusively to United
States Aliens or denominated in other than United States dollars, in a
prospectus supplement.

     Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer. Debt Securities of a series may
be issuable in definitive form solely as Registered Securities, solely as Bearer
Securities or as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities. Unless
otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, Bearer Securities
will have interest coupons attached. The Indentures also provide that Debt
Securities of a series may be issuable in temporary or permanent global form.
(Section 201)

     Registered Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of
a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In addition, if Debt Securities of
any series are issuable as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities, at
the option of the Holder, and subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture,
Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all
matured coupons in default) of such series will be exchangeable for Registered
Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount and tenor. Bearer Securities surrendered in exchange
for Registered Securities between a Regular Record Date or a Special Record Date
and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the
coupon relating to such date for payment of interest, and interest accrued as of
such date for payment of interest will not be payable in respect of the
Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be
payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms
of the applicable Indenture. Bearer Securities will not be issued in exchange
for Registered Securities. (Section 305)

     Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and
Registered Securities may be presented for registration of transfer (with the
form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed), at the office of the Security
Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for such
purpose with respect to any series of Debt Securities and referred to in an
applicable prospectus supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any
taxes and other governmental charges as described in the Indentures. Such
transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such
transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title
and identity of the person making the request. Unless otherwise indicated in any
prospectus supplement, the Trustee for the series of Debt Securities will serve
as Security Registrar. (Section 305) If a prospectus supplement refers to any
transfer agents (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by
us with respect to any series of Debt Securities, we may at any time rescind the
designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location
through which any such transfer agent acts, except that, if Debt Securities of a
series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, we will be required to
maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt
Securities of a series are also issuable as Bearer Securities, we will be
required to maintain (in addition to the Security Registrar) a transfer agent in
a Place of Payment for such series located outside the United States. We may at
any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt
Securities. (Section 1002)

     Title to any Bearer Securities (including Bearer Securities in permanent
global form) and any coupons appertaining thereto will pass by delivery. We, the
Trustee, our agents and the agents of the Trustee may treat the bearer of any
Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon and the registered holder of any
Registered Security as the owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security or
coupon shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the
purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308)

                                       13
<PAGE>   15

     In the event of any redemption in part, we shall not be required to:

     - issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series
       during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days prior to the
       selection of Debt Securities of that series for redemption and ending on
       the close of business on:

      -- if Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered
         Securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption;
         and

      -- if Debt Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the
         date of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or,
         if Securities of the series are also issuable as Registered Securities
         and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of
         redemption;

     - register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion
       thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any
       Registered Security being redeemed in part; or

     - exchange any Bearer Security called for redemption, except to exchange
       such Bearer Security for a Registered Security of that series and like
       tenor which is immediately surrendered for redemption. (Section 305)

     Replacement of Securities and Coupons. We will replace any mutilated Debt
Security or any Debt Security with a mutilated coupon at the expense of the
Holder upon surrender of the Debt Security to the Trustee. We will replace Debt
Securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the expense of
the Holder upon delivery to the Trustee of the Debt Security and coupons or
evidence of destruction, loss or theft thereof satisfactory to us and the
Trustee; in the case of any coupon which becomes destroyed, stolen or lost, such
coupon will be replaced by issuance of a new Debt Security in exchange for the
Debt Security to which such coupon appertains. In the case of a destroyed, lost
or stolen Debt Security or coupon, an indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee and
to us may be required at the expense of the Holder of such Debt Security or
coupon before a replacement Debt Security will be issued. (Section 306)

     Payment and Paying Agents. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable
prospectus supplement, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on
Bearer Securities will be payable, subject to any applicable laws and
regulations, at the offices of such Paying Agents outside the United States as
we may designate from time to time, in the manner indicated in such prospectus
supplement. (Section 1002) Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable
prospectus supplement, payment of interest on Bearer Securities on any Interest
Payment Date will be made only against surrender to the Paying Agent of the
coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date. (Section 1001) No payment with
respect to any Bearer Security will be made at any of our offices or agencies in
the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by
transfer to any account maintained with a bank located in the United States.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of principal of and any premium and
interest on Bearer Securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be
made at the office of our Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of
New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount thereof in U.S. dollars at
all offices or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively
precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions. (Section 1002)

     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, payment
of principal of and any premium and interest on Registered Securities will be
made at the office of the Paying Agent or Paying Agents as we may designate from
time to time, except that at our option, payment of any interest may be made by
check mailed on or before the due date to the address of the Person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register. (Rule 307, 1002)
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, payment of
any installment of interest on Registered Securities will be made to the Person
in whose name such Registered Security is registered at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date for such interest. (Section 307)

     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the
Trustee for the series of Debt Securities will act as our Paying Agent for
payments with respect to Debt Securities which are issuable
                                       14
<PAGE>   16

solely as Registered Securities and we will maintain a Paying Agent outside the
United States for payments with respect to Debt Securities (subject to
limitations described above in the case of Bearer Securities) which are issuable
solely as Bearer Securities or as both Registered Securities and Bearer
Securities. Any Paying Agents outside the United States and any other Paying
Agents in the United States that we initially designate for the Debt Securities
will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time
designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying
Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts,
except that, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable solely as Registered
Securities, we will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of
Payment for such series and, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as
Bearer Securities, we will be required to maintain (i) a Paying Agent in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for principal payments with respect
to any Registered Securities of the series (and for payments with respect to
Bearer Securities of the series in the circumstances described above, but not
otherwise), and (ii) a Paying Agent in a Place of Payment located outside the
United States where Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining
thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment. (Section 1002)

     All moneys paid by us to a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and
any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain unclaimed at the end
of two years after such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and
payable will (subject to applicable escheat laws) be repaid to us, and the
Holder of such Debt Security or any coupon will thereafter look only to us for
payment thereof. (Section 1003)

     Global Debt Securities. Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole
or in part in the form of one or more global Debt Securities that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the prospectus
supplement relating to such series. Global Debt Securities may be issued only in
fully registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. (Section 203)
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Debt
Securities represented thereby, a global Debt Security may not be transferred
except as a whole by the depository for such global Debt Security to a nominee
of such depository or by a nominee of such depository to such depository or
another nominee of such depository or by the depository or any nominee to a
successor depository or any nominee of such successor.

     The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series
of Debt Securities in the form of one or more global Debt Securities will be
described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.

     Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. Each Indenture provides that we
may discharge the Indenture (except as to any surviving rights of registration
of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities and any right to receive additional
amounts) with respect to all Debt Securities issued under the Indenture, which
Debt Securities have not already been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
and which either have become due and payable or are by their terms due and
payable within one year (or are to be called for redemption within one year) by
depositing with the Trustee as trust funds an amount sufficient to pay when due
the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all outstanding
Debt Securities when due. (Section 401)

     Defeasance and Discharge. Each Indenture provides that, if we so elect by
Board Resolution with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issued under
such Indenture (other than convertible Subordinated Debt Securities), we will be
discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of
such series (except for certain obligations relating to temporary Debt
Securities and exchange of Debt Securities, registration of transfer or exchange
of Debt Securities of such series, replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated Debt
Securities of such series, maintenance of paying agencies to hold moneys for
payment in trust and payment of additional amounts, if any, required in
consequence of United States withholding taxes imposed on payments to non-United
States persons) upon the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or
U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal
in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any), and each
installment of interest on, the Debt Securities of

                                       15
<PAGE>   17

such series on the Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms
of such Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series. (Sections 1302, 1304)
Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, we have delivered
to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) we have received
from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or
(ii) since the date of such Indenture there has been a change in applicable
federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon
such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of such series will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
such deposit, defeasance and discharge, and will be subject to federal income
tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
(Section 1304) In the event of any such defeasance and discharge of Debt
Securities of such series, Holders of such series would be entitled to look only
to such trust fund for payment of principal of and any premium and any interest
on their Debt Securities until Maturity.

     Covenant Defeasance. Each Indenture also provides that, if we so elect by
Board Resolution with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issued
thereunder, we may omit to comply with certain restrictive covenants, including
(in the case of the Senior Debt Indenture) the covenants described under
"-- Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities -- Limitation on
Liens" and "-- Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions," but excluding
(in the case of the Subordinated Debt Indenture) any of our applicable
obligations respecting the conversion of Debt Securities of such series into
common stock, and any such omission shall not be an Event of Default with
respect to the Debt Securities of such series, upon the deposit with the
Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the
payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and
premium, if any), and each installment of interest on, the Debt Securities of
such series on the Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms
of such Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series. Our obligations under
such Indenture and the Debt Securities of such series other than with respect to
such covenants shall remain in full force and effect. (Section 1303) Such a
trust may be established only if, among other things, we have delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such series will
not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same
time as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not
occurred. (Section 1304)

     Although the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit
with the Trustee would be intended to be sufficient to pay amounts due on the
Debt Securities of such series at the time of their Stated Maturity, in the
event we exercise our option to omit compliance with the covenants defeased with
respect to the Debt Securities of any series as described above, and the Debt
Securities of such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence
of any Event of Default, such amount may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on
the Debt Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting
from such Event of Default. We shall in any event remain liable for such
payments as provided in the applicable Indenture.

     Federal Income Tax Consequences. Under current United States federal income
tax law, defeasance and discharge would likely be treated as a taxable exchange
of Debt Securities to be defeased for an interest in the defeasance trust. As a
consequence, a holder would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference
between the holder's cost or other tax basis for such Debt Securities and the
value of the holder's interest in the defeasance trust, and thereafter would be
required to include in income the holder's share of the income, gain or loss of
the defeasance trust. Under current United States federal income tax law,
covenant defeasance would ordinarily not be treated as a taxable exchange of
such Debt Securities.

     Meetings, Modification and Waiver. We and the Trustee may modify and amend
either Indenture with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities

                                       16
<PAGE>   18

of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however,
that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

          (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment
     of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security;

          (b) change the Redemption Date with respect to any Debt Security;

          (c) reduce the principal amount of, or premium or interest on, any
     Debt Security;

          (d) change our obligation, if any, to pay additional amounts;

          (e) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
     Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof;

          (f) change the coin or currency in which any Debt Security or any
     premium or interest thereon is payable;

          (g) change the redemption right of any Holder;

          (h) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
     payment on or with respect to any Debt Security or any conversion right
     with respect thereto;

          (i) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
     Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
     modification or amendment of such Indenture or for waiver of compliance
     with certain provisions of such Indenture or for waiver of certain
     defaults;

          (j) reduce the requirements contained in such Indenture for quorum or
     voting;

          (k) change our obligation, if any, to maintain an office or agency in
     the places and for the purposes required by such Indenture;

          (1) adversely affect the right to convert Subordinated Debt
     Securities, if applicable; or

          (m) modify any of the above provisions. (Section 902)

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture may not be amended to alter the
subordination of any outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities without the
consent of each holder of Senior Indebtedness (as defined below under
"-- Provisions Applicable Solely to Subordinated Debt Securities") then
outstanding that would be adversely affected thereby. (Section 907 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of each series may, on behalf of all Holders of that series, waive,
insofar as that series is concerned, our compliance with certain restrictive
provisions of the Indenture under which such series has been issued. (Section
1007 of the Senior Debt Indenture; Section 1008 of the Subordinated Debt
Indenture) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities, of each series may, on behalf of all Holders of that
series, waive any past default under the applicable Indenture with respect to
any Debt Securities of that series, except a default (a) in the payment of
principal of, or premium, if any, or any interest on any Debt Security of such
series or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision of such Indenture which
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security of such series affected. (Section 513)

     Each Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder or are
present at a meeting of the Holders for quorum purposes, (i) the principal
amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that is deemed to be Outstanding
will be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of the date
of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (ii) the
principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in a foreign currency or
currency units will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of
original issuance of such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt
Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount

                                       17
<PAGE>   19

Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original
issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (i) above.
(Section 101)

     Each Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
a series if Debt Securities of that series are issuable as Bearer Securities.
(Section 1401) A meeting may be called at any time by the Trustee, and also,
upon request, by us or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given
in accordance with "Notices" below. (Section 1402) Except for any consent which
must be given by the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, as
described above, any resolution presented at a meeting (or adjourned meeting at
which a quorum is present) may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
that series; provided, however, that any resolution with respect to any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which
may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is
less than a majority, in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting (or adjourned meeting duly
reconvened at which a quorum is present) by the affirmative vote of the Holders
of such specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any
meeting of Holders of any series duly held in accordance with the applicable
Indenture will be binding on all Holders of that series and related coupons. The
quorum at any meeting, and at an reconvened meeting, will be Persons holding or
representing a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of a series. (Section 1404).

