State sues over solid waste giants’ merger

Oct. 29, 2020

Impact could be felt in landfill, collection services

The Brillion News

MADISON – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced he and several other state attorneys general are taking legal action to resolve antitrust concerns raised by the proposed $4.6 billion-dollar merger between Waste Management, Inc. and Advanced Disposal Services Inc

The two firms among the largest providers of waste disposal and collection services in Wisconsin and throughout the United States.

Wisconsin is joined by the U.S. Department of Justice and four other states in the agreement.

“Wisconsin DOJ worked together with [the] U.S. DOJ and other states to prevent anti-competitive practices that would affect waste and recycling disposal. Fair competition will help protect consumers and municipalities in Wisconsin from artificially inflated costs for this critical service,” Kaul said.

The agreement - which follows an extensive review of the proposed merger - requires Waste Management and Advanced Disposal Services to divest key assets across several Wisconsin markets to GFL Environmental.

The divestiture preserves competition in Wisconsin, introduces GFL as a new competitor to the state and establishes a foothold for GFL to compete across multiple Wisconsin markets.

GFL has a strong presence in Michigan and in Canada.

Waste Management will be required to divest 15 landfills, 37 transfer stations, 29 hauling locations, over 200 waste collection routes, and other assets in order to proceed with its $4.6 billion acquisition of Advanced Disposal Services.

~ Editorial Note: This story will be expanded and localized when it appears in the November 5 print edition of The Brillion News.