UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

US ECOLOGY, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Jeffrey R. Feeler
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Boise, Idaho
April 21, 2016

11, 2018

All Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in person. Even if you have given your proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and elect to revoke your proxy.

PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO VOTE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING UNLESS YOU FIRST OBTAIN A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME FROM THE RECORD HOLDER.

US ECOLOGY, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 2, 2016MAY 22, 2018

PROXY STATEMENT

        The Board of Directors ("Board" or "Board of Directors") of US Ecology, Inc. ("Company") is soliciting proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on June 2, 2016,May 22, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, at the US Ecology, Inc.—Regional Office,, 17440 College Parkway, Suite 300, Livonia, Michigan 48152, including any adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Meeting" or the "Annual Meeting"). We intend to mail a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials ("Notice") and to make this Proxy Statement available to our stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting on or about April 22, 2016.11, 2018.

PROXY SOLICITATION AND VOTING INFORMATION

        In accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to each stockholder of record, we will furnish proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement, the proxy card, and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152017 ("Annual Report"), to our stockholders by providing access to such documents on the Internet.Stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless requested. Instead, the Notice will inform stockholders how they may access and review all of the proxy materials. The Notice will also inform stockholders how to submit a proxy through the Internet. If you wish to receive a paper copy or e-mail copy of your proxy materials, please follow the instructions in the Notice for requesting such materials. We will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. If you choose to access the proxy materials and/or vote over the Internet, however, you are responsible for any Internet access charges you may incur.

        If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. A ballot will be provided to you upon your arrival. If you do not wish to vote in person or you will not be attending the Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy over the Internet, by telephone or by mail. The procedures for voting by proxy are as follows:

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To vote by proxy on theInternet, go to www.proxyvote.com to complete an electronic proxy card.



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To vote by proxy by telephone, dial the toll free number listed on your proxy card using atouch-tone telephone and follow the recorded instructions.



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To vote by proxy using amailing card (if you received a printed copy of these proxy materials by mail), complete, sign, and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided.

        All shares represented by duly executed proxies on the accompanying form received prior to the Meeting will be voted in the manner specified therein. Any stockholder granting a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by filing with the Secretary of the Company either an instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any stockholder present at the Meeting who expresses a desire to vote shares in person may also revoke his or her proxy. For any matter for which no choice has been specified in a duly executed proxy, the shares represented will be votedFOR each of the nominees for director listed herein,FOR the ratification of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm,FOR the compensation as disclosed in the Compensation"Compensation Discussion and AnalysisAnalysis" section and the accompanying compensation tables contained in this Proxy Statement

and, with respect to any other business that may properly come before the Meeting, at the discretion of the persons named in the proxy.

        The Company is providing Internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares on-line using procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your voting instructions.If you vote by proxy on the Internet or by telephone, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 1, 2016,May 21, 2018, to be counted.

        The Annual Report is being furnished with this Proxy Statement to stockholders of record as of April 8, 2016.March 29, 2018. The Annual Report does not constitute a part of the proxy solicitation materials except as otherwise provided by the rules of the SEC, or as expressly provided for herein.

OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS

        The Board of Directors of the Company fixed April 8, 2016March 29, 2018 as the record date ("Record Date") for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On the Record Date there were 21,759,86021,923,691 shares of common stock issued, outstanding, and entitled to vote. The Company has no other voting securities outstanding. Each stockholder of record is entitled to one vote per share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, except that in electing directors each stockholder is entitled to cumulate his or her votes and give any one candidate an aggregate number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected (6)(8), multiplied by the number of his or her shares, or to distribute such aggregate number of votes among as many candidates as he or she chooses. For a stockholder to exercise cumulative voting rights, the stockholder must give notice of his or her intention to cumulatively vote prior to the Meeting or at the Meeting in person, prior to voting. If any stockholder has given such notice, all stockholders may cumulatively vote. The holders of proxies will have authority to cumulatively vote and allocate such votes in their discretion to one or more of the director nominees. The holders of the proxies solicited do not intend to cumulatively vote the shares they represent unless a stockholder indicates his or her intent to do so, in which instance they intend to cumulatively vote all the shares they hold by proxy in favor ofas indicated by the director nominees identified herein.stockholder.

        The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock on the Record Date entitled to vote at the Meeting in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. In accordance with the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws, an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is required for approval of all matters. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not included in the determination of the number of votes cast at the Meeting, but are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Company's business, property, and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Although the Company's non-employee directors are not involved in day-to-day operations, they are kept informed of the Company's business through written financial and operations reports and other documents provided to them from time to time by the officers of the Company,management, as well as by operating, financial, and other reports presented by the officers of the Companymanagement in preparation for, and at meetings of, the Board of Directors and the three standing committees of the Board of Directors.

        The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the Company's corporate governance and it is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to ensure that the Company complies with federal securities laws and regulations, including those promulgated under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

        The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Other Executive Officers as well as a Code of Ethics for Directors (collectively the "Codes

of Ethics"), which have been filed with the SEC andare posted on the Company's website at www.usecology.com. Please note that none of the information on the Company's website is incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement. There have been no waivers to the Codes of Ethics since their adoption. Any future waivers or changes to the Codes of Ethics would be disclosed on the Company's website.website in accordance with SEC rules.

        Independence.    The Company is required by NASDAQ listing standards to have a majority of independent directors. The Board of Directors has determined that the following directors are independent as defined by the applicable NASDAQ standards: Joe F. Colvin, Katina Dorton, Glenn A. Eisenberg, Daniel Fox, Ronald C. Keating, Stephen A. Romano, and John T. Sahlberg. The Board of Directors has determined that each of these directors is free of any relationship that would interfere with his or her exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Mr. Feeler is the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and therefore not considered independent under the applicable NASDAQ standards. The Board of Directors also determined that David M. Lusk, who is currently a director of the Company but who is not standing for reelection at the Annual Meeting, is independent under such standards.

        Meetings of the Board of Directors.    During the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, the Board of Directors held fivefour regularly scheduled meetings. SixThree special meetings of the Board were also held. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by the committees on which he or she served. Director attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is encouraged but not required. All directors who stood for election at the 20152017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 27, 201523, 2017 attended that meeting. It is the policy of the Board to hold regularan executive sessionssession at each regularly scheduled Board meeting where non-employee directors meet without management participation. The Board of Directors met in executive session without management present at all regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings in fiscal year 2015.2017.

        Risk OversightOversight..    The Board of Directors oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance, and enhance stockholder value while managing risk. A fundamental part of risk management is not only understanding the risks a companythe Company faces and what steps management is taking to understand and manage those risks, but also evaluating what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The involvement of the full Board of Directors in setting the Company's business strategy is a key part of its assessment of management's risk tolerance and determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for the Company. The full Board of Directors participates in and discusses the results of an annual enterprise risk management assessment, which is monitored and coordinated by the Company's Audit Committee. In this process, risk is assessed throughout the business, focusing on threefive primary areas of risk: financial, legal, operational, strategic, and information technology. At each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting, changes to the Company's risk legal/compliance risk and operational/strategic risk.environment are discussed.

        While the Board of Directors has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, committees of the Board also have responsibility for certain aspects of risk management. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including internal controls. In setting compensation, the Compensation Committee strives to create incentives and equity ownership programs that will align the interests of management with the interests of stockholders and encourage an appropriate level of risk-taking behavior consistent with the Company's business strategy.

        Board of Directors Assessment and Board Evaluation.    The Company conductsbelieves that good governance requires a focus on continual improvement of each director and the Board as a whole. Annually, at the Board's direction, an annual assessment and inventory of the risk management process whichskills of the directors and the performance of each of the directors and the Board as a whole is monitoredconducted. The Board solicits each director's evaluation of the skills and coordinated byperformance of each of the Company's Audit Committee,directors in different categories. Each category is rated and the findingsratings are then compiled and averaged. The Board reviews the results of which are reportedthe evaluations and identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses and action items to improve the performance and effectiveness of the Board.

        Committees of the Board of Directors.    The three standing committees of the Board of Directors are the Audit, Corporate Governance, and Compensation Committees.

        Audit Committee—The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Fox and Sahlberg, and Ms. Dorton. Mr. Fox is the chairman.committee chair. The Audit Committee, which met foursix times in 2015,2017, has duties that include the following:

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Reviewing the proposed plan and scope of the Company's annual audit, as well as the audit results, and reviewing and approving the selection of and services provided by the Company's independent registered public accountant and its fees;

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Meeting with management to assure the adequacy of accounting principles, financial controls, and policies;



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Reviewing transactions, if any, that may present a conflict of interest on the part of management or individual directors;



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Meeting at least quarterly to review financial results, discuss financial statements and SEC reporting, and make recommendations to the Board;



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OverseeingMonitoring and coordinating enterprise-wide approach to risk management;



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MonitoringReviewing and discussing with management the Company's compliance programs;



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Reaffirming, on a quarterly basis, the Board-approved dividend policy and confirming that cash flows are legally sufficient to support dividend payments prior to declaration;based on financial information provided by management; and



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Reviewing the independent registered public accountant's recommendations for internal controls, adequacy of staff, and management performance concerning audit and financial controls.

        The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Fox and Sahlberg, and Ms. Dorton meetmeets the independence requirements for Audit Committee service set forth in the applicable rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and that each of Mr. Fox and Ms. Dorton qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K. The written charter for the Audit Committee is available on the Company's website at www.usecology.com.

        Corporate Governance Committee—The current members of the Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Colvin and Fox, and Ms. Dorton. Ms. Dorton is the chairman.committee chair. The Corporate Governance Committee, which met twofour times in 2015,2017, fulfills the requirement of a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors as required by the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending qualified and experienced individuals to fill vacancies and potential new director seats if the Board is expanded. On March 3, 2016,1, 2018, the Corporate Governance Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors discussed and approved, the sixeight director nominees standing for election at the Annual Meeting, fiveseven of whom the Board of Directors has determined are independent as defined by the applicable NASDAQ standards.

        The Corporate Governance Committee does not have a stated policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, but rather evaluates candidates based upon various factors, including, but not limited to:

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Integrity;



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Education and business experience;



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Broad-based business acumen;



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Understanding of the Company's business, industry, and related regulatory environment; and



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Expertise.Expertise in a particular skill(s) determined to be important through the Board of Directors Assessment and Board Evaluation process.

The Company believes that consideration of these and other factors leads to a Board consisting of individuals with viewpoints, professional experience, education, skills, and other qualities that contribute to Board heterogeneity. The Corporate Governance Committee and Board evaluated the qualifications of the Board as a whole, considering a number of key skills. The Corporate Governance Committee concluded that the individuals nominated to stand for election at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders collectively offer a mix of skills, expertise, and experience that is well suited to the Company's needs. The written charter for the Corporate Governance Committee is available on the Company's website at www.usecology.com.

