Certified Recycling

What Certified Recycling does

Certified Recycling, doing business as Certified Waste Solutions, is a California-based managed waste services provider founded in 1977 (or approximately 1981, based on a 44-year employee tenure reference). The company serves commercial, industrial, and multi-family property clients across California, offering waste stream management, customized recycling programs, secure product and document destruction with chain-of-custody documentation, recycling equipment leasing and financing (horizontal and vertical balers, trash compactors, conveyors, and paper shredders), waste bill analysis and audit services, and compliance support.

The company's core technology is operational rather than software-based: a managed waste services platform supported by waste bill analysis capabilities, NAID AAA certification for secure destruction, and TRUE Advisor certification for zero-waste advisory work. It complements these services with a content marketing layer — the Smart Waste Journal blog, educational eGuides, and a Sustainability 101 curriculum — used to generate inbound demand and establish thought leadership in waste diversion and ESG compliance.

Certified Recycling generates revenue primarily through ongoing managed services engagements with enterprise and mid-market clients across California, supplemented by recurring equipment leasing/financing payments and professional services revenue from product destruction and waste bill optimization. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company operates four California offices (Orange HQ, Anaheim, American Canyon/Napa, and Spring Valley/San Diego) and has executed two acquisitions (FRG Waste Resources in 2022 and Waste Control in 2024) to expand its Northern California and broader California footprint.

Name

Certified Recycling

Legal name

Certified Recycling

Website

https://certifiedwastesolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Certified Recycling (d/b/a Certified Waste Solutions) is a California-based managed waste services provider serving commercial, industrial, and multi-family clients with waste stream management, recycling programs, secure product destruction, equipment leasing, and compliance services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Waste Collection (5621), Solid Waste Collection (562111)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUAIAGAA

Commercial & Office Waste Collection (Non-hazardous)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Services (Waste Management, Recycling & Remediation)/Industrial & Commercial Waste Services (Non-hazardous, Specialized Streams)

SECONDARYEUAHABAC

Waste Management & Hazardous Waste Compliance (RCRA, Universal Waste, Waste Characterization/Manifests)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Regulatory Compliance & Auditing (Air, Water, Waste)

SECONDARYBPAHAJAK

Waste & Hazardous Materials Management (incl. HazMat)

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Consulting

SECONDARYBPALAIAL

Certified Compliance & Reporting Services (R2/e-Stewards, Audit, ESG)

Business & Public Services/Waste Management & Remediation Services/Electronic Waste (E-waste) Recycling & IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)

Keywords

• Managed waste services
• Recycling programs
• Product destruction
• Recycling equipment leasing
• Waste bill analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Orange

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Managed Waste Services: Ongoing waste management and diversion services for commercial, industrial, and multi-family clients. The company provides waste solutions to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.
2. Recycling Equipment Leasing and Financing: Flexible equipment leasing and financing solutions for waste management equipment including horizontal balers, vertical balers, trash compactors, trash conveyors, and paper shredders. Both new and reconditioned equipment options are available.
3. Product Destruction Services: Secure destruction services for products, documents, and sensitive materials. Includes chain-of-custody documentation and Certificate of Destruction for compliance purposes.
4. Waste Bill Analysis and Optimization: Analysis of waste management costs and contracts to identify savings opportunities and optimization strategies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CERTIFIED provides managed waste and recycling solutions for commercial, industrial, and multi-family clients across California. The company designs and operates customized waste stream management programs, recycling initiatives for logistics/manufacturing/retail sectors, secure product and document destruction under NAID AAA protocols, and recycling equipment leasing and financing. It supports these offerings with waste bill analysis, compliance assistance, and sustainability tracking rather than operating as a traditional waste hauler.

