SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

OR

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________

Commission File Number: 1-14267

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

DELAWARE		65-0716904
(State of Incorporation)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

110 S.E. 6TH STREET, 28TH FLOOR
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA		33301
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (954) 769-2400

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x      No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

Large accelerated filer x                     Accelerated filer o                     Non-accelerated filer o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o      No x

     On April 28, 2006, the registrant had outstanding 136,739,321 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

 

 

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

INDEX

				Page
PART I.		FINANCIAL INFORMATION			3
ITEM 1.		Financial Statements			3
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2005			3
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005			4
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006			5
		Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005			6
		Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			7
ITEM 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			25
ITEM 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			37
ITEM 4.		Controls and Procedures			37
PART II.		OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A.		Risk Factors			38
ITEM 2.		Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			38
ITEM 6.		Exhibits			39
Section 302 Certification of CEO
Section 302 Certification of CFO
Section 906 Certification of CEO
Section 906 Certification of CFO

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)

		March 31,				December 31,
		2006				2005
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	14.9			$	131.8
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $18.1 and $17.3, respectively			278.8				280.0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			59.5				61.6
Deferred tax assets			9.6				8.9
Total Current Assets			362.8				482.3
RESTRICTED CASH			269.1				255.3
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET			2,133.4				2,115.3
GOODWILL, NET			1,564.6				1,563.8
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET			25.5				27.0
OTHER ASSETS			116.1				106.8
		$	4,471.5			$	4,550.5
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable		$	123.3			$	176.1
Accrued liabilities			133.4				163.7
Deferred revenue			102.9				99.3
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt			58.0				3.0
Federal income taxes payable			45.9				113.4
Other current liabilities			107.8				111.5
Total Current Liabilities			571.3				667.0
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES			1,497.0				1,472.1
ACCRUED LANDFILL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS			269.1				259.7
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES			388.5				390.0
OTHER LIABILITIES			169.3				155.9
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued			—				—
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 750,000,000 shares authorized; 192,244,132 and 190,119,521 issued, including shares held in treasury, respectively			1.9				1.9
Additional paid-in capital			1,573.2				1,509.1
Deferred compensation			—				(1.1	)
Retained earnings			1,448.2				1,402.8
Treasury stock, at cost (55,129,700 and 51,516,900 shares, respectively)			(1,449.4	)			(1,308.8	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			2.4				1.9
Total Stockholders’ Equity			1,576.3				1,605.8
		$	4,471.5			$	4,550.5

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2006				2005
REVENUE		$	737.5			$	677.2
EXPENSES:
Cost of operations			456.4				418.7
Depreciation, amortization and depletion			73.1				61.1
Accretion			3.8				3.5
Selling, general and administrative			81.8				74.4
OPERATING INCOME			122.4				119.5
INTEREST EXPENSE			(22.1	)			(19.9	)
INTEREST INCOME			3.3				2.5
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET			.6				3.5
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			104.2				105.6
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			39.6				40.1
NET INCOME		$	64.6			$	65.5
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE		$	.47			$	.44
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING			137.6				148.2
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE		$	.46			$	.43
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING			139.5				151.0
CASH DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE		$	.14			$	.12

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)

		Common Stock																				Accumulated
										Additional												Other
		Shares,				Par				Paid-In				Retained				Treasury				Comprehensive				Comprehensive
		Net				Value				Capital				Earnings				Stock				Income				Income
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2005			138.6			$	1.9			$	1,508.0			$	1,402.8			$	(1,308.8	)		$	1.9
Net income			—				—				—				64.6				—				—			$	64.6
Cash dividends declared			—				—				—				(19.2	)			—				—				—
Issuances of common stock			2.1				—				60.2				—				—				—				—
Compensation expense for restricted stock and deferred stock units			—				—				3.1				—				—				—				—
Compensation expense for stock options			—				—				1.9				—				—				—				—
Purchases of common stock for treasury			(3.6	)			—				—				—				(140.6	)			—				—
Changes in value of derivative instruments, net of tax			—				—				—				—				—				.5				.5
Total comprehensive income			—				—				—				—				—				—			$	65.1
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2006			137.1			$	1.9			$	1,573.2			$	1,448.2			$	(1,449.4	)		$	2.4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2006				2005
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income		$	64.6			$	65.5
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment			44.1				40.5
Landfill depletion and amortization			27.2				18.9
Amortization of intangible and other assets			1.8				1.7
Accretion			3.8				3.5
Stock option compensation expense			1.9				—
Restricted stock and deferred stock unit compensation expense			3.1				1.1
Deferred tax (benefit) provision			(.9	)			20.0
Provision for doubtful accounts			2.4				.9
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises			7.0				2.2
Gains on sales of businesses			(.2	)			(2.9	)
Other non-cash items			.1				.1
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable			(.6	)			20.0
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(7.8	)			1.4
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(83.5	)			(8.3	)
Federal income taxes payable			(67.5	)			7.6
Other liabilities			8.7				(4.6	)
			4.2				167.6
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment			(90.5	)			(50.2	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment			7.5				.5
Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(3.2	)			(2.5	)
Cash proceeds from business dispositions			2.4				28.8
Amounts due and contingent payments to former owners			(.4	)			(.7	)
Change in restricted cash			(13.8	)			12.9
Other			—				(.1	)
			(98.0	)			(11.3	)
CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt			125.0				3.8
Payment of premium to exchange notes payable			—				(27.6	)
Payments of notes payable and long-term debt			(41.3	)			(2.4	)
Issuances of common stock			45.7				7.4
Windfall income tax benefits from stock option exercises			7.5				—
Purchases of common stock for treasury			(140.6	)			(189.1	)
Cash dividends			(19.4	)			(18.1	)
			(23.1	)			(226.0	)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(116.9	)			(69.7	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD			131.8				141.5
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD		$	14.9			$	71.8

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All tables in millions, except per share data)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     Republic Services, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services in the United States.

     The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain information related to the Company’s organization, significant accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented, and the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

     The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions made by management. Actual results could differ from these amounts. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the depletion and amortization of landfill development costs, liabilities for final capping, closure and post-closure costs, valuation allowances for accounts receivable, liabilities for potential litigation, claims and assessments, and liabilities for environmental remediation, deferred taxes and self-insurance.

