INTERNAL KNOWLEDGE BASE INFORMATION | NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Competitor Intelligence Report – Executive Edition (November 2025)
This report provides a full competitive intelligence profile for U.S. Waste Industries as of November 2025, covering the hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, industrial cleaning, and emergency response sectors. It identifies direct, indirect, regional, and niche competitors, maps their service overlaps, and prescribes counter-strategies for every player. The purpose is to keep all departments aligned on where U.S. Waste stands, who we're up against, and how we win.
Threat Level Key
Level 5 – Critical
Direct overlap with infrastructure, fleet, or contracts nationwide
Level 4 – High
Regional overlap on service mix or emergency response
Level 3 – Moderate
Partial overlap (limited geography, specialty service)
Level 2 – Low
Niche or indirect competitor; minimal interference
Level 1 – Minimal
No realistic overlap
National Competitors (Full-Service + Infrastructure Owners)
Clean Harbors (includes Safety-Kleen & Thompson Industrial)
HQ: Norwell, MA | Revenue: ~$6B | Service Area: Nationwide | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 5
Core Services: Haz/non-haz waste disposal, ER, field services, incineration
USP: Owns 70% of NA incineration capacity; dominant brand
Weaknesses: Bureaucratic, high-cost, slow response
Counter-Strategy: Undercut with speed and human service; emphasize logistics-first approach and 24/7 real-person access.
Republic Services (US Ecology)
HQ: Phoenix, AZ | Revenue: ~$16B | Service Area: Nationwide | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 5
Core Services: Haz/non-haz, industrial services, ER
USP: Scale + reliability
Weaknesses: Impersonal, poor customer follow-up
Counter-Strategy: Target mid-market clients priced out by Republic; focus on flexibility and documentation strength.
Veolia North America
HQ: Boston, MA | Revenue: ~$3B | Service Area: Nationwide | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: Haz waste, water, energy, industrial services
USP: Sustainability + technical depth
Weaknesses: Focused on enterprise contracts
Counter-Strategy: Compete locally with personal attention; promote family-run accountability and rapid mobilization.
GFL Environmental
HQ: Vaughan, Ontario | Revenue: ~$7.5B | Service Area: Canada + U.S. SE | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: Haz/non-haz waste, recycling, logistics
USP: Rapid growth, ESG messaging
Weaknesses: Uneven quality post-acquisitions
Counter-Strategy: Position against service inconsistency — "same team, same results every time."
Waste Management (WM)
HQ: Houston, TX | Revenue: ~$23.9B | Service Area: Nationwide | 24/7 ER: Limited | Threat: 3
Core Services: Solid waste, recycling, industrial services
USP: Scale, landfill network, sustainability
Weaknesses: Bureaucratic, not haz-focused
Counter-Strategy: Differentiate on specialization, compliance expertise, and fast turnaround.
Waste Connections
HQ: The Woodlands, TX | Revenue: ~$8B | Service Area: Nationwide | 24/7 ER: Limited | Threat: 2
Core Services: Hauling, recycling, landfill
USP: Decentralized ops model
Weaknesses: Service inconsistency
Counter-Strategy: Not a threat in haz space; monitor SEO overlap for "industrial waste disposal."
Casella Waste Systems
HQ: Rutland, VT | Revenue: ~$1.3B | Service Area: Northeast | 24/7 ER: No | Threat: 2
Core Services: Recycling, non-haz waste
USP: Circular economy branding
Weaknesses: No haz or ER capability
Counter-Strategy: Position as "beyond recycling" — full-service compliance vs. sustainability-only players.
Mid-Tier TSDFs & Hazardous Waste Processors
Tradebe Environmental Services
HQ: Merrillville, IN | Revenue: ~$500M | Service Area: East Coast, Southeast | 24/7 ER: Partial | Threat: 5
Core Services: TSDF, fuel blending, recycling
USP: RCRA/TSDF infrastructure
Weaknesses: Weak ER + field ops
Counter-Strategy: Leverage response speed and full-service model; highlight disposal partnerships for same-day coordination.
Heritage Environmental Services
HQ: Indianapolis, IN | Revenue: ~$1B | Service Area: Nationwide | 24/7 ER: Partial | Threat: 4
Core Services: Incineration, RCRA waste, remediation
USP: Deep compliance expertise
Weaknesses: Slower field ops
Counter-Strategy: Compete on responsiveness; target mid-sized manufacturers Heritage overlooks.
Heritage-Crystal Clean
HQ: Elgin, IL | Revenue: ~$800M | Service Area: Nationwide | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: Used oil, parts cleaning
USP: Digital-first small-business focus
Weaknesses: Narrow scope
Counter-Strategy: Own the industrial compliance space; outclass their automation with personal account support.
