The Big Four of Waste

According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, just four companies — Waste Management (WM), Republic Services, Waste Connections, and GFL Environmental — dominate the U.S. waste industry. Together, they control 60% of municipal solid waste landfill capacity and are the biggest winners in the country’s growing $91 billion waste industry. In 2022, Waste Management and Republic alone made up 36% of the market.

Expansion and Extension of Pollution

This map also shows which landfills are running out of space. Landfills with 30% or less capacity remaining are flagged as high-risk for expansion, further extending their pollution footprint.