     The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), effective January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective transition method. As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R), the Company recorded $2.7 million of incremental equity-based compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of adopting SFAS 123(R). (For further information, see Note 8, Employee Benefit Plans.)

2. LANDFILL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS

Accrued Landfill and Environmental Costs

     A summary of landfill and environmental liabilities is as follows:

		March 31,				December 31,
		2006				2005
Landfill final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities		$	248.5			$	239.5
Remediation			50.1				50.3
Legal costs			1.8				2.0
			300.4				291.8
Less: Current portion (included in other current liabilities)			(31.3	)			(32.1	)
Long-term portion		$	269.1			$	259.7

Life Cycle Accounting

     The Company uses life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method to recognize certain landfill costs over the life of the site. In life cycle accounting, all costs to acquire and construct a site are capitalized, and charged to expense based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace. Costs and airspace estimates are developed at least annually by engineers. These estimates are used by the Company’s operating and accounting personnel to adjust the Company’s rates used to expense capitalized costs. Changes in these estimates primarily relate to changes in available airspace, inflation and applicable regulations. Changes in available airspace include changes due to the addition of airspace lying in probable expansion areas.

Total Available Disposal Capacity

     As of March 31, 2006, the Company owned or operated 59 solid waste landfills with total available disposal capacity of approximately 1.8 billion in-place cubic yards. Total available disposal capacity represents the sum of estimated permitted airspace plus an estimate of expansion airspace that the Company believes has a probable likelihood of ultimately being permitted.

Probable Expansion Airspace

     Before airspace included in an expansion area is determined to be probable expansion airspace and, therefore, included in the Company’s calculation of total available disposal capacity, the following criteria must be met:

	1.		The land associated with the expansion airspace is either owned by the Company or is controlled by the Company pursuant to an option agreement;
	2.		The Company is committed to supporting the expansion project financially and with appropriate resources;
	3.		There are no identified fatal flaws or impediments associated with the project, including political impediments;
	4.		Progress is being made on the project;
	5.		The expansion is attainable within a reasonable time frame; and
	6.		The Company believes it is likely the expansion permit will be received.

     Upon meeting the Company’s expansion criteria, the rates used at each applicable landfill to expense costs to acquire, construct, cap, close and maintain a site during the post-closure period are adjusted to include probable expansion airspace and all additional costs to be capitalized or accrued associated with the expansion airspace.

     The Company has identified three steps that landfills generally follow to obtain expansion permits. These steps are as follows:

	1.		Obtaining approval from local authorities;
	2.		Submitting a permit application to state authorities; and
	3.		Obtaining permit approval from state authorities.

     Once a landfill meets the Company’s expansion criteria, management continuously monitors each site’s progress in obtaining the expansion permit. If at any point it is determined that an expansion area no longer meets the required criteria, the probable expansion airspace is removed from the landfill’s total available capacity and the rates used at the landfill to expense costs to acquire, construct, cap, close and maintain a site during the post-closure period are adjusted accordingly.

Capitalized Landfill Costs

     Capitalized landfill costs include expenditures for land, permitting costs, cell construction costs and environmental structures. Capitalized permitting and cell construction costs are limited to direct costs relating to these activities, including legal, engineering and construction costs associated with excavation, natural and synthetic liners, construction of leachate collection systems, installation of methane gas collection and monitoring systems, installation of groundwater monitoring wells and other costs associated with the development of the site. Interest is capitalized on landfill construction projects while the assets are undergoing activities to ready them for their intended use. Capitalized landfill costs also include final capping, closure and post-closure assets accrued in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS 143”), as discussed below.

     Costs related to acquiring land, excluding the estimated residual value of unpermitted, non-buffer land, and costs related to permitting and cell construction are depleted as airspace is consumed using the units-of-consumption method.

     Capitalized landfill costs may also include an allocation of purchase price paid for landfills. For landfills purchased as part of a group of several assets, the purchase price assigned to the landfill is determined based upon the discounted future expected cash flows of the landfill relative to the other assets within the acquired group. If the landfill meets the Company’s expansion criteria, the purchase price is further allocated between permitted airspace and expansion airspace based upon the ratio of permitted versus probable expansion airspace to total available airspace. Landfill purchase price is amortized using the units-of-consumption method over the total available airspace including probable expansion airspace where appropriate.

Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs

     The Company accounts for final capping, closure and post-closure in accordance with SFAS 143.

     The Company has future obligations for final capping, closure and post-closure costs with respect to the landfills it owns or operates as set forth in applicable landfill permits. Final capping, closure and post-closure costs include estimated costs to be incurred for final capping and closure of landfills and estimated costs for providing required post-closure monitoring and maintenance of landfills. The permit requirements are based on the Subtitle C and Subtitle D regulations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as implemented and applied on a state-by-state basis. Obligations associated with monitoring and controlling methane gas migration and emissions are set forth in applicable landfill permits and these requirements are based upon the provisions of the Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended. Final capping typically includes installing flexible membrane and geosynthetic clay liners, drainage and compact soil layers, and topsoil, and is constructed over an area of the landfill where total airspace capacity has been consumed and waste disposal operations have ceased. These final capping activities occur throughout the operating life of a landfill. Other closure activities and post-closure activities occur after the entire landfill ceases to accept waste and closes. These activities involve methane gas control, leachate management and groundwater monitoring, surface water monitoring and control, and other operational and maintenance activities that occur after the site ceases to accept waste. The post-closure period generally runs for up to 30 years after final site closure for municipal solid waste landfills and a shorter period for construction and demolition landfills and inert landfills.

     Estimates of future expenditures for final capping, closure and post-closure are developed by engineers. These estimates are reviewed by management at least annually and are used by the Company’s operating and accounting personnel to adjust the rates used to capitalize and amortize these costs. These estimates involve projections of costs that will be incurred during the remaining life of the landfill for final capping activities, after the landfill ceases operations and during the legally required post-closure monitoring period. Additionally, the Company currently retains post-closure responsibility for several closed landfills.

     Under SFAS 143, a liability for an asset retirement obligation must be recognized in the period in which it is incurred and should be initially measured at fair value. Absent quoted market prices, the estimate of fair value should be based on the best available information, including the results of present value techniques in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 7, “Using Cash Flow and Present Value in Accounting Measurements” (“SFAC 7”). The offset to the liability must be capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Changes in the liability due to the passage of time are recognized as operating items in the income statement and are referred to as accretion expense. Changes in the liability due to revisions of estimated future cash flows are recognized by increasing or decreasing the liability with the offset adjusting the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset.

