The holiday season is a whirlwind of purchases, packaging, and parties. For most, it’s a time of joy. For us in the waste management industry, it’s a time of unparalleled opportunity. If you’re the owner of a waste management company, I want you to stop for a moment and consider this: in just a few short weeks, billions of dollars in goods are purchased, consumed, and discarded. Each item, every box, every leftover piece of tinsel represents a chance to grow your business.

Yes, it’s messy out there. But as the Waste Management Alchemist, I’m here to show you how to turn that mess into gold. Let’s dive into why this period is critical for your business and, more importantly, how you can seize the opportunity to create a thriving waste empire.

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste“]

The Holiday Surge: A Massive Market You Can’t Ignore

In the 2023 holiday season, U.S. retail sales hit a staggering $964.4 billion. That’s nearly a trillion dollars’ worth of goods flowing through the economy in just a few short weeks. Of that, $221.1 billion came from online shopping alone. And what do all these numbers boil down to? Waste. Mountains of it. Packaging, shipping materials, electronics, textiles, and even furniture.

But here’s the kicker: most waste management companies will treat this surge as business as usual. They’ll do their pickups, take it to the landfill, and call it a day. That’s a mistake. A huge mistake.

This isn’t just a seasonal bump; it’s an untapped gold mine for those savvy enough to recognize its potential. The companies that plan, position, and pivot will emerge as the big winners of the season.

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste“]

Identify the Biggest Streams of Holiday Waste

To capitalize on this opportunity, you need to understand where the waste is coming from. The holiday season isn’t just about “more garbage”—it’s about specific, high-value streams. Let’s break it down:

1. Electronics

   • With $50.8 billion spent on electronics during the holidays, e-waste skyrockets. Old devices are tossed out as people upgrade to the latest gadgets.

   • Your Opportunity: Offer specialized e-waste collection services. Partner with retailers to collect discarded electronics during and after the holidays.

2. Toys and Games

   • Millions of plastic toys flood the market, and many are short-lived. Cheap plastics and intricate packaging add to the pile.

   • Your Opportunity: Set up toy recycling programs with local municipalities or toy manufacturers.

3. Apparel and Textiles

   • With $41.5 billion spent on clothing, closets are cleared to make room for new purchases. Fast fashion leads to a deluge of textile waste.

   • Your Opportunity: Develop textile recovery programs and partner with donation centers to divert usable items.

4. Packaging Materials

   • Cardboard, styrofoam, bubble wrap—it’s everywhere. Online shopping alone contributes massively to this stream.

   • Your Opportunity: Offer post-holiday curbside packaging pickups or cardboard baling services for businesses.

5. Furniture and Home Goods

   • Out with the old, in with the new. The holidays drive significant disposal of furniture and household items.

   • Your Opportunity: Provide bulky waste pickup services with a focus on repurposing or recycling.

Each of these streams represents a specific market with unique needs. The more targeted your approach, the more successful you’ll be.

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste“]

Why Most Companies Fail to Capitalize

Most waste management companies miss the boat because they’re stuck in “transactional thinking.” They see waste as waste, not as a resource or an opportunity. They don’t prepare for the surge, they don’t market their services strategically, and they don’t build relationships with the key players who drive the waste streams.

This isn’t a time to sit back and hope the holiday surge “works out.” It’s a time to act aggressively, strategically, and decisively.

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste“]

How to Seize the Holiday Opportunity

Now, let’s get practical. Here’s how you can take advantage of the holiday period and turn it into your most profitable time of the year:

1. Create Specialized Services

The holiday season creates unique waste streams, so offer services tailored to these needs:

• E-Waste Collection Drives: Partner with electronics retailers to set up convenient collection points.

• Packaging Recycling: Offer a limited-time service for households to dispose of excess cardboard and styrofoam.

• Bulky Item Pickups: Market a “New Year’s Cleanup” service for furniture and home goods.

2. Build Strategic Partnerships

The right partnerships can amplify your reach and profitability:

• Retailers: Work with stores to collect waste directly from their distribution centers.

• Municipalities: Partner with local governments to provide expanded holiday waste services.

• Manufacturers: Collaborate with companies to recover and recycle materials from their products.

3. Market Aggressively

Don’t wait for customers to come to you—go to them:

• Local Advertising: Run ads promoting your specialized holiday services.

• Direct Outreach: Contact businesses directly and offer tailored waste solutions.

• Social Media: Showcase your services and their convenience to your community.

4. Optimize Your Operations

The surge means more volume, and more volume means you need to be ready:

• Equipment: Ensure your fleet and equipment can handle the additional load.

• Staffing: Hire seasonal workers or expand hours to meet demand.

• Technology: Use route optimization software to handle increased pickups efficiently.

5. Turn Data Into Dollars

Track every aspect of your holiday operations:

• Monitor which waste streams are most profitable.

• Analyze customer feedback to refine your services.

• Use the data to market year-round solutions to your holiday customers.

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste“]

Position Yourself as a Leader

The companies that dominate during the holidays aren’t just efficient—they’re visible. Use this period to position yourself as the go-to waste management provider in your region:

• Host community events, like recycling workshops or e-waste collection drives.

• Share your successes through local media and newsletters.

• Build goodwill by highlighting the convenience and value you bring to your customers.

When customers see you not just as a waste collector but as a problem solver, you become indispensable.

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste“]

This Is Your Moment

The holiday season isn’t just a time to “manage” waste—it’s a time to own the market. It’s a time to step up, stand out, and set the stage for explosive growth in the year ahead.

Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers. Plan your strategy, position your services, and profit from the waste streams that others overlook.

Remember: waste isn’t just something to get rid of. It’s a resource. It’s a market. And for those bold enough to act, it’s a golden opportunity.

So, what’s your next move? Are you going to treat this holiday season as business as usual? Or are you going to turn it into the cornerstone of your success?

The choice is yours, but as the Waste Management Alchemist, I’ll leave you with this: the companies that seize opportunities are the ones that thrive. Make this holiday season your turning point.

To Your Success

Sam Barrili
The Waste Management Alchemist