Republic Services was founded in the early 1970’s by Rich Van Hattem in Beecher, Indiana. Beginning with one trash truck, Beecher worked the route himself, dreaming of the day he could sit behind a desk and oversee his employees. By implementing innovative ideas, such as establishing transfer stations so trucks didn’t have to make several trips to the dump, Van Hattem was also buying out competitors, thereby establishing Republic Services as a nationwide name. 
Starting off with a single trash truck, it’s hard to believe that Republic Services is now the second-largest non-hazardous solid waste management company in the United States.
The company was incorporated in 1996 and grew quickly through mergers and acquisitions. Van Hattem retired in 2009.
In 2008, when Republic Services was the third-largest waste management company in the U.S., the company acquired Allied Waste Industries for $6.1 billion in Republic Services stock. The merged company retained the Republic name.
Today Republic Services has a network of 332 collection companies, owns or operates 191 solid waste landfills, 195 transfer stations, 71 recycling centers, and 69 landfill-to-gas and two solar energy landfill cover operations.
In December 2021, Republic workers went on strike in the greater San Diego, California, area seeking a better contract.
Also in December 2021, Republic announced that it was hiring female sanitation workers, not just office workers.
Republic Services is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RSG, is a member of the S&P 500, is #278 in the Fortune 500, has 31,000 employees, and had $9.49 billion in revenue in 2016.
Republic Services was founded in the early 1970’s by Rich Van Hattem in Beecher, Indiana. Beginning with one trash truck, Beecher worked the route himself, dreaming of the day he could sit behind a desk and oversee his employees. By implementing innovative ideas, such as establishing transfer stations so trucks didn’t have to make several trips to the dump, Van Hattem was also buying out competitors, thereby establishing Republic Services as a nationwide name.
Starting off with a single trash truck, it’s hard to believe that Republic Services is now the second-largest non-hazardous solid waste management company in the United States.
History
The company was incorporated in 1996 and grew quickly through mergers and acquisitions. Van Hattem retired in 2009.
In 2008, when Republic Services was the third-largest waste management company in the U.S., the company acquired Allied Waste Industries for $6.1 billion in Republic Services stock. The merged company retained the Republic name.
Today Republic Services has a network of 332 collection companies, owns or operates 191 solid waste landfills, 195 transfer stations, 71 recycling centers, and 69 landfill-to-gas and two solar energy landfill cover operations.
In December 2021, Republic workers went on strike in the greater San Diego, California, area seeking a better contract.
Also in December 2021, Republic announced that it was hiring female sanitation workers, not just office workers.
Republic Services is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RSG, is a member of the S&P 500, is #278 in the Fortune 500, has 31,000 employees, and had $9.49 billion in revenue in 2016.