        Compensation Committee—The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Colvin, FoxKeating, and Sahlberg. Mr. ColvinSahlberg is the chairman.committee chair. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Colvin, FoxKeating, and Sahlberg meets the independence requirements for Compensation Committee service set forth by the applicable rules under the Exchange Act and NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee, which met fivethree times in 2015,2017, oversees the Company's overall compensation policies, reviews and approves performance targets for the Company's incentive compensation programs, designs and administers the Company's equity compensation plans, and reviews and approves the compensation of each of the Named Executive Officers, including the amount of base salary, incentive compensation, and equity compensation payable. The Compensation Committee also makes recommendations to the Board regarding compensation of the Boarddirectors and performs other Board-delegated functions. The written charter for the Compensation Committee is available on the Company's website at www.usecology.com.

        Board Leadership StructureStructure..    Each year the Board selects a Chairman of the Board and a Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman of the Board is responsible for helping establish the Company's strategic priorities, presiding over Board meetings, and communicating the Board's guidance to management. The Chief Executive Officer, on the other hand, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Company's operations and business and reports directly to the Board.

        During the 2015-20162017-2018 Board year, the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer were both held by Mr. Feeler. Mr. Feeler has been with the Company for nearlyover a decade, which has given him a unique understanding of the environmental services industry, market trends, and the Company's strategic position, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as day-to-day operational details. The Board believes that these attributes make Mr. Feeler uniquely qualified to serve in both positions and helps the Board and management operate in an efficient and effective manner.

        The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines specify that when the Chairman of the Board also serves as an employee of the Company, the Chairmanchair of the Corporate Governance Committee shall serve as "Lead Independent Director" and, among other things, serve as a liaison between the non-independent chairman and the independent directors; review and approve the schedule, agenda, and materials for all meetings of the Board; chair executive sessions of the independent Board members at scheduled Board meetings without the non-independent chairman present; provide consultation and direct communication to major stockholders, if requested; and call special meetings of the independent Board membersdirectors if needed. From the date of Mr. Feeler's appointment toas Chairman of the Board on May 27, 2015, Ms. Dorton has served as Lead Independent Director.

        Although the Board believes that thisthe current leadership structure is currently in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, the Board will, from time to time,each year, reevaluate whether to separate the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.

SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

        In accordance with SEC rules and regulations, the Company must receive stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials and for consideration at the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ("20172019 Annual Meeting")no later than December 12, 20168, 2018. Any such proposals

are requested to be submitted to Wayne R. Ipsen, Secretary, US Ecology, Inc., 251 E. Front St.101 S. Capitol Blvd., Suite 400,1000, Boise, Idaho 83702 and should comply with the SEC rules governing stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in proxy materials.

        Stockholders may also submit recommendations for nominees for director to Wayne R. Ipsen, Secretary, US Ecology, Inc., 251 E. Front St.101 S. Capitol Blvd., Suite 400,1000, Boise, Idaho 83702. Recommendations are requestedno later than December 12, 20168, 2018 for consideration by the Corporate Governance Committee for the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Meeting. In considering any nominee proposed by a stockholder, the Corporate Governance Committee will apply the same criteria it uses in evaluating all director candidates. Nominees should reflect suitable expertise, skills, attributes, and personal and professional backgrounds for service as a director of the Company.

        Other stockholder communications to the Board of Directors may be sent at any time to US Ecology, Inc., c/o Wayne R. Ipsen, Secretary, 251 E. Front St.101 S. Capitol Blvd., Suite 400,1000, Boise, Idaho 83702. Management intends to summarize and present all such communications to the Board of Directors.

        The SEC has promulgated rules relating to the exercise of discretionary voting authority under proxies solicited by the Board of Directors. If a stockholder intends to present a proposal at the 20172019 Annual Meeting without inclusion of that proposal in the Company's proxy materials and written notice of the proposal is not received by theWayne R. Ipsen, Secretary of the Company, by March 8, 2017February 26, 2019 (the date that is forty-five (45) days before the one year anniversary on which the Company first sent its proxy materials for this Annual Meeting), or if the Company meets other requirements of the applicable SEC rules, the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the 20172019 Annual Meeting will confer discretionary authority to vote on the proposal should it then be raised at the 20172019 Annual Meeting.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

PROPOSAL NO. 1

        At the Meeting, the sixeight director nominees receiving the greatest number of votes cast will be elected, provided, that each nominee receives a majority of the votes cast. Directors so elected will hold office until the next2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their death, resignation or removal, in which case the Board of Directors may or may not appoint a successor. It is the intent of the persons named in the proxy, Jeffrey R. Feeler and Wayne R. Ipsen, to vote proxies that are not marked to the contrary for the director nominees named below. If any nominee is unable to serve, the named proxies may, in their discretion, vote for any or all other persons who may be nominated.

        The Corporate Governance Committee recommended sixeight directors to stand for election to the Board of Directors. All nominees have agreed to serve if elected. During 2015,2017, the Company did not receive any nominee recommendations from stockholders.stockholders for consideration by the Corporate Governance Committee for this Annual Meeting.

Nominees for Directors

        Joe F. Colvin joined the Board of Directors in 2008. He is a former senior executive with more than forty (40) years of experience in the nuclear energy field. Mr. Colvin serves ason the Chairman, President and Chief Executive OfficerBoard of Directors of The Club at Las Campanas, a private golf, tennis, and equestrian country club in Santa Fe, New Mexico (2012), and on the Board of Directors of the School for Advanced Research, a non-profit organization whose mission is to conduct innovative research and offer public education focused on the study of human societies (2016). He previously served as a director of Cameco Corporation (1999-2015) and the American Nuclear Society (2007-2012), an organization in which he served as President from 2011-2012. He is also President Emeritus of the Nuclear Energy Institute, Inc. ("NEI"), serving since 2005 and having previously served in various executive positions with the NEI, including President and Chief Executive Officer (1996 to 2005)(1996-2005) and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (1994 to 1996)(1994-1996). Mr. Colvin previously held senior management positions with the Nuclear Management and Resources Committee and the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations. Mr. Colvin served twenty (20) years as a line officer with the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine program.

        The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Colvin is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive senior management experience, deep knowledge of the nuclear industry, and participation on the boards of large public and private organizations.

        Katina Dorton joined the Board of Directors in 2014. She is currently Chief Financial Officer of AVROBIO, a biotechnology company (2017). Ms. Dorton served as Chief Financial Officer of Immatics GmbH, also a biotechnology company.company, from 2015-2017. From 2011-2015, Ms. Dorton was the principle owner of Doric LLC, an advisory firm, where she provided consulting services to public and private companies in the areas of M&A and strategic finance. She previously served as Managing Director at Needham & Co., Managing Director-Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley, and as an attorney in private practice at Sullivan & Cromwell. Ms. Dorton has more than twenty (20) years of investment banking experience advising corporate clients and their boards on capital markets, fund raising, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic transactions. She previously served as Managing Director at Needham & Co., Managing Director-Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley, and as an attorney in private practice at Sullivan & Cromwell. Ms. Dorton holds a J.D.JD from the University of Virginia School of Law, an M.B.A.MBA from George Washington University, and a B.A.BA from Duke University.

        The Board of Directors concluded that Ms. Dorton is qualified to serve as a director because of her extensive knowledge of strategic finance, over twenty (20) years of investment banking experience, senior management experience, and experience as a practicing attorney.

Glenn A. Eisenberg joined the Board of Directors in 2018. He is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (NYSE: LH) (2014), a leading global life sciences company. Mr. Eisenberg brings more than thirty (30) years of financial and leadership experience with sizeable and diversified publicly traded companies. He previously served as Executive Vice President (Finance and Administration) at The Timken Company (2002-2014) and held senior executive and leadership positions at United Dominion Industries (1990-2001) and The Citizens and Southern Corporation (1985-1990). In addition to these executive leadership positions, Mr. Eisenberg served on the boards of two public companies: Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (2002-2015) and Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (2005-2015). Mr. Eisenberg holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Georgia State University and a BA in Economics and Environmental Studies from Tulane University.

The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Eisenberg is qualified to serve as a director because of his senior executive and board member experience with publicly traded companies and expertise in finance, accounting, capital structures, M&A, corporate governance, and investor relations.

        Jeffrey R. Feeler joined the Board of Directors in 2013, was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2015, and is the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. He joined the Company in 2006 as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer, and Controller. He was promoted in 2007 to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; positions he held until his promotion to senior executive in

October 2012. Prior to 2006, Mr. Feeler held financial and accounting management positions with MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. (a distribution company), from 2003 to 2005 with Albertson's, Inc. (a grocery retailer), and from 2002 to 2003 with Hewlett-Packard Company. From 1993 to 2003,2002, he held various accounting and auditing positions, including the position of Sr. Manager, for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Feeler is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BBA of Accounting and a BBA of Finance from Boise State University.

        The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Feeler is qualified to serve as a director because of his intimate knowledge of the Company's business operations and the industry in which it competes. Mr. Feeler also has an extensive knowledge of and experience in capital markets, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic planning gained through his professional experiences.

        Daniel Fox joined the Board of Directors in 2010. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Faculty Associate in the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University where he develops and teaches undergraduate accounting courses (2016). Mr. Fox was a full-time lecturer in the College of Business and Economics at Boise State University from 2007 through May 2016 where he developsdeveloped and teachestaught graduate and upper division undergraduate accounting and finance courses. Mr. Fox held various management and leadership positions over a twenty-eight (28) year career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, retiring as a senior partner and the firm's Global Capital Markets Leader in Switzerland. During his public accounting career, Mr. Fox provided a wide range of services to a diverse mix of clients ranging in size from small privately held start-up companies to mature global public companies. He has been a frequent speaker on broad-ranging topics such as impacts of new or proposed auditing, accounting, reporting, regulatory, and international financial reporting matters. Mr. Fox also servesserved on a committee of the Idaho State Board of Accountancy.

        The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Fox is qualified to serve as a director because of his wide-ranging experience working with audit committees, boards, and senior management as well as his knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and SEC accounting and reporting gained through his career in public accounting and activities as a lecturer and speaker on auditing, accounting, finance, reporting, and regulatory matters.

        Ronald C. Keating joined the Board of Directors in 2017. He brings more than twenty-five (25) years of operations and leadership experience with companies providing solutions to municipal, industrial, and infrastructure customers. Mr. Keating is currently the President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director at Evoqua Water Technologies Corp., a global provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions and services (2014). He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Contech Engineered Solutions (2008-2014), a provider of site solutions for contractors, owners, engineers, and architects and held senior leadership positions at Kennametal Inc. and Ingersoll-Rand Inc. Mr. Keating holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BS in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M.

