Nov. 24

Waste Connections Inc. is warning that markets for the recycled commodities it handles is drying up.

"The precipitous drop in recycled commodity values over the past few weeks is unprecedented," CEO Ronald J. Mittelstaedt said Nov. 24. "Many of these commodities generated on the West Coast are shipped to Asia, where demand has dried up.

"In certain of our markets, recycled commodities that had a strong value only a few weeks ago now have no buyers," he said. "Until demand from Asia re-emerges, a commodity that historically has had value could remain a cost."

The Folsom-based company also reported the acquisition of two companies with combined annual revenue of about $15 million.

Waste Connections acquired Yakima Waste Systems Inc. in Yakima, Wash., and the residential collection assets of Trashco Services Inc. in Portland, Ore.

Contact Waste News senior reporter Jim Johnson at (937) 964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com

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