THE 2003 WASTE AGE 100 CONFIRMS that business in 2002 was challenging for the large private firms that dominate the solid waste industry. While the top four company rankings remained the same, Waste Management Inc., Allied Waste Industries and Onyx North America all saw flat or declining revenues from 2001 to 2002. Only Republic Services Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., showed an increase in revenues from $2.26 billion on last year's report to $2.37 billion in 2002, which the company attributes to its strategy of locating in high-growth markets largely throughout the Sunbelt, in Georgia, Florida, Nevada, California and Texas.

The other three companies could perhaps blame their less rosy performance on the rain (and snow). According to Waste Management, Houston, winter storms, rising fuel prices and a struggling economy continued to dampen the company's performance in the first quarter of 2003. Net income, however increased $319 million from $503 million in 2001 to $822 million in 2002.

Allied, too, blamed the winter weather and rising fuel costs for its decline in revenues, from $5.57 billion in 2001 to $5.52 billion in 2002. Yet the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company also emphasized that despite the decline in revenues, net income more than tripled from $58.5 million in 2001 to $215.1 million in 2002. The company's newly announced pricing program and recent layoffs should continue to improve efficiency in the coming year, according to CEO Tom Van Weelden.

To boost its bottom line and efficiency, and to potentially please stockholders, Waste Management says it will be examining commercial and residential routes to produce cost savings in 2003 and into 2004.

While most waste companies already have their eye on the future, the industry that touts itself largely as recession-proof could not deny that the down economy coupled with higher fuel costs had an effect in 2002. For example, the smallest company on this year's list approached $7.1 million in size, whereas No. 100 last year recorded revenues of $9.3 million.

No. 3 Onyx North America's revenues did not change, with $1.3 billion in 2001 and the same figure listed on this year's report. And further down our 10th annual list, the companies that comprise the top 15 largely remained the same as on last year's list.

Beyond this top of the crop, however, there was less sluggishness. Companies previously listed dropped off of our 2003 listing as they were sold. A few jumped spots: For example, Burrtec Waste Industries, Fontana, Calif., moved from 14 spots higher from No. 33 last year to No. 19 this year. And new companies including those that concentrate on what used to be considered marginal wastes — i.e. recycling or electronic wastes — were added.

Over the years, Waste Age has been adding companies such as medical waste hauler Stericycle to its list of top 100 companies as these waste streams have come into their own. And the addition of businesses — such as Tri Rinse, St. Louis, Mo., which collects, recycles and composts waste, or Gaeta Recycling, Peterson, N.J., which specializes in collection, transfer and recycling — indicates that these niche businesses will not go away.

To be successful today, solid waste companies are redefining how they operate. This could mean specializing in a new line of business or improving existing lines of business, such as Waste Management's efforts to create efficiencies through routing. Whichever path waste companies choose, all eyes are on the bottom line. And with continued uncertainty about the economy, all eyes also are focused on how to sustain it.

Waste Management Inc.¹

Headquarters: Houston, TX •CEO: A. Maurice Myers
Last Year's Rank: 1 Public or Pvt: Public Customers: Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 53,000 2002 Revenue: $11.142 bil. Services: CO, HZ, IN, LF, RS, TF

Allied Waste Industries Inc.⁴

Scottsdale, AZ • Thomas Van Weelden
Last Yr's Rank: 2 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 29,000 2002 Rev.: $5.517 bil. Svcs: CO, LF, RS, TF

Republic Services Inc.¹

Fort Lauderdale, FL • James O'Connor
Last Yr's Rank: 3 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 12,700 2002 Rev.: $2.365 bil. Svcs: CO, LF, RS, TF

Onyx N.A.¹

(includes Superior Waste Svcs., Onyx Waste Svcs., Montenay Int'l, Onyx Enviro. Svcs., Onyx Industrial Svcs. Holdings)
Last Yr's Rank: 4 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 8,628 2002 Rev.: $1.3 bil. Svcs: CO, HZ, IN, LF, RS, TF

PSC - Industrial Services¹

Houston, TX • Brian Recatto
Last Yr's Rank: 11 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 5,600 2002 Rev.: $1.2 bil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $530 mil. CO, HZ, LF, RS, TF