     In applying the provisions of SFAS 143, the Company has concluded that a landfill’s asset retirement obligation includes estimates of all costs related to final capping, closure and post-closure. Costs associated with a landfill’s daily maintenance activities during the operating life of the landfill, such as leachate disposal, groundwater and gas monitoring, and other pollution control activities, are charged to expense as incurred. In addition, costs historically accounted for as capital expenditures during the operating life of a landfill, such as cell development costs, are capitalized when incurred, and charged to expense using life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method based on the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace.

     The Company defines final capping as activities required to permanently cover a portion of a landfill that has been completely filled with waste. Final capping occurs in phases throughout the life of a landfill as specific areas are filled to capacity and the final elevation for that specific area is reached in accordance with the provisions of the operating permit. The Company considers final capping events to be discrete activities that are recognized as asset retirement obligations separately from other closure and post-closure obligations. These capping events occur generally during the operating life of a landfill and can be associated with waste actually placed under an area to be capped. As a result, the Company uses a separate rate per ton for recognizing the principal amount of the liability and related asset associated with each capping event. The Company amortizes the asset recorded pursuant to this approach as waste volume equivalent to the capacity covered by the capping event is placed into the landfill based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace covered by the capping event.

     The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations and the related amortization expense for closure and post-closure (excluding obligations for final capping) using the units-of-consumption method over the total remaining capacity of the landfill. The total remaining capacity includes probable expansion airspace.

     In general, the Company engages third parties to perform most of its final capping, closure and post-closure activities. Accordingly, the fair market value of these obligations is based upon quoted and actual prices paid for similar work. The Company does intend to perform some of its final capping, closure and post-closure activities using internal resources. Where internal resources are expected to be used to fulfill an asset retirement obligation, the Company has added a profit margin onto the estimated cost of such services to better reflect their fair market value as required by SFAS 143. These services primarily relate to managing construction activities during final capping and maintenance activities during closure and post-closure. If the Company does perform these services internally, the added profit margin would be recognized as a component of operating income in the period the obligation is settled.

     SFAC 7 states that an estimate of fair value should include the price that marketplace participants are able to receive for bearing the uncertainties in cash flows. However, when utilizing discounted cash flow techniques, reliable estimates of market premiums may not be obtainable. In this situation, SFAC 7 indicates that it is not necessary to consider a market risk premium in the determination of expected cash flows. While the cost of asset retirement obligations associated with final capping, closure and post-closure can be quantified and estimated, there is not an active market that can be utilized to determine the fair value of these activities. In the case of the waste industry, no market exists for selling the responsibility for final capping, closure and post-closure independent of selling the landfill in its entirety. Accordingly, the Company believes that it is not possible to develop a methodology to reliably estimate a market risk premium and has excluded a market risk premium from its determination of expected cash flow for landfill asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAC 7.

     The Company’s estimates of costs to discharge asset retirement obligations for landfills are developed in today’s dollars. These costs are inflated each year to reflect a normal escalation of prices up to the year they are expected to be paid. The Company uses a 2.5% inflation rate, which is based on the ten-year historical moving average increase of the U.S. Consumer Price Index and is the rate used by most waste industry participants.

     These estimated costs are then discounted to their present value using a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate. The Company’s credit-adjusted, risk-free rate for liability recognition was determined to be 6.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, based upon the estimated all-in yield the Company believes it would need to offer to sell thirty-year debt in the public market. Changes in asset retirement obligations due to the passage of time are measured by recognizing accretion expense in a manner that results in a constant effective interest rate being applied to the average carrying amount of the liability. The effective interest rate used to calculate accretion expense is the Company’s credit-adjusted, risk-free rate in effect at the time the liabilities were recorded.

     In accordance with SFAS 143, changes due to revision of the estimates of the amount or timing of the original undiscounted cash flows used to record a liability are recognized by increasing or decreasing the carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation liability and the carrying amount of the related asset. Upward revisions in the amount of undiscounted

estimated cash flows used to record a liability must be discounted using the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate in effect at the time of the change. Downward revisions in the amount of undiscounted estimated cash flows used to record a liability must be discounted using the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate that existed when the original liability was recognized.

     The Company reviews its calculations with respect to landfill asset retirement obligations at least annually. If there is a significant change in the facts and circumstances related to a landfill during the year, the Company will review its calculations for the landfill as soon as practical after the significant change has occurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company completed its annual review of landfill asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAS 143 and recorded a reduction of $5.9 million in amortization expense primarily related to changes in estimates and assumptions concerning the cost and timing of future capping, closure and post-closure activities. During the three months ended December 31, 2005, the Company completed its annual review of landfill asset retirement obligations for 2005 and recorded an increase of $2.1 million in amortization expense primarily related to increases in costs for items such as excavation, construction and synthetic liner. The Company intends to conduct future annual reviews of its landfill asset retirement obligations during the fourth quarter of each year.

     The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s asset retirement obligation liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005:

		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2006				2005
Asset retirement obligation liability, beginning of year		$	239.5			$	216.8
Non-cash asset additions			5.6				4.7
Revisions in estimates of future cash flows			—				(5.7	)
Acquisitions during the period			—				3.3
Amounts settled during the period			(.4	)			(.2	)
Accretion expense			3.8				3.5
Asset retirement obligation liability, end of period			248.5				222.4
Less: Current portion			(26.6	)			(14.4	)
Long-term portion		$	221.9			$	208.0

     The fair value of assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was approximately $7.8 million at March 31, 2006 and is included in restricted cash in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Remediation

     The Company accrues for remediation costs when they become probable and reasonably estimable. Substantially all of the Company’s recorded remediation costs are for incremental landfill post-closure care required under approved remediation action plans for acquired landfills. Remediation costs are estimated by engineers. These estimates do not take into account discounts for the present value of total estimated costs. Management believes that the amounts accrued for remediation costs are adequate. However, a significant increase in the estimated costs for remediation could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Operating Costs

     In the normal course of business, the Company incurs various operating costs associated with environmental compliance. These costs include, among other things, leachate treatment and disposal, methane gas and groundwater monitoring and systems maintenance, interim cap maintenance, costs associated with the application of daily cover materials, and the legal and administrative costs of ongoing environmental compliance.

Environmental Claims, Litigation and Assessments

     In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to ongoing environmental investigations by certain regulatory agencies, as well as other claims and disputes that could result in litigation. Expenses for environmental claims, litigation and assessments are accrued by the Company through a charge to income in the period such liabilities become probable and can be reasonably estimated. No significant amounts were charged to expense during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements to facilities are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

     The Company revises the estimated useful lives of property and equipment acquired through business acquisitions to conform with its policies regarding property and equipment. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets involved using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives are seven to forty years for buildings and improvements, five to twelve years for vehicles, seven to ten years for most landfill equipment, three to fifteen years for all other equipment, and five to twelve years for furniture and fixtures.

     Landfills and landfill improvements are stated at cost and are amortized or depleted based on consumed airspace. Landfill improvements include direct costs incurred to obtain landfill permits and direct costs incurred to acquire, construct and develop sites. These costs are amortized or depleted based on consumed airspace. All indirect landfill development costs are expensed as incurred. (For further information, see Note 2, Accrued Landfill and Environmental Costs.)

     The Company capitalizes interest on landfill cell construction and other construction projects in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 34, “Capitalization of Interest Cost.” Construction projects must meet the following criteria before interest is capitalized:

	1.		Total construction costs are $50,000 or greater,
	2.		The construction phase is one month or longer, and
	3.		The assets have a useful life of one year or longer.

     Interest is capitalized on qualified assets while they undergo activities to ready them for their intended use. Capitalization of interest ceases once an asset is placed into service or if construction activity is suspended for more than a brief period of time. The interest capitalization rate is based upon the Company’s weighted average cost of indebtedness. Interest capitalized was $.3 million and $.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

     A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

		March 31,				December 31,
		2006				2005
Other land		$	101.5			$	100.9
Non-depletable landfill land			52.2				51.6
Landfill development costs			1,643.2				1,630.0
Vehicles and equipment			1,796.9				1,746.8
Buildings and improvements			287.3				287.1
Construction-in-progress — landfill			59.0				55.8
Construction-in-progress — other			20.1				18.0
			3,960.2				3,890.2
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization— Landfill development costs			(856.5	)			(829.3	)
Vehicles and equipment			(887.2	)			(865.3	)
Buildings and improvements			(83.1	)			(80.3	)
			(1,826.8	)			(1,774.9	)
Property and equipment, net		$	2,133.4			$	2,115.3

     The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of property and equipment or whether the remaining balance of property and equipment should be evaluated for possible impairment. The following are examples of such events or changes in circumstances:

•

A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset or asset group,

	•		A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition,
	•		A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset or asset group, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator,
	•		An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset or asset group,
	•		A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group, or
	•		A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

     There are certain indicators listed above that require significant judgment and understanding of the waste industry when applied to landfill development or expansion. For example, a regulator may initially deny a landfill expansion permit application though the expansion permit is ultimately granted. In addition, management may periodically divert waste from one landfill to another to conserve remaining permitted landfill airspace. Therefore, certain events could occur in the ordinary course of business and not necessarily be considered indicators of impairment due to the unique nature of the waste industry.

     The Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the property and equipment in assessing their recoverability. The Company measures impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

     The Company acquires businesses as part of its growth strategy. Businesses acquired are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. The Company allocates the cost of the acquired business to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair values thereof. These estimates are revised during the allocation period as necessary if, and when, information regarding contingencies becomes available to further define and quantify assets acquired and liabilities assumed. To the extent contingencies such as preacquisition environmental matters, litigation and related legal fees are resolved or settled during the allocation period, such items are included in the revised allocation of the purchase price. After the allocation period, the effect of changes in such contingencies is included in results of operations in the periods in which the adjustments are determined. The Company does not believe potential differences between its fair value estimates and actual fair values are material.

     The Company acquired various solid waste businesses during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. The aggregate purchase price paid for these transactions was $3.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company entered into a $53.9 million capital lease related to a landfill. The businesses acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2006 did not materially impact the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 or 2005 on a pro forma basis.

     The following summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocations for business combinations accounted for under the purchase method of accounting:

		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2006				2005
Property and equipment		$	2.2			$	56.2
Goodwill and other intangible assets			1.2				3.1
Working capital deficit			(.1	)			(.4	)
Debt			—				(53.1	)
Other liabilities			(.1	)			(3.3	)
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired		$	3.2			$	2.5

     Substantially all of the intangible assets recorded for these acquisitions are deductible for tax purposes.

     In March 2005, the Company divested of its operations in western New York and received proceeds of $29.1 million during 2005. The Company recorded a gain in 2005 of $3.3 million on the divestiture.

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     Intangible assets consist of the cost of acquired businesses in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill) and other intangible assets. Other intangible assets include values assigned to customer relationships, long-term contracts and covenants not to compete and are amortized generally over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years.

     The following table summarizes the activity in intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006:

		Gross Intangible Assets
		Goodwill				Other				Total
Balance, December 31, 2004		$	1,706.1			$	54.2			$	1,760.3
Acquisitions			2.2				.9				3.1
Divestitures			(15.8	)			—				(15.8	)
Other additions			—				.5				.5
Balance, March 31, 2005		$	1,692.5			$	55.6			$	1,748.1

		Accumulated Amortization
		Goodwill				Other				Total
Balance, December 31, 2004		$	(143.4	)		$	(24.0	)		$	(167.4	)
Amortization expense			—				(1.4	)			(1.4	)
Divestitures			1.4				—				1.4
Balance, March 31, 2005		$	(142.0	)		$	(25.4	)		$	(167.4	)

		Gross Intangible Assets
		Goodwill				Other				Total
Balance, December 31, 2005		$	1,705.6			$	56.8			$	1,762.4
Acquisitions			1.2				—				1.2
Divestitures			(.5	)			—				(.5	)
Balance, March 31, 2006		$	1,706.3			$	56.8			$	1,763.1

		Accumulated Amortization
		Goodwill				Other				Total
Balance, December 31, 2005		$	(141.8	)		$	(29.8	)		$	(171.6	)
Amortization expense			—				(1.5	)			(1.5	)
Divestitures			.1				—				.1
Balance, March 31, 2006		$	(141.7	)		$	(31.3	)		$	(173.0	)

     Goodwill is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis. In testing for impairment, the Company estimates the fair value of each operating segment and compares the fair values with the carrying values. If the fair value of an operating segment is greater than its carrying value, then no impairment results. If the fair value is less than its carrying value, then the Company would determine the fair value of the goodwill. The fair value of goodwill is determined by deducting the fair value of an operating segment’s identifiable assets and liabilities from the fair value of the operating segment as a whole, as if that operating segment had just been acquired and the purchase price were being initially allocated. If the fair value of the goodwill were less than its carrying value for a segment, an impairment charge would be recorded to earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income.

     In addition, the Company would evaluate an operating segment for impairment if events or circumstances change between annual tests indicating a possible impairment. Examples of such events or circumstances include:

	•		A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate,
	•		An adverse action or assessment by a regulator,
	•		A more likely than not expectation that a segment or a significant portion thereof will be sold, or
	•		The testing for recoverability under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets,” of a significant asset group within the segment.

     The Company incurred no impairment of goodwill as a result of its goodwill impairment test in 2005. However, there can be no assurance that goodwill will not be impaired at any time in the future.

6. DEBT

     Notes payable and long-term debt are as follows:

		March 31,				December 31,
		2006				2005
$99.3 million unsecured notes; interest payable semi-annually in May and November at 7.125%; principal due at maturity in 2009		$	99.3			$	99.3
$450.0 million unsecured notes, net of unamortized discount of $1.6 million and $1.7 million, and including $9.3 million and $5.5 million of adjustments to fair market value as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively; interest payable semi-annually in February and August at 6.75%; principal due at maturity in 2011			439.1				442.8
$275.7 million unsecured notes, net of unamortized discount of $.2 million and including unamortized premium of $27.4 million as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005; interest payable semi-annually in March and September at 6.086%; principal due at maturity in 2035			248.1				248.1
$750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility; interest payable using LIBOR-based rates; maturing in 2010			55.0				—
Tax-exempt bonds and other tax-exempt financing; fixed and floating interest rates based on prevailing market rates; maturities ranging from 2006 to 2037			674.5				645.4
Other notes; unsecured and secured by real property, equipment and other assets			39.0				39.5
			1,555.0				1,475.1
Less: Current portion			(58.0	)			(3.0	)
Long-term portion		$	1,497.0			$	1,472.1

     In June 2005, the Company entered into a $750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of banks which expires in 2010. This facility replaced the Company’s prior facilities which aggregated $750.0 million. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of $397.3 million and $55.0 million of LIBOR-based borrowings under the revolving credit facility, leaving $297.7 million of availability under the facility. The unsecured revolving credit facility requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with certain financial covenants. The Company has the ability under its loan covenants to pay dividends and repurchase its common stock under the condition that it is in compliance with the covenants. At March 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under these agreements.

     As of March 31, 2006, the Company had $269.1 million of restricted cash, of which $158.2 million were proceeds from the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and other tax-exempt financings that will be used to fund capital expenditures. Restricted cash also includes amounts held in trust as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance.

     Interest paid was approximately $30.7 million (net of capitalized interest of $.3 million) and $25.4 million (net of capitalized interest of $.2 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

     During March 2005, the Company exchanged $275.7 million of its outstanding 7.125% notes due 2009 for new notes due 2035. The new notes bear interest at 6.086%. The Company paid a premium of $27.6 million in connection with the exchange. This premium is being amortized over the life of the new notes using the effective yield method.

     Other debt includes a $36.8 million capital lease liability as of March 31, 2006 related to a landfill that the Company began operating in May 2005.

     The Company’s ability to obtain financing through the capital markets is a key component of its financial strategy. Historically, the Company has managed risk associated with executing this strategy, particularly as it relates to fluctuations in interest rates, by using a combination of fixed and floating rate debt. The Company has also entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates and to take advantage of favorable floating interest rates. The Company’s outstanding swap agreement has a total notional value of $210.0 million and matures in August 2011. This maturity is identical to the Company’s public notes that were sold in 2001. Under the swap agreement, the Company pays interest at floating rates based on changes in LIBOR and receives interest at a fixed rate of 6.75%. The Company has designated this agreement as a hedge in changes in the fair value of the Company’s hedged fixed-rate debt and accounts for it in

 

     Effective for the first quarter of 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, which requires recognition of compensation expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption, and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remained outstanding at the date of adoption. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company accelerated the vesting of all of its outstanding stock options previously awarded to employees as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors effective December 30, 2005. Consequently, no compensation expense will be recognized for these options.

     Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), all tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options were reported as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. SFAS 123(R) requires that cash flows resulting from tax benefits related to tax deductions in excess of those recorded for compensation expense (either on a pro forma or an actual basis) be classified as cash flows from financing activities. As a result, the Company classified $7.5 million of excess tax benefits as cash flows from financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2006. All other tax benefits related to stock options have been presented as a component of cash flows from operating activities.

     The fair value concepts were not changed significantly in SFAS 123(R); however, in adopting this Statement, companies must choose among alternative valuation models and amortization assumptions. After assessing alternative valuation models and amortization assumptions, the Company changed its method of valuation for options granted beginning in fiscal 2006 to a lattice binomial option-pricing model from the Black-Scholes valuation model previously used for the Company’s pro forma information required under SFAS 123. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award, or to the employee’s retirement eligible date, if earlier.

     The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $9.35 per option and was calculated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2006
Expected volatility (a)			26.7	%
Risk-free interest rate			4.6	%
Dividend yield			1.4	%
Expected life			4.2	years
Contractual life			7	years
Estimated forfeiture rate			5.0	%

     As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R), the charge to income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 for stock options granted in 2006 was $.9 million and $.6 million, respectively. The impact of adopting SFAS 123(R) for stock options on both basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $.004 per share.

     The previously disclosed pro forma effects of recognizing the estimated fair value of equity-based compensation in the first quarter of 2005 are presented below:

		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31, 2005
Net income, as reported		$	65.5
Adjustments to net earnings for:
Equity-based compensation expense included in net income, net of tax			.7
Pro forma equity-based employee compensation expense pursuant to SFAS 123, net of tax			(2.7	)
Net income, pro forma		$	63.5
Basic earnings per share -
As reported		$	.44
Pro forma		$	.43
Diluted earnings per share -
As reported		$	.43
Pro forma		$	.42
Assumptions -
Expected volatility			30	%
Risk-free interest rate			3.6	%
Dividend yield			1.6	%
Expected life		5 years

     During the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company awarded 24,000 deferred stock units to its non-employee directors under its Stock Incentive Plan. These stock units vest immediately but the directors receive the underlying shares only after their board service ends. The stock units do not carry any voting or dividend rights, except the right to receive additional stock units in lieu of dividends.

