GITNUXREPORT 2026

Waste Hauling Industry Statistics

The waste hauling industry is a multi-billion dollar global market experiencing steady growth.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Waste Management Inc. reported $20.4 billion revenue in 2023, 9% YoY growth with hauling core at 55%.

Statistic 2

Republic Services Inc. hauling revenue $13.2 billion in 2023, EBITDA margin 28.4%.

Statistic 3

Waste Connections Inc. generated $7.8 billion in solid waste hauling 2023, up 15%.

Statistic 4

GFL Environmental hauling services $4.5 billion revenue 2023, acquisition-driven growth 22%.

Statistic 5

Stericycle Inc. medical waste hauling $2.6 billion 2023, margins 18.2%.

Statistic 6

Clean Harbors hazardous waste hauling $3.1 billion 2023, 12% growth.

Statistic 7

Veolia North America waste hauling $2.9B 2023, recycling integration 25%.

Statistic 8

FCC Environment U.K. hauling £1.2 billion 2023, profit £180M.

Statistic 9

SUEZ Asia Pacific hauling revenue AUD 1.8B 2023.

Statistic 10

WastePro USA regional hauling $1.1B 2023, fleet 5,000 trucks.

Statistic 11

Casella Waste Systems Northeast hauling $1.4B 2023, 10% organic growth.

Statistic 12

Advanced Disposal pre-merger hauling $2.1B 2021.

Statistic 13

WM's collection segment EBITDA $5.2B 2023, 75% gross margin.

Statistic 14

Republic's solid waste pricing 5.9% increase 2023.

Statistic 15

Waste Connections volume growth 2.8% core markets 2023.

Statistic 16

GFL's U.S. hauling EBITDA $1.2B 2023.

Statistic 17

Stericycle route optimization saved $45M hauling costs 2023.

Statistic 18

Clean Harbors incineration hauling utilization 92% 2023.

Statistic 19

Veolia landfill gas recovery revenue $250M from hauling 2023.

Statistic 20

FCC's fleet efficiency improved 8% in hauling 2023.

Statistic 21

SUEZ's digital telematics reduced hauling fuel 15% 2023.

Statistic 22

WastePro customer retention 98% in hauling contracts 2023.

Statistic 23

Casella recycling-hauling synergy added $120M revenue 2023.

Statistic 24

WM acquired 15 hauling routes adding $200M revenue 2023.

Statistic 25

Republic expanded hauling fleet by 450 trucks 2023.

Statistic 26

Waste Connections divestitures netted $300M for hauling reinvestment 2023.

Statistic 27

GFL integrated 20 acquisitions boosting hauling 18% 2023.

Statistic 28

The U.S. waste hauling industry revenue reached $51.4 billion in 2023, driven by a 3.8% CAGR from 2018-2023 due to population growth and urbanization.

Statistic 29

Global waste management market was valued at $1.2 trillion in 2022, with hauling segment accounting for 28% or $336 billion.

Statistic 30

North American waste hauling services grew by 4.1% in 2023 to $62.7 billion, fueled by commercial construction waste increases.

Statistic 31

Europe's waste collection market hit €120 billion in 2022, with municipal solid waste hauling comprising 45% of total.

Statistic 32

Asia-Pacific waste hauling industry projected to grow at 6.5% CAGR to 2030, reaching $450 billion from $250 billion in 2023.

Statistic 33

U.S. residential waste hauling revenue was $18.9 billion in 2023, up 2.9% YoY due to single-family home disposals.

Statistic 34

Commercial waste hauling in the U.S. generated $22.6 billion in 2022, representing 44% of total industry revenue.

Statistic 35

Industrial waste hauling segment in Canada reached CAD 4.8 billion in 2023, growing 5.2% amid manufacturing recovery.

Statistic 36

U.K. waste hauling market size was £10.2 billion in 2022, with a forecasted 3.4% growth to 2027.

Statistic 37

Australia's waste services industry revenue hit AUD 12.5 billion in 2023, up 4.7% from prior year.

