Let’s dig into the relative performance of Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 waste management earnings season.

Waste management companies can possess licenses permitting them to handle hazardous materials. Furthermore, many services are performed through contracts and statutorily mandated, non-discretionary, or recurring, leading to more predictable revenue streams. However, regulation can be a headwind, rendering existing services obsolete or forcing companies to invest precious capital to comply with new, more environmentally-friendly rules. Lastly, waste management companies are at the whim of economic cycles. Interest rates, for example, can greatly impact industrial production or commercial projects that create waste and byproducts.

The 8 waste management stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.7%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 5.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Republic Services (NYSE: RSG)

Processing several million tons of recyclables annually, Republic (NYSE: RSG) provides waste management services for residences, companies, and municipalities.

Republic Services reported revenues of $4.11 billion, up 2.6% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

"We are off to a strong start and remain well positioned to achieve our full‑year objectives," said Jon Vander Ark, president and chief executive officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 5.5% since reporting and currently trades at $212.66.

Is now the time to buy Republic Services? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Onterris (NYSE: ONT)

Founded to protect a tree-lined two-lane road, Onterris (NYSE: ONT) provides air quality monitoring, environmental laboratory testing, compliance, and environmental consulting services.

Onterris reported revenues of $168.5 million, down 5.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 6.2%. However, the business still had a strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 8% since reporting. It currently trades at $20.24.

Is now the time to buy Onterris? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI)

Tackling hazardous waste challenges since 1990, Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI) provides environmental waste treatment services.

Perma-Fix reported revenues of $11.13 million, down 20.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 14.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Perma-Fix delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 10.7% since the results and currently trades at $14.32.

Read our full analysis of Perma-Fix’s results here.

Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC)

Recycling corporate waste to help companies be more sustainable, Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC) is a provider of waste and recycling services.

Quest Resource reported revenues of $61.74 million, down 9.8% year on year. This number came in 0.7% below analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also logged EPS and EBITDA in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is up 15.7% since reporting and currently trades at $1.25.

Read our full, actionable report on Quest Resource here, it’s free.

Clean Harbors (NYSE: CLH)

Established in 1980, Clean Harbors (NYSE: CLH) provides environmental and industrial services like hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal and emergency spill cleanups.

Clean Harbors reported revenues of $1.46 billion, up 1.9% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded full-year EBITDA guidance slightly topping analysts’ expectations but a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 4.8% since reporting and currently trades at $298.63.

Read our full, actionable report on Clean Harbors here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.