The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Keating is qualified to serve as a director because of his significant operational, strategic, and senior leadership experience in industries serving commercial and industrial markets.

Stephen A. Romano joined the Board of Directors in 2002. He was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in October 2001, Chief Executive Officer in March 2002, and Chairman of the Board of Directors in February 2008, a position he held until May 2015. He was an employee of the Company for more than twenty (20) years prior to his retirement in December 2009. Mr. Romano iswas previously a consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency on nuclear waste matters. Mr. Romano previouslymatters and worked for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, and as an independent consultant on hazardous and radioactive waste management.

        The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Romano is qualified to serve as a director because of his knowledge and understanding of the Company's operations and his industry, regulatory, and government relations experience. Mr. Romano has demonstrated his leadership abilities while serving in various positions with the Company, including Chief Executive Officer.

        John T. Sahlberg joined the Board of Directors in 2015. He is currently Senior Vice President of Human Resources and General Counsel and Secretary for Boise Cascade Company, promoted from Vice President in 2012, a position in which he had served since 2008. Boise Cascade Company is one of the largest producers of plywood and engineered wood products in North America and a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of wood products. At Boise Cascade Company, Mr. Sahlberg is responsible for human resources, labor relations, environmental compliance, legal, government relations, communications, and board administration. He was an integral part of the team that returned Boise Cascade Company to public ownership through its public offering in 2013. During his thirty-four (34)thirty-five (35) years with Boise Cascade Company and its predecessors, he has held numerous legal and human resource positions. From 2000 to the present, Mr. Sahlberg has served as a director and chairmanchair (2014) of Vigilant, a non-profit employer association. He also serves as Management Trustee of Bledsoe Health Care Trust (2000) and served as Management Trustee of TOC/Carpenters Pension Trust from 2000-2009. Mr. Sahlberg is a member of the Idaho State Bar and holds a B.A.BA in Economics from Harvard University and a J.D.JD from Georgetown University.

        The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Sahlberg is qualified to serve as a director because of his human resource and board governance knowledge and his experience in integrating acquisitions and in environmental matters gained through his professional experiences.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of the listed nominees.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PROPOSAL NO. 2

        The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte") as the Company's independent registered public accountant for the 20162018 fiscal year. A Deloitte representative plans to be present telephonically or in person at the Annual Meeting, will be available to answer appropriate questions, and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so.

        While stockholder ratification of Deloitte as the Company's independent registered public accountant is not required by the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting its selection of Deloitte for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Board, in conjunction with its Audit Committee, will further evaluate whether to retain Deloitte. If the selection is ratified, the Board and the Audit Committee, in their discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

        The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast is required to ratify the appointment of Deloitte. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this proposal has been ratified.

Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other Fees

        The aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed for the audit of the Company's financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 by the Company's principal accounting firm, Deloitte, were as follows:

        Deloitte prepared an annual engagement letter that was submitted to the Audit Committee for approval for the 20152017 audit. The Audit Committee approved all of the non-audit services provided by Deloitte in fiscal year 20152017 in advance of the services being performed. The engagement letter created a contract between the Company and Deloitte that specified the responsibilities of each party. It was signed on behalf of the Company by the Chairmanchair of the Audit Committee and the Chief Financial Officer. The Company paid Deloitte a fixed amount for the annual audit and each quarterly review and for other services agreed to in the engagement letter and subsequent amendments. The Audit Committee believes that Deloitte's provision of non-audit services has been compatible with maintaining the firm's independence.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

PROPOSAL NO. 3

        As required by Section 14 of the Exchange Act, the Company is providing its stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of its named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in the Compensation"Compensation Discussion and AnalysisAnalysis" section and accompanying tables of this Proxy Statement. These individuals are referred to collectively in this Proxy Statement as the Company's "Named Executive Officers".Officers." The Board of Directors believes it is appropriate to seek the views of its stockholders on the design and effectiveness of the Company's executive compensation program.

        The Company's goal for its executive compensation program is to attract and retain exceptional, highly motivated individuals as executive officers who will provide leadership for the Company's success in dynamic, highly competitive markets. The Company seeks to accomplish this goal in a way that is aligned with the long-term interests of the Company's stockholders. The Company believes that its executive compensation program achieves this goal with its emphasis on long-term equity awards and performance-based compensation.

        As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding upon the Company. However, the Board of Directors values the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this proposal and, to the extent that a significant percentage of votes are cast against the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee will evaluate potential changes for consideration by the full Board to address the concerns reflected in such votes. The Company expects to hold its next advisory vote on executive compensation at its 20172019 Annual Meeting in accordance with the preference expressed by the majority of the Company's stockholders.Meeting.

        Accordingly, the Company asks the stockholders to vote on the following resolution:

        "RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company's Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and narrative discussion sections of this Proxy Statement, is hereby APPROVED."

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the resolution approving the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

        The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or "filed" or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

        The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company's audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Deloitte, the Company's independent registered public accountant for fiscal year 2015,2017, the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "PCAOB") and the SEC. These include, among other items, the audit of the Company's financial statements. The Audit Committee has reviewed with the independent registered public accountant its judgment as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company's accounting principles, as well as its opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

        The Audit Committee has received written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte required by the PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526 relating to the registered public accountant's independence from the Company and its related entities and has discussed with Deloitte the registered public accountant's independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of services by the registered public accountant, other than audit services and review of Forms 10-Q, is compatible with maintaining the registered public accountant's independence.

