New Report Shows Hazardous Waste Management is a Critical Input to US Economic Growth
A CRAI analysis for Veolia links even small US hazardous waste capacity shortfalls to tens of billions of dollars in potential lost output by 2033.
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Independent analysis from experts at Charles River Associates forecasts that even a one percent shortfall in hazardous waste management capacity reduces projected 2033 real gross output by
$27 billion $82 billion - Veolia, a leading hazardous waste management company committed to fighting pollution, shares the report in conjunction with National Pollution Prevention Week.
- As a global leader in environmental security, Veolia is working to better understand critical environmental dependencies and the economic cost of inaction, helping raise awareness and drive more effective solutions to protect economic prosperity, public health and the environment.
The report, “Hazardous Waste Management: A Hidden Input to US Economic Growth” examines hazardous waste management and its importance to the US economy, with virtually all goods and services in
According to the report,
The role of hazardous waste management is likely to become increasingly important in the coming decade as the US economy is poised to generate an additional 5 million tons per year as soon as 2033.
This increase will be a natural result of industrial reshoring policies as well as intended growth of emerging strategic sectors such as semiconductors for computer chips and batteries for vehicles. Ensuring management capacity can accommodate growth in all these strategic sectors is critical to sustaining future industrial expansion and economic growth.
The report finds that a management capacity shortfall of 1 to 3 percent could threaten between
“Hazardous waste management plays a far more important role in our economies than many people realize,” said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. “This analysis helps put that role into perspective and underscores why ensuring an expert, cutting-edge, reliable management capacity is so important to economic strength and resilience. The question is not whether demands on hazardous waste management capacity will increase as the economy grows, but what needs to be done for the capacity to keep up.”
“Proper treatment and disposal of hazardous waste helps protect public health while advancing the economy,” said Bob Cappadona, President and CEO at Veolia North America. “During National Pollution Prevention Week, we’re particularly proud to highlight the role we play in protecting people and the planet through our treatment processes, helping recover valuable resources while preventing pollution from entering the environment.”
“One of the clearest findings of the report is just how ubiquitous hazardous waste management is across the economy, with a large number of everyday products depending on it somewhere in their production,” said Alan Jaske, author of the report and Associate Principal in CRA’s Antitrust and Competition Practice. “The ability to effectively manage hazardous waste is therefore a material consideration not only for environmental policy and public health, but also for industrial activity and economic growth.”
Veolia is a leading solutions provider in the hazardous waste management sector and is the number two player in this segment in the US, following the acquisition of Clean Earth finalised in June 2026. The Group’s US hazardous waste business operates more than 100 service centres, 33 treatment, storage and disposal facilities, 6 high-temperature incineration units, owns more than 700 operating permits, and employs 5,500 staff across the country. Its unique expertise and cutting-edge technologies such as the Beyond PFAS offering ensure specialised treatment of hazardous waste, particularly in areas with significant demand due to industrial activities, such as |
ABOUT CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES
Charles River Associates® is a leading global consulting firm specializing in economic, financial, and management consulting services. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its unique combination of functional expertise and industry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems. Headquartered in
ABOUT VEOLIA
Veolia, a global leader in environmental services, works every day to build environmental security for the benefit of public health and the competitiveness of industries and regions. With 215,000 employees across five continents, working closely with local communities, and thanks to its cutting-edge technologies, the group cleans up pollution, reduces carbon emissions, and regenerates resources through concrete solutions that combine its expertise in water and water technologies, waste - including hazardous waste management, and local energy. In 2025, the Veolia group served 110 million people with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced 45 million megawatt hours of energy, and treated 64 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE, Fortune 500, SBF 120) generated consolidated revenue of
In North America, Veolia is a leading environmental services provider with more than 15,000 employees working at over 500 locations. It's the largest private water operator in the U.S., a leading water technology provider, and a hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It is uniquely positioned in the American market with a leadership role in improving water quality and removing pollutants offering a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services and technology, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. www.veolianorthamerica.com
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VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA
Carrie Griffiths - EVP Communications
and Chief Communications Officer
carrie.griffiths@veolia.com
Nathan Pepper - VP, Communications
and Sustainability, Hazardous Waste
nathan.pepper@veolia.com
Charles River Associates
Masha Mikey
media@crai.com
Source: Veolia