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The 10 Largest Waste Management Companies in the United States (2026)
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The largest waste management company in the US is Waste Management Inc, with a revenue of $19.7 billion and 49,500 employees.
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As of 2026, the US waste management industry has a market size of $75 billion.
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Over 300 million tons of waste is produced in the U.S. each year.
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The global waste management market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% through 2030.
Managing waste is a critical aspect of modern society, and the companies responsible for this essential service are vital in maintaining public health and environmental standards. The trash generated daily may not be glamorous, but the leading waste management firms in the United States are thriving, generating billions in revenue annually.
Detailed List of the 10 Largest Waste Management Companies
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Waste Management Inc: Houston, Texas
2022 Annual Revenue: $19.7 billion
Number of Employees: 49,500
Most Americans recognize the forest-green trucks and bold WM logo of Waste Management Inc driving around their neighborhoods. The company serves 21 million customers across North America, including commercial, residential, and industrial clients.
Waste Management Inc boasts an expansive network of facilities, including:
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293 Active Landfill Disposal Sites
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346 Transfer Stations
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146 Recycling Facilities
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26,000 trucks and miscellaneous transfer vehicles
Starting from humble beginnings, Waste Management Inc has become the largest waste management company in the United States.
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Republic Services. Phoenix, Arizona
2022 Annual Revenue: $13.511 billion
Number of Employees: 35,000
Republic Services focuses on the collection of non-hazardous waste while also engaging in recycling efforts to create new energy. The company operates across 80% of the United States, with various facilities including:
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204 Transfer Stations
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343 Collection Operations
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195 Active Landfills
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90 Recycling Centers
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7 Treatment Plants
Despite controversies, including EPA scrutiny over radioactive waste, Republic Services remains the second-largest waste management company in the nation.
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Clean Harbors. Norwell, Massachusetts
2022 Annual Revenue: $5.17 billion
Number of Employees: 14,400
Clean Harbors specializes in hazardous waste disposal, serving many Fortune 500 companies and government entities at local, state, and federal levels. Since its founding in 1980, the company has expanded through strategic acquisitions, now operating over 400 waste management locations worldwide.
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Stericycle. Lake Forest, Illinois
2022 Annual Revenue: $2.7 billion
Number of Employees: 23,200
Stericycle specializes in the safe disposal of hazardous waste, including medical waste, needles, pharmaceuticals, and recalled products. Their services are critical for various facilities, including:
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Hospitals
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Outpatient Clinics
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
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Dental Offices
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Funeral Homes
With essential services for public safety, Stericycle has seen significant success and demand.
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Advanced Disposal Services. Ponte Vedra, Florida
2022 Annual Revenue: $1.6 billion
Number of Employees: 5,400
Advanced Disposal Services thrives by catering to diverse property types, including commercial, residential, industrial, and governmental entities. Their services encompass:
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Construction and Demolition
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Recycling
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Special Waste Collection
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Oil and Gas Waste Cleanup
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Electronic Recycling
Advanced Disposal’s comprehensive offerings have solidified their position among the largest waste management companies in America.
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Recology. San Francisco, California
2022 Annual Revenue: $1.4 billion
Number of Employees: 3,800
Founded in 1920, Recology is committed to sustainability, focusing on reclaiming reusable materials. While not the largest waste management company in terms of revenue, they operate the largest organic compost facility by volume, with 40 subsidiaries generating significant revenue.
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Casella Waste Management. Rutland, Vermont
2022 Annual Revenue: $1.085 billion
Number of Employees: 2,300
Founded in 1975, Casella Waste Management started as a small business and evolved into a publicly traded company in 1997. They now focus heavily on sustainable and renewable resources within waste management.
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2022 Annual Revenue: $988.0 million
Number of Employees: 3,600
US Ecology has focused on low-level radioactive waste management since the early 1980s, serving clients such as government branches, medical facilities, and nuclear plants.
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Waste Pro USA. Longwood, Florida
2022 Annual Revenue: $900 million
Number of Employees: 3,200
Founded in 2001, Waste Pro USA has quickly become a significant player in the waste management industry, emphasizing exceptional service and sustainability.
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Covanta Holdings Corporation. Morristown, New Jersey
2022 Annual Revenue: $547 million
Number of Employees: 4,000
Covanta stands out with its waste-to-energy initiatives, converting waste into fuel. The company operates over 40 plants worldwide, processing 20 million tons of garbage annually and recycling a significant amount of metal.
Waste Management FAQ
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What is the biggest problem with waste management?
The most significant challenges in waste management include inadequate infrastructure, outdated regulations, and insufficient safety measures. These issues can lead to serious environmental problems such as:
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Poor waste collection
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Inadequate disposal facilities
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Substandard transportation
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Weak safety and environmental regulations
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What is the most popular method of waste management?
Landfills remain the primary method of waste disposal. They utilize collection trucks and transfer stations to transport waste to designated sites. While not the most environmentally friendly, they are a necessary solution for handling large volumes of waste.
Other common waste management methods include:
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Recycling
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Composting
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Animal Feed
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Raw Materials for Manufacturing
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- Services
- Largest Advertising Companies
- Largest Law Firms
- Largest Insurance Companies
- Largest For Profit Education Companies
- Largest Lobbyist Companies
- Largest Consulting Firms
- Largest Photography Companies
- Largest Engineering Companies
- Largest Marketing Companies
- Largest Multi Level Marketing Companies
- Largest HR Companies
- Largest PR Firms
- Largest Warehousing Companies
- Largest Waste Management Companies
- Largest Janitorial Companies
- Largest Temp Agencies
- Largest Security Companies
- Largest Recruiting Firms
Author
Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.