Clean Earth (Harsco)
HQ: King of Prussia, PA | Revenue: ~$800M | Service Area: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: TSDF, recycling, soil treatment
USP: ESG-focused branding
Weaknesses: Service delays, poor CX
Counter-Strategy: Counter with proof-based compliance and real-time tracking visibility.
ECOFLO (TSDF)
HQ: Greensboro, NC | Revenue: N/A | Service Area: Mid-Atlantic & SE | 24/7 ER: Partial | Threat: 4
Core Services: TSDF haz waste, lab packs
USP: Strong lab-pack specialty
Weaknesses: Limited geography
Counter-Strategy: Maintain strong regional SEO; dominate "lab pack disposal SE" searches.
EQ Detroit (Republic)
HQ: Detroit, MI | Revenue: N/A | Service Area: Midwest, East | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 3
Core Services: TSDF, treatment
USP: Legacy US Ecology asset
Weaknesses: Lost brand identity
Counter-Strategy: Capitalize on confusion; promote US Waste's unified operations and communication.
Regional Independents (Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast)
HEPACO (Clean Harbors)
HQ: Charlotte, NC | Service Area: Eastern U.S. | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: ER, remediation, field services
USP: Largest ER network East
Weaknesses: Owned by CH, less autonomy
Counter-Strategy: Counter with faster client response and family-run reliability.
EnviroVac
HQ: Savannah, GA | Service Area: SE & Gulf | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: Industrial cleaning, hydroblasting
USP: Plant + port niche
Weaknesses: Limited beyond SE
Counter-Strategy: Target regional SEO; market full-spectrum waste + compliance.
Hull's Environmental Services
HQ: Panama City, FL | Service Area: FL, GA, TN, OK, TX | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: ER, vac trucks, cleaning
USP: Woman-owned, responsive
Weaknesses: Smaller scale
Counter-Strategy: Match responsiveness but scale through national reach; emphasize compliance depth.
First Call Environmental
HQ: Ashland, VA | Service Area: East & Midwest | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: ER, haz transport
USP: Fastest-growing East Coast ER
Weaknesses: Smaller footprint
Counter-Strategy: Beat them on documentation quality and integrated disposal.
Shamrock (Republic)
HQ: NC | Service Area: SE & Mid-Atlantic | 24/7 ER: Partial | Threat: 4
Core Services: Industrial services
USP: Large CWT ops
Weaknesses: Brand confusion
Counter-Strategy: Target mid-tier ER work; highlight independence and consistency.
GreenShield / GA Spill Response
HQ: Atlanta, GA | Service Area: GA, AL, TN, NC, SC | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 4
Core Services: ER, remediation
USP: Multi-branch ops
Weaknesses: Local only
Counter-Strategy: Dominate digital presence across their core markets.
First Environmental (GA)
HQ: Monroe, GA | Service Area: GA & SE | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 3
Core Services: Haz transport, ER
USP: High responsiveness
Weaknesses: Limited scale
Counter-Strategy: Compete on documentation and national transport compliance.
Eastern Environmental
HQ: Hampstead, NC | Service Area: NC, SC, GA | 24/7 ER: No | Threat: 3
Core Services: Haz removal, demo
USP: Strong SE industrial client base
Weaknesses: Low visibility
Counter-Strategy: Expand Google Business footprint to block local leads.
MCF Environmental Services
HQ: Augusta, GA | Service Area: GA, SC, NC, FL | 24/7 ER: Limited | Threat: 3
Core Services: Haz waste, biomedical
USP: Healthcare + industrial mix
Weaknesses: Broker model
Counter-Strategy: Undercut brokers with integrated disposal and direct logistics.
Broadview Waste Solutions (BWS)
HQ: Baltimore, MD | Service Area: Mid-Atlantic | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 3
Core Services: Haz + infectious waste
USP: Mid-Atlantic industrial niche
Weaknesses: Local only
Counter-Strategy: Out-market them on "comprehensive industrial cleanup."
ACE Environmental
HQ: Baltimore, MD | Service Area: MD, DC, VA | 24/7 ER: Yes | Threat: 3
Core Services: ER, vac trucks
USP: Local industrial clients
Weaknesses: Small
Counter-Strategy: Focus on reliability; show higher compliance certification rates.
Greer Enterprises
HQ: Mobile, AL | Service Area: AL, GA, FL | 24/7 ER: Limited | Threat: 3
Core Services: Haz/non-haz, cleaning
USP: Industrial specialists
Weaknesses: Limited ER
Counter-Strategy: Engage with plant managers directly; out-market on 24/7 coverage.
Niche & Specialty Competitors
Stericycle
HQ: Bannockburn, IL | Specialty: Medical waste | Threat: 2
USP: Automated compliance
Weakness: Not industrial
Counter-Strategy: Focus on industrial compliance messaging.
