HAULER OF WASTE — Waste Pro uses trucks like this one to collect and haul away household garbage. Waste Pro is the contracted waste company serving Lake Helen, Deltona and DeBary and was recently recognized as the fourth-largest family-owned company in Central Florida.
Longwood-based Waste Pro has been recognized as the fourth-largest family-owned company in Central Florida, according to Orlando Business Journal.
John Jennings, board chairman of Waste Pro, founded the company in 2001. He is the son of an Irish immigrant who worked as a garbageman on Long Island, New York.
Under Jennings’ leadership, Waste Pro quickly became one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, with revenues expected to top $900 million in 2022.
Waste Pro is the contracted garbage hauler in Lake Helen, Deltona and DeBary as part of its operations in 11 Southeastern states. Overall, Waste Pro serves more than 2 million customers throughout the Southeast, employing more than 4,000 people, with a fleet of over 3,000 trucks operating out of 80 locations.
John Jennings’ son, Sean Jennings, followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. He grew up in the garbage business and, upon graduating from The University of Alabama, began his career working in collection and landfill disposal in Costa Rica for a year before returning to the United States.
Sean Jennings continued to work in operations and landfill construction in Georgia and Mississippi before officially joining Waste Pro in 2014 as division manager in Tampa/Clearwater and later in Sarasota. He currently serves as president and CEO. In 2018, Orlando Business Journal recognized him in its annual 40 Under 40 list.
“I’m proud to be recognized as a strong, family-owned company,” Sean said. “We want our team to feel like they are more than just a cog in a machine. We want to recognize and reward our employees who get involved in their communities or practice safe habits — [and] support them in a way that family does.”
In fact, Waste Pro is on pace to award more than $1 million in Driver and Helper Safety Awards this year.
As driver shortages continue to impact the waste industry, Waste Pro has celebrated its dedicated team of drivers and helpers who prioritize service to its customers and continue to make safety a priority. In 2021, more than 100 drivers and helpers earned the $10,000 Award, which is offered to drivers, and the $5,000 Award, which is offered to helpers.
Waste Pro began offering the Driver Safety Award in 2004 and the Helper Safety Award in 2019. To date, more than 500 drivers and helpers have earned the awards, many of whom have earned them multiple times — more than 700 awards have been distributed.
To earn the award, drivers must go three years without an at-fault accident, injury or property damage, have a record of excellent customer service, maintain a well-kept truck, and have a strong attendance record. Helpers must meet similar requirements to be eligible.
Orlando Business Journal also recognized Waste Pro as the third-largest privately owned company in Central Florida in 2021. That same year, industry magazine Waste Today recognized Waste Pro as the nation’s largest private waste hauler, and 11th-largest overall.
Waste Pro USA Inc. is one of the country’s fastest-growing privately owned waste collection, recycling, processing, and disposal companies. Waste Pro is headquartered in Longwood, and maintains approximately 300 exclusive municipal contracts and franchises.
To learn more about the company, go to www.wasteprousa.com.
