Top 5 Commercial Waste Disposal Companies in the US Compared!
Wondering which commercial waste collection disposal service is best for your business? Well, we’ve got you
Top 5 Commercial Waste Disposal Companies in the US Compared!
Wondering which commercial waste collection disposal service is best for your business? Well, we’ve got you covered with our Top 5!
When you run a business, disposing of waste as easily, efficiently, and safely as possible should always be a top priority. But with so many waste disposal companies out there, it can be difficult to know who is the right fit for you.
Well, we’ve done a lot of the heavy lifting for you and compared some of the US’s most trusted commercial waste removal companies. Let’s get started!
What Is Commercial Waste?
Commercial waste, also known as industrial waste or business waste, is any waste generated from business activities. It really is as simple as that.
Old papers from an office? That’s commercial waste.
Food scraps from a restaurant. Also, commercial waste.
Chemicals used in manufacturing. Oh, you better believe that’s considered commercial waste.
We could spend all day just naming the different types of waste, but you get the picture by now. If it’s a byproduct of your operations, then it’s commercial waste and needs to be handled and disposed of correctly.
Do I Need Professional Commercial Waste Disposal?
If you run a business, then the answer is yes, you need professional commercial waste disposal. Commercial waste removal services are companies that can legally collect, transport, store, and dispose of your commercial waste.
Unlike household waste, commercial waste has to be disposed of via the correct channels. If you fail to adhere to these regulations, you could breach any number of federally regulated laws. Below are just a few you need to be aware of.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
The RCRA, enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requires all businesses to manage solid and hazardous waste through their entire lifecycle. This means from creation to disposal and identifying, labeling, storing, transporting with certified handlers, and documenting all waste properly.
- Maximum Fine: Up to $50,000 per day of violation and up to 5 years in prison.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
CERCLA, or Superfund law, makes companies liable for the costly cleanup of hazardous waste at contaminated sites if they dispose of it improperly.
- Maximum Fine: Up to $67,544 per day.
Clean Water Act (CWA) and Clean Air Act (CAA)
The CWA and CAA regulate discharges into water and emissions into the air. They mandate that businesses require permits and enforce strict compliance to limit pollution from waste disposal as a result of commercial operations.
- CWA Maximum Fine: Up to $68,445 (per day for each violation) with a daily maximum of $342,218.
- CAA Maximum Fine: Up to $124,426 (per violation) with a daily maximum of $472,901.
State-Specific Waste Regulations
Depending on what state you operate in, you may also be subject to specific state-regulated laws. Always check with your local authorities to make sure you don’t accidentally break compliance and end up on the wrong end of expensive fines and legal troubles.
Best Waste Disposal Companies In The US: Our Verdict
Before we get started, we need to point out that this isn’t a ranking table, just a comparison to help you choose the right fit based on your industry and waste type.
Instead, this is a comparison that highlights what services each commercial waste collection agency provides and how they can help your operations. Then you will have a clear and objective idea of which one best suits you and your specific business needs.
| Provider | Best For | Core Services |
|---|---|---|
| WM (Waste Management) | Multi-location Retail Chains | - Commercial waste & recycling - Dumpster/container rental - Secure shredding - Organic waste in select markets - Sustainability consulting |
| Republic Services | Large Commercial Properties Focused on Sustainability | - Waste & recycling - Organics & e-waste - Sharps/needles disposal - Compactors, roll-offs - Emergency response - Portable restrooms |
| Waste Connections | Small to Mid-Sized Local Businesses | - Commercial solid waste - Recycling - Roll-offs - Food waste - Medical/e-waste - Industrial solutions - Confidential shredding |
| Clean Harbors | Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities with Hazardous Waste | - Hazardous/non-hazardous waste - Spill response - InSite on-site services - Chemical management - Oil recycling (Safety-Kleen) - Remediation |
| Stericycle | Healthcare Providers & Medical Offices | - Medical & pharma waste - Sharps disposal - Compliance training - Secure shredding - Controlled substances - Patient communications |
- Services Offered
- Commercial waste collection
- Commercial recycling programs
- Dumpster and container rentals
- Secure destruction and document shredding
- Sustainability consulting and reporting
- National account support and centralized service for multisite businesses
- Organic waste and food scraps recycling in select markets
Getting things started today, we have North America’s largest environmental services provider, WM (formerly Waste Management). With over 50 years of helping residential and commercial properties across America dispose of their waste, they now proudly serve 21 million customers nationwide. With a focus on innovation, community partnership, and a sustainable future, WM could be the perfect fit for you.