Covanta Energy Corp.¹

Fairfield, NJ • Scott Mackin
Last Yr's Rank: 68 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 2,045 2002 Rev.: $920.3 mill Svcs: IN

Safety-Kleen Systems¹

Plano, TX • Ronald A. Rittenmeyer
Last Yr's Rank: 5 Public Com./Ind. Employees: 5,000 2002 Revenue: $870.2 mil. Svcs: CO, HZ, RS, TF

Waste Connections Inc.¹

Folsom, CA • Ronald Mittelstaedt
Last Yr's Rank: 7 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 4,000 2002 Rev.: $499 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $605 mil. CO, LF, RS, TF

Casella Waste Systems Inc.⁴

Rutland, VT • John W. Casella
Last Yr's Rank: 6 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 2,594 2002 Revenue: $420.8 mil. Svcs: CO, IN, LF, RS, TF

Stericycle Inc.⁴

Lake Forest, IL • Mark C. Miller
Last Yr's Rank: 9 Public Com./Ind. Employees: 2,565 2002 Revenue: $401.5 mil. Svcs: CO

Norcal Waste Systems¹

San Francisco, CA • Michael J. Sangiacomo
Last Yr's Rank: 8 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 1,900 2002 Rev.: $354.9 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $375 mil. CO, LF, RS, TF

Clean Harbors Environmental Services¹

Braintree, MA • Alan S. McKim
Last Yr's Rank: 12 Public Com./Ind. Employees: 4,000 2002 Rev.: $350.1 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $640 mil. HZ, IN, LF, RS

Rumpke Consolidated Companies Inc.¹

Cincinnati, OH • William J. & Thomas Rumpke
Last Yr's Rank: 10 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 1,900 2002 Rev.: $300.3 mil. Svcs: CO, IN, LF, RS, TF

Waste Industries USA Inc.⁴

Raleigh, NC • Lonnie C. Poole Jr.
Last Yr's Rank: 13 Public Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 1,700 2002 Rev.: $251.8 mil. Svcs: CO, LF, RS, TF

IESI Corp.¹

Fort Worth, TX • Mickey Flood
Last Yr's Rank: 16 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 1,500 2002 Rev: $212.9 mil. Svcs: CO, LF, RS, TF

Duratek Inc.⁴

Columbia, MD • Robert E. Prince
Last Yr's Rank: 15 Public Com./Ind. Employees: 1,200 2002 Rev.: $183 mil. Svcs: HZ

Deffenbaugh Industries Inc.¹

Shawnee, KS • Ronald D. Deffenbaugh
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 1,800 2002 Rev.: $165 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $175 mil. CO, LF, RS, TF

U S Liquids Inc.⁴

Houston, TX • William M. DeArman
Last Yr's Rank: 14 Public Com./Ind. Employees: 890 2002 Rev: $150.8 mil. Svcs: CO, HZ, LF, RS

Burrtec Waste Industries Inc.¹

Fontana, CA • Cole Burr
Last Yr's Rank: 33 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 632 2002 Rev.: $145.9 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $153 mil. CO, LF, RS, TF

Teris North America¹

Dallas, TX • Xavier Dennery
Last Yr's Rank: 25 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 675 2002 Rev.: $123 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $120 mil. CO, HZ, IN, TF

CR&R Inc.¹

Stanton, CA • Clifford Ronnenberg
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 675 2002 Rev.: $110 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $114 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

Industrial Services of America¹

Louisville, KY • Harry Kletter
Last Yr's Rank: 19 Public Com./Ind. Employees: 130 2002 Rev.: $101.3 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $105 mil. Svcs: RS

Schupan & Sons Inc.¹

Kalamazoo, MI • Marc A. Schupan
Last Yr's Rank: 20 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 200 2002 Rev.: $80 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $84 mil. Svcs: RS

Waste Corporation of America¹

Houston, TX • Tom Fatjo Jr.
Last Yr's Rank: 21 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 510 2002 Rev.: $80 mil. Proj, 2003 Rev.: $85 mil. Svcs: CO, LF, TF

