Garbage (waste management) companies are typically valued using a multiple of EBITDA, often 6 to 10 times, depending on size, contracts, and market position.
Key value drivers include recurring revenue from long-term municipal or commercial contracts, route density, fleet condition, landfill ownership or access, and permits, since landfill rights are hard to replicate and boost value significantly.
Recycling facilities and transfer stations add further worth.
Small local haulers may sell for $500,000 to a few million dollars, while regional companies can reach tens of millions, and large national players are valued in the billions.
Buyers also weigh customer retention, regulatory compliance, and growth potential in adjacent services like recycling or hazardous waste handling.