Why Choose WM?
- National Network: With hundreds of landfills, recycling facilities, and transfer stations operated by WM across the country, they boast an unmatched infrastructure. So no matter where you are, they’ve got you covered.
- Self-Service Tools & Customer Support: WM’s online portals allow you to effectively manage your waste and recycling from a desktop or mobile device. Schedule pickups, access real-time alerts/ETAs, and pay your bills, all with just a few presses of a button.
- 24/7 Online Support: Their online portal also offers 24/7 support, so you can reach out to a member of their team and get the help you need, no matter the time of day.
- Paperless Bills: WM’s commitment to a sustainable future goes beyond just words. Reduce waste and streamline your accounts process with their digital billing feature.
- Customized Solutions for Every Industry: Construction to retail, healthcare to manufacturing, and everything in between, WM has something for you. They tailor every package to meet your industry’s operational and compliance needs.
- Hundreds of Convenient Drop-off Locations: Easily drop off waste, recycling, and specific materials at any of their hundreds of drop-off sites nationwide, making them ideal for businesses of all sizes.
- Support for National Accounts: If you operate nationwide, you can benefit from WM’s centralized service, which includes a dedicated account manager and unified reporting.
- Environmental Leadership & Innovation: The green revolution is gaining momentum, and WM is at the forefront of it all. They continuously invest in sustainable technologies, including landfill gas-to-energy to advanced recycling infrastructure.
- Services Offered
- Recycling & waste services
- Roll-Off dumpster rental
- Compactor rental
- Environmental solutions
- Special waste disposal
- Electronics, bulbs & batteries recycling
- Food & organic waste solutions
- Sharps & needles disposal
Republic Services is one of America’s leading providers of environmental services and is committed to partnering with customers for a more sustainable world. Their approach is built on four key pillars: safety, talent, climate leadership, and community engagement. If you partner with Republic, then you can be one of the approximately 13 million Americans who are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030!
Why Choose Republic Services?
- Comprehensive, Single-Vendor Solution: Republic Services offers a full range of waste and environmental services through one provider. Get everything you need and simplify management, reporting, and vendor coordination all under one roof.
- 24/7 Emergency Response: Republic’s emergency response team is available around the clock to handle all of your needs. However, for standard customer support, their hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 5 PM for all time zones.
- Proven Sustainability Leadership: If sustainability is important to you, then Republic Services may be the best choice of them all. It’s already achieved a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2017 and aims to hit 35% by 2030. They also continue to invest heavily in green technology, including running the largest EV collection fleet in North America.
- Customized Industry Solutions: No matter what industry you operate in, Republic Services has you covered. All of their programs are customized to meet your industry’s specific operational and regulatory needs.
- Nationwide Reach: Wherever you are across the country, their nationwide network ensures an unbeatable service. This includes supporting both single and multi-location businesses with consistent pick-ups.
- Advanced Recycling & Plastics Circularity: Operating state-of-the-art recycling centers, Republic Services can help you reach your sustainability goals and regulatory requirements through its resource recovery and plastics circularity programs.
- Safety and Compliance Focus: They prioritize safety with industry-leading metrics and provide comprehensive support to maintain your compliance with all waste management regulations, reducing any industry-specific operational risks you may face.
- Flexible Account Management: Their online portals and digital tools are easily accessible and allow you to manage service requests, payments, scheduling, and get real-time updates, streamlining your operations.
- Services Offered
- Waste management
- Roll off dumpster rental
- Commercial recycling
- Dumpster sizes
- Landfill and transfer stations
- Commercial solid waste collection
- Recyclables collection
- Hazardous waste disposal
Waste Connections is one of North America’s premier providers of solid waste collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services, primarily serving exclusive and secondary markets across the country. Their local-first philosophy means they hire professionals living within the communities they serve. Combine that with their core values of service excellence, customer satisfaction, and safety, and your business is not just another number to Waste Connections.