Harold LeMay Enterprises Inc.¹

Tacoma, WA • Nancy LeMay
Last Yr's Rank: 23 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 444 2002 Rev.: $73.4 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $76.8 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

Potential Industries Inc.¹

Wilmington, CA • Henry Chen
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 150 2002 Rev.: $70 mil. Svcs: RS

Strategic Materials Inc.¹

Houston, TX • T. Corley
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 280 2002 Rev.: $65 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $65 mil. Svcs: RS

Northstar Pulp & Paper¹

Springfield, MA • Seth Goodman
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 73 2002 Rev.: $60 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $95 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Unisyn Biowaste Technology¹

Los Angeles, CA • Barry Silverton
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 80 2002 Rev.: $60 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $65 mil. Svcs: IN

Resource Recovery Corp. RI¹

Johnston, RI • A. Ferland
Last Yr's Rank: 27 Private Res. Employees: 120 2002 Rev.: $52.1 mil. Svcs: LF, RS

Peoria Disposal Company¹

Peoria, IL • Royal Coulter
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 475 2002 Rev.: $50.5 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $52.6 mil. CO, HZ, LF, RS, TF

Horizon Waste Services Inc.¹

Mesa, AZ • Rick Haun
Last Yr's Rank: 26 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 270 2002 Rev.: $50 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $48.6 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Watts Trucking Services Inc.¹

Rock Island, IL • Jim Watts
Last Yr's Rank: 29 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 500 2002 Rev.: $49 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $53 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

American Ecology Inc.¹

Boise, ID • Stephen Romano
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 199 2002 Rev.: $46 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $46 mil. Svcs: HZ, LF, RS, TF

BLT Enterprises¹

Oxnard, CA • Bernard Huberman
Last Yr's Rank: 30 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 200 2002 Rev.: $43 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $52 mil. Svcs: RS, TF

Advanced Recycling¹

Concord, NH • Steven Cohen
Last Yr's Rank: 31 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 64 2002 Rev.: $42 mil. Svcs: RS, TF

Calmet Inc.¹

Montebello, CA • Thomas K. Blackman
Last Yr's Rank: 28 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 100 2002 Rev.: $40 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $40 mil. Svcs: CO

Interstate Waste¹

Sloatsburg, NY • Michael Dibella
Last Yr's Rank: 62 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 190 2002 Rev.: $36 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $42 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Pierce County Recycling ²

Puyallup, WA • Eddie Westmoreland
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 119 2002 Rev.: $36 mil. Svcs: HZ, LF, RS, TF

Crown Disposal Co. Inc.¹

Sun Valley, CA • Thomas Fry Sr.
Last Yr's Rank: 38 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 250 2002 Rev.: $35 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

EL Harvey & Son Inc.¹

Westborough, MA • James Harvey
Last Yr's Rank: 36 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 175 2002 Rev.: $35 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $35 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

Energy Answers Corp.¹

Albany, NY • Patrick F. Mahoney
Last Yr's Rank: 63 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 140 2002 Rev.: $33 mil. Svcs: CO, IN, LF, RS, TF

Texas Disposal Systems Inc.²

Creedmoor, TX • Bob Gregory
Last Yr's Rank: 39 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 300 2002 Rev.: $32 mil. Svcs: CO, LF, RS, TF

WTE Corp.¹

Bedford, MA • David B. Spencer
Last Yr's Rank: 79 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 110 2002 Rev.: $31.9 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $31 mil. Svcs: RS

Marin Sanitary Service Inc.¹

San Rafael, CA • Joseph J. Garbarino
Last Yr's Rank: 41 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 286 2002 Rev.: $31 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $30 mil. Svcs: CO, TF

Greenteam of San Jose²

San Jose, CA • Paul Nelson
Last Year: NR Private Res. Employees: 130 2002 Rev.: $30 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

US Waste Industries Inc.¹

Colorado Springs, CO • Victor Divello
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 300 2002 Rev.: $30 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $43 mil. CO, LF, RS, TF

JRM Hauling Recycling Services¹

Newbury, MA • James R. Motzkin
Last Yr's Rank: 42 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 125 2002 Rev.: $25 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $25 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Ross Consolidated Corp.¹

