In this article, we will look into the 15 biggest waste management companies in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Biggest Waste Management Companies in the World.
According to a report by UNEP, global waste generation is expected to increase significantly from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. This surge in waste generation will result in substantial damage through climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The report estimated that the annual waste generation cost is expected to reach $640 billion by 2050, up 75% compared to 2020 levels. These increased costs can be reduced by adopting proper waste prevention and management. The report's estimates showed that waste prevention and management measures can limit net annual costs to $270.2 billion by 2050.
Waste Management Industry: A Market Analysis
According to a report by Grand View Research, the waste management market was worth $1.29 trillion in 2022. The market is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% from 2023 to 2030 and reach $1.96 trillion by 2030. The growth is fueled by strict government regulations and increased awareness about proper waste disposal and management.
Segment-wise, the collection segment held the highest share, accounting for 62% of the market in 2022. The disposal segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecasted period. In 2022, the industrial waste segment accounted for a share of more than 85.9%, driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization. Rapid advancements in technology are expected to drive growth in the e-waste segment.
Increasing population and rising urbanization are expected to drive market growth globally over the forecasted period. Regionally, Asia Pacific held the highest share of more than 24.5% in 2022, driven by government initiatives to raise awareness about waste management. The Middle East and Africa market is expected to grow significantly over the forecasted period, characterized by awareness about the benefits of reusing and recycling. You can also take a look at the biggest recycling companies in America.
Major Players in the Waste Management Market
Some of the key players in the waste management market include Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG), Veolia Environnement SA (OTC:VEOEY), and Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH). Let's discuss these companies in detail below.
Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) is one of the biggest waste management companies in the world. On February 27, the company announced its earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported an EPS of $1.41, beating estimates by $0.12. The company reported a revenue of $3.83 billion and surpassed estimates by $95.71 million. The company's revenue grew by 8.55% on a year-over-year basis. Here are some of the comments from Republic Services, Inc.'s (NYSE:RSG) Q4 2023 earnings call:
'We invested $1.8 billion in acquisitions in 2023, including transactions in both the recycling and waste and Environmental Solutions businesses. As part of our balanced approach to capital allocation, we returned $900 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The results we are generating are made possible by executing our strategy, supported by our differentiated capabilities. Regarding customer zeal. Our efforts to provide industry-leading service continues to drive sustained customer loyalty and organic growth in the business. Our customer retention rate remained high at over 94% and we continue to see favorable trends in our Net Promoter Score due to the value of our offerings and quality of our service delivery. We delivered outsized organic revenue growth during the fourth quarter with simultaneous increases in price and volume."
Veolia Environnement SA (OTC:VEOEY) is a major environmental services and waste management company. On February 29, the company announced the launch of its new program, GreenUp. The program is aimed at strengthening the company's position in the ecological transformation, by offering solutions for pollution control, decarbonization, and resource regeneration. The program will achieve this goal by focusing on three areas, local energy and bioenergy, waste treatment, and water technologies. Veolia Environnement SA (OTC:VEOEY) aims to cut down 18 million metric tonnes of CO2 and treat 10 million metric tonnes of hazardous waste by 2027.
Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) is a leading waste management company. On February 6, the company announced that it had acquired HEPACO, a company providing environmental and emergency response services. The acquisition was processed for a transaction of $400 million. This strategic move by Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) will strengthen its environmental services domain with an expansion in its geographic reach, personnel, and equipment.
Now, let's have a look at the 15 biggest waste management companies in the world.
15 Biggest Waste Management Companies in the World
Methodology
To rank the 15 biggest waste management companies in the world, we exhausted our research by looking at multiple sources including our own rankings, market reports, and other similar rankings across the web to find both major public and private companies in this space. We then screened for waste management companies using Finviz and Yahoo Finance stock screeners to make sure we did not miss any companies. We compiled an initial list of 30 biggest companies and finally selected the 15 biggest waste management companies in the word. The companies are ranked in ascending order of their market caps, as of March 12. Please note that we converted market caps in foreign currencies to USD according to their respective exchange rates, as of March 12.
