LRS acquires Chicago area firm Environmental Recycling & Disposal

Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) a leading Midwest independent waste, recycling and portable services provider, has acquired Environmental Recycling & Disposal and its Moen Transfer Station, a family-owned and operated business serving Will County, Illinois, for more than 25 years.

This transaction demonstrates LRS’ continued investment in leading independent businesses across the Midwest that share its core values, according to the company. With strategic acquisitions like these, LRS says it aims to elevate the benchmark of customer service excellence in sustainable waste services, effectively catering to the diverse needs of residents, businesses and municipalities.

Established in 1998, Environmental has built a reputation on grassroots principles, prioritizing customer satisfaction through honest pricing and reliable service throughout Chicago’s southwest suburbs, LRS says. LRS will bring its range of expertise, with a focus on expanding recycling platforms, to bolster the services provided for Will County. The acquisition will encompass Environmental’s 10 existing municipal contracts, bringing 30,000 residential customers and 4,200 business accounts to LRS’ rapidly expanding clientele.

The Environmental success story extends beyond traditional waste and recycling collections, LRS says . The team completed the first successful municipal solid waste (MSW) transfer station permit process in Will County in 25 years, paving the way for the opening of the Moen Transfer Station in 2020 and positioning Environmental as the partner of choice for the waste management needs of the rapidly growing county and surrounding areas.

“From their humble beginnings in 1998 to becoming one of the leading Chicagoland haulers, one thing about Environmental has stood the test of time: an unwavering commitment to their community and their people,” LRS Chief Operating Officer John Larsen says. “It is a true privilege to acquire this great business, and we are honored by the Ipema family for entrusting LRS to carry the torch forward. We eagerly look forward to welcoming the Environmental employees to the LRS family and serving as a partner to the communities of Will County as they continue their historic economic growth.”

The Ipema family, which owns Environmental, expresses its enthusiasm for the new chapter with LRS, stating, “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting new chapter with LRS. LRS not only shares our unwavering passion for exceptional customer service but also demonstrates a steadfast commitment to delivering reliable waste management solutions. Through this new partnership, we are pleased to continue supporting our customers with unparalleled waste removal services.”

This acquisition comes on the heels of what LRS says was a transformative start to 2023, which included the regionalization of all company operations, the opening of The Exchange, a material recovery facility (MRF) in the Chicagoland area, and the largest acquisition in the company’s history—Michiana Recycling and Disposal.