SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Waste Business Journal (WBJ) estimates that the U.S. waste and recycling sector, which includes the markets for hazardous and medical waste, generated around $104.63 billion in revenue in 2024. When compared to the $29 billion in sales recorded in 1992, this is a substantial increase.

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According to the report, collection revenues made up about two-thirds of the total reported revenue in the previous year, totaling $69.46 billion. During the year, public firms alone generated $45.25 billion in collection revenue. According to WBJ, disposal revenues made up 27% of overall revenues, while transfer and processing revenues made up 7%.

The information points to a discernible trend of privatization in the trash and recycling sector over time. Since 1992, the municipal sector's revenue share has significantly decreased, going from 38% to 16.9%. The disposal side was still dominated by public firms.

Additionally, MRF and recycling operations produced $1.79 billion for public corporations. For public firms, residential collections remain the primary source of income. Additionally, they were in charge of around 85% of the money made from industrial and commercial collection.