15 Biggest Waste Management Companies in the World
15. Secure Energy Services Inc. (OTC:SECYF)
Market Cap as of March 12: $2.37 billion
Secure Energy Services Inc. (OTC:SECYF) is ranked among the biggest waste management companies in the world. The company specializes in oilfield waste disposal and treatment. It has over 75 waste management facilities across Western Canada and North Dakota. As of March 12, Secure Energy Services Inc. (OTC:SECYF) has a market cap of $2.37 billion.
14. China Everbright Environment Group Limited (OTC:CHFFF)
Market Cap as of March 12: $2.37 billion
China Everbright Environment Group Limited (OTC:CHFFF) is ranked 14th on our list. The company specializes in environment, resource recovery, and energy. It provides waste-to-energy recovery, integrated waste treatment, biomass power generation, environmental management, resource recycling, and waste management services. As of March 12, China Everbright Environment Group Limited (OTC:CHFFF) is valued at $2.37 billion.
13. Beijing Originwater Technology Co Ltd (SHE:300070)
Market Cap as of March 12: $2.55 billion
Beijing Originwater Technology Co Ltd (SHE:300070) is an engineering services company, specializing in membrane technology, membrane equipment production, and treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater. As of March 12, Beijing Originwater Technology Co Ltd (SHE:300070) is valued at $2.55 billion. It is ranked 13th on our list.
12. Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX:CWY)
Market Cap as of March 12: $3.82 billion
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX:CWY) is one of the biggest waste management companies in the world. The company operates across over 250 locations in Australia. The company's core operations include recycling, waste management, industrial services, environmental solutions, waste equipment manufacturing, and healthcare waste solutions. As of March 12, Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX:CWY) has a market cap of $3.82 billion. It is ranked 12th on our list.
Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) is a healthcare compliance company, specializing in medical waste disposal, pharmaceutical waste solutions, and shredding services. As of March 12, Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) is valued at $4.85 billion. It is ranked 11th on our list.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CWST) is ranked among the biggest waste management companies in the world. Headquartered in Vermont, the company specializes in recycling, integrated resource management, and residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial waste management. The company recovers 1 million metric tonnes of recyclables and 400,000 tonnes of organic waste every year. As of March 12, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CWST) has a market cap of $5.44 billion.
9. Tomra Systems ASA (OTC:TMRAY)
Market Cap as of March 12: $5.72 billion
Tomra Systems ASA (OTC:TMRAY) is a leading Norwegian waste management and recycling company. The company has over 105,000 installations in more than 100 markets all over the world. It provides recycling, waste management, and sensor-based sorting technology services. Tomra Systems ASA (OTC:TMRAY) is one of the biggest waste management companies and is valued at $5.72 billion, as of March 12.
8. GEM Co Ltd (SHE:002340)
Market Cap as of March 12: $6.17 billion
GEM Co Ltd (SHE:002340) is ranked 8th on our list. The China-based company specializes in the recycling of waste cobalt, nickel, tungsten, and copper resources and electronic waste. It operates across two key business segments including waste resource utilization and energy. The waste utilization segment includes waste power batteries, waste plastics, resource recovery, treatment, and modified plastics. GEM Co Ltd (SHE:002340) has a market cap of $6.17 billion, as of March 12.
7. Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA (BME:FCC)
Market Cap as of March 12: $6.25 billion
Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA (BME:FCC) is ranked 7th on our list. The company operates across multiple segments including infrastructure, environment, and water management. It specializes in waste collection, green areas conservation, sewer network maintenance, cleaning of streets, beaches, and coasts, recycling, urban waste treatment, and energy recovery of waste. As of March 12, Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA (BME:FCC) boasts a market cap of $6.25 billion and is one of the biggest waste management companies.
Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) is ranked 6th on our list of the biggest waste management companies in the world. The company provides environmental and industrial services. It specializes in emergency spill response, waste disposal, end-to-end hazardous waste management, industrial maintenance, and recycling. It is one of the biggest re-refiners and recyclers in North America. The company has an experience of over 40 years and operates across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. As of March 12, Clean Harbors, Inc. (NYSE:CLH) has a market cap of $10.11 billion.
