The Canadian waste collection market—the first link in the waste management and recycling chain—is expected to generate $7.9 billion in revenue in 2025, with a profit margin of 11.0%. It includes nearly 1,940 companies and 20,541 employees, mainly located in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Despite volatility caused by the pandemic, inflation, and rising interest rates, demand remains strong: key drivers include population growth, the sustained recovery of construction activity, and regulatory requirements to collect and sort residential and commercial waste streams. The two market leaders—Waste Connections and Waste Management—are actively consolidating the sector, focusing on vertical integration (transfer stations, MRFs) and using AI to optimize collection routes. The widespread adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs and the zero-waste goals of several major cities are creating new revenue streams (organic waste collection, recycling, and material recovery) and attracting investors seeking resilient ESG assets.
Three indicators summarize the size, profitability, and momentum of the national market.
Total value of waste collection, transfer, and processing services.
Share of revenue converted into profits, reflecting efficiency gains and sector consolidation.
Expected average annual revenue growth over five years, driven by construction and e-commerce.
The expected monetary easing by 2026 should stimulate residential and non-residential construction, thereby increasing collected volumes, while the rise of e-commerce boosts the flow of packaging to be managed. At the same time, the broader implementation of EPR programs and the reform of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act are reinforcing sorting requirements, favoring operators capable of offering integrated solutions (collection + recycling + organics). Major players are investing in fleet electrification and onboard AI to reduce fuel costs and optimize routes, as municipalities pursue zero-waste and carbon neutrality goals. Finally, the prospect of potential cross-border tariffs on recyclable materials is prompting the market to develop local recovery capacities, creating opportunities for targeted acquisitions and technology partnerships to capture value from the circular economy.
Three indicators summarize the size, profitability, and momentum of the national market.
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