<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000950129-04-008346
<TYPE>424B5
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<FILING-DATE>20041102
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20041102
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>WASTE MANAGEMENT INC
<CIK>0000823768
<ASSIGNED-SIC>4953
<IRS-NUMBER>731309529
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>424B5
<ACT>33
<FILE-NUMBER>333-97697
<FILM-NUMBER>041112789
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1001 FANNIN STREET
<STREET2>STE 4000
<CITY>HOUSTON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77002
<PHONE>7135126200
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1001 FANNIN STREET
<STREET2>SUITE 4000
<CITY>HOUSTON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77002
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>USA WASTE SERVICES INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19920703
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>424B5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>h19191e424b5.htm
<DESCRIPTION>WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. - REG. NO. 333-97697
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<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Filed Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b)(5)<BR>
Registration Number 333-97697</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B><I>PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT<BR>
(To Prospectus dated November&nbsp;20, 2002)</I></B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>7,474 SHARES</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.<BR>
COMMON STOCK</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
trading symbol &#147;WMI.&#148; On November&nbsp;1, 2004, the last reported sale price of the
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $28.49 per share.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We are issuing the shares pursuant to the settlement agreement that we
announced in November&nbsp;2001 relating to the class action lawsuit brought against
us arising from events related to our earnings announcements in July and August
1999. Under the agreement, certain members of the class were required to
receive shares of our common stock in lieu of cash they would otherwise receive
under the settlement agreement. The number of shares we are issuing is based
on the aggregate amount of cash otherwise payable under the settlement
agreement to these class members, divided by a trailing average closing price of
our common stock for thirty days prior to issuance. We will not receive any
proceeds from the issuance of the shares.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Investing in the common stock involves risks that are described in the
&#147;Risk Factors&#148; section beginning on page 4 of the prospectus dated November&nbsp;20,
2002.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>We expect to deliver the shares against payment therefor in Houston, Texas
on or about November&nbsp;2, 2004.</B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Prospectus Supplement dated
November&nbsp;2, 2004




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