        In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed with management the Company's earnings releases and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2015,2017, and the fiscal year earnings release and audited financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017. This included discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company's accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

        Based on the review of the Company's audited financial statements and discussion with management and the independent registered public accountant described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017.

        In addition, the Audit Committee, in consultation with executive management, has selected Deloitte as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.2018. The Board has recommended to the stockholders that they ratify and approve the selection of Deloitte as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.2018.

        While the Audit Committee has provided oversight, advice, and direction regarding the Company's financial reporting process, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Company's internal controls, the preparation, presentation, and integrity of financial statements, and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies used by the Company. It is the responsibility of the independent registered public accountant, not the Audit Committee, to conduct the audit and opine on the conformity of the financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, to opine on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, and to review the Company's unaudited interim financial statements. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and review these processes. It is not the Audit Committee's duty or responsibility to conduct auditing or accounting reviews or procedures.reviews.

        This report is respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

        This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the Company's compensation program for the Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2015.2017. The Company's executive compensation program is performance-based and otherwise designed to ensure that the interests of its executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, are closely aligned with those of stockholders. The Board believes this program is effective in allowing the Company to attract and motivate highly qualified senior talent capable of delivering outstanding business performance. The following discussion presents the Company's executive compensation program and policies. The Compensation Committee has provided oversight on the design and administration of the Company's executive compensation program and policies, participated in the preparation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, and recommended to the Board that it be included in this Proxy Statement. The Company's stockholders overwhelmingly approved ourthe Company's executive compensation program at ourthe last annual meeting. Of the shares voted, 99.45%97.87% voted for approval, .37% voted against, and .16% abstained.approval. Although this vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee viewed this strong endorsement of ourthe Company's executive compensation decisions and policies as an additional factor supporting the Compensation Committee's conclusion that ourthe Company's existing approach to executive compensation has been successful for the Company and ourits stockholders.

        The Company's Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 20152017 were Jeffrey R. Feeler (President and Chief Executive Officer), Eric L. Gerratt (Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer), Steven D. Welling (Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing), Simon G. Bell (Executive Vice President of Operations, Environmental Services) and Mario RomeroChief Operating Officer), and Andrew P. Marshall (Executive Vice President of Operations, FieldRegulatory Compliance and Industrial Services)Safety (effective as of May 23, 2017)).

Oversight of the Executive Compensation Program

        The Compensation Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors, administers the Company's executive compensation program. Committee membership is determined by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility to review and recommend corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, evaluate his performance in light of such goals and objectives, and make recommendations to the Board regarding his compensation, based on this evaluation. The Compensation Committee also reviews the evaluation process and compensation structure for the Company's other executive officers, including the other Named Executive Officers and makes recommendations regardingapproves their compensation and that of the Board of Directors.compensation. The Compensation Committee also administers the Company's programs for incentive cash and equity payments.

Objective of the Executive Compensation Program

        The Company's long-term goal is to increase stockholder value. The objective of the executive compensation program is to attract, motivate, reward, and retain highly qualified executive officers with the ability to help the Company achieve this goal. The executive compensation program is designed to provide a foundation of fixed compensation and a significant portion of performance-based compensation to align the interests of the Company's executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, with those of the Company's stockholders.

Principles

        The Company believes that in order to meet its goal of increasing stockholder value, compensation must be both reasonable and competitive with what the Named Executive Officers would otherwise obtain if employed elsewhere in a similar position with similar responsibilities. The Compensation Committee believes performance-based executive compensation should reflect value created for stockholders consistent with the Company's strategic goals. The following principles are among those applied by the Compensation Committee:

•

Executive compensation programs should support short and long-term strategic goals and objectives;



•

Executive compensation programs should reflect the Company's overall value and business growth and reward individuals for outstanding contributions; and



•

Short and long-term executive compensation programs are critical factors in attracting and retaining well-qualified executive officers.

Compensation Best Practices

        The Compensation Committee seeks to apply best governance practices in developing and administering compensation and benefit programs, and has taken steps to enhance its ability to effectively carry out its responsibilities and to ensure that the Company maintains strong links between pay and performance. Examples of actions the Compensation Committee has taken to accomplish this include:are set forth below:

•

Periodically rotating Compensation Committee members and the Compensation Committee Chairman;



•

Reviewing publicly available data on compensation for executive officers in peer group companies;



•

Establishing minimum stock ownership requirements for directors and Named Executive Officers; and



•

Establishing incentive programs for Named Executive Officers.

Role of Executive Officers and Consultants

        While the Compensation Committee determines the Company's overall compensation philosophy and independently recommends the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer to the full Board, it consults with the Chief Executive Officer with respect to both overall guidelinescompensation policy and specific compensation decisions for the other executive officers.Named Executive Officers. As part of this process, the Chief Executive Officermanagement gathers compensation data for public and sometimes private companies. The Compensation Committee then evaluates this and other information and discusses it with the Chief Executive Officer before presenting recommendations to the Board of Directors.Officer. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain independent compensation consultants to provide advice relating to market and compensation trends and to assist with data gathering and analysis. In 2014 and 2015 theThe Compensation Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC ("Meridian") in 2017 to assist the Committee in its review of executive and director compensation.compensation matters. The Compensation Committee authorizes the Companydid not direct Meridian to pay Meridian forperform its services around executive and director compensation and related governance, including meeting preparation and attendance, advice and best practice information, as well as competitive data. In 2016, Meridian also provided services related to change-of-control agreements for certain non-Named Executive Officers.in any particular manner.