Grafton, OH • Maureen Cromling
Last Yr's Rank: 45 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 210 2002 Rev.: $25 mil. Svcs: HZ, IN, TF

Santek Environmental¹

Cleveland, TN • Kenneth Higgins
Last Yr's Rank: 46 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 250 2002 Rev.: $24 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $30 mil. Svcs: CO, LF, RS

Better Management Corporation¹

Youngstown, OH • Jerry Stoneburner
Last Yr's Rank: 47 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 25 2002 Rev.: $23.8 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $25.5 mil. CO, HZ, LF, TF

Marborg Industries Inc.¹

Santa Barbara, CA • Mario A. Borgatello
Last Yr's Rank: 52 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 145 2002 Rev.: $22.3 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $25.5 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

American Waste Industries¹

Sun Valley, CA • Mego Godjamanian
Last Yr's Rank: 49 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 160 2002 Rev.: $22 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $22 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

American Waste Management Svcs. Inc.¹

(div. of Avalon Holdings) Warren, OH • Kenneth McMahon
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 422 2002 Rev.: $22 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $24 mil. Svcs: HZ

EJ Harrison & Sons Inc.²

Ventura, CA • Myra Harrison
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 200 2002 Rev.: $21.9 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

Community Waste Disposal Inc.¹

Dallas, TX • Greg A. Roemer
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 110 2002 Rev.: $20 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $20 mil. Svcs: CO, LF, RS

Envirite Inc.¹

Canton, OH • S. Thomas Yablonski
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 175 2002 Rev.: $19.2 mil. Svcs: HZ, RS, TF

Active Recycling Co.¹

Los Angeles, CA • Errol Segal
Last Yr's Rank: 95 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 54 2002 Rev.: $19 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Rainbow Disposal Co. Inc.¹

Huntington Beach, CA • Stan Tkaczyck
Last Yr's Rank: 56 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 500 2002 Rev.: $18.1 mil. CO, HZ, RS, TF

Balcones Resources Inc.¹

Austin, TX • Kerry R. Getter
Last Yr's Rank: 72 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 162 2002 Rev.: $18 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $21 mil. Svcs: RS

California Waste Solutions¹

Oakland, CA • David Duong
Last Yr's Rank: 75 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 240 52002 Rev.: $18 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $35 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Triumvirate Environmental Inc.¹

Somerville, MA • John McQuillan
Last Yr's Rank: 76 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 110 2002 Rev.: $18 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $22 mil. Svcs: HZ, RS, TF

Randy's Sanitation Inc.¹

Delano, MN • Randy Roskowiak
Last Yr's Rank: 57 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 125 2002 Rev.: $17.5 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $18.5 mil. Svcs: CO

Robbie D. Wood Inc.¹

Dolomite, AL • Robbie D. Wood Jr.
Last Yr's Rank: 55 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 140 2002 Rev.: $17.1 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $18 mil. Svcs: HZ, TF

Von Roll America Inc.¹

East Liverpool, OH • Rudolf Zaengerle
Last Yr's Rank: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 189 2002 Rev.: $17 mil. Svcs: HZ, IN

Aspen Waste Systems Inc.¹

Minneapolis, MN • Robert E. Kircher
Last Yr's Rank: 70 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 82 2002 Rev.: $16.4 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $18.5 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Cycle Systems Inc.¹

Roanoke, VA • Bruce Brenner
Last Yr's Rank: 51 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 140 2002 Rev.: $16 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

America 3ci¹

Grand Prairie, TX • Otley L. Smith III
Last Yr's Rank: 54 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 124 2002 Rev.: $15.8 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $25 mil. Svcs: CO, TF

Envirocycle Inc.¹

Hallstead, PA • James F. Matthews
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 129 2002 Rev.: $15.6 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $17.2 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Bluebonnet Waste Control Inc.¹

Dallas, TX • Miguel Gonzales
Last Yr's Rank: 64 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 115 2002 Rev.: $15 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $15 mil. Svcs: RS