     Notices. Except as otherwise provided in an applicable prospectus
supplement, notices to Holders of Bearer Securities will be given by publication
at least twice in a daily newspaper in the City of New York and in such other
city or cities as may be specified in such Bearer Securities. Notices to Holders
of Registered Securities will be given by first-class mail to the addresses of
such Holders as they appear in the Security Register. (Section 106)

     Governing Law. The Indentures, the Debt Securities and coupons will be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York. (Section 113)

     Regarding the Trustee. The Trustee appointed and serving as trustee
pursuant to each of the Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt
Indenture is Chase Bank.

     Each Indenture contains certain limitations on the right of the Trustee,
should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or
to realize for its own account on certain property received in respect of any
such claim as security or otherwise. (Section 613) The Trustee is permitted to
engage in certain other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting
interest (as described in the Indentures), it must eliminate such conflict or
resign. (Section 608)

     The holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Debt
Securities of a series (or if more than one series is affected thereby, all
series so affected, voting as a single class) will have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy or
power available to the Trustee for such series or all such series so affected.

     In case an Event of Default shall occur (and shall not be cured) under any
Indenture relating to a series of Debt Securities and is known to the Trustee
for such series, such Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers
vested in it by such Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its
exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, no Trustee will be
under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
applicable Indenture at the request of any of the holders of Debt Securities
unless they shall have offered to such Trustee security and indemnity
satisfactory to it.

     Pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, a trustee under an indenture may be
deemed to have a conflicting interest, and may, under certain circumstances set
forth in the Trust Indenture Act, be required to resign as trustee under such
indenture, if the securities under such indenture are in default (as such term
is defined in such indenture) and the trustee is the trustee under another
indenture under which any other securities of the same obligor are outstanding,
subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Trust
                                       18
<PAGE>   20

Indenture Act. In such event, the obligor must take prompt steps to have a
successor trustee appointed in the manner provided in the indenture from which
the trustee has resigned. Accordingly, Chase Bank, as trustee under the Senior
Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture, could be required to resign
as trustee under one of such Indentures should a default occur under one of such
Indentures. In such event, we would be required to take prompt steps to have a
successor trustee or successor trustees appointed in the manner provided in the
applicable Indenture.

     Chase Bank, as the trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture and the
Subordinated Debt Indenture, may be a depositary for funds of, may make loans to
and may perform other routine banking services for us and certain of our
affiliates in the normal course of business.

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SOLELY TO SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

     General. Senior Debt Securities will be issued under the Senior Debt
Indenture, and each series will rank pari passu as to the right of payment of
principal and any premium and interest with each other series issued thereunder
and will rank senior to all series of Subordinated Debt Securities issued and
outstanding and that may be issued from time to time.

     Certain Definitions. For purposes of the following discussion, the
following definitions are applicable (Section 1008 and 1009 of the Senior Debt
Indenture).

     "Attributable Debt" shall mean, as of any particular time, the present
value, discounted at a rate per annum equal to (i) the implied lease rate of or
(ii) if the implied lease rate is not known to us, then the weighted average
interest rate of all Senior Debt Securities outstanding at the time under the
Senior Debt Indenture compounded semi-annually, in either case, of the
obligation of a lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of any
lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at
the option of the lessor, be extended); the net amount of rent required to be
paid for any such period shall be the total amount of the rent payable by the
lessee with respect to such period, but may exclude amounts required to be paid
on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water
rates and similar charges; and, in the case of any lease which is terminable by
the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall also include the
amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid
under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so
terminated.

     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" shall mean, at any date of
determination, the total amount of our assets after deducting therefrom: (i) all
the current liabilities (excluding (a) any current liabilities that by their
terms are extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time
more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being
computed, and (b) current maturities of long term debt) and (ii) the value (net
of any applicable reserves) of all intangible assets such as excess of cost over
net assets of acquired businesses, customer lists, covenants not to compete,
licenses, and permits, all as set forth on our and our consolidated
subsidiaries' consolidated balance sheet for our most recently completed fiscal
quarter, prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles.

     "Guaranty" shall mean any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which
any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable
upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds
for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or
otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the debt, obligation or other
liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the
course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other
distributions upon the shares of any other Person. The amount of the obligor's
obligation under any Guaranty shall (subject to any limitation set forth
therein) be deemed to be the amount of such other Person's debt, obligation or
other liability or the amount of such dividends or other distributions
guaranteed.

     "Indebtedness" of any Person shall mean

          (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including,
     without limitation, all notes payable and drafts accepted representing
     extension of credit and all obligations evidenced by bonds,
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<PAGE>   21

     debentures, notes or other similar instruments) or on which interest
     charges are customarily paid, all as shown on a balance sheet of such
     Person as of the date at which Indebtedness is to be determined;

          (b) all other items which, in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles, would be included as liabilities on the liability
     side of a balance sheet of such Person as of the date at which Indebtedness
     is to be determined; and

          (c) whether or not so included as liabilities in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles,

             (i) all indebtedness (excluding, however, prepaid interest thereon)
        secured by a Security Interest in property owned or being purchased by
        such Person (including, without limitation, indebtedness arising under
        conditional sales or other title retention agreements) whether or not
        such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person, and

             (ii) all Guaranties of such Person.

     "Principal Property" shall mean any waste processing, waste disposal or
resource recovery plant or similar facility located within the United States
(other than its territories and possessions and Puerto Rico) or Canada and owned
by, or leased to, us or any Restricted Subsidiary, except (a) any such plant or
facility (i) owned or leased jointly or in common with one or more persons other
than us and any Restricted Subsidiaries in which our and our Restricted
Subsidiaries' interest does not exceed 50%, or (ii) which the Board of Directors
determines in good faith is not of material importance to our and our
subsidiaries', as an entity, total business conducted, or assets owned, or (b)
any portion of such plant or facility which the Board of Directors determines in
good faith not to be of material importance to the use or operation thereof.

     "Restricted Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary (other than any
Subsidiary of which we own directly or indirectly less than all of the
outstanding Voting Stock) (a) principally engaged in, or whose principal assets
consist of property used by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in, the storage,
collection, transfer, interim processing or disposal of waste within the United
States or Canada, or (b) which we shall designate as a Restricted Subsidiary in
an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

     "Security Instrument" shall mean any security agreement, chattel mortgage,
assignment, financing or similar statement or notice, continuation statement,
other agreement or instrument, or amendment or supplement to any thereof,
providing for, evidencing or perfecting any Security Interest or lien.

     "Security Interest" shall mean any interest in any real or personal
property or fixture which secures payment or performance of an obligation and
shall include any mortgage, lien, encumbrance, charge or other security interest
of any kind, whether arising under a Security Instrument or as a matter of law,
judicial process or otherwise.

     Consolidation, Merger, Sale. The Senior Debt Indenture provides that we may
not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease
our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless (1)
the Person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the
Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, our properties
and assets we are substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation,
partnership or trust which shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the
due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest
(including all additional amounts, if any, payable pursuant to the Senior Debt
Indenture) on all the Senior Debt Securities and the performance or observance
of every other covenant of the Senior Debt Indenture to be performed or observed
on our part; and (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and
treating any indebtedness which becomes our or our Subsidiary's obligation as a
result of such transaction as having been incurred by us or our Subsidiary at
the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after
notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have
happened and be continuing. Upon any consolidation of us with, or merger of us
into, any other Person or any, conveyance, transfer or lease of our properties
and assets substantially as an entirety, the successor Person
                                       20
<PAGE>   22

formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or to which such
conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for,
and may exercise our every right and power under the Senior Debt Indenture with
the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as us herein, and
thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be
relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Senior Debt Indenture and
the Senior Debt Securities and coupons and may liquidate and dissolve. (Sections
801, 802 of the Senior Debt Indenture)

     Limitation on Liens. Unless provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the provisions of this covenant shall apply to each series of Senior
Debt Securities issued under the Senior Debt Indenture:

          (a) We will not, and we will not permit any of our Restricted
     Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, directly or
     indirectly, any Indebtedness secured by a Security Interest upon any
     Principal Property of us or of a Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned as of
     the date of this Indenture or hereafter acquired, without making effective
     provision (and we hereby covenant that in any such case we shall make or
     cause to be made effective provision) whereby the Senior Debt Securities of
     that series then outstanding and any other Indebtedness of us or any
     Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto shall be secured by such
     Security Interest equally and ratably with (or, in the case of the Senior
     Debt Securities of that series and if we shall so determine, prior to) any
     and all other Indebtedness of us or any Restricted Subsidiary thereby
     secured for so long as any such other Indebtedness of us or any Restricted
     Subsidiary shall be so secured; provided, that nothing in the Senior Debt
     Indenture shall prevent, restrict or apply to Indebtedness secured by:

             (1) (a) Any Security Interest upon property or assets which is
        created prior to or contemporaneously with, or within 360 days after,
        (i) in the case of the acquisition of such property or assets, the
        completion of such acquisition and (ii) in the case of the construction,
        development or improvement of such property or assets, the later to
        occur of the completion of such construction, development or improvement
        or the commencement of operation or use of the property or assets, which
        Security Interest secures or provides for the payment, financing or
        refinancing, directly or indirectly, of all or any part of the
        acquisition cost of such property or assets or the cost of construction,
        development or improvement thereof; or (b) any Security Interest upon
        property or assets existing at the time of the acquisition thereof,
        which Security Interest secures obligations assumed by us or any
        Restricted Subsidiary; or (c) any conditional sales agreement or other
        title retention agreement with respect to any property or assets
        acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (d) any Security
        Interest existing on the property or assets or shares of stock of a
        corporation or firm at the time such corporation or firm is merged into
        or consolidated with us or any Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a
        sale, lease or other disposition of the property or assets of such
        corporation or firm as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to us
        or any Restricted Subsidiary or at the time such corporation becomes a
        Restricted Subsidiary; or (e) any Security Interest existing on the
        property, assets or shares of stock of any successor which shall have
        become us in accordance with the provisions of the covenant described in
        "-- Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt
        Securities -- Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets"; provided, in
        each case, that any such Security Interest described in the foregoing
        clauses (b), (c), (d) or (e) does not attach to or affect property or
        assets owned by us or any Restricted Subsidiary prior to the event
        referred to in such clauses; or

             (2) Mechanics', materialmen's, carriers' or other like liens
        arising in the ordinary course of business (including construction of
        facilities) in respect of obligations which are not due or which are
        being contested in good faith; or

             (3) Any Security Interest arising by reason of deposits with, or
        the giving of any form of security to, any governmental agency or any
        body created or approved by law or governmental regulation, which is
        required by law or governmental regulation as a condition to the
        transaction of any business or the exercise of any privilege, franchise
        or license (including, without limitation, any Security Interest arising
        by reason of one or more letters of credit in connection with any

                                       21
<PAGE>   23

        international waste management contract to be performed by us or any of
        our Subsidiaries or our or their respective affiliates); or