HydroChemPSC (Clean Harbors)
HQ: Deer Park, TX | Specialty: Industrial cleaning | Threat: 3
USP: Scale and tech
Weakness: Bureaucratic
Counter-Strategy: Emphasize flexibility and direct coordination.
VLS Environmental Solutions
HQ: Houston, TX | Specialty: Waste-to-energy, recycling | Threat: 3
USP: Sustainability
Weakness: Limited ER
Counter-Strategy: Compete with cost-effective hazardous disposal options.
US Waste Solutions (NJ)
HQ: NJ | Specialty: Non-haz, recycling | Threat: 2
USP: Local SEO authority
Weakness: No haz ops
Counter-Strategy: Expand non-haz SEO to outperform regional results.
Perma-Fix Environmental Services
HQ: GA | Specialty: Nuclear waste | Threat: 2
USP: DOE contractor
Weakness: Niche scope
Counter-Strategy: Maintain relationship awareness; not direct threat.
Bionomics
HQ: TN | Specialty: Radioactive waste | Threat: 1
USP: NRC compliance
Weakness: Niche
Counter-Strategy: Ignore; monitor for federal spillover contracts.
Harsco Environmental
HQ: PA | Specialty: Industrial byproducts | Threat: 2
USP: Metals recovery
Weakness: Not haz
Counter-Strategy: Position as full-service, not recycler.
Advantix Waste Solutions
HQ: FL | Specialty: Industrial services | Threat: 2
USP: Regional SE focus
Weakness: Small ops
Counter-Strategy: Capture their clients via targeted PPC + ER content.
Indirect Competitors (Municipal / Solid Waste Haulers)
Waste Management (WM)
HQ: TX | Revenue: ~$23.9B | Threat: 3
USP: National sustainability brand
Weakness: Impersonal, slow
Counter-Strategy: Separate message: compliance-first, not trash hauling.
Waste Connections
HQ: TX | Revenue: ~$8B | Threat: 2
USP: Regional hauler
Weakness: No haz ops
Counter-Strategy: Avoid overlap; focus industrial.
Casella Waste Systems
HQ: VT | Revenue: ~$1.3B | Threat: 2
USP: Recycling leader
Weakness: NE only
Counter-Strategy: Compete on "industrial scale."
American Waste Control
HQ: OK | Revenue: N/A | Threat: 1
USP: Local waste
Weakness: Regional
Counter-Strategy: Not a factor.
WCA Waste (GFL)
HQ: TX | Revenue: N/A | Threat: 1
USP: Acquired
Weakness: Gone
Counter-Strategy: No action needed.
Quick Revenue Reference
All Regionals SE/Mid-Atlantic: <$100M
SEO Landscape 2025 & Market Opportunity Zones
SEO Landscape 2025
Dominant Search Presence: Clean Harbors, Tradebe, Clean Earth, Heritage, and Veolia — each own multiple city-level service pages and schema markup.
Regional SEO Leaders: HEPACO and EnviroVac control emergency spill searches regionally.
U.S. Waste Gap: Under-indexed for "RCRA waste disposal," "PFAS removal," "industrial cleanup," and "asbestos abatement."
Action: Prioritize AI-visible content around compliance terms and 24/7 emergency response in all major metro hubs east of the Mississippi.
Market Opportunity Zones
- Gulf & Mid-Atlantic Manufacturing Corridor: Paper, chemical, and textile plants underserved by nationals.
- Carolina & Georgia Chemical Belt: Heavy overlap with Tradebe and EnviroVac — competitive zone for content and partnerships.
- Northeast Industrial Corridor (PA–NJ–MD): Clean Earth's SEO strong but response weak — exploit responsiveness angle.
- Florida Panhandle & Alabama: Hull's and Greer dominate small projects — push national reputation to capture multi-state clients.
White Space & Differentiation
- Mid-market industrial clients ignored by national providers.
- Clients frustrated by automation — want real humans and predictable timelines.
- Companies with multiple waste streams seeking a one-stop, compliance-driven partner.
Strategic Focus 2025–2026 & Competitor Watchlist
Strategic Focus 2025–2026
01
Dominate SEO + AI Search Visibility
Optimize content for hazardous waste and compliance queries.
02
Prove Credibility
Monthly case studies, documented compliance results, and team visibility online.
03
Leverage Family-Run Strength
Keep messaging "Real people, national reach."
04
Expand National Partnerships
Build more TSDF alliances for fast routing nationwide.
05
Defend Regional Ground
Ensure visibility and fast response in SE + Mid-Atlantic markets.
Competitor Watchlist 2026
✅ Label: Competitor Intelligence Report – Executive Edition (November 2025)
✅ Use: Internal staff reference (marketing, sales, ops)
✅ Coverage: National (East, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Northeast)
✅ Excludes: California and West Coast
✅ Last Updated: October 23, 2025