Statistic 38

Brazil's waste hauling sector valued at BRL 35 billion in 2022, growing 5.1% due to urban expansion.

Statistic 39

India's municipal waste collection market estimated at INR 50,000 crore in 2023, with 7% annual growth.

Statistic 40

South Korea waste hauling revenue was KRW 15 trillion in 2022, up 3.9% YoY.

Statistic 41

Mexico's waste management hauling segment reached MXN 120 billion in 2023, 4.3% growth.

Statistic 42

Middle East waste hauling market grew to $25 billion in 2023, led by UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Statistic 43

Africa waste collection industry valued at $18 billion in 2022, projected 6.8% CAGR to 2030.

Statistic 44

U.S. hazardous waste hauling revenue was $9.2 billion in 2023, 2.5% increase.

Statistic 45

Construction debris hauling in U.S. contributed $8.7 billion in 2022.

Statistic 46

Medical waste hauling market globally $12.5 billion in 2023, U.S. share 35%.

Statistic 47

E-waste hauling services worldwide valued at $45 billion in 2022.

Statistic 48

Organic waste hauling in EU reached €25 billion in 2023.

Statistic 49

U.S. transfer station operations revenue $4.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 50

Landfill tipping fees averaged $58/ton in U.S. 2023, boosting hauling margins.

Statistic 51

Recycling hauling revenue in U.S. $6.3 billion in 2022, 1.8% decline.

Statistic 52

Private hauler market share in U.S. 70% of total $51B in 2023.

Statistic 53

Municipal contract hauling $15.2 billion U.S. 2023.

Statistic 54

Franchise hauling agreements generated $7.9B in U.S. 2022.

Statistic 55

Competitive bidding markets 55% of U.S. hauling revenue 2023.

Statistic 56

Vertically integrated firms control 65% of U.S. hauling market value.

Statistic 57

Digital booking platforms boosted hauling revenue 12% in urban areas 2023.

Statistic 58

U.S. MSW recycling rate reached 32.5% in 2023, diverting 95 million tons from landfills via hauling.

Statistic 59

U.S. composting rate for MSW 23.5% in 2022, 35 million tons hauled to facilities.

Statistic 60

Paper recycling rate 66% U.S. 2022, 32 million tons collected by haulers.

Statistic 61

Steel recycling rate 88% from hauled waste U.S. 2023.

Statistic 62

Aluminum cans recycling 52% U.S. 2022, 1.2 billion pounds hauled.

Statistic 63

Plastics recycling rate 8.7% U.S. 2022, 3 million tons via hauling.

Statistic 64

Glass container recycling 31% U.S. 2023.

Statistic 65

E-waste recycling 25% U.S. 2022, 1.7 million tons hauled.

Statistic 66

Food waste diversion via hauling to digesters 10% U.S. 2023.

Statistic 67

Yard waste composting 70% U.S. municipalities 2023.

Statistic 68

C&D debris recycling 76% in top markets U.S. 2023.

Statistic 69

Tire recycling 82% U.S. 2022, 237 million units hauled.

Statistic 70

Textile recycling 15% U.S. 2023, 2.5 million tons.

Statistic 71

MRF processing capacity U.S. 300,000 tons/day hauled input 2023.

Statistic 72

Single-stream recycling hauling contamination 18% U.S. 2023.

Statistic 73

Organics hauling diversion 25 million tons U.S. 2023.

Statistic 74

Landfill methane capture from hauled MSW 60% U.S. landfills 2023.

Statistic 75

Waste-to-energy plants process 13% hauled MSW U.S., 34 million tons/year.

Statistic 76

Battery recycling from e-waste hauling 95% lithium-ion recovery rate 2023.

Statistic 77

Construction wood waste reuse 40% via hauling U.S. 2023.

Statistic 78

U.S. generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018, with hauling volume at 146 million tons collected.

Statistic 79

Daily U.S. MSW generation per capita 4.9 pounds in 2022, equating to 80 million tons hauled annually.

