8 Waste Recycling Business Success Stories [2024]

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Updated: November 1st, 2023

Start A Waste Recycling Business

If you have a passion for saving the planet and going green, starting a waste recycling business may be the right route for you to take. Waste recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be trashed and processing them into new products.

Starting a waste recycling business is not only profitable, but it can also benefit the community and the environment. To start a waste recycling business, research the industry and determine the costs involved. Then, register the business and equip your waste recycling facility.

Here are some real life success stories of starting a waste recycling business:

1. 1-800-Got-Junk ($444M/year)

How much they make: $444M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 1700

How to Start a Junk Hauling Business: From $0 to $300 Million and Beyond

This case study examines how the founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK grew his business to $37M/month by offering franchise-based, full-service junk removal to homes and businesses, including donating any possible items to charity.

About

Brian started 1-800-Got-Junk over 35 years ago

Revenue

Brian grew the business to $37M/month

Costs

It cost Brian $1000 to start the business

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Read by 739 founders

Learn more about starting a waste recycling business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a waste recycling business?
-> Pros and cons of a waste recycling business

Need inspiration?

-> Examples of established waste recycling business
-> Waste recycling business slogans

Other resources

Part of

Starting A Waste Recycling Business: Everything You Need To Know

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2. SOCO Waste ($2.76M/year)

Dustin Maze, the founder of SOCO Waste, came up with the idea for his waste removal business after realizing that he loved being outside and working in the waste management industry. After doing extensive research on the market and equipment needed, he launched SOCO Waste with a focus on providing excellent customer service and affordable prices. With a loan of $35k, Maze started with a pick-up truck and 5 dumpsters, and the business has since grown to have 51 dumpsters, two roll-off dumpster delivery trucks, and two residential garbage trucks. They are projected to reach $700-800k in sales for 2020.

How much they make: $2.76M/year
How much did it cost to start: $150K
Current team size: 32

How I Started A $41K/Month Residential Waste Removal Service

This case study showcases the story of a locally owned and operated residential waste removal business based in Colorado Springs started with a pick-up truck and a $35k loan, which now has 51 dumpsters, two roll-off dumpster delivery trucks, two residential garbage trucks, and is projecting $700-800k in sales for 2020.

About

Dustin started SOCO Waste over 7 years ago

Revenue

Dustin grew the business to $230K/month

Costs

It cost Dustin $150000 to start the business

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Read by 13,855 founders

5. 1-800-Got-Junk

1-800-GOT-JUNK? is your Full-Service Junk Removers! Just Point, We Do The Rest - Book Your Free Estimate Online Now - We're ready to help with junk removal today.

How much they make:
Where they're located: Vancouver, BC, Canada
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 1700

6. Terracycle

TerraCycle is an innovative recycling company that has become a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials. They offer a range of free programs, as well as recycling solutions available for purchase for almost every form of waste. Eliminating the Idea of Waste

7. Global Recycling

Global Trends in the Circular Economy, particularly in the Recycling and Recovery Industry as well as in Waste Recycling. Markets for Technology, Logistics and Raw Materials.

8. AMP Robotics

AMP Robotics™ is changing the economics of recycling with industrial artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics