NAICS 562112 Quarterly Industry Report
Hazardous Waste Collection
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 562112Sector: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Hazardous Waste Collection (NAICS 562112) 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, environmental services 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 hazardous waste collection industry.
Share of Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
0.1%
By establishment count, 2022 Census[2]
NAICS Sector
56
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Hazardous Waste Collection (NAICS 562112) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in collecting and hauling hazardous waste within a local area and operating hazardous waste transfer stations per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Establishments may also be responsible for identification, treatment, packaging, and labeling of waste materials for the purposes of transport. Activities are governed by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous materials shipping rules.
The hazardous waste management sector employs tens of thousands of workers in specialized roles requiring HAZWOPER training, CDL hazmat endorsements, and material-specific certifications per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Clean Harbors, US Ecology (now Republic Services Environmental Solutions), and Stericycle represent major industry participants, but hundreds of regional firms serve local industrial, manufacturing, and institutional waste generators. Revenue comes from per-drum, per-pound, and per-load pricing structures tied to waste type, volume, and regulatory classification.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $47.0 million in average annual receipts. Barriers to entry are high; firms must obtain EPA identification numbers, state hazardous waste transporter permits, DOT registrations, and maintain insurance far exceeding standard commercial coverage. Manifest documentation tracks every container from generation through final disposal, creating a chain-of-custody paper trail that regulators audit. Industrial manufacturing, chemical production, healthcare, and energy sectors generate the bulk of demand for hazardous waste collection services.
What's Included in This Industry
- Hazardous chemical waste collection and hauling
- PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) collection and transport
- Used oil and used oil filter collection
- Hazardous waste transfer station operations
- Waste packaging, labeling, and manifesting
- Hazardous waste identification and characterization
- Laboratory chemical waste collection
- Paint, solvent, and flammable waste collection
- Pharmaceutical waste collection and transport
- Emergency spill response and waste removal
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 | Hazardous Waste Collection | 562112 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 562111 | Solid Waste Collection | Solid Waste Collection handles nonhazardous garbage and recyclables with less stringent regulatory requirements, while hazardous waste collection requires EPA compliance, certified drivers, and specialized containment |
| 562119 | Other Waste Collection | Other Waste Collection covers non-hazardous debris like construction rubble and brush removal that lack the specialized handling, packaging, and regulatory documentation required for hazardous materials |
| 562211 | Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal | Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal processes collected hazardous materials through chemical, thermal, or biological methods, representing the downstream treatment phase after collection and transport |
| 562212 | Solid Waste Landfill | Solid Waste Landfill operations receive nonhazardous waste for final disposal, while hazardous waste requires permitted treatment facilities with different containment and monitoring infrastructure |
| 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | Testing Laboratories provide analytical services for hazardous waste characterization and environmental testing that support collection operations in determining proper waste classification |
| 562910 | Remediation Services | Remediation Services clean contaminated sites and manage environmental cleanup projects that generate hazardous waste requiring compliant collection, packaging, and transport to treatment facilities |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 22.0% | 101 |
| 2 | Texas | 11.7% | 54 |
| 3 | New York | 5.4% | 25 |
| 4 | Ohio | 4.1% | 19 |
| 5 | Florida | 4.1% | 19 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.9% | 18 |
| 7 | New Jersey | 3.5% | 16 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 3.3% | 15 |
| 9 | Indiana | 3.3% | 15 |
| 10 | Illinois | 3.0% | 14 |
% Of Establishments
0%
22%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
56
Total SBA Loans
$19.9M
Total Loan Volume
$355K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.72%
Average Interest Rate
408
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], Hazardous Waste Collection (NAICS 562112) has a size standard of $47.0 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA 7(a) loans[8] support specialized vehicle acquisition, transfer station development, safety equipment, and working capital for qualifying firms. Environmental due diligence is mandatory for all commercial property loans in this sector due to contamination risk and regulatory compliance obligations. 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 | Time Bank | 8 | $6.8M | $850K |
| 2 | Bank of Oak Ridge | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
| 2 | Bank of America, National Association | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $2.0M | $250K |
| 5 | BayFirst National Bank | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses operate as hazardous waste collectors?
Firms range from regional haulers to major national companies like Clean Harbors and Stericycle. Hundreds of firms serve local industrial, manufacturing, and institutional waste generators per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Specializations include chemical waste, medical waste, PCBs, and emergency spill response.
How is hazardous waste collection regulated?
The EPA regulates hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), while the DOT governs transportation of hazardous materials per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. State environmental agencies impose additional requirements. Manifest documentation tracks every container from generation through final disposal.
What is the SBA size standard for Hazardous Waste Collection?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], NAICS 562112 has a size standard of $47.0 million in average annual receipts. This determines eligibility for SBA loans, federal contracting set-asides, and small business programs.
What NAICS codes are related to hazardous waste collection?
Related codes include NAICS 562111 (Solid Waste Collection), NAICS 562119 (Other Waste Collection), NAICS 562211 (Hazardous Treatment), NAICS 541380 (Testing Labs), and NAICS 562910 (Remediation) per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Each handles a different phase of hazardous waste management.
What certifications are required for hazardous waste collection?
Drivers need CDL with hazmat endorsement, HAZWOPER training, and DOT-approved hazardous materials credentials. Companies must obtain EPA identification numbers, state transporter permits, and DOT registrations. Insurance requirements substantially exceed standard commercial trucking coverage.
What activities are included in NAICS 562112?
Core activities include hazardous chemical hauling, PCB collection, used oil collection, transfer station operation, waste packaging and manifesting, waste characterization, lab chemical collection, pharmaceutical waste transport, and emergency spill response per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
Can hazardous waste collection businesses get SBA loans?
Yes, firms meeting the $47.0 million size standard qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[8] covering specialized vehicles, transfer stations, safety equipment, and working capital. Environmental due diligence is mandatory for commercial property loans in this sector.
Which industries generate the most hazardous waste?
Chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical production, metalworking, electronics manufacturing, and healthcare facilities generate the largest hazardous waste volumes per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Emergency spill response and site remediation projects also create demand for collection services.
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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