     Also during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company awarded 85,000 and 82,000 shares of restricted stock, respectively, to its executive officers. 13,000 and 10,000 of the shares awarded during 2006 and 2005, respectively, vest effective January 1 of the subsequent year. The remaining shares awarded vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the anniversary date of the original grant except that vesting may be accelerated if certain performance targets are achieved. During the vesting period, the participants have voting rights and receive dividends declared and paid on the shares, but the shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered. Additionally, granted but unvested shares are forfeited in the event the participant resigns employment with the Company for other than good reason.

     The fair value of stock units and restricted stock on the date of grant is amortized ratably over the vesting period, or the accelerated vesting period if certain performance targets are achieved. During the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, compensation expense related to stock units and restricted stock of $3.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively, was recorded in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The compensation expense for restricted stock recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2006 includes $1.8 million of incremental expense for accelerating the expense recognition period for grants to employees that are or will become retirement-eligible during the stated vesting period of the restricted stock as required under SFAS 123(R). No other stock units or restricted stock were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006 or 2005.

     A summary of deferred stock unit and restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:

		Deferred Stock				Weighted-Average
		Units and				Grant Date
		Restricted Stock				Fair Value
		(in thousands)				per Share
Unissued at January 1, 2006			165			$	29.38
Granted			109				39.01
Unissued at March 31, 2006			274			$	33.22
Vested and unissued at March 31, 2006			153			$	30.55

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

     From 2000 through March 31, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1,800.0 million of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had paid $1,449.4 million to repurchase 55.1 million shares of its common stock of which 3.6 million shares were acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2006 for $140.6 million.

     In July 2003, the Company announced that its Board of Directors initiated a quarterly cash dividend of $.06 per share. The dividend was increased to $.12 per share in the third quarter of 2004 and to $.14 in the third quarter of 2005. In January 2006, the Company paid a dividend of $19.4 million to stockholders of record as of January 2, 2006. As of March 31, 2006, the Company recorded a dividend payable of $19.2 million to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 3, 2006.

     Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares (including vested but unissued deferred stock units and restricted stock) outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the combined weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding which include, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of employee stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. In computing diluted earnings per share, the Company utilizes the treasury stock method.

     Earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2006				2005
Numerator:
Net income		$	64,600			$	65,500
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share			137,561				148,168
Effect of dilutive securities —
Options to purchase common stock			1,977				2,787
Unvested restricted stock awards			5				5
Denominator for diluted earnings per share			139,543				150,960
Basic earnings per share		$	.47			$	.44
Diluted earnings per share		$	.46			$	.43
Antidilutive securities not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation:
Options to purchase common stock			926				8
Weighted-average exercise price		$	39.00			$	33.88

10. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     During October 2005, the Company entered into option agreements related to forecasted diesel fuel purchases. Under SFAS 133, the options qualified for and were designated as effective hedges of changes in the prices of forecasted diesel fuel purchases. These option agreements commenced on January 1, 2006 and settle each month in equal notional amounts of 500,000 gallons through December 31, 2006. In accordance with SFAS 133, $.3 million representing the effective portion of the change in fair value as of March 31, 2006, net of tax, has been recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value was not material and has been recorded in other income (expense), net in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized losses of $.2 million related to these option agreements are included in cost of operations in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

     During March 2005, the Company entered into option agreements related to forecasted diesel fuel purchases. Under SFAS 133, the options qualified for and were designated as effective hedges of changes in the prices of forecasted diesel fuel purchases. These option agreements settled each month in equal notional amounts through December 2005. In accordance with SFAS 133, $1.1 million representing the effective portion of the change in fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2005, net of tax, was recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and was included in other income (expense), net in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized gains of $.2 million related to these option agreements are included in cost of operations in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2005.

     During March 2005, the Company offered to exchange a portion of its outstanding 7.125% notes due 2009 for new notes due 2035. To protect against fluctuations in the forecasted receipt of proceeds resulting from the issuance of thirty-year, fixed rate debt due to changes in the benchmark U.S. Treasury rate, the Company entered into treasury lock agreements. In accordance with SFAS 133, these agreements were determined to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash proceeds to be received upon issuance of the notes. Upon termination of these agreements in March 2005, the Company recorded a gain of $2.3 million, net of tax, in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. This gain is being amortized into interest expense over the life of the new notes using the effective yield method.

11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

     The Company’s operations are managed and evaluated through five regions: Eastern, Central, Southern, Southwestern and Western. These five regions are presented below as the Company’s reportable segments. These reportable segments provide integrated waste management services consisting of collection, transfer and disposal of domestic non-hazardous solid waste.

     Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the respective three months ended March 31 is shown in the following table:

														Depreciation,
														Amortization,
		Gross				Intercompany				Net				Depletion and				Operating				Capital				Total
2006		Revenue				Revenue (b)				Revenue				Accretion (c)				Income(d)				Expenditures				Assets
Eastern Region		$	158.4			$	(22.8	)		$	135.6			$	10.8			$	25.3			$	5.6			$	877.5
Central Region			190.1				(42.0	)			148.1				22.9				26.2				6.7				1,118.2
Southern Region			216.1				(22.3	)			193.8				18.2				36.9				9.5				886.4
Southwestern Region			92.5				(10.4	)			82.1				8.8				13.5				6.9				453.7
Western Region			222.5				(44.2	)			178.3				14.8				39.1				7.6				823.2
Corporate Entities (a)			(.4	)			—				(.4	)			1.4				(18.6	)			54.2				312.5
Total		$	879.2			$	(141.7	)		$	737.5			$	76.9			$	122.4			$	90.5			$	4,471.5