             (4) Security Interests for taxes, assessments or governmental
        charges or levies not yet delinquent or Security Interests for taxes,
        assessments or governmental charges or levies already delinquent but the
        validity of which is being contested in good faith; or

             (5) Security Interests (including judgment liens) arising in
        connection with legal proceedings so long as such proceedings are being
        contested in good faith and, in the case of judgment liens, execution
        thereon is stayed; or

             (6) Landlords' liens on fixtures located on premises leased by us
        or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; or

             (7) Any Security Interest in favor of any governmental authority in
        connection with the financing of the cost of construction or acquisition
        of property; or

             (8) Any Security Interest arising by reason of deposits to qualify
        us or any Restricted Subsidiary to conduct business, to maintain
        self-insurance, or to obtain the benefit of, or comply with, laws; or

             (9) Any Security Interest that secures any Indebtedness of a
        Restricted Subsidiary owing to us or another Restricted Subsidiary or by
        us to a Restricted Subsidiary, or

             (10) Any Security Interest incurred in connection with pollution
        control, sewage or solid waste disposal, industrial revenue or similar
        financing; or

             (11) Any Security Interest created by any program providing for the
        financing, sale or other disposition of trade or other receivables
        qualified as current assets in accordance with United States generally
        accepted accounting principles entered into by us or by any Restricted
        Subsidiary, provided that such program is on terms comparable for
        similar transactions, or any document executed by us or any Restricted
        Subsidiary in connection therewith, and provided that such Security
        Interest is limited to the trade or other receivables in respect of
        which such program is created or exists and the proceeds thereof, or

             (12) Any extension, renewal or refunding (or successive extensions,
        renewals or refundings) in whole or in part of any Indebtedness secured
        by any Security Interest referred to in the foregoing clauses (1)
        through (11), inclusive, provided that the Security Interest securing
        such Indebtedness shall be limited to the property or assets which,
        immediately prior to such extension, renewal or refunding, secured such
        Indebtedness and additions to such property or assets.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, we or any of our Restricted
     Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness
     secured by a Security Interest without so securing the Senior Debt
     Securities of that series if, at the time such Security Interest becomes a
     Security Interest upon any of our or our Restricted Subsidiaries' Principal
     Property and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate outstanding
     principal amount of all Indebtedness of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries
     secured by Security Interests permitted by this sentence (excluding
     Indebtedness secured by a Security Interest existing as of the date of the
     Senior Debt Indenture, but including the Attributable Debt in respect of
     Sale and Leaseback Transactions, other than Sale and Leaseback Transactions
     which, if the Attributable Debt in respect thereof had been Indebtedness
     secured by a Security Interest, would have been permitted by clause (1)(a)
     above, other Sale and Leaseback Transactions the proceeds of which have
     been applied or committed to be applied in accordance with the covenant
     described in "-- Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt
     Securities -- Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions" and other
     than Sale and Leaseback Transactions between us and any Restricted
     Subsidiary) does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
     (Section 1008 of the Senior Debt Indenture)

                                       22
<PAGE>   24

          (b) If, upon any consolidation or merger of any Restricted Subsidiary
     with or into any other corporation, or upon any consolidation or merger of
     any other corporation with or into us or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon
     any sale or conveyance of the Principal Property of any Restricted
     Subsidiary as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other
     Person, or upon any acquisition by us or any Restricted Subsidiary by
     purchase or otherwise of all or any part of the Principal Property of any
     other Person, any Principal Property theretofore owned by us or such
     Restricted Subsidiary would thereupon become subject to any Security
     Interest not permitted by the terms of the foregoing covenant, we, prior to
     such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, or acquisition, will, or
     will cause such Restricted Subsidiary to, secure payment of the principal
     of and interest, if any, on the Senior Debt Securities of that series
     (equally and ratably with or prior to any other Indebtedness of us or such
     Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto) by a direct lien on all such
     Principal Property prior to all liens other than any liens theretofore
     existing thereon by a supplemental indenture or otherwise. (Section 1008 of
     the Senior Debt Indenture)

     Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Unless provided otherwise
in the applicable prospectus supplement, the provisions of this covenant shall
apply to each series of Senior Debt Securities issued under the Senior Debt
Indenture:

     We will not, and will not permit a Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any
arrangement with any Person (other than with any Restricted Subsidiary)
providing for the leasing to us or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal
Property owned or hereafter acquired by us or such Restricted Subsidiary (except
for temporary leases for a term, including any renewal thereof, of not more than
three years and except for leases between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or
between Restricted Subsidiaries), which Principal Property has been or is to be
sold or transferred by us or such Restricted Subsidiary to such person (a "Sale
and Leaseback Transaction") unless (a) we or such Restricted Subsidiary would be
entitled, pursuant to the covenant described in "-- Provisions Applicable Solely
to Senior Debt Securities -- Limitation on Liens," to incur Indebtedness secured
by a Security Interest on the property to be leased without equally and ratably
securing the Senior Debt Securities of that series, or (b) we shall, and in any
such case we covenant that we will, within 180 days after the effective date of
any such arrangement, apply an amount equal to the fair value (as determined by
the Board of Directors) of such property to the redemption of Senior Debt
Securities that, by their terms, are subject to redemption, or to the purchase
and retirement of Senior Debt Securities, or to the payment or other retirement
of funded debt for money borrowed, incurred or assumed by us which ranks senior
to or pari passu with the Senior Debt Securities of that series or of funded
debt for money borrowed, incurred or assumed by any Restricted Subsidiary (other
than, in either case, funded debt owed by us or any Restricted Subsidiary), or
(c) we shall within 180 days after entering into the Sale and Leaseback
Transaction, enter into a bona fide commitment or commitments to expend for the
acquisition or capital improvement of a Principal Property an amount at least
equal to the fair value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of such
property. (Section 1009 of the Senior Debt Indenture)

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may, and may permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, effect any Sale and Leaseback Transaction that is not acceptable
pursuant to clauses (a) through (c), inclusive, of the foregoing covenant,
provided that the Attributable Debt associated with such Sale and Leaseback
Transaction, together with the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt
secured by Security Interests upon Principal Property not acceptable pursuant to
clauses (1) through (12) of the covenant described in "-- Provisions Applicable
Solely to Senior Debt Securities -- Limitation on Liens," inclusive, do not
exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1009 of the Senior Debt
Indenture)

     Events of Default. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, an Event of Default is defined under the Senior Debt Indenture with
respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series issued under such Senior
Debt Indenture as being one or more of the following events:

          (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Senior Debt
     Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of
     such default for a period of 30 days; or

                                       23
<PAGE>   25

          (2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
     on) any Senior Debt Security of that series as and when the same becomes
     due and payable whether at Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration,
     call for redemption or otherwise; or

          (3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as
     due by the terms of a Senior Debt Security of that series; or

          (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any of our other
     covenants or warranties in the Senior Debt Indenture (other than a covenant
     or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in
     Section 501 of the Senior Debt Indenture specifically dealt with or which
     has expressly been included in the Senior Debt Indenture solely for the
     benefit of a series of Senior Debt Securities other than that series), and
     continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there
     has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the Trustee or to
     us and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
     the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series a written notice
     specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and
     stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under the Senior Debt
     Indenture; or

          (5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
     decree or order for relief in respect of us in an involuntary case or
     proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging us a
     bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking
     reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of
     us under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian,
     receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar
     official of us or of any substantial part of our property, or ordering the
     winding up or liquidation of our affairs, and the continuance of any such
     decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and
     in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

          (6) the commencement by us of a voluntary case or proceeding under any
     applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
     similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt
     or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for
     relief in respect of us in an involuntary case or proceeding under any
     applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
     similar law or the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or
     proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or
     consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or
     State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the
     appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator,
     assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of us or of any
     substantial part of our property, or the making by us of an assignment for
     the benefit of creditors, or the admission by us in writing of our
     inability to pay our debts generally as they become due, or the taking of
     corporate action by us in furtherance of any such action; or

          (7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Senior Debt
     Securities of that series. (Section 501 of the Senior Debt Indenture)

     Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to Senior Debt Securities of
any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such
case, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series may declare the
principal amount (or, if any of the Senior Debt Securities of that series are
Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such
Senior Debt Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all of the
Senior Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a
notice in writing to us (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable. At any time after such a declaration of
acceleration with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series has been
made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been
obtained by the Trustee, the

                                       24
<PAGE>   26

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt
Securities of that series, by written notice to us and the Trustee, may rescind
and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

          (1) we have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to
     pay:

             (A) all overdue interest on all Senior Debt Securities of that
        series;

             (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Senior Debt
        Securities of that series which has become due otherwise than by such
        declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or
        rates prescribed therefor in such Senior Debt Securities;

             (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest
        upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such
        Senior Debt Securities; and

             (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
        reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
        Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

          (2) all Events of Default with respect to Senior Debt Securities of
     that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Senior Debt
     Securities of that series which has become due solely by such declaration
     of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the Senior Debt
     Indenture.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon. (Section 502 of the Senior Debt Indenture) If the Trustee or
any Holder of a Senior Debt Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to
enforce any right or remedy under the Senior Debt Indenture and such proceeding
has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined
adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject
to any determination in such proceeding, we, the Trustee and the Holders of
Senior Debt Securities and coupons shall be restored severally and respectively
to their former positions under the Senior Debt Indenture and the Senior Debt
Securities and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders
shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted. (Section 509 of
the Senior Debt Indenture)

     The Senior Debt Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Trustee
during default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee is under
no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such Indenture at
the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Sections 601, 603 of the Senior
Debt Indenture) No Holder of any Senior Debt Security of any series or any
related coupons shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or
otherwise, with respect to the Senior Debt Indenture, or for the appointment of
a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

          (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of
     a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of
     that series;

          (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series shall have been made
     written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such
     Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under the Senior Debt
     Indenture;

          (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
     indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
     compliance with such request;

          (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
     and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

          (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given
     to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in
     principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series.
     (Section 507 of the Senior Debt Indenture)

Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Senior Debt Indenture, the right of
any Holder of any Senior Debt Security or coupon to receive payment of the
principal of and any premium and any interest on such Senior Debt Security or
payment of such coupon on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such
                                       25
<PAGE>   27

Senior Debt Security or coupon, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any
such payment on or after such respective dates shall not be impaired or affected
without the consent of such Holder. (Sections 508, 902 of the Senior Debt
Indenture)

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior
Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee,
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Senior Debt Securities of such series, provided that (1) such direction shall
not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the Senior Debt Indenture; (2)
the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not
inconsistent with such direction; and (3) the Trustee shall not be obligated to
take any action unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or
involving the Trustee in personal liability. (Section 512 of the Senior Debt
Indenture) The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Senior Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Senior Debt Securities of such series waive any past default under the Senior
Debt Indenture with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of such series and its
consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium
or interest on any Senior Debt Security of such series or in respect of a
covenant or provision of the Senior Debt Indenture which, pursuant to the Senior
Debt Indenture, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder
of each Outstanding Senior Debt Security of such series affected. Upon any such
waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the Senior
Debt Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon. (Sections 513, 902 of the Senior
Debt Indenture)

     If a default occurs under the Senior Debt Indenture with respect to Senior
Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Senior Debt
Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided
by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however. that in the case of any default
or breach of certain covenants or warranties with respect to Senior Debt
Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at
least 30 days after the occurrence thereof (the term "default" for purposes of
these provisions being defined as any event which is, or after notice or lapse
of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Senior
Debt Securities of such series). (Section 602 of the Senior Debt Indenture)

     In any case in which Senior Debt Securities are Outstanding that are
denominated in more than one currency and the Trustee is directed to make
ratable payments under the Senior Debt Indenture to Holders of such Senior Debt
Securities, unless otherwise provided with respect to any series of Senior Debt
Securities, the Trustee shall calculate the amount of such payments as follows:

          (i) as of the day the Trustee collects an amount under the Senior Debt
     Indenture, the Trustee shall, as to each Holder of a Senior Debt Security
     to whom an amount is due and payable under the Senior Debt Indenture that
     is denominated in a foreign currency, determine that amount in Dollars that
     would be obtained for the amount owing such Holder, using the rate of
     exchange at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee
     could purchase in the City of New York Dollars with such amount owing;

          (ii) calculate the sum of all Dollar amounts determined under (i) and
     add thereto any amounts due and payable in Dollars; and

          (iii) using the individual amounts determined in (i) or any individual
     amounts due and payable in Dollars, as the case may be, as a numerator, and
     the sum calculated in (ii) as a denominator, calculate as to each Holder of
     a Senior Debt Security to whom an amount is owed under the Senior Debt
     Indenture the fraction of the amount collected under the Senior Debt
     Indenture payable to such Holder.

