{"schemaVersion":"3.0.0","classification":"Reference intelligence profile","id":"trash-001","route":"trash","url":"https://cashflowroutes.com/intelligence/trash-001","evidenceConfidence":"Moderate","sourceIds":["epa-waste","bls-material-movers","bizbuysell-2025"],"routeUrl":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash","profileUrl":"https://cashflowroutes.com/intelligence/trash-001","apiUrl":"https://cashflowroutes.com/api/routes/trash","routeEntityId":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash#route","articleId":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash#article","datasetId":"https://cashflowroutes.com/intelligence/trash-001#dataset","identifiers":{"routeUrl":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash","profileUrl":"https://cashflowroutes.com/intelligence/trash-001","apiUrl":"https://cashflowroutes.com/api/routes/trash","routeEntityId":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash#route","articleId":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash#article","datasetId":"https://cashflowroutes.com/intelligence/trash-001#dataset"},"relationships":{"canonicalEntity":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash#route","humanArticle":"https://cashflowroutes.com/routes/trash#article","intelligenceDataset":"https://cashflowroutes.com/intelligence/trash-001#dataset"},"slug":"trash","number":"04","name":"Trash Collection","label":"Contracted field service","summary":"A route-density business where recurring service contracts and stop efficiency create operating leverage.","complexity":"High","automation":"Low","cadence":"Scheduled routes","revenueModel":"Recurring contract","scenario":{"capital":{"display":"$300K–$550K","value":{"low":300000,"high":550000,"currency":"USD"},"classification":"Illustrative underwriting scenario","confidence":"Low","basis":"Modeled micro-route acquisition, fleet inspection reserve, containers, and working capital."},"cashflow":{"display":"$8K–$12K / mo","value":{"low":8000,"high":12000,"currency":"USD","period":"month"},"classification":"Illustrative underwriting scenario","confidence":"Low","basis":"Modeled owner cash flow before debt service, taxes, and material fleet replacement."},"multiple":{"display":"2.7×–3.3×","value":{"low":2.7,"high":3.3,"basis":"Seller discretionary earnings"},"classification":"Illustrative underwriting scenario","confidence":"Low","basis":"Modeled price-to-SDE range; fleet condition and contract transferability can dominate."}},"fit":{"recurringRevenue":5,"laborIntensity":5,"assetIntensity":5,"locationDependence":4,"demandDurability":5,"transferability":4},"thesis":"Waste collection is a local logistics system. Contract durability matters, but density, equipment reliability, disposal access, and labor execution determine margins.","economics":["Revenue per stop","Stops per route hour","Tipping and disposal fees","Truck utilization and maintenance"],"operations":["Dispatch and route planning","Driver hiring and safety","Fleet maintenance","Municipal and environmental compliance"],"diligence":["Review customer churn and contract terms","Audit route sheets against billing","Inspect fleet and maintenance records","Verify permits and disposal agreements"],"growth":["Increase route density","Add commercial accounts","Optimize pricing by service burden","Acquire adjacent micro-routes"],"exits":["Strategic hauler sale","Regional platform tuck-in","Contract and asset sale"],"profile":"trash-001","evidence":{"asOf":"2026-08-06","geography":"United States","confidence":"Moderate","sourceIds":["epa-waste","bls-material-movers","bizbuysell-2025"],"note":"Operating facts are an editorial synthesis of the cited sources. Scenario figures are normalized comparison inputs, not sourced market averages, live listings, forecasts, or valuation opinions."},"accent":"#8eb26e","sources":[{"id":"epa-waste","title":"Guide to the Facts and Figures Report about Materials, Waste and Recycling","publisher":"U.S. Environmental Protection Agency","url":"https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/guide-facts-and-figures-report-about","published":"2025","accessed":"2026-08-06","kind":"Primary public data","supports":["U.S. municipal solid-waste generation and material composition context"],"caveat":"EPA states that its most recent complete materials dataset is for 2018."},{"id":"bls-material-movers","title":"Hand Laborers and Material Movers","publisher":"U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics","url":"https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/hand-laborers-and-material-movers.htm","published":"2026-04-22","accessed":"2026-08-06","kind":"Primary public data","supports":["Operating duties and labor conditions for refuse collectors","Operating duties and labor conditions for vehicle and equipment cleaners"]},{"id":"bizbuysell-2025","title":"2025 Fourth Quarter Insight Report","publisher":"BizBuySell","url":"https://www.bizbuysell.com/news/bizbuysell-2025-fourth-quarter-insight-report/","published":"2026","accessed":"2026-08-06","kind":"Reported transaction data","supports":["Context for reported small-business transaction activity","Broad service-business cash-flow multiple context"],"caveat":"Marketplace-reported transactions are not a complete census and are not route-specific valuation instructions."}],"disclaimer":"Illustrative educational scenario only. Not a listing, market average, forecast, valuation, or investment advice."}