Statistic 80

Commercial waste volume in U.S. 70 million tons/year 2023, 52% of total hauled MSW.

Statistic 81

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris hauled 600 million tons U.S. 2022.

Statistic 82

Food waste hauled 66 million tons U.S. 2022, 24% of MSW.

Statistic 83

Paper and paperboard waste volume 31 million tons recycled/hauled 2022.

Statistic 84

Plastics hauled 35 million tons U.S. MSW 2022, recycling rate 5%.

Statistic 85

Metals waste generation 20 million tons U.S. 2022, 50% recycled via hauling.

Statistic 86

Glass waste hauled 11 million tons U.S. 2022.

Statistic 87

Yard trimmings volume 35 million tons U.S. MSW 2022.

Statistic 88

Hazardous waste generated 35 million tons U.S. 2021, hauled to TSDFs.

Statistic 89

Medical waste volume U.S. 5.9 million tons/year 2023.

Statistic 90

E-waste generated 6.9 million tons U.S. 2022, hauled for recycling.

Statistic 91

Organic waste 108 million tons U.S. 2022, composting/hauling split.

Statistic 92

Tires waste 290 million units U.S. 2022, hauled 81%.

Statistic 93

Textiles hauled 17 million tons U.S. MSW 2022.

Statistic 94

Wood waste from construction 15 million tons hauled U.S. 2023.

Statistic 95

MSW collection frequency weekly for 65% U.S. households 2023.

Statistic 96

Average U.S. residential bin size 96 gallons, hauling 0.5 tons/household/year.

Statistic 97

Commercial dumpster sizes average 40 cubic yards, hauling 10 tons/week/site.

Statistic 98

U.S. MSW recycling rate 32.1% in 2022, 93 million tons hauled for recovery.

Statistic 99

Composting hauled 34 million tons U.S. 2022.

Statistic 100

Landfilled MSW 146 million tons U.S. 2022 post-hauling.

Statistic 101

Energy recovery from hauled MSW 34 million tons 2022.

Statistic 102

U.S. waste haulers employed 144,000 workers in 2023, up 2.1%.

Statistic 103

Average wage for refuse collectors $45,760/year U.S. 2023.

Statistic 104

Driver shortage affected 35% U.S. hauling firms 2023.

Statistic 105

Injury rate for waste haulers 5.2 per 100 workers 2022.

Statistic 106

Fleet size U.S. private haulers 140,000 trucks 2023.

Statistic 107

CNG trucks 12% of hauling fleet U.S. 2023.

Statistic 108

Hours of service violations 1,200 in hauling 2022 FMCSA.

Statistic 109

EPA RCRA hazardous waste haulers permitted 1,500 firms 2023.

Statistic 110

DOT hazardous materials incidents by haulers 450 in 2022.

Statistic 111

Unionized workforce 25% U.S. municipal hauling 2023.

Statistic 112

Training hours required 40 for hazwaste haulers annually.

Statistic 113

Female workers 8% in waste hauling U.S. 2023.

Statistic 114

Turnover rate 28% drivers in hauling industry 2023.

Statistic 115

OSHA citations for hauling firms 2,500 in 2022.

Statistic 116

Autonomous truck pilots 5% hauling routes 2023.

Statistic 117

ELD compliance 98% large haulers FMCSA 2023.

Statistic 118

California AB 939 diversion mandates met by 92% haulers 2023.

Statistic 119

EU Waste Framework Directive hauling quotas 50% recycle by 2025.

Statistic 120

U.S. states with hauling franchise fees 28 in 2023.

Statistic 121

PFAS regulations impact 40% landfill hauling contracts 2024.