Rubatino Refuse Removal Inc.¹

Everett, WA • Ed Rubatino
Last Yr's Rank: 66 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 49 2002 Rev.: $15 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Sanitary Service Co. Inc.¹

Bellingham, WA • Paul Razore
Last Yr's Rank: 71 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 72 2002 Rev.: $14.8 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $15 mil. Svcs: CO

SWDI¹

Houma, LA • Peter Callais
Last Yr's Rank: 69 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 150 2002 Rev.: $14.7 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $16.3 mil. Svcs: CO

Crown Sanitation and Recycling¹

Riverhead, NY • Peter Rossano
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 45 2002 Rev.: $14 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $16 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

Texas Molecular¹

Deer Park, TX • Casey Borowski
Last Yr's Rank: 37 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 68 2002 Rev.: $14 mil. Svcs: HZ, RS

Veit Disposal Systems¹

Rogers, MN • Donald Rachel
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 95 2002 Rev.: $14 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $15.5 mil. CO, HZ, LF, RS, TF

Friedman Recycling Co.¹

Phoenix, AZ • David Friedman
Last Yr's Rank: 73 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 85 2002 Rev.: $13.5 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $14.6 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Ace Solid Waste Inc.¹

Ramsey, MN • Andy Schweizer
Last Yr's Rank: 74 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 78 2002 Rev.: $13 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $15 mil. Svcs: CO

American Waste Control Inc.¹

Tulsa, OK • Kenneth F. Burkett
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 80 2002 Rev.: $13 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $12.3 mil. Svcs: CO

Skb Environmental Inc.¹

Saint Paul, MN • Richard O'Gara
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 25 2002 Rev.: $12.5 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $14.7 mil. LF, RS, TF

Capital Waste Inc.¹

Detroit, MI • John Francis
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 40 2002 Rev.:$12.5 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $15 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

Max Environmental¹

Pittsburgh, PA • L.W. Spencer
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 53 2002 Rev.: $12.5 mil. Svcs: HZ, LF

Recycling Services Inc.¹

Alexandria, LA • Ken Moran
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 150 2002 Rev.: $12.3 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $13 mil. Svcs: RS

Natures Choices Corp.¹

Union, NJ • Stephen Reiter
Last Yr's Rank: 65 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 125 2002 Rev.: $12.2 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $16 mil. Svcs: RS, TF

Si-Nor Inc.¹

Rialto, CA • Silas Ugorji
Last Yr's Rank: 82 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 200 2002 Rev.: $12.1 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

Advanced Waste Services Inc.¹

Milwaukee, WI • Michael T. Malatesta
Last Yr's Rank: 80 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 45 2002 Rev.: $12 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $12.5 mil. Svcs: HZ

ABC Disposal Service Inc.¹

New Bedford, MA • Laurinda Camara
Last Yr's Rank: 96 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 90 2002 Rev.: $11.3 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $12.5 mil. CO, RS, TF

Automated Waste Disposal Inc.¹

Danbury, CT • James E. Gallante
Last Yr's Rank: 85 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 90 2002 Rev.: $11.2 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $12.5 mil. Svcs: LF, RS, TF

Fibres International Inc.¹

Bellevue, WA • Paul Harrison
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 105 2002 Rev.: $11 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $11 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Dick's Sanitation Services¹

Lakeville, MN • Dick Clemmer
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 70 2002 Rev.: $10.9 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $13.5 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

UHEL Polly Hauling Inc.¹

Pompano Beach, FL • Linda Polly
Last Yr's Rank: 92 Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 91 2002 Rev.: $10.8 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $11.5 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

South Tahoe Refuse Co.¹

South Lake Tahoe, CA • Jeff Tillman
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 120 2002 Rev.: $10.5 mil. Svcs: CO, HZ, RS, TF

Universal Environmental Inc.¹

Benicia, CA • Wayne Turnage
Last Yr's Rank: 93 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 100 2002 Rev.: $10 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $10 mil. Svcs: HZ, TF

Waste Control Specialists¹

Andrews, TX • Shaun McCabe
Last Yr's Rank: 59 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 72 2002 Rev.: $10 mil. Svcs: LF, HZ

