STAMFORD, Conn., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — National nonprofit Keep America Beautiful (KAB) today announced that, thanks to Waste Management (NYSE:WM), 41 Think Green® Community Improvement Grants are being awarded to local community organizations. The Waste Management Think Green® Grants are part of an ongoing national effort to encourage the development of local environmental solutions that imp rove community environments through hands-on participation and engagement opportunities such as cleanups, beautification, recycling and environmental educational programs. “America's communities rely on strong volunteer programs to create vital local economies, a healthier environment, and a more engaged citizenry,” said Matthew M. McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “We're thankful for Waste Management's support for our mission to build a more sustainable future through sustainable actions” “As the nation's leading environmental solutions provider, Waste Management is committed to providing innovative solutions in the areas of recycling, energy creation and wildlife habitat, which make our communities cleaner and improve the quality of life,” said Barry Caldwell, WM senior vice president of public affairs and communications and past chairman of the KAB board. “By working with KAB and their affiliates, Waste Management has the opportunity to create positive change through localized solutions that enhance our communities.” Waste Management works with KAB on programs designed to increase recycling and support community sustainability. The company is also a strong supporter of Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup™, the nation's largest community improvement program. Recipients of Waste Management Think Green® Grants were: Adopt a Neighbor (Lake Forest, CA), Azusa Beautiful (S. Pasadena, CA), Berkeley County (Martinsburg, WV), City of Atwater (CA), City of Ferris (TX), City of High Point (NC), City of Sacramento (CA), City of San Dimas (CA), Clean Pittsburgh Commission c/o PRC (PA), Grand Street Community Arts, Inc. (Albany, NY), Keep Baldwin Park Beautiful (CA), Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful (LA), Keep Charlotte Beautiful (Port Charlotte, FL), Keep Clay Beautiful (Green Cove Springs, FL), Keep Forest Park Clean and Beautiful (GA), Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (Atlanta, GA), Keep It Moving, Inc. (Detroit, MI), Keep Marietta Beautiful (Marietta, GA), Keep Mobile Beautiful (AL), Keep Natchez/Adams County Beautiful (MS), Keep NC Beautiful (Raleigh, NC), Keep Oakland Beautiful (CA), Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (Oklahoma City, OK), Keep Our Coast Beautiful – Harrison County Beautification, (Gulfport, MS), Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful (West Palm Beach, FL), Keep St. James Beautiful (Lutcher, LA), Keep the Midlands Beautiful (Columbia, SC), Keep The Reservoir Beautiful (Jackson, MS), Keep Virginia Beautiful (Richmond, VA), Keep Western New York Beautiful – Town of Lewiston, Keep Western New York Beautiful – Town of Porter, Kettleman City Elementary (Avenal, CA), Klamath Falls City Park (OR), Marcellus Central School District (NY), Rochester City School District (NY), Temescal Valley Heritage Foundation (Temecula, CA), Town of Macedon (NY), Town of Perinton (NY), United Forties Civic Association (Sunnyside, NY), Yamhill County Master Recyclers (McMinnville, OR), Zero Waste, Zero Trash Laguna