NAICS 562212 Quarterly Industry Report
Solid Waste Landfill
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 562212Sector: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Solid Waste Landfill (NAICS 562212) 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 landfill industry.
Share of Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
0.4%
By establishment count, 2022 Census[2]
NAICS Sector
56
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Solid Waste Landfill (NAICS 562212) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in operating landfills for the disposal of nonhazardous solid waste, or combining the collection and local hauling of nonhazardous waste materials with operating landfills for disposal per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Municipal solid waste landfills represent critical infrastructure managing the nation's garbage disposal needs, with engineered systems including composite liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring networks, and landfill gas management.
About 543 businesses employ roughly 20,786 workers nationally per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Market structure is concentrated; Waste Management, Republic Services, and GFL Environmental own a large share of national landfill capacity. New landfill development is extremely difficult due to permitting timelines of 5 to 10 years, community opposition, and capital requirements exceeding $50 million for a modern facility. Existing permitted airspace represents a depleting asset that increases in value as available capacity declines in densely populated regions.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $47.0 million in average annual receipts. Revenue comes primarily from tipping fees charged per ton of waste received, with rates varying from $30 to $80 per ton depending on geography, competition, and waste type. Landfill gas-to-energy projects convert captured methane into electricity or renewable natural gas, creating secondary revenue streams. EPA requirements mandate closure within 180 days of final waste placement and up to 30 years of post-closure monitoring, creating long-tail financial obligations that must be accounted for in facility valuation.
What's Included in This Industry
- Municipal solid waste landfill operations
- Waste acceptance and scale house management
- Waste compaction and daily cover application
- Leachate collection and treatment systems
- Landfill gas capture and management
- Groundwater monitoring and environmental protection
- Landfill closure and post-closure care
- Combined waste collection and landfill disposal
- Gas-to-energy and renewable natural gas production
- Stormwater management and erosion control
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 Treatment and Disposal | 5622 |
| NAICS Industry | Waste Treatment and Disposal | 56221 |
| National Industry | Solid Waste Landfill | 562212 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 562111 | Solid Waste Collection | Solid Waste Collection gathers municipal garbage and recyclables that are transported to landfills for final disposal, representing the upstream collection phase that feeds landfill operations |
| 562119 | Other Waste Collection | Other Waste Collection delivers construction debris, brush, and specialty waste streams to landfills for disposal, with C&D materials representing a growing share of landfill intake |
| 562213 | Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators | Solid Waste Combustors provide an alternative disposal pathway that reduces waste volume before residual ash is landfilled, competing with direct landfill disposal in some markets |
| 562219 | Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal | Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment includes composting facilities that divert organic materials from landfills, reducing disposal volumes and extending landfill operating life |
| 562920 | Materials Recovery Facilities | Materials Recovery Facilities sort recyclable materials from the waste stream before non-recyclable residuals are sent to landfills, reducing disposal volumes through material diversion |
| 562991 | Septic Tank and Related Services | Septic Tank and Related Services generate septage requiring disposal, with some landfills permitted to accept liquid waste in dedicated cells or with solidification treatment |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 9.1% | 145 |
| 2 | California | 5.9% | 94 |
| 3 | Ohio | 5.5% | 87 |
| 4 | Florida | 5.5% | 87 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 5.2% | 82 |
| 6 | Illinois | 5.2% | 82 |
| 7 | Michigan | 4.4% | 70 |
| 8 | New York | 3.8% | 60 |
| 9 | Georgia | 3.2% | 51 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 3.1% | 50 |
% Of Establishments
0%
9%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
16
Total SBA Loans
$18.2M
Total Loan Volume
$1.1M
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.38%
Average Interest Rate
152
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 Landfill (NAICS 562212) has a size standard of $47.0 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA 7(a) loans[8] support facility development, equipment acquisition, and working capital for qualifying operators. Financial assurance requirements for closure and 30-year post-closure care create additional capital obligations beyond standard operating needs. 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 | Security Bank | 8 | $17.2M | $2.1M |
| 2 | Bank of Dudley | 8 | $1.0M | $127K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses operate solid waste landfills?
Major national operators include Waste Management, Republic Services, and GFL Environmental. About 543 businesses employ roughly 20,786 workers per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Municipal governments also operate public landfills, and some private firms combine collection with landfill disposal.
How are landfills regulated?
EPA requirements under the Solid Waste Disposal Act mandate composite liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, daily cover, and 30-year post-closure care per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. State agencies administer permits and conduct compliance inspections at individual facilities.
What is the SBA size standard for Solid Waste Landfill?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], NAICS 562212 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 solid waste landfills?
Related codes include NAICS 562111 (Solid Waste Collection), NAICS 562119 (Other Waste Collection), NAICS 562213 (Combustors), NAICS 562219 (Other Treatment), and NAICS 562920 (Materials Recovery) per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
How is landfill revenue generated?
Revenue comes primarily from tipping fees charged per ton of waste received, typically ranging from $30 to $80 per ton depending on geography and waste type. Landfill gas-to-energy projects create secondary revenue streams from electricity or renewable natural gas sales.
What activities are included in NAICS 562212?
Core activities include waste acceptance, compaction, daily cover, leachate management, gas capture, groundwater monitoring, closure activities, gas-to-energy production, and stormwater management per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
Can landfill operators get SBA loans?
Yes, firms meeting the $47.0 million size standard qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[8] covering equipment, facility development, and working capital. Environmental due diligence and financial assurance requirements add complexity to financing in this sector.
What makes landfill permits valuable?
New landfill development requires 5 to 10 years of permitting and over $50 million in capital per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Community opposition and regulatory complexity make new permits scarce, increasing the value of existing permitted airspace as a depleting asset.
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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