DW Tool Inc.¹

Jackson, MO • Donald Wahlers
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 100 2002 Rev.: $9.6 mil. Svcs: RS

Jem Sanitation Corp.¹

Lyndhurst, NJ • Kenneth Santo
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 42 2002 Rev.: $9 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $10 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

Terra Renewal Service Inc.¹

Dardanelle, AR • Steven W. Smith
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 200 2002 Rev.: $8.6 mil. Svcs: RS

Gaeta Recycling Co.¹

Peterson, NJ • Anthony Gaeta Jr.
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 47 2002 Rev.: $8.5 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $9 mil. Svcs: CO, RS, TF

AERC Recycling Solutions¹

Allentown, PA • Robert Blanchfield
Last Year: 88 Private Com./Ind. Employees: 75 2002 Rev.: $7.7 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $8 mil. Svcs: RS

Tri Rinse Inc.¹

St. Louis, MO • Tim Shocklee
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind. Employees: 452002 Rev.: $7.1 mil. Svcs: HZ, RS

California Wood Recycling¹

Ventura, CA • Richard Helland
Last Year: NR Private Com./Ind., Res. Employees: 40 2002 Rev.: $5.3 mil. Proj. 2003 Rev.: $9 mil. Svcs: CO, RS

KEY1: Company verified. 2: Company provided all information except revenues, which are from Dun & Bradstreet. 3: Estimated from annual report. 4: Annual report. NR: Not Ranked. Com./Ind.: Commercial/Industrial. Res.: Residential. CO: Collection. IN: Incineration/WTE. LF: Landfill. HZ: Hazardous Waste. RS: Recycling Services. TF: Transfer

#1 WASTE MANAGEMENT: SELLS LESS, EARNS MORE

Waste Management Inc., Houston, may finally be overcoming the financial and operational inefficiencies that plagued the company during its buying binges of the 1990s.

With its network that now includes 346 transfer stations, 293 landfills, 146 MRFs and 16 WTE facilities, the company, at the end of 2002, reported revenues of $11.1 billion — down about $2 billion from the 1999 high water mark of $13.1 billion. Despite falling revenues, net income has risen steadily from a loss of $398 million in 1999 to a positive figure of $822 million in 2002, a change of approximately $1.2 billion.

First quarter revenues for 2003 stood at $2.72 billion, up $110 million from Q1 of 2002. Net income for the quarter before accounting changes was $107 million, down from $138 million in 2002. New accounting procedures related to retirement obligations reduced net income to $61 million.

The company also reported internal revenue growth of 0.8 percent for the quarter. Volume increases rather than price increases accounted for more than half of that growth.

“In the first quarter we saw the strongest internal revenue growth we have seen in over two years,” says President and CEO A. Maurice Myers. “Especially considering the harsh winter weather in the quarter, we find the internal growth very encouraging.”

Waste Management collects 80 million tons of waste per year through 435 collection operations.

#2 ALLIED WASTE: STILL PAYING DOWN DEBT

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Allied Waste Industries Inc., which picks up trash from approximately 10 million customers through 340 collection companies, generated $5.52 billion in revenues during 2002, compared to $5.57 billion during 2001. Net income for the year came in at $215.1 million, substantially higher than the 2001 figure of $58.5 million.

For the first quarter of 2003, the company's revenue performance mirrored trends established last year. Revenues reached $1.3 billion, approximately the same as the Q1 of 2002. Net income for the first quarter 2003 rose to $62 million from $51 million in Q1 of 2002.

During the quarter, the company also paid $158 million of debt, bringing its total debt — largely reflective of the 1998 acquisition of Browning-Ferris Industries — down to $8.7 billion. Debt payments for last year totaled $377.5 million.

“Operating conditions during the first quarter were challenging due to the broad-based severe weather conditions and the increase in fuel costs,” says Tom Van Weelden, company chairman and CEO. To improve its performance, Allied cut 500 jobs in April and began increasing collection and disposal prices in some communities.

“With the successful execution of these actions, coupled with the improvement in operational results that we saw in March and the first part of April, I remain confident in the ability to achieve our goals for 2003,” Van Weelden says.

#3 REPUBLIC SERV