Any expenses incurred by the Trustee in actually converting amounts owing
Holders of Senior Debt Securities denominated in a currency other than that in
which any amount is collected under the Senior Debt Indenture shall be likewise
(in accordance with the foregoing) borne ratably by all Holders of Senior
                                       26
<PAGE>   28

Debt Securities to whom amounts are payable under the Senior Debt Indenture.
(Sections 506, 902 of the Senior Debt Indenture)

     To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of
obtaining judgment against us in any court it is necessary to convert the sum
due in respect of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the
Senior Debt Securities of any series (the "Required Currency") into a currency
in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the rate of
exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking
procedures the Trustee could purchase in the City of New York the Required
Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in the City of New York
next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither we nor the Trustee
shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall either of them benefit from any
windfall in payments to Holders of Senior Debt Securities under this provision
of the Senior Debt Indenture caused by a change in exchange rates between the
time the amount of a judgment against us is calculated as above and the time the
Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make
payments under the foregoing provisions of the Senior Debt Indenture to Holders
of Senior Debt Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all
amounts owed by us on the claim or claims underlying such judgment. (Section 506
of the Senior Debt Indenture)

     We are required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to our
compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Senior Debt Indenture.
(Section 1006)

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SOLELY TO SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

     Consolidation, Merger, Sale. The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that
we may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer
or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person,
unless (1) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which we merge or the
Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, our properties
and assets substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or
trust, organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any
State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of
and any premium and interest (including all additional amounts, if any, payable
pursuant to the Subordinated Debt Indenture) on all the Subordinated Debt
Securities and the performance or observance of every other covenant of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture to be performed or observed on our part; and (2)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any
indebtedness which becomes our or our subsidiaries' obligation as a result of
such transaction as having been incurred by us or such Subsidiary at the time of
such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse
of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be
continuing. Upon any consolidation of us with, or merger of us into, any other
Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of our properties and assets
substantially as an entirety, the successor Person formed by such consolidation
or into which we are merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is
made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise our every right
and power under the Subordinated Debt Indenture with the same effect as if such
successor Person had been named as us herein, and thereafter, except in the case
of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and
covenants under the Subordinated Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt
Securities and coupons and may liquidate and dissolve. (Sections 801, 802 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     Events of Default. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, an Event of Default is defined under the Subordinated Debt Indenture
with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series issued under such
Subordinated Debt Indenture as being one or more of the following events:

          (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Subordinated Debt
     Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of
     such default for a period of 30 days; or

                                       27
<PAGE>   29

          (2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
     on) any Subordinated Debt Security of that series as and when the same
     becomes due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity or by declaration of
     acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise; or

          (3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as
     due by the terms of a Subordinated Debt Security of that series; or

          (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any of our other
     covenants or warranties in the Subordinated Debt Indenture (other than a
     covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is
     elsewhere in Section 501 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture specifically
     dealt with or which has expressly been included in the Subordinated Debt
     Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Subordinated Debt
     Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or
     breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or
     certified mail, to us by the Trustee or to us and the Trustee by the
     Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated
     Debt Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or
     breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a
     "Notice of Default" under the Subordinated Debt Indenture; or

          (5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
     decree or order for relief in respect of us in an involuntary case or
     proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging us a
     bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking
     reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of
     us under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian,
     receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar
     official of us or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the
     winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such
     decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and
     in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

          (6) the commencement by us of a voluntary case or proceeding under any
     applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
     similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt
     or insolvent, or the consent by us to the entry of a decree or order for
     relief in respect of us in an involuntary case or proceeding under any
     applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
     similar law or the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or
     proceeding against us, or the filing by us of a petition or answer or
     consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or
     State law, or the consent by us to the filing of such petition or to the
     appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator,
     assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of us or of any
     substantial part of our property, or the making by us of an assignment for
     the benefit of creditors, or the admission by us in writing of our
     inability to pay our debts generally as they become due, or the taking of
     corporate action by us in furtherance of any such action; or

          (7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Subordinated
     Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501 of the Subordinated Debt
     Indenture)

     Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then
in every such case, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that series may
declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Subordinated Debt Securities of
that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the
principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Securities as may be specified in the
terms thereof) of all of the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series to be
due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to us (and to the Trustee if
given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or
specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. At any time after
such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated

                                       28
<PAGE>   30

Debt Securities of that series, by written notice to us and the Trustee, may
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

          (1) we have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to
     pay:

             (A) all overdue interest on all Subordinated Debt Securities of
        that series;

             (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Subordinated
        Debt Securities of that series which has become due otherwise than by
        such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or
        rates prescribed therefor in such Subordinated Debt Securities;

             (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest
        upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such
        Subordinated Debt Securities, and

             (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
        reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
        Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

          (2) all Events of Default with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities
     of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Subordinated
     Debt Securities of that series which has become due solely by such
     declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the
     Subordinated Debt Indenture.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon. (Section 502 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture) If the
Trustee or any Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security or coupon has instituted
any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under the Subordinated Debt
Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason,
or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in
every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, we, the
Trustee and the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and coupons shall be
restored severally and respectively to their former positions under the
Subordinated Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted. (Section 509 of the Subordinated Debt
Indenture)

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the
Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee is
under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such Indenture
at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall
have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Sections 601, 603 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture) No Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security of any
series or any related coupons shall have any right to institute any proceeding,
judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Subordinated Debt Indenture, or for
the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder,
unless:

          (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of
     a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt
     Securities of that series;

          (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that series shall have made
     written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such
     Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under the Subordinated Debt
     Indenture;

          (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
     indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
     compliance with such request;

          (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
     and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

          (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given
     to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in
     principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that
     series. (Section 507 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

                                       29
<PAGE>   31

Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Subordinated Debt Indenture, but
subject to the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt Indenture, the
right of any Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security or coupon to receive
payment of the principal of and any premium and any interest on such
Subordinated Debt Security or payment of such coupon on the Stated Maturity or
Maturities expressed in such Subordinated Debt Security or coupon and, if
applicable, to convert such Subordinated Debt Security as provided in the
conversion provisions of the Subordinated Debt Indenture and to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment or conversion right shall not be
impaired without the consent of such Holder. (Sections 508, 902 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with
respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, provided that (1)
such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the
Subordinated Debt Indenture; (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed
proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and (3) the
Trustee shall not be obligated to take any action unduly prejudicial to Holders
not joining in such direction or involving the Trustee in personal liability.
(Section 512 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture) The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series
may on behalf of the Holders of all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series waive any past default under the Subordinated Debt Indenture with respect
to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and its consequences, except
a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any
Subordinated Debt Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or
provision of the Subordinated Debt Indenture which, pursuant to the Subordinated
Debt Indenture, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder
of each Outstanding Subordinated Debt Security of such series affected. Upon any
such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent
or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. (Sections 902, 513 of
the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     If a default occurs under the Subordinated Debt Indenture with respect to
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders
of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series notice of such default as and to
the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the
case of any default or breach of certain covenants or warranties with respect to
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be
given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof (the term "default"
for purposes of these provisions being defined as any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series). (Section 602 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     In any case in which Subordinated Debt Securities are Outstanding that are
denominated in more than one currency and the Trustee is directed to make
ratable payments under the Subordinated Debt Indenture to Holders of such
Subordinated Debt Securities, unless otherwise provided with respect to any
series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trustee shall calculate the amount
of such payments as follows:

          (i) as of the day the Trustee collects an amount under the
     Subordinated Debt Indenture, the Trustee shall, as to each Holder of a
     Subordinated Debt Security to whom an amount is due and payable under the
     Subordinated Debt Indenture that is denominated in a foreign currency,
     determine that amount in Dollars that would be obtained for the amount
     owing such Holder, using the rate of exchange at which in accordance with
     normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in the City of New
     York Dollars with such amount owing;

          (ii) calculate the sum of all Dollar amounts determined under (i) and
     add thereto any amounts due and payable in Dollars; and

          (iii) using the individual amounts determined in (i) or any individual
     amounts due and payable in Dollars, as the case may be, as a numerator, and
     the sum calculated in (ii) as a denominator,
                                       30
<PAGE>   32

     calculate as to each Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security to whom an
     amount is owed under the Subordinated Debt Indenture the fraction of the
     amount collected under the Subordinated Debt Indenture payable to such
     Holder.

Any expenses incurred by the Trustee in actually converting amounts owing
Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in a currency other than
that in which any amount is collected under the Subordinated Debt Indenture
shall be likewise (in accordance with the foregoing) borne ratably by all
Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities to whom amounts are payable under the
Subordinated Debt Indenture. (Section 506 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of
obtaining judgment against us in any court it is necessary to convert the sum
due in respect of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series (the "Required Currency") into a
currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the
rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal
banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in the City of New York the
Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in the City of
New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither we nor
the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall we benefit from any
windfall in payments to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities under the
Subordinated Debt Indenture caused by a change in exchange rates between the
time the amount of a judgment against us is calculated as above and the time the
Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make
payments under the foregoing provisions of the Subordinated Debt Indenture to
Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities, but payment of such judgment shall
discharge all amounts owed by us on the claim or claims underlying such
judgment. (Section 506 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     We are required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to our
compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Subordinated Debt
Indenture. (Section 1007 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     Subordination. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Debt
Indenture, to all our Senior Indebtedness (as defined below). If we should
default in the payment of any principal of or premium or interest on any Senior
Indebtedness when the same become due and payable, whether at maturity or a date
fixed for prepayment or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, then, upon
written notice of such default to us by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
or any trustee therefor and subject to certain of our rights to dispute such
default and subject to proper notification of the Trustee, unless and until such
default has been cured or waived or ceases to exist, no direct or indirect
payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) will be made or
agreed to be made for principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, or in respect of any redemption, retirement,
purchase or other acquisition of the Subordinated Debt Securities other than
those made in our capital stock (or cash in lieu of fractional shares thereof)
pursuant to any conversion right of the Subordinated Debt Securities or
otherwise made in our capital stock. (Sections 1601, 1604 and 1605 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     "Senior Indebtedness" is defined in Section 101 of the Subordinated Debt
Indenture as our Indebtedness (as defined below) outstanding at any time except:

          (a) any Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument
     creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is
     not senior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities;

          (b) the Subordinated Debt Securities;

          (c) any of our Indebtedness to any wholly-owned Subsidiary;

          (d) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating
     certain bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings unless such interest is an
     allowed claim enforceable against us in a proceeding under federal or state
     bankruptcy laws;
                                       31
<PAGE>   33

          (e) obligations under performance guarantees, support agreements and
     other agreements in the nature thereof relating to the obligations of any
     Subsidiary, and

          (f) trade accounts payable.

