Number of Solid Waste Landfill Businesses in the US (20002023)

As of 2023

1,503

solid waste landfill businesses in the United States

Number of Firms Over Time

1K1K1K2K2K20002005201020152020Number of Firms

Total Employment Over Time

42K49K56K62K69K20002005201020152020Total Employees

Key Insights

  • The solid waste landfill industry has grown 6.1% since 2000 (from 1,417 to 1,503 firms).
  • The peak year was 2023 with 1,503 firms.
  • Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is growing (+24.1%).
  • Employment: 61,189 workers in 2023 (16.0% change since 2000).
  • Estimated 5-year survival rate: 73%.

Year-by-Year Data

YearFirmsEstablishmentsEmploymentEntry RateExit RateNet Growth
20231,5033,10861,1898.4%6.1%+0.9%
20221,4693,02162,62412.4%6.2%+0.6%
20211,3592,81561,32513.0%5.8%-0.8%
20201,2172,55060,9207.0%6.4%+2.4%
20191,2112,53559,2984.8%4.3%+1.3%
20181,2052,52158,4695.0%5.0%+1.5%
20171,2012,52457,9125.5%5.4%+10.5%
20161,2312,52852,6086.2%4.9%+3.9%
20151,2222,49150,2325.2%5.1%-0.2%
20141,2242,49752,6557.9%5.6%+0.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.