Progressive Waste Buys Florida Hauler Choice Environmental

Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. has bought Florida waste and recycling firm Choice Environmental Services Inc. from Swisher Hygiene Inc. for $123.3 million.

The Vaughan, Ontario-based Progressive said in a news release the purchase gives the company greater exposure to the Florida market. Choice, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., provides solid waste and recycling collection, transportation, processing and disposal services. Choice serves more than 150,000 residential and 7,500 commercial customers in southeastern, southwestern and central Florida with 320 employees and more than 150 collection vehicles.  Started in 2004, Choice operates six hauling operations, three transfer and materials recovery facilities and annually processes more than 150,000 tons of material.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Swisher Hygiene, primarily a commercial cleaning service company, reduces its debt with the sale to about $13 million. It bought Choice last year.

Progressive made the purchase through its wholly owned subsidiary, Waste Services of Florida Inc.