     "Indebtedness" is defined in Section 101 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture
as, with respect to any Person:

          (a) (i) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on
     indebtedness for money borrowed of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes,
     debentures or similar obligations, including any guaranty by such Person of
     any indebtedness for money borrowed of any other Person, whether any such
     indebtedness or guaranty is outstanding on the date of the Subordinated
     Debt Indenture or is thereafter created, assumed or incurred;

          (ii) the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on
     indebtedness for money borrowed, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by such
     Person in connection with the acquisition by it or any of its subsidiaries
     of any other businesses properties or other assets; and

          (iii) lease obligations which such Person capitalizes in accordance
     with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13 promulgated by the
     Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other generally accepted
     accounting principles as may be from time to time in effect,

          (b) any other indebtedness of such Person, including any indebtedness
     representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
     property or interest therein, including any such balance that constitutes a
     trade account payable, and any guaranty, endorsement or other contingent
     obligation of such Person in respect of any indebtedness of another, which
     is outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Debt Indenture or is
     thereafter created, assumed or incurred by such Person; and

          (c) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions
     of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clause (a)
     or (b) above.

     If (i) without our consent a court having jurisdiction shall enter (A) an
order for relief with respect to us under the United States federal bankruptcy
laws, (B) a judgment, order or decree adjudging us a bankrupt or insolvent, or
(C) an order for relief for reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition of or in respect of us under the United States federal bankruptcy
laws or state insolvency laws or (ii) we shall institute proceedings for the
entry of an order for relief with respect to us under the United States federal
bankruptcy laws or for an adjudication of insolvency, or shall consent to the
institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against us, or shall file a
petition seeking, or seek or consent to reorganization, arrangement, composition
or similar relief under the United States federal bankruptcy laws or any
applicable state law, or shall consent to the filing of such petition or to the
appointment of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee,
sequestrator or similar official in respect of us or of substantially all of our
property, or we shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors as
recognized under the United States federal bankruptcy laws, then all Senior
Indebtedness (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of
any such proceedings) will first be paid in full before any payment or
distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, may be made to any
Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities on account thereof. In such event, any
payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property (other
than our securities or any other corporation provided for by a plan of
reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to
the extent provided in the subordination provisions with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then
outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan
of reorganization or readjustment), which would otherwise (but for the
subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of Subordinated
Debt Securities of any series will be paid or delivered directly to the holders
of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among
such holders until all Senior Indebtedness (including any interest thereon
accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) has been paid in full.
If any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or
other property (other than our securities or any
                                       32
<PAGE>   34

other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the
payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the
subordination provisions with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities, to
the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding and to any securities
issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or
readjustment), shall be received by the Trustee or any holder of any
Subordinated Debt Securities in contravention of any of the terms of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture, such payment or distribution will be received in
trust for the benefit of, and will be paid over or delivered and transferred to,
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness then outstanding in accordance with the
priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of
all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all
such Senior Indebtedness in full. In the event of the failure of the Trustee or
any holder to endorse or assign any such payment, distribution or security, each
Holder of Senior Indebtedness is irrevocably authorized to endorse or assign the
same. In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums
owing with respect to Senior Indebtedness, the holders of Subordinated Debt
Securities, together with the holders of any of our other obligations ranking on
a parity with the Subordinated Debt Securities, will be entitled to be repaid
from our remaining assets the amounts at that time due and owing on account of
unpaid principal of and any premium and interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities and such other obligations before any payment or other distribution,
whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made on account of any of our
capital stock or obligations ranking junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities
and such other obligations. (Section 1601 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that Senior Indebtedness shall not
be deemed to have been paid in full unless the holders thereof shall have
received cash, securities or other property equal to the amount of such Senior
Indebtedness then outstanding. Upon the payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness, the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of each series shall
be subrogated to all rights of any holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive any
further payments or distributions applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until
the indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series
shall have been paid in full, and such payments or distributions received by
such Holders, by reason of such subrogation, of cash, securities or other
property that otherwise would be paid or distributed to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, shall, as between us and our creditors other than the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness, on the one hand, and such Holders, on the other hand,
be deemed to be a payment by us on account of such Senior Indebtedness, and not
on account of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. (Section 1601 of
the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     The prospectus supplement respecting any series of Subordinated Debt
Securities will set forth any subordination provisions applicable to such series
in addition to or different from those described above.

     By reason of such subordination, in the event of a liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding involving us or
an assignment for the benefit of creditors of us or any of our Subsidiaries or a
marshaling of assets or liabilities of us and our Subsidiaries, holders of
Senior Indebtedness and holders of our other obligations that are not
subordinated to Senior Indebtedness may receive more, ratably, than holders of
the Subordinated Debt Securities. Such subordination will not prevent the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or limit the rights of the Trustee
or any Holder, subject to the other provisions of the Subordinated Debt
indenture, to pursue any other rights or remedies with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities.

     Conversion. The Subordinated Debt Indenture may provide for a right of
conversion of Subordinated Debt Securities into common stock (or cash in lieu
thereof). (Sections 301 and 1501 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture) The
following provisions will apply to Debt Securities that are convertible
Subordinated Debt Securities unless otherwise provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement for such Debt Securities.

     The holder of any convertible Subordinated Debt Securities will have the
right exercisable at any time prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed or
otherwise purchased by us, to convert such Subordinated Debt Securities into
shares of common stock at the conversion price or conversion rate set forth in
the applicable prospectus supplement, subject to adjustment. (Section 1502 of
the Subordinated Debt

                                       33
<PAGE>   35

Indenture) The holder of convertible Subordinated Debt Securities may convert
any portion thereof which is $1,000 in principal amount or any integral multiple
thereof. (Section 1502 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     In certain events, the conversion price or conversion rate will be subject
to adjustment as set forth in the Subordinated Debt Indenture. Such events
include the issuance of shares of our common stock as a dividend or distribution
on the common stock; subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of the
common stock; the issuance to all holders of common stock of rights or warrants
entitling the holders thereof (for a period not exceeding 45 days) to subscribe
for or purchase shares of common stock at a price per share less than the then
current market price per share of common stock (as determined pursuant to the
Subordinated Debt Indenture); and the distribution to substantially all holders
of common stock of evidences of indebtedness, equity securities (including
equity interests in our Subsidiaries) other than common stock, or other assets
(excluding cash dividends paid from surplus) or rights or warrants to subscribe
for securities (other than those referred to above). No adjustment of the
conversion price or conversion rate will be required unless an adjustment would
require a cumulative increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price or rate.
(Section 1504 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture) We have been advised by our
counsel that certain adjustments in the conversion price or conversion rate in
accordance with the foregoing provisions may result in constructive
distributions to either holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities or holders
of common stock which would be taxable pursuant to Treasury Regulations issued
under Section 305 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The amount
of any such taxable constructive distribution would be the fair market value of
the common stock which is treated as having been constructively received, such
value being determined as of the time the adjustment resulting in the
constructive distribution is made.

     Fractional shares of common stock will not be issued upon conversion, but,
in lieu thereof, we will pay a cash adjustment based on the then current market
price for the common stock. (Section 1503 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)
Upon conversion, no adjustments will be made for accrued interest or dividends,
and therefore convertible Subordinated Debt Securities surrendered for
conversion between an Interest Payment Date and on or prior to the record date
pertaining to the subsequent Interest Payment Date will not be considered
Outstanding and no interest will be paid on the related Interest Payment Date.
Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities (except convertible Subordinated Debt
Securities called for redemption on a redemption date during such period)
surrendered for conversion during the period between the close of business on
any record date for an Interest Payment Date for such convertible Subordinated
Debt Security and the opening of business on the related Interest Payment Date
shall be considered Outstanding for purposes of payment of interest, and,
therefore, must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest
payable thereon on such Interest Payment Date. (Sections 1504 and 1502 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture)

     In the case of any consolidation or merger of us (with certain exceptions)
or any conveyance, transfer or lease of our properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any Person, each holder of convertible Subordinated Debt
Securities, after the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, will
have the right to convert such convertible Subordinated Debt Securities only
into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property which the holder
would have been entitled to receive upon or in connection with such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, if the holder had held the
common stock issuable upon conversion of such convertible Subordinated Debt
Securities immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer
or lease. (Section 1505 of the Subordinated Debt Indenture)

                                       34
<PAGE>   36

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL

     We are authorized to issue 1,500,000,000 shares of common stock, of which
618,994,325 shares were outstanding at May 21, 1999. We are also authorized to
issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which were outstanding on
that date.

COMMON STOCK

     Dividends. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends when
declared by our Board of Directors. In certain cases, common stockholders may
not receive dividends until we satisfy our obligations to any preferred
stockholders.

     Voting Rights. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote in the
election of directors and in each other matter we may ask stockholders to vote
on. Common stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the
holders of a majority of shares voting for the election of directors can elect
all of the directors standing for election. Because members of our Board of
Directors serve staggered three-year terms, only about one third of our
directors are elected each year.

     Fully Paid Status. All outstanding shares of our common stock are validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The shares offered hereby will also be,
upon issuance and sale, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     Liquidation or Dissolution. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our
business, whether or not voluntarily, common stockholders will share ratably in
the assets remaining after we pay our creditors and any preferred stockholders.

     Listing. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the trading symbol "WMI."

     Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the
common stock is Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Chicago, Illinois.

PREFERRED STOCK

     The Board of Directors is authorized, without obtaining stockholder
approval, to issue one or more series of preferred stock. The Board's authority
includes determining the number of shares of each series and the rights,
preferences and limitations of each series, including voting rights, dividend
rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and any liquidation preferences. In
this regard, the Board may issue preferred stock with voting and conversion
rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common
stock, and dividend or liquidation preferences that would restrict common stock
dividends or adversely affect the assets available for distribution to holders
of shares of common stock in the event of our dissolution.

AUTHORIZED BUT UNISSUED SHARES

     Authorized but unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock can be
reserved for issuance by the Board of Directors from time to time, without
stockholder action, for stock dividends or stock splits, to raise equity capital
and to structure future corporate transactions, including acquisitions, as well
as for other proper corporate purposes. Stockholders have no preemptive rights.

DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

     We are a Delaware corporation and are governed by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, in addition to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws, certain provisions of which are summarized below. You should read the
actual provisions of these documents.

                                       35
<PAGE>   37

     Section 203 of the Delaware law provides that an "Interested Stockholder,"
which is generally defined to mean any beneficial owner of 15% to 85% of the
corporation's voting stock, may not engage in any "business combination" with
the corporation for a period of three years after the date on which the person
became an Interested Stockholder, unless:

     - prior to such date, the corporation's board of directors approved either
       the business combination or the transaction in which the stockholder
       became an Interested Stockholder; or

     - subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the
       corporation's board of directors and authorized at a stockholders'
       meeting by a vote of at least two-thirds of the corporation's outstanding
       voting stock not owned by the Interested Stockholder.

     Section 203 defines the term "business combination" to include mergers,
asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the
Interested Stockholder.

     The provisions of Section 203, combined with the Board of Directors'
authority to issue preferred stock without further stockholder action, could
delay or frustrate a change in control or discourage, impede or prevent a
merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us, even if such an event would
be favorable to the interests of our stockholders. Our stockholders, by adopting
an amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, may elect not to be
governed by Section 203. Such an election would be effective 12 months after its
adoption.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that our directors are
not liable for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duty as
directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders,
acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized
illegal dividends or redemptions or derived an improper personal benefit from
their action as directors.

     In addition, our Bylaws provide for indemnification of each officer and
director to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Section 145 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law grants us the power to indemnify each officer
and director against liabilities and expenses incurred by reason of the fact
that he is or was an officer or director if the individual (1) acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the company, and (2) with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

     We have also purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows us to purchase such
insurance whether or not we would have the power to indemnify an officer or
director under the provisions of Section 145.