Why Choose Waste Connections?
- Community-Driven, Local Focus: Waste Connections puts local communities at the heart of their operations. They empower local professionals to make decisions to benefit the communities they serve. This personalized approach is unmatched when compared to anyone else.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Operating throughout 46 US states, their extensive reach provides comprehensive and reliable waste solutions for urban and rural communities alike.
- Commitment to Safety & Integrity: Safety is a core value that is ingrained within everything they do. Be that protecting employees, customers, and the public, the company consistently delivers on its promises with integrity and transparency.
- Flexible, Customer-First Service Model: Offering both scheduled and on-call pickups, a dedicated customer service team, and easy-to-use digital tools for managing your service.
- Customer Service Focus: Waste Connections is committed to delivering excellent customer service supported by 24/7 online chat assistance and dedicated customer support teams.
- Digital Tools: Benefit from a dedicated mobile app that helps you manage accounts, schedule service, and get real-time help, enhancing convenience and accessibility.
- Strict Legal and Environmental Compliance: Make sure you’re always on the right side of regulatory compliance with the help of Waste Connections. Whether it’s local, state, or federal regulations, you can sleep soundly knowing you’re covered.
- Services Offered
- Hazardous and non-hazardous waste management (collection, packaging, transportation, treatment, recycling, disposal)
- Emergency spill response
- Industrial cleaning and maintenance
- Recycling services
- Technical services
- Household hazardous waste programs
- Chemical distribution and supply
- Environmental and field services
Beginning life as a four-person tank cleaning business in 1980, Clean Harbors has grown into one of North America’s top environmental and industrial services providers. Although they also handle non-hazardous waste, they have made their name as a leader in the safe collection, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.
Today, they operate across 41 states with more than 400 service centers and 100+ disposal and recycling facilities and serve a diverse client base that includes everyone from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
Why Choose Clean Harbors?
- Comprehensive Hazardous Waste Expertise: If your business produces hazardous waste, then Clean Harbors is your perfect match. They offer end-to-end hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, including collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal.
- North America’s Largest Hazardous Waste Disposal Network: They oversee 100 hazardous waste disposal facilities, which include the largest network of incinerators, landfills, and treatment centers in North America. Whatever your business size and waste needs, they have a solution for you!
- 24/7 Emergency Response: Emergencies don’t happen on the clock. Good thing Clean Harbors offers 24/7 emergency response services for spills, disasters, and incident cleanups. Stay safe and compliant day or night.
- Extensive Reach: With operations spanning 41 states, their service is available almost anywhere in the US.
- On-Site InSite Services®: Clean Harbors’ InSite Services® program places trained environmental and technical experts directly in your facility. This hands-on service allows you to benefit from personalized, safety-focused waste and environmental services directly on your premises.
- Industry-Specific Solutions: Specialized programs for sectors like chemicals, specialty chemicals, oil and gas, power generation, and automotive mean you get services tailored to your operational needs and industry requirements.
- Leader in Used Oil Recycling and Sustainability: Through its Safety-Kleen subsidiary, Clean Harbors leads North America in used oil re-refining and sustainable recycling. This can go a long way to supporting your environmental targets and regulatory requirements.
- Technical Regulatory and Compliance Support: From routine disposal to emergency spill management, you’ll get world-class expertise to keep your operations compliant with federal, state, and industry laws.
- Services Offered
- Regulated medical waste disposal
- Sharps waste collection and disposal (including reusable and mail-back options)
- Pharmaceutical waste disposal
- Hazardous waste disposal
- Secure Information Destruction and document shredding
- Compliance Solutions (HIPAA, OSHA, DOT, and healthcare E&M coding training/resources)
- Hard drive and electronic media destruction
- Controlled substance waste management
And last but certainly not least, we’ve got Stericycle, a specialist in regulated medical waste disposal, sharps and pharmaceutical waste management, and secure information destruction.
Founded in 1989, Stericycle has evolved from a small medical waste management start-up into a leader across regulated waste handling, secure information destruction, and healthcare compliance. If you are in the medical or healthcare industries, then look no further than Stericycle.