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From massive global revenues to specialized recycling streams, the intricate world of waste hauling is a multi-billion-dollar engine powering our modern cities, and these statistics reveal the surprising scale and dynamics of this essential industry.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. waste hauling industry revenue reached $51.4 billion in 2023, driven by a 3.8% CAGR from 2018-2023 due to population growth and urbanization.
Global waste management market was valued at $1.2 trillion in 2022, with hauling segment accounting for 28% or $336 billion.
North American waste hauling services grew by 4.1% in 2023 to $62.7 billion, fueled by commercial construction waste increases.
Waste Management Inc. reported $20.4 billion revenue in 2023, 9% YoY growth with hauling core at 55%.
Republic Services Inc. hauling revenue $13.2 billion in 2023, EBITDA margin 28.4%.
Waste Connections Inc. generated $7.8 billion in solid waste hauling 2023, up 15%.
U.S. generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018, with hauling volume at 146 million tons collected.
Daily U.S. MSW generation per capita 4.9 pounds in 2022, equating to 80 million tons hauled annually.
Commercial waste volume in U.S. 70 million tons/year 2023, 52% of total hauled MSW.
U.S. MSW recycling rate reached 32.5% in 2023, diverting 95 million tons from landfills via hauling.
U.S. composting rate for MSW 23.5% in 2022, 35 million tons hauled to facilities.
Paper recycling rate 66% U.S. 2022, 32 million tons collected by haulers.
U.S. waste haulers employed 144,000 workers in 2023, up 2.1%.
Average wage for refuse collectors $45,760/year U.S. 2023.
Driver shortage affected 35% U.S. hauling firms 2023.

The waste hauling industry is a multi-billion dollar global market experiencing steady growth.

Company Performance

Waste Management Inc. reported $20.4 billion revenue in 2023, 9% YoY growth with hauling core at 55%.
Republic Services Inc. hauling revenue $13.2 billion in 2023, EBITDA margin 28.4%.
Waste Connections Inc. generated $7.8 billion in solid waste hauling 2023, up 15%.
GFL Environmental hauling services $4.5 billion revenue 2023, acquisition-driven growth 22%.
Stericycle Inc. medical waste hauling $2.6 billion 2023, margins 18.2%.
Clean Harbors hazardous waste hauling $3.1 billion 2023, 12% growth.
Veolia North America waste hauling $2.9B 2023, recycling integration 25%.
FCC Environment U.K. hauling £1.2 billion 2023, profit £180M.
SUEZ Asia Pacific hauling revenue AUD 1.8B 2023.
WastePro USA regional hauling $1.1B 2023, fleet 5,000 trucks.
Casella Waste Systems Northeast hauling $1.4B 2023, 10% organic growth.
Advanced Disposal pre-merger hauling $2.1B 2021.
WM's collection segment EBITDA $5.2B 2023, 75% gross margin.
Republic's solid waste pricing 5.9% increase 2023.
Waste Connections volume growth 2.8% core markets 2023.
GFL's U.S. hauling EBITDA $1.2B 2023.
Stericycle route optimization saved $45M hauling costs 2023.
Clean Harbors incineration hauling utilization 92% 2023.
Veolia landfill gas recovery revenue $250M from hauling 2023.
FCC's fleet efficiency improved 8% in hauling 2023.
SUEZ's digital telematics reduced hauling fuel 15% 2023.
WastePro customer retention 98% in hauling contracts 2023.
Casella recycling-hauling synergy added $120M revenue 2023.
WM acquired 15 hauling routes adding $200M revenue 2023.
Republic expanded hauling fleet by 450 trucks 2023.
Waste Connections divestitures netted $300M for hauling reinvestment 2023.
GFL integrated 20 acquisitions boosting hauling 18% 2023.

Company Performance Interpretation

While the giants haul in billions by scaling their mountains of trash with precision pricing and relentless acquisitions, the entire industry is quietly proving that one person's garbage is another's strikingly efficient, tech-optimized, and highly lucrative golden goose.