     We also have entered into a contract with each of our directors and
executive officers to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of his or her
counsel, as well as any judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid
in settlement and other liabilities, which the individual may incur in any claim
or proceeding (including an action on our behalf) by reason of having served us
as a director, officer, agent or fiduciary. These agreements also provide for us
to pay the individual's defense costs before the proceeding is over, so long as
the director or officer undertakes to repay us should a court later determine
that the director or officer was not entitled to indemnification.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers or controlling persons
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion
of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

                                       36
<PAGE>   38

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and we
also may sell the securities directly to other purchasers or through agents.

     The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market
prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices.

     In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may receive
compensation from us, or purchasers of securities for whom they may act as
agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters,
dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us
or the purchasers of securities, and any profit on their resale of securities
may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities
Act. We will identify any person deemed to be an underwriter and will describe
the compensation they receive from us in a prospectus supplement.

     Debt securities, when first issued, will have no established trading
market. If we sell debt securities to or through any underwriters or agents for
public offering and sale, they may make a market in those debt securities.
However, the underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. There can be no
assurance as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the debt
securities.

     We may enter into agreements with underwriters, dealers and agents who
participate in the distribution of securities that could entitle them to
indemnification by us against or contribution from us toward certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

DELAYED DELIVERY ARRANGEMENT

     If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters
or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions
to purchase debt securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment
and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be
made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds,
investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in
all cases will be subject to our approval. The obligations of any purchaser
under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of
the debt securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the
laws of any jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters
and such agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of those
contracts.

                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES


     The validity of the securities has been passed upon for us by Locke Liddell
& Sapp LLP, and certain legal matters will be passed upon for any agents,
dealers or underwrites, by counsel named in the applicable prospectus
supplement.


                                    EXPERTS

     The audited consolidated financial statements appearing in Waste
Management's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as set forth in their report. In
their report, that firm states that, with respect to USA Waste Services, Inc.
and Subsidiaries, its opinion is based on reports of other auditors, namely
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. The financial statements referred to above have been
included herein in reliance upon the authority of those firms as experts in
given said reports.

                                       37
<PAGE>   39

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

     The following table sets forth all expenses payable by the Company in
connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All the amounts shown are estimates,
except the registration fee.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
Registration Fee............................................   $  611,600
Fees and expenses of accountants............................      150,000
Fees and expenses of legal counsel..........................      100,000
Fees and expenses of trustee and counsel....................       50,000
Fees of rating agencies.....................................       75,000
Printing and engraving expenses.............................      180,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including counsel)..............       20,000
Miscellaneous...............................................       13,400
                                                               ----------
          Total.............................................   $1,200,000
                                                               ==========
</TABLE>

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Under Delaware law, a corporation may include provisions in its certificate
of incorporation that will relieve its directors of monetary liability for
breaches of their fiduciary duty to the corporation, except under certain
circumstances, including a breach of the director's duty of loyalty, acts or
omissions of the director not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, the approval of an improper payment of
a dividend or an improper purchase by the corporation of stock or any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company's
directors are not liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages
for breach of their fiduciary duty, subject to the described exceptions
specified by Delaware law.

     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law grants to the Company
the power to indemnify each officer and director of the Company against
liabilities and expenses incurred by reason of the fact that he is or was an
officer or director of the Company if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause
to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Bylaws of the Company provide for
indemnification of each officer and director of the Company to the fullest
extent permitted by Delaware law.

     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also empowers the
Company to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was
an officer or director of the Company against liability asserted against or
incurred by him in any such capacity, whether or not the Company would have the
power to indemnify such officer or director against such liability under the
provisions of Section 145. The Company has purchased and maintains a directors'
and officers' liability policy for such purposes.

     The Company has entered into Indemnification Agreements with each of its
directors and executive officers. Such Indemnification Agreements provide that
such persons (the "Indemnitees") will be indemnified and held harmless from all
expenses, including (without limitation) the amount of any judgments, fines,
penalties, excise taxes and amounts paid in settlement, actually incurred by an
Indemnitee with respect to any threatened, pending or completed claim, action
(including any action by or in the right of the Company), suit or proceeding
(whether formal or informal, or civil, criminal, administrative, legislative,
arbitrative or investigative) in respect of which such Indemnitee is, was or at
any time becomes, or is threatened to be made, a party, witness, subject or
target, by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was a director,
officer, agent or fiduciary of the Company or serving at the

                                      II-1
<PAGE>   40

request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or
representative or another enterprise. Such Indemnification Agreements also
provide that the Company, if requested to do so by an Indemnitee, will advance
to such Indemnitee, prior to final disposition of any proceeding, the expense
actually incurred by the Indemnitee subject to the obligation of the Indemnitee
to refund if it is ultimately determined that such Indemnitee was not entitled
to indemnification.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

     The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration
Statement, including those exhibits incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act as indicated
in parentheses:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                    EXHIBIT
        -------                                    -------
<C>                      <S>
         1.1*            -- Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities).
         1.2*            -- Form of Underwriting Agreement (Common Stock).
         4.1             -- Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated September 10,
                            1997, among the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank
                            National Association, now known as Chase Bank of Texas,
                            National Association, as trustee (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current
                            Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September
                            24, 1997).
         4.2             -- Subordinated Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1997,
                            among the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National
                            Association, now known as Chase Bank of Texas, National
                            Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
                            8-K filed with the Commission on February 7, 1997).
         4.3*            -- Form of Debt Securities.
         4.4             -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
                            Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 16,
                            1998).
         4.5             -- Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
                            Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
                            Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-60103)).
         4.6             -- Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Annual
                            Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                            1998).
         5.1***          -- Opinion of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP as to the legality of
                            the Securities being registered.
        12.1**           -- Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
        23.1***          -- Consent of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit
                            5.1).
        23.2**           -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
        23.3**           -- Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
        24.1**           -- Powers of Attorney.
        25.1***          -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee with respect to
                            Senior Debt Indenture.
        25.2***          -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee with respect to
                            Subordinated Debt Indenture.
</TABLE>


- ---------------

*   The Company will file any underwriting agreement relating to Debt Securities
    or common stock that it may enter into and any form of Debt Securities not
    previously so filed, as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.


**  Previously filed.



*** Filed herewith.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>   41

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act;

             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the registration statement; notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
        maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
        or any material change to such information in the registration
        statement;

     provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
     the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
     those paragraphs is contained in periodic report filed with or furnished to
     the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
     the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration
     statement.

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
     new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
     the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
     this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
     form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (c) The registration hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>   42

     (d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to any charter provision, by-law, contract, arrangement,
statute, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted against the registrant by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>   43

                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas on the 11th day of June,
1999.


                                            WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

                                            By:      /s/ JOHN E. DRURY
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                        John E. Drury
                                                  Chairman of the Board and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 11th day of June, 1999.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                      TITLE
                      ---------                                      -----
<C>                                                    <S>                                 <C>

                  /s/ JOHN E. DRURY                    Chairman of the Board and Chief
- -----------------------------------------------------    Executive Officer (Principal
                    John E. Drury                        Executive Officer)

                          *                            President, Chief Operating Officer
- -----------------------------------------------------    and Director
                   Rodney R. Proto

                /s/ EARL E. DEFRATES                   Executive Vice President and Chief
- -----------------------------------------------------    Financial Officer (Principal
                  Earl E. DeFrates                       Financial Officer)

                 /s/ BRUCE E. SNYDER                   Vice President and Chief
- -----------------------------------------------------    Accounting Officer (Principal
                   Bruce E. Snyder                       Accounting Officer)

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  H. Jesse Arnelle

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
              Pastora San Juan Cafferty

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Ralph F. Cox

                                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Richard J. Heckmann

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Roderick M. Hills

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Richard D. Kinder
</TABLE>


                                      II-5
<PAGE>   44


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                      TITLE
                      ---------                                      -----
<C>                                                    <S>                                 <C>

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Robert S. Miller

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Paul M. Montrone

                                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    John S. Pope

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Steven G. Rothmeier

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Ralph V. Whitworth

                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Jerome B. York

            *By: /s/ GREGORY T. SANGALIS
  ------------------------------------------------
                 Gregory T. Sangalis
                  Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>


                                      II-6
<PAGE>   45

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                    EXHIBIT
        -------                                    -------
<C>                      <S>
         1.1*            -- Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities).
         1.2*            -- Form of Underwriting Agreement (Common Stock).
         4.1             -- Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated September 10,
                            1997, among the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank
                            National Association, now known as Chase Bank of Texas,
                            National Association, as trustee (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current
                            Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September
                            24, 1997).
         4.2             -- Subordinated Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1997,
                            among the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National
                            Association, now known as Chase Bank of Texas, National
                            Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
                            8-K filed with the Commission on February 7, 1997).
         4.3*            -- Form of Debt Securities.
         4.4             -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
                            Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 16,
                            1998).
         4.5             -- Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
                            Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
                            Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33-60103)).
         4.6             -- Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Annual
                            Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                            1998).
         5.1***          -- Opinion of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP as to the legality of
                            the Securities being registered.
        12.1**           -- Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
        23.1***          -- Consent of Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit
                            5.1).
        23.2**           -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
        23.3**           -- Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
        24.1**           -- Powers of Attorney.
        25.1***          -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee with respect to
                            Senior Debt Indenture.
        25.2***          -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee with respect to
                            Subordinated Debt Indenture.
</TABLE>


- ---------------

*   The Company will file any underwriting agreement relating to Debt Securities
    or common stock that it may enter into and any form of Debt Securities not
    previously so filed, as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.


**  Previously filed.



*** Filed herewith.


<PAGE>   1
                    [LETTERHEAD OF LOCKE LIDDELL & SAPP LLP]








                                  June 11, 1999



Waste Management, Inc.
1001 Fannin, Suite 4000
Houston, Texas 77002

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Waste Management, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (formerly USA Waste Services, Inc.) ("Waste Management"), in
connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") filed on June 4, 1999, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to Waste Management's (i) unsecured
debt securities ("Debt Securities"), in one or more series, which may be senior
or subordinated in priority of payment (the Debt Securities may be convertible
or exchangeable into common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Waste Management
("Common Stock")), and (ii) shares of Common Stock (such Debt Securities and
Common Stock are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities"), which
Securities may be issued from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act for an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed
$3,000,000,000.

         We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction, of (i) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
of Waste Management, each as amended to the date hereof, (ii) the Senior
Indenture (the "Senior Indenture") by and between Waste Management and Chase
Bank of Texas National Association (formerly Texas Commerce Bank National
Association) ("Chase Texas"), as trustee, dated as of September 10, 1997, (iii)
the Senior Subordinated Indenture (the "Subordinated Indenture") by and between
Waste Management and Chase Texas, as trustee, dated as of February 1, 1997, and
(iv) such other certificates, statutes and other instruments and documents as we
considered appropriate for purposes of the opinions hereafter expressed.

         In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that (i) the
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective
amendments), will have become effective; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement will have
been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered
thereby; (iii) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with
applicable


<PAGE>   2

Waste Management, Inc.
June 11, 1999
Page 2


federal and state securities laws and in the manner described in the
Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement; (iv) the Senior
Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and
delivered by a trustee qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended (the "TIA"); (v) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar
agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized
and validly executed and delivered by Waste Management and the other parties
thereto; and (vi) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise
of any Security being offered will have been duly authorized, created and, if
appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

         1. Waste Management has been duly incorporated and is validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

         2. With respect to Debt Securities to be issued under the Senior
Indenture, when (i) the Senior Indenture has been duly qualified under the TIA;
(ii) the Board of Directors of Waste Management or, to the extent permitted by
Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Act (the "DGCL"), a duly
constituted and acting committee thereof (such Board of Directors or committee
being referred to herein as the "Board") has taken all necessary corporate
action to approve the issuance and terms of such Debt Securities, the terms of
the offering thereof and related matters; (iii) the terms of such Debt
Securities and of their issuance and sale have been established so as not to
violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any
agreement or instrument binding upon Waste Management and so as to comply with
any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having
jurisdiction over Waste Management; and (iv) such Debt Securities have been duly
executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions
of the Senior Indenture and in accordance with the applicable definitive
purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment
of the consideration provided for therein, such Debt Securities will be legally
issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of Waste Management,
enforceable against Waste Management in accordance with their terms, except as
such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other law relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally
and general principles of equity and will be entitled to the benefits of the
Senior Indenture.