Why Choose Stericycle?
- Trusted Compliance Leader: Stericycle is recognized as an industry leader in regulatory compliance, with decades of experience helping businesses and healthcare organizations safely navigate evolving waste and information security regulations.
- Comprehensive Service Offering: Integrating medical, pharmaceutical, and hazardous waste management, they also offer industry-adjacent services, including secure information destruction, compliance training, and patient communications.
- Safe, Sustainable Practices: All of Stericycle’s services are designed to minimize infection risk, enhance health and safety, and support sustainability goals. This helps protect your patients, staff, workplace, and the environment.
- Tailored Packages: They serve a wide range of organizations of all sizes, offering tailored packages to meet each business’s individual needs. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental offices, veterinary practices, long-term care facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- Award-Winning Training & Resources: Stericycle provides award-winning, fully online compliance and training programs covering HIPAA, OSHA, and waste management standards.
- Easy Access & Customer Support: Use online tools to help with simplified scheduling, as well as responsive customer support.
How Much Does Commercial Waste Removal Cost?
When it comes to commercial waste management, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your business is different from every other one out there, and because of this, you will need a tailored waste collection service. Below are things to consider when determining price.
Frequency
How often do you need your commercial waste collected? If you need daily collections, then this is going to cost far more than if you need it monthly.
One-off collections are cheaper on the surface. But if you require routine pick-ups, then opting for a provider that doesn’t offer regular collections, then those upfront savings can quickly add up to more expensive totals. Typically, you’ll find that longer-term contracts come with discounts.
Volume
The weight and size of your garbage are crucial factors in determining the price of your service. If you’re a part-time self-employed graphic designer, then a few stacks of paper won’t cost anywhere near as much as tons of hazardous waste produced by a factory each day.
The heavier and bigger the waste you need to dispose of, the more it’s going to cost!
Location
If you’re located in an easily accessible area, like in a large city or close to a designated drop-off point, then you’re in luck. This convenience for your provider will often be passed back to you in the form of lower costs.
However, if you’re in the middle of nowhere and hours away from drop-off points, then expect to fork out extra.
Type of Waste
This probably goes without saying, but hazardous waste collections will set you back far more than non-hazardous waste.
This is because handlers have to undergo specialized training and qualifications in order to legally collect, handle, store, transport, and dispose of waste. These include, but are not limited to:
- RCRA Hazardous Waste Training
- Emergency Response Training
- OSHA HAZWOPER Training
How Can I Get Commercial Waste Removal For My Business?
Now you’re a bit more clued up on professional waste management services and how they can benefit your business, there’s only one thing left to do: find one for your business!
Here at Commercial Experts, we’ve already helped countless U.S. businesses like yours find the best waste collection company for them, and you could be next.
All you have to do is tap the link on this page and answer a few quick questions about your business. Then, based on your responses, get a range of free commercial waste quotes tailored to meet your specific needs.
Don’t like what you see? No problem—this service is 100% no strings attached, so walk away with zero obligation.
FAQs
What is commercial waste, and how is it different from household waste?
Commercial waste is any waste generated by a business or industrial activity. Unlike household waste, it must be collected, stored, and disposed of through licensed channels in compliance with federal and state regulations.
Why do I need a commercial waste removal service?
Commercial waste must be handled legally and safely. Professional removal services ensure compliance with EPA laws like RCRA, CERCLA, and the Clean Air and Water Acts, helping businesses avoid hefty fines and legal penalties.
How much does commercial waste removal cost?
Costs vary based on collection frequency, waste volume, location, and type. Hazardous waste disposal is more expensive due to stricter regulations and required handler certifications. Long-term contracts often provide better pricing.
Which waste removal company is best for my industry?
It depends on your business type. WM suits retail chains, Republic is great for sustainability-focused firms, Waste Connections supports local restaurants, Clean Harbors handles hazardous industrial waste, and Stericycle specializes in healthcare waste management. Choose based on your industry needs.
How can I find the best waste removal service for my business?
Just tap the button on this page and answer a few quick questions about your business. You’ll then receive a range of tailored, no-obligation quotes from some of the best and most trusted commercial waste providers in the country, completely free of charge and no-strings-attached.
