Republic Services

Republic Services: recycling, waste and environmental solutions in the United States

Republic Services is an American environmental services company serving residential, commercial and industrial customers. Its activities include waste collection, recycling, dumpster rental and a broader set of environmental solutions, including the treatment and disposal of solid, special and hazardous waste.

The company presents itself as a comprehensive single-source provider of recycling, waste and environmental solutions. Its capabilities include field and industrial services, 24/7 emergency response and equipment rental and cleaning.

Services for homes and businesses

For residential customers, the company offers recycling and waste management services, dumpster rental and other services designed to simplify household management. Customers can check their collection schedule, holiday updates and Track My Truck by entering their address.

In the commercial segment, Republic Services provides customized recycling and waste services, along with products tailored to each business. The company also allows customers to manage special pickup scheduling, bill payment and autopay online.

Environmental and industrial solutions

The environmental solutions area includes waste treatment and disposal, emergency response in field and industrial settings, and services for the exploration and production sectors. The offering is completed by field and industrial services, 24/7 emergency response and equipment rental and cleaning.

Infrastructure and sustainability

The company states that it has 74 recycling centers in the United States, where 5 million tons of materials are processed. It also reports 73 renewable energy projects and that 20% of its fleet runs on natural gas.

On sustainability, Republic Services states that it converts gas generated at its landfills into renewable energy and that it helps companies set and meet ESG goals. The company presents itself as a leader in the environmental services industry and maintains that its dedication to sustainability guides its daily operations.

Corporate data and history

Republic Services was incorporated under its current name in 1996, although its origins date back to Republic Waste Industries and Republic Industries, following strategic mergers and acquisitions over the previous twenty years. The company has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RSG) since July 1, 1998.

In 2008 it merged with Allied Waste, which moved its headquarters from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Phoenix, Arizona. That same year, Allied Waste had acquired Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) in 1999. In 2003, Forbes magazine included Republic Services among its best-managed companies.

The company created the Employee Relief Fund in 2005, followed by the Charitable Foundation and the National Neighborhood Promise™ initiative, aimed at supporting the communities where its employees live and work. In 2013 it established MOSAIC (Mission of Supporting an Inclusive Culture) to bring together employees from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. In 2014 it announced its sustainability commitments with time-bound goals in safety, talent, climate leadership and communities, whose progress it reports in an annual report.

Between 2015 and 2023, the company expanded its environmental solutions through the acquisition of specialized providers. In 2017 it held the first national ROAD-EO championship in Phoenix; in 2021 it opened the Technical Institute; in 2023 it put its first fully integrated electric collection truck into service, developed with McNeilus, and committed to making 50% of its truck purchases electric vehicles by 2028. It also launched a joint venture with BP to develop renewable natural gas projects at landfills and opened its first Polymer Center, the first facility in a planned network of integrated plastics recycling.

Company figures

According to data published by the company itself, in 2024 it recorded $16.6 billion in revenue and had 42,000 employees. Its customer retention rate is 94%, with 13 million customers, and it makes an average of 18,000 daily pickups with 5,000 trucks. It manages 6.4 million tons of recyclable materials and operates 79 recycling centers.

In sustainability, it reports 79 renewable energy projects, 3,400 trucks powered by renewable natural gas (20% of its fleet) and 1.4 million hours of safety training. The company states that it is 33% safer than the industry average. Through charitable giving it has impacted 4.6 million people and awarded 917 grants. 47% of its workforce is racially or ethnically diverse and its employee engagement score is 86. In addition, it has recycled 2 billion pounds of organics, equivalent to removing 22,000 cars from the road.