Winter Brothers Waste Systems

The story of Winters Bros. Waste Systems begins in the 1950s, rooted in a small, local trash-hauling business started on Long Island by James “Big Jim” Winters and his brother, Joe. This was a family affair, with Big Jim’s five sons—Sean, Joe, Jimmy, Michael, and Andrew—all joining the business over time. When their father retired in the late 1980s, the brothers took the helm, building on the foundation of hard work and customer service their family had established. The company’s journey involved several strategic cycles of selling and repurchasing assets. In a notable move, the family sold the business to IESI in 2007 for $263 million. However, their departure wasn't permanent. Led by the late CEO Joe Winters, who tragically passed away in 2021, they re-entered the market. In 2015, in partnership with a private equity firm, they bought back the Long Island operations they had previously sold, re-establishing their significant presence. This move marked a period of renewed growth through acquisitions and a focus on expanding recycling infrastructure. The final chapter for the independent company came in July 2024. Winters Bros. was acquired by the industry giant WM (formerly Waste Management) for $550 million. The deal included numerous hauling operations, 12 transfer stations, and recycling facilities across Long Island. At the time of the sale, the company was the largest independent hauler on Long Island, employing over 500 people. This acquisition marked the end of an era for the family-run business, integrating its extensive regional network into WM's national platform.