Market Size & Growth

The U.S. waste hauling industry revenue reached $51.4 billion in 2023, driven by a 3.8% CAGR from 2018-2023 due to population growth and urbanization.
Global waste management market was valued at $1.2 trillion in 2022, with hauling segment accounting for 28% or $336 billion.
North American waste hauling services grew by 4.1% in 2023 to $62.7 billion, fueled by commercial construction waste increases.
Europe's waste collection market hit €120 billion in 2022, with municipal solid waste hauling comprising 45% of total.
Asia-Pacific waste hauling industry projected to grow at 6.5% CAGR to 2030, reaching $450 billion from $250 billion in 2023.
U.S. residential waste hauling revenue was $18.9 billion in 2023, up 2.9% YoY due to single-family home disposals.
Commercial waste hauling in the U.S. generated $22.6 billion in 2022, representing 44% of total industry revenue.
Industrial waste hauling segment in Canada reached CAD 4.8 billion in 2023, growing 5.2% amid manufacturing recovery.
U.K. waste hauling market size was £10.2 billion in 2022, with a forecasted 3.4% growth to 2027.
Australia's waste services industry revenue hit AUD 12.5 billion in 2023, up 4.7% from prior year.
Brazil's waste hauling sector valued at BRL 35 billion in 2022, growing 5.1% due to urban expansion.
India's municipal waste collection market estimated at INR 50,000 crore in 2023, with 7% annual growth.
South Korea waste hauling revenue was KRW 15 trillion in 2022, up 3.9% YoY.
Mexico's waste management hauling segment reached MXN 120 billion in 2023, 4.3% growth.
Middle East waste hauling market grew to $25 billion in 2023, led by UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Africa waste collection industry valued at $18 billion in 2022, projected 6.8% CAGR to 2030.
U.S. hazardous waste hauling revenue was $9.2 billion in 2023, 2.5% increase.
Construction debris hauling in U.S. contributed $8.7 billion in 2022.
Medical waste hauling market globally $12.5 billion in 2023, U.S. share 35%.
E-waste hauling services worldwide valued at $45 billion in 2022.
Organic waste hauling in EU reached €25 billion in 2023.
U.S. transfer station operations revenue $4.1 billion in 2023.
Landfill tipping fees averaged $58/ton in U.S. 2023, boosting hauling margins.
Recycling hauling revenue in U.S. $6.3 billion in 2022, 1.8% decline.
Private hauler market share in U.S. 70% of total $51B in 2023.
Municipal contract hauling $15.2 billion U.S. 2023.
Franchise hauling agreements generated $7.9B in U.S. 2022.
Competitive bidding markets 55% of U.S. hauling revenue 2023.
Vertically integrated firms control 65% of U.S. hauling market value.
Digital booking platforms boosted hauling revenue 12% in urban areas 2023.

Market Size & Growth Interpretation

Humans are producing waste at such a staggering, lucrative rate that the world's haulers are practically being paid to follow us around with a broom and a dumpster.

Recycling & Sustainability

U.S. MSW recycling rate reached 32.5% in 2023, diverting 95 million tons from landfills via hauling.
U.S. composting rate for MSW 23.5% in 2022, 35 million tons hauled to facilities.
Paper recycling rate 66% U.S. 2022, 32 million tons collected by haulers.
Steel recycling rate 88% from hauled waste U.S. 2023.
Aluminum cans recycling 52% U.S. 2022, 1.2 billion pounds hauled.
Plastics recycling rate 8.7% U.S. 2022, 3 million tons via hauling.
Glass container recycling 31% U.S. 2023.
E-waste recycling 25% U.S. 2022, 1.7 million tons hauled.
Food waste diversion via hauling to digesters 10% U.S. 2023.
Yard waste composting 70% U.S. municipalities 2023.
C&D debris recycling 76% in top markets U.S. 2023.
Tire recycling 82% U.S. 2022, 237 million units hauled.
Textile recycling 15% U.S. 2023, 2.5 million tons.
MRF processing capacity U.S. 300,000 tons/day hauled input 2023.
Single-stream recycling hauling contamination 18% U.S. 2023.
Organics hauling diversion 25 million tons U.S. 2023.
Landfill methane capture from hauled MSW 60% U.S. landfills 2023.
Waste-to-energy plants process 13% hauled MSW U.S., 34 million tons/year.
Battery recycling from e-waste hauling 95% lithium-ion recovery rate 2023.
Construction wood waste reuse 40% via hauling U.S. 2023.

