Republic Services posts strong Q1 as price hikes drive profit growth
The company returned over half a billion dollars to shareholders while spending $433 million on acquisitions
Republic Services posted its first-quarter 2026 results, with earnings per share rising 7.6% year-over-year to $1.70. Net income came in at $525 million, up from $495 million in the same period last year.
The waste and recycling company brought in $4.1 billion in total revenue, a 2.6% increase over 2025. The growth was driven largely by higher prices — the company raised rates by 5.7% across its business — though overall volume dipped slightly by 0.8%.
Profitability improved, too. Adjusted EBITDA hit $1.32 billion, with margins expanding by half a percentage point to 32.1%.
The company spent $433 million on acquisitions in the quarter, while returning $507 million to shareholders through $314 million in buybacks and $193 million in dividends.
Recycling commodity prices dropped sharply, averaging $120 per ton — down $35 from a year ago.
The dividend was declared at $0.625 per share, payable July 15 to shareholders on record as of July 2.
Republic Services says it remains on track to hit its full-year targets.
