Leading Provider Of Waste And Recycling Solutions Surpasses $400 Million In Annual Sales

Two-Prong Business Model and Strategic Approach Responsible For Success of OAKLEAF Waste Management

December 18, 2006 - East Hartford, CT - OAKLEAF Waste Management, one of the nations leading providers of waste and recycling solutions, announced today that it has exceeded $400 million in annual sales in just 11 years. What's responsible for OAKLEAF's rapid growth? A unique two-prong business model and a strategic approach to waste.

"Not many 11-year old companies can boast $100 million in sales in three short months," said Jim Barnes, CEO of OAKLEAF Waste Management. "We can and we've done it by melding an innovative business model with a new way of thinking about waste."

Without owning a single garbage truck, OAKLEAF contracts haulers to pick up and distribute waste creating a new revenue stream for haulers and an opportunity to work with leading multi-location national companies. Meanwhile, OAKLEAF develops waste and recycling solutions and establishes more proficient waste practices for its clients. How does OAKLEAF do it? With each new client OAKLEAF studies the waste stream. Then, based on the findings, it assesses its client's needs and develops a strategic plan that helps to reduce waste, increase recyclables, decrease costs and streamline waste practices. For example, multi-location clients benefit from receiving one invoice for all their waste and recycling needs company wide.

OAKLEAF treats trash as a commodity that is worth money and is constantly looking for ways to reduce waste and help clients meet environmental goals. When OAKLEAF started working with Sara Lee, global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand name products, it had an abundance of leftover cinnamon dough. OAKLEAF identified local pig farms that could use the dough to feed to their pigs.

OAKLEAF's strategic approach recently landed it a national exclusive, multi-year contract with The Home Depot to provide their retail customers and commercial accounts with a convenient and seamless way to order dumpsters. Under the newly created HD Dumpster program launching in January 2007, customers will be able to call OAKLEAF's 24/7/365 call center toll free to order a dumpster. Exemplifying the two-prong business model that has catapulted OAKLEAF to the $400 million in sales, the HD Dumpster rental program provides OAKLEAF with a national distribution outlet for its dumpster while offering new streams of revenue for both The Home Depot and contracted local haulers across the country.

Since 2001, OAKLEAF has acquired multiple waste companies that maintain a similar entrepreneurial philosophy. Earlier this year, OAKLEAF acquired Valet Waste, Inc. based in Tampa, Florida. Valet Waste offers waste services to condominium complexes in select areas of the country. It provides owners and renters with attractive waste boxes to set out nightly by their doors to be picked up, among other services.

"We're looking forward to continuing to grow our business through creating innovative new products and services," added Barnes.

OAKLEAF Waste Management provides waste and recycling solutions to a broad base of multi-location retail, restaurant, hotel, manufacturing, property management and mall clients including Sears, United Technologies, Kmart, GAP, TGI Fridays and more. OAKLEAF Waste Management is the fastest-growing waste outsourcing company with more than 450 employees, a nationwide network of 4,600 certified haulers and more than 85,000 locations served throughout North America. OAKLEAF was named to Inc. Magazine's 500 List three years in a row and has been ranked on Inc.'s Inner City 100 List for the last three years. OAKLEAF is projecting annual revenue for 2007 in excess of $500 million. For more information about OAKLEAF Waste Management please visit www.oakleafwaste.com.