NAICS 5621

Waste Collection

Waste collection industry (NAICS 5621): Market analysis, trends, and business information for US waste collection services and operations.

Published by VantaInsights Research·Methodology·Data Sources· AI-drafted
Built on data from Census Bureau CBP Bureau of Labor Statistics Federal Reserve FRED SEC EDGAR

Industry at a Glance

Sector-wide aggregates across all businesses classified under NAICS 5621 (2017 classification frame). For specific sub-industries within this sector, see the individual reports below.

Employment
263K
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Establishments
13K
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Annual Payroll
$18.5B
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Avg Annual Wage
$70,444
Derived from US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Market Size
$72.6B
US Census Economic Census · 2022 · NAICS 2017

Industry Overview

Waste collection (NAICS 5621) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in collecting and transporting waste and recyclable materials from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. This includes both hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste collection services, as well as the operation of collection vehicles and equipment. The industry serves as a critical foundation for waste management infrastructure, connecting waste generators directly to disposal, recycling, and treatment facilities that handle the collected materials downstream.

The waste collection industry plays a vital economic role by enabling regulatory compliance, supporting public health and environmental protection, and facilitating the circular economy through recyclable material recovery. Collection services range from routine curbside pickups in residential neighborhoods to specialized hazardous waste collection for industrial operations. The industry is characterized by significant capital investment requirements for vehicles and equipment, ongoing operational expenses for labor and fuel, and increasing pressure to optimize routes and adopt cleaner technologies to meet environmental standards.

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Industry Trends

GPS

Increased adoption of automated side-loading and rear-loading collection vehicles equipped with GPS tracking and route optimization software to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

02

Growing implementation of single-stream and multi-stream recycling collection programs as municipalities and businesses prioritize waste diversion and circular economy principles.

03

Transition toward electric and alternative fuel collection vehicles driven by environmental regulations, sustainability commitments, and long-term fuel cost considerations.

04

Expansion of specialized collection services including organics/food waste collection, bulky item collection, and hazardous household waste programs in response to state and local sustainability mandates.

05

Consolidation trend among smaller regional operators as larger waste management companies acquire local collection services to achieve economies of scale and enhance service coverage.

Specialty Reports Available on Request

3 specialty industriesavailable on request
▾
Solid Waste Collection
562111View →
Hazardous Waste Collection
562112View →
Other Waste Collection
562119View →

Industries

Browse deeper into the NAICS hierarchy.

562110 reports

Waste Collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAICS 5621? ▾
NAICS 5621 is the industry classification for waste collection establishments that gather and transport solid waste and recyclable materials from their sources. This includes residential curbside collection, commercial dumpster services, industrial waste pickup, and specialized collections like hazardous materials. These collection operations serve as the first critical step in the waste management value chain.
What types of waste materials does this industry collect? ▾
Waste collection services handle a wide range of materials including municipal solid waste, recyclable materials (paper, plastics, metals, glass), organics/food waste, construction debris, and hazardous materials. Collection methods and vehicles are often specialized based on material type, with some operations focusing exclusively on specific waste streams like recyclables or industrial waste.
How does waste collection differ from waste disposal and treatment? ▾
Waste collection is the transportation service that gathers materials from generators and moves them to facilities for processing. Waste disposal and treatment (NAICS 5622) involves the actual processing, landfilling, incineration, or recycling of collected materials at specialized facilities. Collection is the logistical gateway that feeds into downstream waste management operations.
What regulatory factors affect waste collection operations? ▾
Waste collection is heavily regulated by EPA environmental standards, DOT transportation requirements, state hazardous waste regulations, and local municipal codes governing collection schedules, safety practices, and vehicle emissions. Environmental compliance costs and regulatory changes significantly impact operational procedures and capital requirements.
How are waste collection services typically priced and contracted? ▾
Residential collection is commonly charged through municipal contracts or direct consumer subscriptions with fixed monthly fees. Commercial and industrial collection typically uses subscription or per-pickup pricing based on container type and frequency. Municipal franchises often limit competition by granting exclusive service territories to selected operators.

Related Industries

Waste Treatment & Disposal 5622Remediation & Other Waste Management Services 5629

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