NAICS 562111 Quarterly Industry Report
Solid Waste Collection
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 562111Sector: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Solid Waste Collection (NAICS 562111) draws on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], U.S. Census Bureau, and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, waste industry analysts, and business brokers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the solid waste collection industry.
Share of Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
2.4%
By establishment count, 2022 Census[2]
NAICS Sector
56
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Solid Waste Collection (NAICS 562111) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in collecting and hauling nonhazardous solid waste (garbage) within a local area, operating nonhazardous solid waste transfer stations, and collecting mixed recyclable materials per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. This classification serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers with collection services that form the first link in the waste management chain.
The solid waste collection industry employs hundreds of thousands of workers nationally, with refuse and recyclable material collectors earning a median annual wage of approximately $44,620 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Market structure is concentrated at the top; Waste Management, Republic Services, and GFL Environmental dominate national market share while thousands of small haulers serve local markets. Municipal franchise agreements and exclusive service territory contracts create recurring revenue with high customer retention rates.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $47.0 million in average annual receipts, the highest among waste management subsectors. Capital requirements are substantial; collection vehicles cost $250,000 to $400,000 each, and transfer stations require millions in construction and permitting investment. Route density drives profitability, as trucks collecting more stops per mile generate higher revenue per operating hour. Recycling commodity prices introduce revenue variability, as collected recyclables are sold at market rates that fluctuate with global demand for recovered paper, plastics, and metals.
What's Included in This Industry
- Residential curbside garbage collection
- Commercial dumpster and front-load collection
- Industrial roll-off container service
- Mixed recyclable materials collection
- Nonhazardous solid waste transfer station operation
- Compactor truck operation and waste consolidation
- Waste container and bin delivery and exchange
- Yard waste and green waste collection
- Bulky item pickup and special collection
- Municipal franchise waste collection services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 56 |
| Subsector | Waste Management and Remediation Services | 562 |
| Industry Group | Waste Collection | 5621 |
| NAICS Industry | Waste Collection | 56211 |
| National Industry | Solid Waste Collection | 562111 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 562112 | Hazardous Waste Collection | Hazardous Waste Collection requires EPA and DOT compliance for toxic materials while solid waste collection handles nonhazardous garbage and recyclables with less stringent regulatory requirements |
| 562119 | Other Waste Collection | Other Waste Collection covers debris removal including construction rubble, brush, and demolition waste that falls outside standard residential and commercial garbage collection routes |
| 562211 | Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal | Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal processes hazardous materials after collection, representing downstream treatment and remediation activities beyond the collection and transportation phase |
| 562212 | Solid Waste Landfill | Solid Waste Landfill operations receive collected waste for final disposal, creating the destination endpoint for collection trucks and transfer station operations |
| 562910 | Remediation Services | Remediation Services clean contaminated sites and manage environmental cleanup projects that may generate waste requiring collection and transport to approved disposal facilities |
| 484230 | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance | Specialized Freight Trucking handles long-distance waste transportation excluded from local collection, representing interstate and inter-regional waste movement between facilities |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8.1% | 875 |
| 2 | Texas | 6.9% | 744 |
| 3 | New York | 5.3% | 573 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 5.1% | 546 |
| 5 | Florida | 5.0% | 534 |
| 6 | Ohio | 3.9% | 419 |
| 7 | Illinois | 3.6% | 390 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 3.6% | 387 |
| 9 | Georgia | 3.2% | 345 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 2.9% | 310 |
% Of Establishments
0%
8%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
1,192
Total SBA Loans
$487.5M
Total Loan Volume
$409K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.01%
Average Interest Rate
6,616
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Solid Waste Collection (NAICS 562111) has a size standard of $47.0 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes, the highest among waste management subsectors. SBA 7(a) loans[8] support vehicle fleet acquisition, transfer station development, and working capital for qualifying firms. The capital-intensive nature of collection operations creates ongoing financing needs for fleet replacement, route acquisition, and facility development. Additionally, 504/CDC loans[9] provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets such as real estate and equipment.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 144 | $57.8M | $402K |
| 2 | Hanmi Bank | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 3 | American Bank and Trust | 8 | $38.4M | $4.8M |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 40 | $38.2M | $955K |
| 5 | Old National Bank | 8 | $26.8M | $3.4M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses operate as solid waste collectors?
Firms range from single-truck operators to major national companies like Waste Management and Republic Services. Market structure is concentrated at the top, with thousands of small haulers serving local markets per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Municipal franchise agreements and exclusive territory contracts provide recurring revenue.
How is the solid waste collection industry structured?
Refuse collectors earn a median annual wage of approximately $44,620 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Collection vehicles cost $250,000 to $400,000 each. Route density drives profitability, as more stops per mile increases revenue per operating hour.
What is the SBA size standard for Solid Waste Collection?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], NAICS 562111 has a size standard of $47.0 million in average annual receipts, the highest among waste management subsectors. This determines eligibility for SBA loans and federal contracting programs.
What NAICS codes are related to solid waste collection?
Related codes include NAICS 562112 (Hazardous Waste Collection), NAICS 562119 (Other Waste Collection), NAICS 562212 (Landfills), NAICS 562910 (Remediation), and NAICS 484230 (Specialized Trucking) per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Each handles a different phase of waste management.
Which industries generate the most solid waste?
Construction, food service, retail, manufacturing, and residential households generate the highest waste volumes. Commercial accounts with large dumpster service typically provide higher per-customer revenue than residential curbside collection.
What activities are included in NAICS 562111?
Core activities include curbside garbage collection, commercial dumpster service, roll-off container delivery, recyclables collection, transfer station operation, waste consolidation, and municipal franchise collection per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
Can solid waste collection businesses get SBA loans?
Yes, firms meeting the $47.0 million size standard qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[8] covering fleet acquisition, transfer station construction, route purchases, and working capital. The capital-intensive nature of the business creates ongoing equipment financing needs.
What factors affect solid waste collection profitability?
Route density, fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, labor availability, tipping fees, and recycling commodity prices are the primary profitability drivers per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Municipal contract terms and customer concentration also affect margin stability and revenue predictability.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504/CDC loans sba.gov
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