In 1997, Waste Connections was founded by Ronald J. Mittelstaedt with a clear vision: to build a different kind of waste services company - one that prioritized local service excellence while bringing the scale and financial capabilities of a national organization. Starting operations in Folsom, California, the company set out to prove that waste management could be done differently, with a focus on safety, integrity, and customer service. What began as a regional operation has grown into the third-largest solid waste services company in North America.
Today, Waste Connections operates an integrated network across 42 states and 6 Canadian provinces, serving more than 7 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers. With annual revenues exceeding $8 billion and over 23,000 employees, the company manages 97 landfills, 23 liquid waste injection wells, and 6 intermodal rail facilities. But beneath the scale lies a fundamentally local approach - each market is managed by professionals living and working in the communities they serve, ensuring decisions are made close to the customer. From curbside trash pickup to specialized solutions like coal ash recovery and E&P waste services, Waste Connections has built its reputation on doing what it says it will do: providing reliable, sustainable waste management while keeping its promises to customers, employees, and shareholders.
