Reuters: Hurricane A Long-Term Benefit for Waste Companies

Date: August 31, 2005

Source: News Room

A Reuters report indicates that analysts believe Hurricane Katrina will be a long-term boon for waste services companies. The companies are currently concentrating on locating staffs and assessing damage to facilities, and will have to replace equipment and repair damaged facilities. But when cleanup begins, haulers are likely to see a significant spike in waste at landfills, both from debris and new construction. Analysts believe that hazardous and environmental waste removal companies could see a more immediate boost as their expertise will be needed in flood-ravaged areas. Analysts have also cautioned that rainfall on landfills could take time to extract. Cleanup in Florida from four hurricanes added a 2 to 3 percent increase in volumes at many waste companies last year; Waste Management (www.wm.com) alone saw approximately $100 million in hurricane-related revenue in 2004.

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