Peter Ratto
Doing the Right Thing
Even If Nobody's Watching
For 45 years, heavy equipment operator Peter Ratto has led by example. Awarded WM’s National Operator of the Year, his dedication and impeccable track record has left a lasting impact on our workforce and the company's mission toward a greener future.
Doing the Right Thing
Even If Nobody's Watching
For 45 years, heavy equipment operator Peter Ratto has led by example. Awarded WM’s National Operator of the Year, his dedication and impeccable track record has left a lasting impact on our workforce and the company's mission toward a greener future.
"To me there are a lot of good operators out here, I’m not the only one."
Employee Spotlight
For most residents and businesses, curbside pick-up marks the final chapter of waste disposal. As drivers arrive at Material Recovery Facilities, however, with trucks full of repurposing potential, a new story begins—one in which hundreds of WM people work every day to build a more sustainable tomorrow. Peter Ratto, a heavy equipment operator, is among them.
For 45 years, Ratto has been running machines at the Altamont Landfill, a site designed to contain household trash and turn food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard debris into compost. Even as a kid, he would accompany his father, who worked at the landfill in Fremont, during his Saturday shifts. What began as a father-son bonding experience evolved into a lifelong career. Call it destiny or plain hard work, Peter Ratto was built to drive change. His extensive knowledge of the site’s operations and equipment, coupled with his professionalism, makes him an invaluable asset to WM and a mentor to other operators.
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To me there are a lot of good operators out here, I’m not the only one.
”
“He’s the first one here. He’s the type of person who sees something wrong with his work and will address it or let us know. He’s the type who won’t leave until the issue is addressed,” says Luiz Rocha, operations manager at the Altamont Landfill.
An Impeccable Record
It’s a consensus that Ratto’s approach to operating equipment, his deep knowledge, and his ability to relay that information to other workers make him an indispensable resource for his peers. His impeccable track record is yet another factor that sets him apart. Throughout his time with WM, now almost five dedicated decades, he has managed to avoid any incidents or injuries, which is truly impressive. According to his managers, Ratto’s remarkable performance is largely due to his meticulous attention to detail.
At WM, people are at the center of everything. Whether they are involved in hauling waste materials, offering nationwide customer support, or providing environmental expertise to ensure we are doing the right thing at every level, WM’s employees are the driving force that sets us apart. Individuals like Peter Ratto are the backbone of the mission toward a sustainable future. Every day, they undertake a non-glamorous yet indispensable role that contributes to not just the community but society as a whole. Rain or shine, without an audience to validate efforts, they consistently come in and choose to do the right thing.
The National Operator of the Year
Peter Ratto has yet another achievement under his hard hat. He has been awarded the prestigious WM National Operator of the Year, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. As for his upcoming retirement, WM expresses heartfelt gratitude for his lifelong commitment to the green mission.
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