														Depreciation,
														Amortization,
		Gross				Intercompany				Net				Depletion and				Operating				Capital				Total
2005		Revenue				Revenue (b)				Revenue				Accretion(c)				Income(d)				Expenditures				Assets
Eastern Region		$	153.2			$	(23.6	)		$	129.6			$	10.5			$	23.5			$	3.9			$	845.3
Central Region			167.5				(36.5	)			131.0				18.1				22.9				7.3				1,071.1
Southern Region			193.3				(20.5	)			172.8				16.9				33.2				9.7				870.0
Southwestern Region			85.2				(8.0	)			77.2				3.4				16.2				4.8				461.4
Western Region			208.5				(44.6	)			163.9				14.8				39.0				8.5				807.2
Corporate Entities (a)			2.7				—				2.7				.9				(15.3	)			16.0				326.0
Total		$	810.4			$	(133.2	)		$	677.2			$	64.6			$	119.5			$	50.2			$	4,381.0

     Total revenue of the Company by revenue source for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 is as follows:

		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
		2006				2005
Collection:
Residential		$	178.0			$	166.6
Commercial			208.3				189.4
Industrial			156.8				136.9
Other			18.1				15.2
Total collection			561.2				508.1
Transfer and disposal			277.9				249.5
Less: Intercompany			(140.5	)			(125.5	)
Transfer and disposal, net			137.4				124.0
Other			38.9				45.1
Revenue		$	737.5			$	677.2

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

     The Company is a party to various general legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. While the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that losses, if any, resulting from the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, unfavorable resolution could affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the quarterly periods in which they are resolved.

Lease Commitments

     The Company and its subsidiaries lease real property, equipment and software under various operating leases with terms from one month to sixteen years.

Unconditional Purchase Commitments

     The Company has various unconditional purchase commitments, consisting primarily of long-term disposal agreements, that require the Company to dispose of a minimum number of tons at certain third-party facilities.

Liability Insurance

     The Company carries general liability, vehicle liability, employment practices liability, pollution liability, directors and officers liability, worker’s compensation and employer’s liability coverage, as well as umbrella liability policies to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits contained in these primary policies. The Company also carries property insurance.

     The Company’s insurance programs for worker’s compensation, general liability, vehicle liability and employee-related health care benefits are effectively self-insured. Claims in excess of self-insurance levels are fully insured subject to policy limits. Accruals are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported.

     The Company’s liabilities for unpaid and incurred but not reported claims at March 31, 2006 (which includes claims for worker’s compensation, general liability, vehicle liability and employee health care benefits) were $155.3 million under its current risk management program and are included in other current and other liabilities in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in management’s opinion, recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims. However, it is possible that recorded reserves may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims. Adjustments, if any, to estimates recorded resulting from ultimate claim payments will be reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods in which such adjustments are known.

Guarantees of Subsidiary Debt

     The Company has guaranteed the tax-exempt bonds of its subsidiaries. If a subsidiary fails to meet its obligations associated with tax-exempt bonds as they come due, the Company will be required to perform under the related guarantee agreement. No additional liability has been recorded for these guarantees because the underlying obligations are reflected in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (For further information, see Note 6, Debt.)

Restricted Cash and Other Financial Guarantees

     In the normal course of business, the Company is required by regulatory agencies, governmental entities and contract parties to post performance bonds, letters of credit and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance. A summary of letters of credit and surety bonds outstanding is as follows:

		March 31,				December 31,
		2006				2005
Letters of credit		$	579.0			$	550.3
Surety bonds			442.2				388.7

     As of March 31, 2006, there were $397.3 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Also, as of March 31, 2006, surety bonds expire on various dates through 2009.

     The Company’s restricted cash deposits include restricted cash held for capital expenditures under certain debt facilities, and restricted cash pledged to regulatory agencies and governmental entities as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance related to its final capping, closure and post-closure obligations at its landfills as follows:

		March 31,				December 31,
		2006				2005
Restricted cash:
Financing proceeds		$	158.2			$	144.9
Financial guarantees			25.7				25.3
Other			85.2				85.1
		$	269.1			$	255.3

Other Matters

     The Company’s business activities are conducted in the context of a developing and changing statutory and regulatory framework. Governmental regulation of the waste management industry requires the Company to obtain and retain numerous governmental permits to conduct various aspects of its operations. These permits are subject to revocation, modification or denial. The costs and other capital expenditures which may be required to obtain or retain the applicable permits or comply with applicable regulations could be significant. Any revocation, modification or denial of permits could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

     The Internal Revenue Service is auditing the Company’s consolidated tax returns for fiscal years 1998 through 2004. Management believes that the tax liabilities recorded are adequate. However, a significant assessment in excess of liabilities recorded against the Company could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included under Item 1. In addition, reference should be made to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Overview of Our Business

     We are a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services in the United States. We provide solid waste collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 140 collection companies in 21 states. We also own or operate 95 transfer stations, 59 solid waste landfills and 32 recycling facilities.

     We generate revenue primarily from our solid waste collection operations. Our remaining revenue is from other services including landfill disposal, recycling, compost, mulch and soil operations.

     The following table reflects our revenue by source for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in millions):

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2006								2005
Collection:
Residential		$	178.0				24.1	%		$	166.6				24.6	%
Commercial			208.3				28.2				189.4				28.0
Industrial			156.8				21.3				136.9				20.2
Other			18.1				2.5				15.2				2.2
Total collection			561.2				76.1				508.1				75.0
Transfer and disposal			277.9								249.5
Less: Intercompany			(140.5	)							(125.5	)
Transfer and disposal, net			137.4				18.6				124.0				18.3
Other			38.9				5.3				45.1				6.7
Revenue		$	737.5				100.0	%		$	677.2				100.0	%

     Our revenue from collection operations consists of fees we receive from commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. Our residential and commercial collection operations in some markets are based on long-term contracts with municipalities. We generally provide industrial and commercial collection services to individual customers under contracts with terms up to three years. Our revenue from landfill operations is from disposal or tipping fees charged to third parties. In general, we integrate our recycling operations with our collection operations and obtain revenue from the sale of recyclable materials. No one customer has individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue or of our reportable segment revenue in any of the periods presented.

     The cost of our collection operations is primarily variable and includes disposal, labor, self-insurance, fuel and equipment maintenance costs. We seek operating efficiencies by controlling the movement of waste from the point of collection through disposal. During the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately 57% and 55%, respectively, of the total volume of waste we collected was disposed of at landfills we own or operate.