         3. With respect to Debt Securities to be issued under the Subordinated
Indenture, when (i) the Subordinated Indenture has been duly qualified under the
TIA; (ii) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the
issuance and terms of such Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof
and related matters; (iii) the terms of such Debt Securities and of their
issuance and sale have been established so as not to violate any applicable law
or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding
upon Waste Management and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction
imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over


<PAGE>   3


Waste Management, Inc.
June 11, 1999
Page 3

Waste Management; and (iv) such Debt Securities have been duly executed,
authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture and in accordance with the applicable definitive
purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment
of the consideration provided for therein, such Debt Securities will be legally
issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of Waste Management,
enforceable against Waste Management in accordance with their terms, except as
such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other law relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally
and general principles of equity and will be entitled to the benefits of the
Subordinated Indenture.

         4. With respect to shares of Common Stock, when (i) the Board and the
stockholders have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance
and terms of the offering thereof and related matters; and (ii) certificates
representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned,
registered and delivered either (a) in accordance with the applicable definitive
purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment
of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock)
provided for therein, and (b) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other
Security in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument
governing such Security providing for such conversion, exchange or exercise as
approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less
than the par value of the Common Stock and, in the case of shares of Common
Stock issued upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of another security, the
consideration specified in Section 153 of the DGCL), the shares of Common Stock
will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         The foregoing opinions are limited in all respects to the laws of the
State of Texas, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and federal
laws.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the commission issued thereunder.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               /s/ Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1


================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            -------------------------

                                    FORM T-1

                       STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
                           TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                 OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ____
                             -----------------------

                    CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                                   74-0800980
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

     712 MAIN STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS                             77002
  (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip code)

                    LEE BOOCKER, 712 MAIN STREET, 26TH FLOOR
                       HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002 (713) 216-2448
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                             WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                  DELAWARE                                73-1309529
      (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)                 Identification Number)

1001 FANNIN STREET, SUITE 4000, HOUSTON, TEXAS               77002
  (Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip code)

                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
                         (Title of indenture securities)

================================================================================

<PAGE>   2

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

         (a)      NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING
                  AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                  Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.
                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
                  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
                  Washington, D.C.

         (b)      WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                  The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

                  IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
                  SUCH AFFILIATION.

                  The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee. (See Note on
                  Page 7.)

ITEM 3.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF VOTING
                  SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

                            COL. A                          COL. B
                        TITLE OF CLASS                AMOUNT OUTSTANDING
                        --------------                ------------------

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.

ITEM 4.  TRUSTEESHIPS UNDER OTHER INDENTURES.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER
WHICH ANY OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION:

                  (a) TITLE OF THE SECURITIES OUTSTANDING UNDER EACH SUCH OTHER
                      INDENTURE.

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.


                                       1
<PAGE>   3

ITEM 4. (CONTINUED)

                  (b) A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FACTS RELIED UPON AS A BASIS FOR
                  THE CLAIM THAT NO CONFLICTING INTEREST WITHIN THE MEANING OF
                  SECTION 310(b)(1) OF THE ACT ARISES AS A RESULT OF THE
                  TRUSTEESHIP UNDER ANY SUCH OTHER INDENTURE, INCLUDING A
                  STATEMENT AS TO HOW THE INDENTURE SECURITIES WILL RANK AS
                  COMPARED WITH THE SECURITIES ISSUED UNDER SUCH OTHER
                  INDENTURE.

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.

ITEM 5.  INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OBLIGOR OR
         UNDERWRITERS.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
THE TRUSTEE IS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE, APPOINTEE, OR
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OBLIGOR OR OF ANY UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, IDENTIFY
EACH SUCH PERSON HAVING ANY SUCH CONNECTION AND STATE THE NATURE OF EACH SUCH
CONNECTION.

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.

ITEM 6. VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS OFFICIALS.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES
OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY THE OBLIGOR AND EACH DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE OBLIGOR.

   COL. A             COL. B            COL. C                   COL. D
                                                              PERCENTAGE OF
                                                            VOTING SECURITIES
                                                             REPRESENTED BY
                                      AMOUNT OWNED           AMOUNT GIVEN IN
NAME OF OWNER     TITLE OF CLASS      BENEFICIALLY               COL. C
- -------------     --------------      ------------          -----------------

   Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
Item 13.


                                       2
<PAGE>   4


ITEM 7.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY UNDERWRITERS OR THEIR
         OFFICIALS.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES
OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY EACH UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR AND EACH
DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EACH SUCH UNDERWRITER.

   COL. A              COL. B            COL. C               COL. D
                                                           PERCENTAGE OF
                                                         VOTING SECURITIES
                                                          REPRESENTED BY
                                      AMOUNT OWNED       AMOUNT GIVEN IN
NAME OF OWNER      TITLE OF CLASS     BENEFICIALLY            COL. C
- -------------      --------------     ------------       -----------------

   Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
Item 13.


ITEM 8.  SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE SECURITIES OF THE
OBLIGOR OWNED BENEFICIALLY OR HELD AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN
DEFAULT BY THE TRUSTEE.

   COL. A              COL. B               COL. C                COL. D
                                         AMOUNT OWNED
                     WHETHER THE        BENEFICIALLY OR         PERCENT OF
                     SECURITIES        HELD AS COLLATERAL         CLASS
                     ARE VOTING         SECURITY FOR          REPRESENTED BY
                    OR NONVOTING        OBLIGATIONS IN        AMOUNT GIVEN IN
TITLE OF CLASS       SECURITIES            DEFAULT                COL. C
- --------------      ------------       ------------------     ---------------

   Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
Item 13.


                                       3
<PAGE>   5


ITEM 9.  SECURITIES OF UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL
SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE
OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF
SUCH UNDERWRITER ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

      COL. A             COL. B                COL. C                 COL. D
                                            AMOUNT OWNED
                                           BENEFICIALLY OR          PERCENT OF
                                         HELD AS COLLATERAL           CLASS
   NAME OF ISSUER                           SECURITY FOR          REPRESENTED BY
        AND              AMOUNT           OBLIGATIONS IN         AMOUNT GIVEN IN
   TITLE OF CLASS      OUTSTANDING       DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE           COL. C
   --------------     ------------       ------------------      ---------------

     Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
Item 13.


ITEM 10. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN
         AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL
SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT VOTING SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUSTEE (1) OWNS 10% OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
OBLIGOR OR (2) IS AN AFFILIATE, OTHER THAN A SUBSIDIARY, OF THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON.

      COL. A             COL. B                COL. C                COL. D
                                            AMOUNT OWNED
                                          BENEFICIALLY OR          PERCENT OF
                                         HELD AS COLLATERAL          CLASS
   NAME OF ISSUER                           SECURITY FOR          REPRESENTED BY
        AND              AMOUNT            OBLIGATIONS IN        AMOUNT GIVEN IN
   TITLE OF CLASS     OUTSTANDING        DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE         COL. C
   --------------     -----------        ------------------      ---------------

    Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
Item 13.


                                       4
<PAGE>   6

ITEM 11. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON
         OWNING 50% OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL
SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUSTEE, OWNS 50% OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OR
SUCH PERSON ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

       COL. A            COL. B                 COL. C               COL. D
                                             AMOUNT OWNED
                                            BENEFICIALLY OR        PERCENT OF
                                           HELD AS COLLATERAL        CLASS
   NAME OF ISSUER                            SECURITY FOR         REPRESENTED BY
        AND              AMOUNT             OBLIGATIONS IN       AMOUNT GIVEN IN
   TITLE OF CLASS      OUTSTANDING        DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE          COL. C
   --------------     ------------        ------------------     ---------------

    Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
Item 13.


ITEM 12. INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

                  EXCEPT AS NOTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE OBLIGOR IS
INDEBTED TO THE TRUSTEE, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:


      COL. A                COL. B             COL. C

     NATURE OF             AMOUNT
   INDEBTEDNESS          OUTSTANDING          DATE DUE
   ------------          -----------          --------

       Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response
to Item 13.


ITEM 13. DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

         (A) STATE WHETHER THERE IS OR HAS BEEN A DEFAULT WITH RESPECT TO THE
SECURITIES UNDER THIS INDENTURE. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         There is not, nor has there been, a default with respect to the
securities under this indenture. (See Note on Page 7.)


                                      5
<PAGE>   7

ITEM 13. (CONTINUED)

         (b) IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, OR IS TRUSTEE FOR MORE THAN ONE
OUTSTANDING SERIES OF SECURITIES UNDER THE INDENTURE, STATE WHETHER THERE HAS
BEEN A DEFAULT UNDER ANY SUCH INDENTURE OR SERIES, IDENTIFY THE INDENTURE OR
SERIES AFFECTED, AND EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

         There has not been a default under any such indenture or series. (See
Note on Page 7.)

ITEM 14. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

                  IF ANY UNDERWRITER IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE
EACH SUCH AFFILIATION.

       Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response
to Item 13.

ITEM 15. FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

                  IDENTIFY THE ORDER OR RULE PURSUANT TO WHICH THE FOREIGN
TRUSTEE IS AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS SOLE TRUSTEE UNDER INDENTURES QUALIFIED OR TO BE
QUALIFIED UNDER THE ACT.

                  Not applicable.

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

                  LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF
ELIGIBILITY.

                  o 1. A copy of the articles of association of the trustee now
                  in effect.

                  # 2. A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to
                  commence business.

                  * 3. A copy of the certificate of authorization of the trustee
                  to exercise corporate trust powers issued by the Board of
                  Governors of the Federal Reserve System under date of January
                  21, 1948.

                  + 4. A copy of the existing bylaws of the trustee.

                    5. Not applicable.


                                       6
<PAGE>   8

                    6. The consent of the United States institutional trustees
 required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

                [ ] 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining
authority.

                    8. Not applicable.

                    9. Not applicable.

                      NOTE REGARDING INCORPORATED EXHIBITS

         Effective January 20, 1998, the name of the Trustee was changed from
Texas Commerce Bank National Association to Chase Bank of Texas, National
Association. Certain of the exhibits incorporated herein by reference, with the
exception of Exhibit 7, were filed under the former name of the Trustee.

         o     Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same designation
         and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
         exhibits to the Form S-3 File No. 33-56195.

         #     Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same designation
         and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
         exhibits to the Form S-3 File No. 33-42814.

         *     Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same designation
         and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
         exhibits to the Form S-11 File No. 33-25132.

         +     Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same designation
         and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
         exhibits to the Form S-3 File No. 33-65055.

         [ ]   Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same designation
         and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
         exhibits to the Form S-4 File No. 333-77263.

                                      NOTE

               Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by
the trustee of all facts on which to base responsive answers to Items 2 and 13,
the answers to said Items are based on incomplete information. Such Items may,
however, be considered as correct unless amended by an amendment to this Form
T-1.


                                       7
<PAGE>   9

                                    SIGNATURE

         PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 THE
TRUSTEE, CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TEXAS
COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO AUTHORIZED, ALL IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND STATE OF TEXAS, ON THE
11TH DAY OF JUNE, 1999.

