Clean Harbors to Build New $55 Million LA Hub
The waste services company will consolidate six local facilities into a single site to improve regional operations.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Home Cleaning
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Clean Harbors is moving to consolidate six local operations into a new $55 million Los Angeles hub. The company also announced a leadership transition, with Eric Gerstenberg becoming sole CEO next year as co-CEO Mike Battles moves to a strategic advisory role.
Why it matters
The consolidation aims to generate $7 million in annual lease savings while expanding regional e-waste and wastewater treatment services. This shift reflects the company's efforts to streamline local infrastructure following its high-profile $120 million cleanup of the Boyle Heights warehouse fire.
Clean Harbors projects the new facility will drive significant efficiency, adding to a year that included remediating 75,000 tons of waste in Boyle Heights. The company raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance midpoint by $80 million to $1.46 billion.
The players
Clean Harbors
A provider of environmental and industrial services known for hazardous waste management and the Safety-Kleen oil recycling brand.
Eric Gerstenberg
The incoming sole CEO of Clean Harbors who has been with the organization since 1989.
Mike Battles
The current co-CEO of Clean Harbors who will transition to a strategic advisory role in 2027.
The details
The strategy centers on moving away from fragmented regional locations to a centralized hub model. This approach is intended to lower overhead costs while allowing for more complex service offerings like specialized wastewater processing. The company utilizes a charge-for-oil model through its Safety-Kleen brand, which will integrate into the expanded service capacity of the new site.
Timeline
1989: Eric Gerstenberg began his tenure at Clean Harbors.
March 2023: Gerstenberg and Battles were appointed co-CEOs.
October 2026: The company announced the new hub site and executive leadership changes.
2027: Mike Battles transitions into his new strategic advisory role.
The Home Front
The regional consolidation marks a shift toward centralized waste management hubs in major metropolitan markets. This strategy builds on the operational patterns established by the Clean Harbors charge-for-oil model to improve local service delivery.
Residents should watch for updates on how the new hub’s e-waste and specialized services may eventually improve local recycling options. The site consolidation is a high-level operational change that does not require immediate action from homeowners.
The takeaway
The move to a centralized Los Angeles hub signifies a broader effort by the company to optimize its regional service infrastructure. Residents can monitor local waste service updates to see if new e-waste options become available once the site begins operations.
Further reading
For more on keeping your household environment safe and organized, visit Home Cleaning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Waste Dive.
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