Product overview

Certified Waste Solutions (also referred to as Certified Recycling) is a waste management and recycling services provider offering a unified suite of services rather than a modular software platform. The core portfolio consists of Waste Stream Management Solutions, Customized Recycling Programs, and Certified Product Destruction Services, supported by ancillary services including Recycling Equipment Leasing/Financing, Compliance Services, and Invoice Analysis/Optimization. The company also provides educational resources through its Smart Waste Journal blog and downloadable eGuides. Equipment leasing includes Horizontal Balers, Vertical Balers, Trash Compactors, Trash Conveyors, and Paper Shredders. The company operates primarily in California serving commercial, industrial, and multi-family clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waste Stream Management Solutions Managed waste services for commercial, industrial, and multi-family clients across California, designed to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability outcomes through customized waste stream management.
• Customized Recycling Programs Tailored recycling solutions for logistics, manufacturing, and retail sector clients, addressing supply chain waste, packaging sustainability, and operational recycling compliance.
• Certified Product Destruction Services Secure destruction of products, documents, and sensitive materials under NAID AAA protocols with chain-of-custody documentation and Certificate of Destruction, intended to protect brand reputation, ensure confidentiality, and maintain public safety.
• Recycling Equipment Leasing/Financing Flexible leasing and financing for waste management equipment including horizontal balers, vertical balers, trash compactors, trash conveyors, and paper shredders, with new and reconditioned options available.
• Compliance Services Regulatory compliance assistance that helps California businesses achieve and maintain waste, recycling, and sustainability compliance, including California SB 54 obligations.
• Invoice Analysis and Optimization Analysis of client waste bills and contracts to identify hidden fees, excessive charges, and missed savings opportunities, providing actionable insights for cost reduction and long-term sustainability goals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Orange County landfill fees projected to increase from $43.89 to $67 per ton starting July 2026, a 53% increase

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FRG Waste Resources, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRG Waste Resources, Inc., based in Northern California with over 26 years of experience in sustainability and waste diversion, was acquired by Certified Recycling Waste Solutions. This acquisition expands CERTIFIED's presence in the Northern California market and strengthens their waste diversion capabilities.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Waste Connections: Major North American solid waste services company with a strong Western U.S. presence through acquired regional haulers. Comparable as a broader incumbent whose western operations overlap Certified's California territory and which competes for commercial accounts seeking diversion-driven solutions.
• Republic Services: One of the two largest U.S. solid waste and recycling companies with national hauling, recycling, and sustainability services. Comparable as an enterprise competitor that increasingly bundles recycling consulting and diversion reporting with its hauling contracts, pressuring Certified's managed-service position.
• Waste Management, Inc. Largest North American waste and environmental services provider with extensive hauling, recycling, and sustainability advisory offerings. Comparable because it sells commercial recycling, organics, and waste-audit-style services to enterprise customers—directly overlapping Certified's value proposition at the largest end of its customer base.

Direct peers

• GreenWaste Recovery: Northern California (San Jose-area) integrated solid waste and recycling company serving commercial and residential customers with diversion programs. Comparable as a regional California diversion-focused operator that competes with Certified's Napa/American Canyon location and acquired FRG Waste Resources legacy customer base.
• Athens Services: Southern California-based waste and recycling services provider offering commercial, industrial, and multi-family collection with a strong diversion and sustainability orientation. Closely comparable to Certified in customer mix (commercial + multi-family), geography (SoCal), and emphasis on recycling program design.
• Burrtec Waste Industries: Family-owned, Southern California-based integrated waste management company offering commercial and residential collection, recycling, and organics services across the same geographies Certified serves. Comparable as a regional SoCal operator competing head-to-head for commercial and multi-family customers.

Emerging players

• Rubicon Technologies: Technology-enabled waste and recycling services company offering software and service solutions to haulers and generators, with a strong sustainability focus. Comparable as an emerging player attacking the same commercial customer segment with a differentiated, analytics-led approach that could overlap with Certified's invoice-analysis and audit capabilities.

Regional players

• Recology: San Francisco-based, employee-owned waste and recycling company operating primarily in the Western U.S. with a strong zero-waste and sustainability brand. Comparable in California footprint, commercial/multi-family focus, and emphasis on diversion as a competitive differentiator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/certifiedwastesolutions

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Certified Recycling