     Our landfill costs include daily operating expenses, costs of capital for cell development, costs for final capping, closure and post-closure, and the legal and administrative costs of ongoing environmental compliance. Daily operating expenses include leachate treatment and disposal, methane gas and groundwater monitoring and system maintenance, interim cap maintenance, and costs associated with the application of daily cover materials. We expense all indirect landfill development costs as they are incurred. We use life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method to recognize certain direct landfill costs related to cell development. In life cycle accounting, certain direct costs are capitalized, and charged to expense based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace. These costs include all costs to acquire and construct a site including excavation, natural and synthetic liners, construction of leachate collection systems, installation of methane gas

collection and monitoring systems, installation of groundwater monitoring wells, and other costs associated with the acquisition and development of the site. Obligations associated with final capping, closure and post-closure are capitalized and amortized on a units-of-consumption basis as airspace is consumed.

     Cost and airspace estimates are developed at least annually by engineers. These estimates are used by our operating and accounting personnel to adjust our rates used to expense capitalized costs. Changes in these estimates primarily relate to changes in costs, available airspace, inflation and applicable regulations. Changes in available airspace include changes in design and changes due to the addition of airspace lying in expansion areas that we believe have a probable likelihood of being permitted.

     Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments for the respective three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 is shown in the following table:

						Depreciation,
						Amortization,				Operating
		Net				Depletion and				Income				Operating
2006		Revenue				Accretion				(Loss)				Margin
Eastern Region		$	135.6			$	10.8			$	25.3				18.7	%
Central Region			148.1				22.9				26.2				17.7
Southern Region			193.8				18.2				36.9				19.0
Southwestern Region			82.1				8.8				13.5				16.4
Western Region			178.3				14.8				39.1				21.9
Corporate Entities			(.4	)			1.4				(18.6	)			—
Total		$	737.5			$	76.9			$	122.4				16.6

										SFAS 143
						Depreciation,				Adjustments to
						Amortization,				Amortization
						Depletion and				Expense for				Depreciation,
						Accretion Before				Changes in				Amortization,				Operating
		Net				SFAS 143				Estimates and				Depletion and				Income				Operating
2005		Revenue				Adjustments				Assumptions				Accretion				(Loss)				Margin
Eastern Region		$	129.6			$	10.6			$	(.1	)		$	10.5			$	23.5				18.1	%
Central Region			131.0				19.1				(1.0	)			18.1				22.9				17.5
Southern Region			172.8				17.9				(1.0	)			16.9				33.2				19.2
Southwestern Region			77.2				7.6				(4.2	)			3.4				16.2				21.0
Western Region			163.9				14.4				.4				14.8				39.0				23.8
Corporate Entities			2.7				.9				—				.9				(15.3	)			—
Total		$	677.2			$	70.5			$	(5.9	)		$	64.6			$	119.5				17.6

     Our operations are managed and reviewed through five Regions that we designate as our reportable segments. From 2005 to 2006, operating income increased in almost all of our Regions due to the successful execution of our pricing strategy.

	•		Revenue in our Eastern Region increased during 2006 compared to 2005 due to increases in prices in our collection and landfill lines of business and due to increased volume in our industrial collection and landfill businesses. This increase in revenue was partially offset by the sale of our operations in western New York during the three months ended March 31, 2005. Operating margins increased because of an increase in revenue arising from favorable economic conditions and a relatively mild winter partially offset by higher fuel costs.
	•		In our Central Region, revenue increased during 2006 compared to 2005 due to price increases and volume growth in our collection and landfill lines of business arising from favorable economic conditions and a relatively mild winter. Operating margins increased because of the increase in revenue partially offset by higher fuel costs and an adjustment to landfill amortization expense associated with SFAS 143 recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2005.
	•		Our operations in the Southern Region benefited from price and volume growth in our collection and landfill lines of business. Operating margins decreased because of higher fuel costs and an adjustment to landfill

			amortization expense associated with SFAS 143 recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2005 partially offset by an increase in revenue in 2006.
	•		In our Southwestern Region, revenue increased due to an increase in prices in our collection and landfill lines of business and because of an increase in volume in our collection lines of business. This increase in revenue was partially offset by a decrease in revenue related to the sale of our remediation and heavy construction services business during the fourth quarter of 2005. The decrease in operating margins from 2005 to 2006 is attributable to an adjustment to landfill amortization expense associated with SFAS 143 recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2005.
	•		In our Western Region, revenue increased due to an increase in prices and volume growth in our collection and landfill lines of business. Operating margins decreased from 2005 to 2006 because of increases in insurance expense, fuel, third-party hauling and landfill operating costs.
	•		The increase in operating costs for Corporate Entities from 2005 to 2006 is primarily due to the expansion of our business.

Business Combinations

     We make decisions to acquire or invest in businesses based on financial and strategic considerations. Businesses acquired are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and are included in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

     We acquired various solid waste businesses during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. The aggregate purchase price we paid in these transactions was $3.2 million and $2.5 million in cash, respectively. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2005, we entered into a $53.9 million capital lease related to a landfill.

     We divested of our operations in western New York during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and received proceeds of approximately $29.1 million during 2005. We recorded a gain in 2005 of $3.3 million on the divestiture.

     See Note 4, Business Combinations, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion of business combinations.

Consolidated Results of Operations

     Our net income was $64.6 million, or $.46 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to $65.5 million, or $.43 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2005.

     We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” effective January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective transition method. As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R), we recorded $2.7 million of incremental equity-based compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, our Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of adopting SFAS 123(R). See Note 8, Employee Benefit Plans, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

     The following table summarizes our costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in millions):

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2006								2005
Revenue		$	737.5				100.0	%		$	677.2				100.0	%
Cost of operations			456.4				61.9				418.7				61.8
Depreciation, amortization and depletion of property and equipment			71.3				9.7				59.4				8.8
Amortization of intangible assets			1.8				.2				1.7				.3
Accretion			3.8				.5				3.5				.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses			81.8				11.1				74.4				11.0
Operating income		$	122.4				16.6	%		$	119.5				17.6	%

     Revenue. Revenue was $737.5 million and $677.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, an increase of 8.9%. The following table reflects the components of our revenue growth for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005:

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2006				2005
Core price			3.1	%			2.3	%
Fuel surcharges			1.3				.5
Environmental fees			.4				—
Recycling commodities			(.5	)			.2
Total price			4.3				3.0
Core volume			4.9				2.4
Non-core volume			.2				—
Total volume			5.1				2.4
Total internal growth			9.4				5.4
Acquisitions, net of divestitures			(.6	)			.9
Taxes (a)			.1				—
Total revenue growth			8.9	%			6.3	%