Wrapping up Q2 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the waste management stocks, including Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC) and its peers.

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 Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8%.

While some waste management stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.3% since the latest earnings results.

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 $64.07 million, up 7.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 9.4% since reporting and currently trades at $1.39.

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

Best Q2: 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 $1.74 billion, up 11.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Clean Harbors achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat in the group. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 7.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $325.32.

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

Weakest Q2: Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI)

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

Perma-Fix reported revenues of $12.89 million, down 11.7% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 11% since the results and currently trades at $17.30.

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

Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ: CWST)

Starting with the founder picking up garbage with a pickup truck he purchased using savings from high school, Casella (NASDAQ: CWST) offers waste management services for businesses, residents, and the government.

Casella Waste Systems reported revenues of $543.7 million, up 16.9% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.5%. It was a strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and full-year revenue guidance slightly topping analysts’ expectations.

Casella Waste Systems achieved the fastest revenue growth and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is up 2.8% since reporting and currently trades at $92.99.

Read our full, actionable report on Casella Waste Systems here, it’s free.

Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN)

Operating a network of municipal solid waste landfills in the U.S. and Canada, Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) is North America's third-largest waste management company providing collection, disposal, and recycling services.

Waste Connections reported revenues of $2.56 billion, up 6.4% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $168.17.

Read our full, actionable report on Waste Connections here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.