56211 - Waste Collection

When it comes to government contracting and business classification, NAICS Code 56211 – Waste Collection plays a crucial role within the waste management industry. Whether you're a business owner, government contractor, or researcher, understanding this NAICS code can help you identify opportunities, comply with regulations, and accurately define your business operations. In this post, we’ll dive deep into what NAICS 56211 entails, its sector, typical business activities, size standards, and much more.

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What is NAICS Code 56211 – Waste Collection?

NAICS Code 56211 refers to businesses and establishments primarily involved in the collection and disposal of waste materials from various sources including residential, commercial, and industrial. This classification covers the gathering, hauling, and initial disposal processes for nonhazardous solid waste, recyclable materials, and other refuse.

Key Aspects Covered by NAICS 56211:

• Collection of household garbage and waste
• Commercial waste hauling and disposal
• Collection of recyclable materials like paper, plastics, and metals
• Municipal waste pickup and processing

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Sector: Waste Management and Remediation Services

NAICS 56211 is classified under the broader sector:

• Sector: Waste Management and Remediation Services (NAICS Sector 56)
• This sector includes establishments engaged in waste collection, treatment, disposal, and environmental remediation services.

Within this sector, businesses classified under NAICS 56211 primarily focus on waste collection, serving as a critical link between waste generation and further environmental processing or disposal.

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Typical Business Types and Activities Under NAICS 56211

Businesses that fall under the Waste Collection NAICS code commonly undertake tasks such as:

• Residential Garbage Collection Services – Providing waste pickup from homes and neighborhood units.
• Commercial Waste Hauling – Collecting waste and refuse from offices, retail establishments, restaurants, and industrial complexes.
• Recyclable Material Collection Services – Focusing on gathering recyclable materials for processing, including glass, paper, and plastic retrieval.
• Municipal Waste Collection Contractors – Often working with city or county governments for public waste collection services.

These services are fundamental to maintaining public health and environmental sustainability.

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Size Standards for NAICS 56211 Eligibility

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sets size standards to determine whether a business qualifies as a small business under a specific NAICS code for government contracting purposes:

• NAICS Code: 56211
• Size Standard: 500 employees (standard size threshold)

This means a business with 500 or fewer employees is considered a small business under NAICS 56211, making it potentially eligible for small business government contracting programs.

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Detailed NAICS 56211 Code Information Table

Attribute	Description
NAICS Code	56211
Title	Waste Collection
Sector	Waste Management and Remediation Services (Sector 56)
Description	Collection and disposal of nonhazardous solid waste, recyclable materials, and refuse from residential, commercial, and industrial sources
Typical Business Activities	Residential garbage collection, commercial waste hauling, recyclable material collection
Size Standard	500 employees
Examples of Businesses	Local garbage haulers, commercial dumpsters services, recycling collection companies

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Examples of Businesses Under NAICS Code 56211

• Residential Garbage Collection Companies: Companies that provide curbside pickup and trash disposal services for households.
• Commercial Waste Hauling Firms: Businesses that supply dumpsters and waste pickup for stores, restaurants, factories, and offices.
• Recycling Collection Services: Firms specializing in the collection of recyclable materials from different types of generators and delivering to recycling centers.
• Municipal Contractors: Companies contracted by cities to manage and collect municipal solid waste.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About NAICS Code 56211

1. What types of waste are collected under NAICS 56211?

Primarily nonhazardous solid waste, including household garbage, commercial refuse, and recyclable materials.

2. Does NAICS 56211 include hazardous waste collection?

No, hazardous waste collection generally falls under a different NAICS code.

3. How can a business qualify as small under NAICS 56211?

By employing 500 or fewer employees and meeting SBA size standards.

4. Is recycling collection considered part of NAICS 56211?

Yes, businesses collecting recyclable materials are categorized under this code.

5. Can municipal waste collection contractors be classified under NAICS 56211?

Absolutely. Many municipal waste services fall within this classification.

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Conclusion

Understanding NAICS Code 56211 – Waste Collection is essential for businesses involved in waste hauling and disposal. Whether you’re offering residential garbage pickup, commercial waste hauling, or recyclable collection, this classification helps ensure accurate business categorization, contract bidding, and market identification. Always review the SBA size standards and federal requirements to maximize your opportunities in this critical sector of the economy.

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Keywords: NAICS Code 56211, Waste Collection, Waste Management, Solid Waste Collection, Commercial Waste Hauling, Recycling Collection, SBA Size Standards, Government Contracting Waste Services, Environmental Services