Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter revenue was $2.228 billion, exceeding the high end of the outlook and up $155 million or 7.5% year-over-year [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $712.2 million, up 9.5% year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 32%, above the outlook and up 60 basis points year-over-year [28][29] - Adjusted free cash flow for Q1 was $332.1 million, in line with expectations [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core solid waste pricing increased by 6.9%, with total pricing at 6.7%, reflecting a reduction in fuel and material surcharges [22] - Solid waste volumes decreased by 2.8%, with 50 basis points attributable to weather impacts [23][24] - Special waste activity increased by 6%, while construction and demolition (C&D) tons decreased by 6% [25][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported that cardboard and renewable energy credits values were down about 20% year-over-year, with prices for OCC averaging $105 per ton and RINs averaging $2.45 [27] - The company has seen no significant impacts from tariffs or geopolitical concerns on solid waste organic growth [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on price-led organic growth and acquisition activity, with a strong emphasis on employee retention and safety performance [4][10] - The company is on pace for a busy year in M&A, with annualized revenues from closed acquisitions already over $125 million [17][18] - The company aims to maintain a leverage ratio of 2.3 times debt to EBITDA, positioning itself well for continued acquisition activity [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties, reiterating the full-year 2025 outlook for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted free cash flow [36] - The company has not seen significant changes in trends that would alter the outlook for 2025, despite broader economic uncertainties [36] Other Important Information - The company received a rating upgrade from Moody's to A3, reflecting its strong track record [19] - Employee retention improved for the tenth consecutive quarter, with voluntary turnover down to below 12% [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of HSR changes on M&A - Management noted that the HSR filing process has become more lengthy and expensive, but 99% of their deals do not require HSR filings, so they do not expect delays in M&A [44][45] Question: Volume decline and weather impact - Management confirmed that the 2.8% volume decline included a 50 basis point impact from weather and that normalized volumes showed sequential improvement [48][50] Question: Landfill tons in April - Management reported that the last four-week average total tons were up 4.5%, with year-to-date tons up exactly 3% [52] Question: Driving factors behind safety improvements - Management attributed record low safety incident rates to cultural changes and improved coaching effectiveness, with technology playing a supportive role [55][56] Question: Changes in RNG landscape - Management indicated no meaningful changes in the RNG landscape, with existing facilities showing stable RIN prices [65][66] Question: Core pricing and retention trends - Management confirmed that core pricing guidance remains unchanged, with better price retention observed year-to-date compared to the previous year [70][72] Question: Q2 margin guidance - Management explained that Q2 margins are expected to face greater headwinds from commodities compared to Q1, leading to a slight decrease in year-over-year margin expansion [85][86] Question: Special waste and C&D volume trends - Management noted that special waste and C&D volumes are cyclical and can be influenced by economic activity, with current trends showing some delays in job starts due to uncertainty [120][121]