Recycling & Sustainability Interpretation

The hauling industry is the unsung circulatory system of our economy, moving with impressive efficiency where we ask it to—like achieving an 88% steel recycling rate—but still struggling to circulate the harder stuff, as our dismal 8.7% plastics recycling rate proves we are far from a closed loop.

Waste Volume & Types

U.S. generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018, with hauling volume at 146 million tons collected.
Daily U.S. MSW generation per capita 4.9 pounds in 2022, equating to 80 million tons hauled annually.
Commercial waste volume in U.S. 70 million tons/year 2023, 52% of total hauled MSW.
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris hauled 600 million tons U.S. 2022.
Food waste hauled 66 million tons U.S. 2022, 24% of MSW.
Paper and paperboard waste volume 31 million tons recycled/hauled 2022.
Plastics hauled 35 million tons U.S. MSW 2022, recycling rate 5%.
Metals waste generation 20 million tons U.S. 2022, 50% recycled via hauling.
Glass waste hauled 11 million tons U.S. 2022.
Yard trimmings volume 35 million tons U.S. MSW 2022.
Hazardous waste generated 35 million tons U.S. 2021, hauled to TSDFs.
Medical waste volume U.S. 5.9 million tons/year 2023.
E-waste generated 6.9 million tons U.S. 2022, hauled for recycling.
Organic waste 108 million tons U.S. 2022, composting/hauling split.
Tires waste 290 million units U.S. 2022, hauled 81%.
Textiles hauled 17 million tons U.S. MSW 2022.
Wood waste from construction 15 million tons hauled U.S. 2023.
MSW collection frequency weekly for 65% U.S. households 2023.
Average U.S. residential bin size 96 gallons, hauling 0.5 tons/household/year.
Commercial dumpster sizes average 40 cubic yards, hauling 10 tons/week/site.
U.S. MSW recycling rate 32.1% in 2022, 93 million tons hauled for recovery.
Composting hauled 34 million tons U.S. 2022.
Landfilled MSW 146 million tons U.S. 2022 post-hauling.
Energy recovery from hauled MSW 34 million tons 2022.

Waste Volume & Types Interpretation

While the average American might only think about their single weekly bin, the sheer scale of hauled waste—from yesterday's lunch to last year's demolished office building—reveals an industrial ballet of consumption and collection that could fill stadiums with everything we discard.

Workforce & Regulations

U.S. waste haulers employed 144,000 workers in 2023, up 2.1%.
Average wage for refuse collectors $45,760/year U.S. 2023.
Driver shortage affected 35% U.S. hauling firms 2023.
Injury rate for waste haulers 5.2 per 100 workers 2022.
Fleet size U.S. private haulers 140,000 trucks 2023.
CNG trucks 12% of hauling fleet U.S. 2023.
Hours of service violations 1,200 in hauling 2022 FMCSA.
EPA RCRA hazardous waste haulers permitted 1,500 firms 2023.
DOT hazardous materials incidents by haulers 450 in 2022.
Unionized workforce 25% U.S. municipal hauling 2023.
Training hours required 40 for hazwaste haulers annually.
Female workers 8% in waste hauling U.S. 2023.
Turnover rate 28% drivers in hauling industry 2023.
OSHA citations for hauling firms 2,500 in 2022.
Autonomous truck pilots 5% hauling routes 2023.
ELD compliance 98% large haulers FMCSA 2023.
California AB 939 diversion mandates met by 92% haulers 2023.
EU Waste Framework Directive hauling quotas 50% recycle by 2025.
U.S. states with hauling franchise fees 28 in 2023.
PFAS regulations impact 40% landfill hauling contracts 2024.

Workforce & Regulations Interpretation

The U.S. waste industry is a gritty, growing engine of the economy, powered by a dedicated yet strained workforce navigating safety risks, a driver shortage, and a slow but steady shift toward cleaner trucks and stricter regulations, all while keeping the nation from being buried in its own refuse.