                                           CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL
                                              ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE


                                           By:    /s/ MAURI J. COWEN
                                              ---------------------------------
                                                      Mauri J. Cowen
                                               Vice President and Trust Officer




<PAGE>   10

                                                                       EXHIBIT 6



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

         The undersigned is trustee under an Indenture between USA Waste
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, now known as Waste Management, Inc. (the
"Company"), and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, now known as Chase
Bank of Texas, National Association, as Trustee, entered into in connection with
the issuance of the Company's Senior Debt Securities.

         In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examinations of the undersigned,
made by Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may
be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
its request therefor.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL
                                               ASSOCIATION, as Trustee


                                            By:      /s/ MAURI J. COWEN
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                         Mauri J. Cowen
                                                Vice President and Trust Officer

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2




================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                            -------------------------

                                    FORM T-1

                       STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
                           TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                 OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ____

                             -----------------------

                    CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                                   74-0800980
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

     712 MAIN STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS                               77002
  (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip code)

                    LEE BOOCKER, 712 MAIN STREET, 26TH FLOOR
                       HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002 (713) 216-2448
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                             WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                        DELAWARE                               73-1309529
            (State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
             incorporation or organization)              Identification Number)

   1001 FANNIN STREET, SUITE 4000, HOUSTON, TEXAS                  77002
       (Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip code)

                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                         (Title of indenture securities)

================================================================================

<PAGE>   2


ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

         (a)      NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING
                  AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                  Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.
                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
                  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington,
                  D.C.

         (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                  The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

                  IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
                  SUCH AFFILIATION.

                  The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee. (See Note on
                  Page 7.)

ITEM 3.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF VOTING
                  SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

                            COL. A                             COL. B
                        TITLE OF CLASS                   AMOUNT OUTSTANDING
                        --------------                   ------------------

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.

ITEM 4.  TRUSTEESHIPS UNDER OTHER INDENTURES.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER
WHICH ANY OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY
OTHER SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION:

                  (a)   TITLE OF THE SECURITIES OUTSTANDING UNDER EACH SUCH
                        OTHER INDENTURE.

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.



                                       1
<PAGE>   3

ITEM 4. (CONTINUED)

                  (b) A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FACTS RELIED UPON AS A BASIS FOR
                  THE CLAIM THAT NO CONFLICTING INTEREST WITHIN THE MEANING OF
                  SECTION 310(b)(1) OF THE ACT ARISES AS A RESULT OF THE
                  TRUSTEESHIP UNDER ANY SUCH OTHER INDENTURE, INCLUDING A
                  STATEMENT AS TO HOW THE INDENTURE SECURITIES WILL RANK AS
                  COMPARED WITH THE SECURITIES ISSUED UNDER SUCH OTHER
                  INDENTURE.

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.

ITEM 5.  INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OBLIGOR OR
         UNDERWRITERS.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
THE TRUSTEE IS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE, APPOINTEE, OR
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OBLIGOR OR OF ANY UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR, IDENTIFY
EACH SUCH PERSON HAVING ANY SUCH CONNECTION AND STATE THE NATURE OF EACH SUCH
CONNECTION.

                  Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and
                  response to Item 13.

ITEM 6. VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS OFFICIALS.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES
OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY THE OBLIGOR AND EACH DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE OBLIGOR.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      COL. A                      COL. B                     COL. C                    COL. D
                                                                                     PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                   VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                                    REPRESENTED BY
                                                           AMOUNT OWNED             AMOUNT GIVEN IN
   NAME OF OWNER               TITLE OF CLASS              BENEFICIALLY                  COL. C
   -------------               --------------              ------------             ---------------
<S>                            <C>                         <C>                     <C>

</TABLE>

     Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
     Item 13.



                                       2
<PAGE>   4




ITEM 7.  VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY UNDERWRITERS OR THEIR
         OFFICIALS.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES
OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY EACH UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR AND EACH
DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EACH SUCH UNDERWRITER.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      COL. A                      COL. B                     COL. C                    COL. D
                                                                                     PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                   VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                                    REPRESENTED BY
                                                           AMOUNT OWNED             AMOUNT GIVEN IN
   NAME OF OWNER               TITLE OF CLASS              BENEFICIALLY                  COL. C
   -------------               --------------              ------------             ---------------
<S>                            <C>                         <C>                     <C>

</TABLE>

     Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
     Item 13.


ITEM 8.  SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE SECURITIES OF THE
OBLIGOR OWNED BENEFICIALLY OR HELD AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN
DEFAULT BY THE TRUSTEE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         COL. A                     COL. B                    COL. C                 COL. D
                                                           AMOUNT OWNED
                                  WHETHER THE            BENEFICIALLY OR           PERCENT OF
                                   SECURITIES           HELD AS COLLATERAL            CLASS
                                   ARE VOTING             SECURITY FOR           REPRESENTED BY
                                  OR NONVOTING           OBLIGATIONS IN         AMOUNT GIVEN IN
      TITLE OF CLASS               SECURITIES                DEFAULT                 COL. C
      --------------             -------------          ------------------      ---------------
<S>                              <C>                    <C>                     <C>

</TABLE>


     Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
     Item 13.






                                       3
<PAGE>   5



ITEM 9.  SECURITIES OF UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL
SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE
OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF
SUCH UNDERWRITER ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         COL. A                     COL. B                    COL. C                   COL. D
                                                           AMOUNT OWNED
                                                         BENEFICIALLY OR              PERCENT OF
                                                        HELD AS COLLATERAL              CLASS
     NAME OF ISSUER                                        SECURITY FOR            REPRESENTED BY
           AND                      AMOUNT               OBLIGATIONS IN            AMOUNT GIVEN IN
     TITLE OF CLASS               OUTSTANDING           DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE              COL. C
     --------------               -----------          --------------------        ---------------
<S>                               <C>                 <C>                         <C>

</TABLE>



     Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
     Item 13.


ITEM 10. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN
         AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

                  IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL
SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT VOTING SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUSTEE (1) OWNS 10% OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
OBLIGOR OR (2) IS AN AFFILIATE, OTHER THAN A SUBSIDIARY, OF THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF SUCH PERSON.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         COL. A                     COL. B                    COL. C                   COL. D
                                                           AMOUNT OWNED
                                                         BENEFICIALLY OR              PERCENT OF
                                                        HELD AS COLLATERAL              CLASS
     NAME OF ISSUER                                        SECURITY FOR            REPRESENTED BY
           AND                      AMOUNT               OBLIGATIONS IN            AMOUNT GIVEN IN
     TITLE OF CLASS               OUTSTANDING           DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE              COL. C
     --------------               -----------          --------------------        ---------------
<S>                               <C>                 <C>                         <C>

</TABLE>

    Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
    Item 13.





                                       4
<PAGE>   6



ITEM 11. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON
         OWNING 50% OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR.

         IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
TRUSTEE, OWNS 50% OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OR SUCH PERSON ANY OF WHICH
ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         COL. A                     COL. B                    COL. C                   COL. D
                                                           AMOUNT OWNED
                                                         BENEFICIALLY OR              PERCENT OF
                                                        HELD AS COLLATERAL              CLASS
     NAME OF ISSUER                                        SECURITY FOR            REPRESENTED BY
           AND                      AMOUNT               OBLIGATIONS IN            AMOUNT GIVEN IN
     TITLE OF CLASS               OUTSTANDING           DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE              COL. C
     --------------               -----------          --------------------        ---------------
<S>                               <C>                 <C>                         <C>

</TABLE>

    Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response to
Item 13.


ITEM 12. INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

         EXCEPT AS NOTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE OBLIGOR IS INDEBTED TO THE
TRUSTEE, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            COL. A                    COL. B                   COL. C

           NATURE OF                  AMOUNT
         INDEBTEDNESS               OUTSTANDING               DATE DUE
         ------------              ------------               --------
<S>                                <C>                        <C>

</TABLE>


       Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response
to Item 13.


ITEM 13. DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

     (a) STATE WHETHER THERE IS OR HAS BEEN A DEFAULT WITH RESPECT TO THE
SECURITIES UNDER THIS INDENTURE. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

     There is not, nor has there been, a default with respect to the securities
under this indenture. (See Note on Page 7.)




                                       5
<PAGE>   7

ITEM 13.  (CONTINUED)

         (b) IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, OR IS TRUSTEE FOR MORE THAN ONE
OUTSTANDING SERIES OF SECURITIES UNDER THE INDENTURE, STATE WHETHER THERE HAS
BEEN A DEFAULT UNDER ANY SUCH INDENTURE OR SERIES, IDENTIFY THE INDENTURE OR
SERIES AFFECTED, AND EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.

     There has not been a default under any such indenture or series. (See Note
on Page 7.)

ITEM 14.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

          IF ANY UNDERWRITER IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
AFFILIATION.

       Not applicable by virtue of Form T-1 General Instruction B and response
to Item 13.

ITEM 15.  FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

          IDENTIFY THE ORDER OR RULE PURSUANT TO WHICH THE FOREIGN TRUSTEE IS
AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS SOLE TRUSTEE UNDER INDENTURES QUALIFIED OR TO BE QUALIFIED
UNDER THE ACT.

          Not applicable.

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

          LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF
          ELIGIBILITY.

          o 1. A copy of the articles of association of the trustee now in
          effect.

          # 2. A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to commence
          business.

          * 3. A copy of the certificate of authorization of the trustee to
          exercise corporate trust powers issued by the Board of Governors of
          the Federal Reserve System under date of January 21, 1948.

          + 4.  A copy of the existing bylaws of the trustee.

            5.  Not applicable.



                                       6
<PAGE>   8

                    6. The consent of the United States institutional trustees
                    required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

                [ ] 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising
                or examining authority.

                    8. Not applicable.

                    9. Not applicable.

                      NOTE REGARDING INCORPORATED EXHIBITS

         Effective January 20, 1998, the name of the Trustee was changed from
Texas Commerce Bank National Association to Chase Bank of Texas, National
Association. Certain of the exhibits incorporated herein by reference, with the
exception of Exhibit 7, were filed under the former name of the Trustee.

         o        Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same
designation and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
exhibits to the Form S-3 File No. 33-56195.

         #        Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same
designation and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
exhibits to the Form S-3 File No. 33-42814.

         *        Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same
designation and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
exhibits to the Form S-11 File No. 33-25132.

         +        Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same
designation and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
exhibits to the Form S-3 File No. 33-65055.

         [ ]      Incorporated by reference to exhibit bearing the same
designation and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
exhibits to the Form S-4 File No. 333-77263.

                                      NOTE

                  Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment
by the trustee of all facts on which to base responsive answers to Items 2 and
13, the answers to said Items are based on incomplete information. Such Items
may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an amendment to this
Form T-1.



                                       7
<PAGE>   9


                                    SIGNATURE

         PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 THE
TRUSTEE, CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TEXAS
COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO AUTHORIZED, ALL IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND STATE OF TEXAS, ON THE
11TH DAY OF JUNE, 1999.

                                        CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL
                                          ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE


                                        By:      /s/ MAURI J. COWEN
                                            ---------------------------------
                                                     Mauri J. Cowen
                                            Vice President and Trust Officer



<PAGE>   10


                                                                       EXHIBIT 6



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

         The undersigned is trustee under an Indenture between USA Waste
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, now known as Waste Management, Inc. (the
"Company"), and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, now known as Chase
Bank of Texas, National Association, as Trustee, entered into in connection with
the issuance of the Company's Subordinated Debt Securities.

         In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examinations of the undersigned,
made by Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may
be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
its request therefor.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL
                                           ASSOCIATION, as Trustee


                                         By:     /s/ MAURI J. COWEN
                                            ----------------------------------
                                                     Mauri J. Cowen
                                            Vice President and Trust Officer





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