U.S. Hazardous Waste Management Services Markets

Research Overview

"The key propellants of this market are raising demand for professionalism, integrated service provision, increasing burden of responsibility, environmental regulations and public opinion."

Rising Demand for Professionalism in the Market

The increased pressures being faced by those charged with the responsibility for waste management, is resulting in rising demands for professionalism from waste contractors. Legal responsibilities increasingly favor a one stop shop or integrated approach from waste companies. In servicing this requirement, waste companies must increasingly trade on their professionalism in looking for waste solutions as simply offering a collection and disposal service.

Market Consolidation Leading to Integrated Service Provision

The trend for market consolidation within the U.S. hazardous waste management services market is set to continue in the future. Consequently companies are offering a "one-stop" service to satisfy all of the customers hazardous waste management requirements.The top end of industrial customers are favoring such contracts, whereby the same waste management company caters for all of customers operations. This trend is expected to push the growing trend for waste management companies to expand their geographical market coverage. Multiservice operators dealing with large volumes of waste have more flexibility and are able to keep their prices lower. Lower prices seem to boost demand in the U.S. hazardous waste management services market.

Increasing Burden of Responsibility for Waste on Producers

Legislative changes, waste management polices and adherence to the cradle to grave responsibility of waste are resulting in increased levels of responsibility for the appropriate treatment and disposal of hazardous waste being placed on waste producers. Consequently, waste producers are taking responsibilities more seriously. This has led to increased use of treatment options, recycling and pretreatment prior to final disposal.

Public Opinion

In general public awareness towards environmental issues has increased. Environmental groups take a strong stand on water and air pollution and object to certain technologies. Public opinion is sporadically a strong driver, triggered by several factors including:

• Public education campaigns, lobbying and political activism.
• Media coverage of dramatic environmental issues especially those affecting oil exploration, production and commercialization.