        Meridian has no other business relationships with the Company and provides no other services to the Company. The Compensation Committee adopted a written policy to review the independence of any compensation consultants it uses for executive compensation matters. The Compensation Committee considered Meridian in light of the six independence factors mandated by SEC rules and related NASDAQ listing standards and concluded that Meridian is independent.

Relevance to Performance

        The executive compensation program emphasizes performance measured by goals or equity vehicles that align the interest of executives with those of the Company and its stockholders. For the Named Executive Officers to earn cash-based incentive payments, the Company must meet or exceed specified performance targets based on achievement of operating income, health and safety, and environmental compliance targets, each determined by the Board of DirectorsCompensation Committee to align with the creation of stockholder value. The Compensation Committee may also recommend that the Board grantapprove other equity-based compensation such as restricted stock and/or options to purchase the Company's common stock based on the Company's performance and the performance of executives and other employees considered for such grants. The Compensation Committee evaluates the financial impact of such grants on the Company, including the effect of dilution on earnings per share. The performance-based incentive programs for fiscal year 20152017 are addressed in detail under the "Elements of Compensation" section in this Proxy Statement.

Competitive Considerations

        The Company reviews relevant compensation market and industry compensation practices,data, from time to time, in order to determine appropriate overall compensation for the Named Executive Officers. It does so to balance the need to compete for talent with the need to maintain a reasonable and responsible cost structure and to better align the Named Executive Officers' interests with stockholders' interests. Peer group-based compensation market data and performance metrics as well as historical compensation information for Named Executive OfficersOfficer pay history data are provided to the Compensation Committee by Meridian. The Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to Named Executive Officer compensation other than for himself. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations for Named Executive Officer compensation, including for the CEO, to the Board of Directors, which then discusses and acts upon the recommendations.

        In 2014,2016, the Compensation Committee, with advice from Meridian, approved a peer group for benchmarking 2017 executive compensation consisting of eighteen (18) companies; fourteen (14) companies; eleven (11) of which arewere in the environmental and facilities services industry and fourthree of which arewere from other industries; collectivelyindustries (collectively referred to as the "2014"2016 Industry Peer Group"Group"). The 2014 Industry Peer Group companies generally ranged from¹/4 to 4 times the size of the Company and the Company was positioned very close to the median of the group in terms of both assets and revenue when selected. The companies in the 20142016 Industry Peer Group are as follows:

        The median of sales,revenue, total assets, and market capitalization of these companies when selected in 2014 were respectively, in millions, $620, $828 and $852. Atat the time the 2014 Industry Peer Group was considered by the Compensation Committee,of their selection in 2016 were $546 million, $610 million, and $260 million, respectively. At that time, the Company was positioned at approximately the median54^th percentile of the group in revenue or asset terms, and at approximately the 6568^th percentile in asset terms, and the 71^st percentile in market capcapitalization terms. In 2015The 2016 Industry Peer Group was reviewed again in 2017 during the Compensation Committee reviewed thisCommittee's annual review of executive compensation and it was determined that the group with assistance from Meridian and decided to make no changes to it.should remain unchanged.

        In recommending the compensation for each Named Executive Officer for 2015 and 2016, theThe Compensation Committee reviewed the base salary, annual short-term incentive opportunity, annual equity-based/long-term incentive award, and total compensation data from the 20142016 Industry Peer Group, which was provided by Meridian. The Company does not target a particular peer or market percentile when making compensation decisions. Instead, total compensation for the Named Executive Officers is reviewed to determine whether the Company is generally competitive in the market in which it operates, taking into consideration, among other things, (i) the relativethings:

•

Relative size of the Company; (ii) geographical



•

Geographical location; (iii) the performance



•

Performance of the Company and the contributing roles of individual Named Executive Officers; (iv) each



•

Each Named Executive Officer's experience and responsibilities; (v) the performance



•

Performance of each Named Executive Officer; (vi) internal



•

Internal pay alignment; and (vii) executive



•

Executive compensation at peer group companies, taking into account the relative size of those companies.

The Compensation Committee does not assign a particular weight to any of these factors. The Compensation Committee considered the data provided by Meridian, among other things, when making 2017 compensation decisions (including in setting base salaries, target bonus opportunity amounts, and equity compensation grants).

Elements of Compensation

        Executive compensation is based primarily on three components: base salary, annual short-term incentive opportunities, and long-term equity-based awards. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews each element of the compensation program to ensure consistency with the Company's objectives. The Compensation Committee believes that each compensation element complements the others and that together they serve to achieve the Company's compensation objectives. The Compensation Committee does not require that a particular component comprise a set portion of the total compensation mix. The Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of the compensation should be performance-based and at-risk, and that the performance-based (incentive) compensation should align an executive's interests with those of stockholders. While the Compensation Committee reviews total direct compensation (the sum of base salary, incentive opportunities, and equity awards) for the Named Executive Officers, it does not have a fixed target with respect to such total direct compensation.

        Base Salary—The Company provides competitive base salaries to attract and retain executive talent. The Compensation Committee believes a competitive base salary provides a degree of financial stability for the Named Executive Officers. Salaries may also form the basis for other compensation. For example, annual short-term incentive opportunities are calculated as a percentage of base salary.

        Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers effective September 12, 2014 and continuing through December 27, 2015as of January 1, 2017, are set forth in the table below:

        Annual Short-Term Incentives—Consistent with its commitment to performance-based compensation, the Company has established plans under which the Named Executive Officers and other employees are eligible to earn annual incentive cash payments based on Company performance compared to established operating income and other targets (the "Cash Incentive"). Each Named Executive Officer has an annual target Cash Incentive that is established as a percentage of annual base salary. These percentages are developed by the Compensation Committee according to each person'ssuch employee's duties, level and range of responsibility, and other compensation. Upon the availability of audited financial statements, Cash Incentives are determined and paid for the prior fiscal year.

        On March 10, 2015November 17, 2016, the Compensation Committee recommended and the Board of Directors approved the 20152017 Management Incentive Plan ("20152017 MIP") for all Named Executive Officers and certain other key employees. Under the 20152017 MIP, each Named Executive Officer was eligible to receive ana cash incentive payment for fiscal year 20152017 based upon the achievement of four independent objectives: (1) financial; (2) individual performanceperformance; (3) health and safety; and (4) compliance (each a "Plan Objective").; as established by the Compensation Committee. The payout available for achievement of 100% of each Plan Objective was a percentage of the Named Executive Officer's annual base salary ("Target Cash Incentive"). The Target Cash Incentive for each of the Named Executive Officers for 20152017 is set forth in the following table:

        The amount available for achievement of each Plan Objective was weighted as a percentage of a Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive and could be earned even if the threshold performancean amount was not metearned for another Plan Objective.

        The portion of a Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive based on financial performance was scalable beginning with every percentage point over 79% of the Company's Board-approvedapproved consolidated operating income target ("Base MIP Target") and was weighted at up to 50% of the Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive ("Finance Target Incentive"). If actual consolidated operating income is less than 80% of the Base MIP Target, no bonuses are paid for the financial Plan Objective. For every percentage point achievement over 79% of the Base MIP Target, up to and including 89% (rounded to the nearest percentage), such Named Executive Officer would earn 2.33% of his respective Finance Target Incentive. For every percentage point achievement over 89% of the Base MIP Target, up to and including 100% (rounded to the nearest percentage), such Named Executive Officer would earn 6.98% of his respective Finance Target Incentive. Upon 100% achievement of the Base MIP Target, 100% of the respective Finance Target Incentive (or 50% of the Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive) would be awarded to the Named Executive Officer. The Named Executive Officers were eligible for an additional incentive payment in an amount calculated by multiplying their respective base salaries by an additional 4.5% for every 1% increase over the Base MIP Target and multiplying the resulting product by 50%. The additional incentive was capped at one times the participant's Target Cash Incentive. For purposes of the 2015 MIP, as approved by and in the discretion of the Board, "consolidated operating income" excluded certain extraordinary expenses and was further adjusted to add back the 2015 MIP expense and associated payroll taxes.

        Up to an additional 30% of a Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive could have been earned based on the Compensation Committee's assessment of individual performance, including through achievement of established annual priorities, effective use of Company resources, and other evaluative factors as determined by the Compensation Committee. The metric was independent and mutually exclusive of achievement of any other Plan Objective. Individual Priorities were established at the beginning of the year and included matters specific to each Named Executive Officer's area of responsibility.

        The three metrics for the health and safety objective (as enumerated below) were weighted cumulatively at up to 10% of the Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive and individually at up to 3.33%Incentive. Measurement on each of a participant's Target Cash Incentive. Each metric was independent and mutually exclusive of the other two metrics so thatis independent; a percentage of the Target Cash Incentive related to any one of the health and safety metrics could have beenmay be earned independentregardless of achievement ofresults for the other two health and safety metrics. The health and safety metrics includedincluded: (i) total caserecordable incident rates or "TRIR" (number of safety incidents that meet OSHA recordable criteria) (2%), (ii) days away restricted time or "DART" (safety incidents that result in the employee being placed on restricted duty or time away from work) (3%), and (iii) lost time incidents or "LTI" (number of safety incidents that result in an employee having to spend time away from work or be re-assigned to another job function to recover from a work related injury) (5%).

        Up to 10% of a Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive was based on the metric for the compliance objective.compliance. The metric for the compliance objective was subjective based on the Company's overall compliance program effectiveness and considered the avoidance of "notices of violation or enforcement" with monetary penalties among other compliance goals and objectives.achievement of permitting initiatives. The corresponding incentive was earned based on a determination by the Compensation Committee taking into consideration, among other things, the dollar amount of a monetary penalty paid (or accrued under GAAP) in the planfiscal year 2017, the nature of the notices of violation or enforcement, the regulatory basis for any such penalty, and the respective fact patterns.

        A summary of the 20152017 MIP targets is provided below:

        The Company's 20152017 consolidated operating income adjusted by adding back certain extraordinary expenses and excluding the 2015before 2017 MIP expense and associated payroll taxes and resultswas $63,399,781. At the discretion of a divested business unit,the Compensation Committee, certain adjustments were made to determine an adjusted 2017 operating income of $74,114,059 as set forth in the table below:

        The adjusted 2017 operating income of $74,114,059 was $82,130,421, or 2.3% below93.4% of the Base MIP Target as adjusted to exclude budgeted results of(as adjusted). As a divested business unit ($84,065,205). Theresult, the Company awarded the Named Executive Officers 86%51% of their respective Finance Target Incentive for achievement of 97.7% of the Base MIP Target (as adjusted).operating income achievement.

        The Company did not achieveachieved the 20152017 MIP targets for (i) total case rates (number of safety incidents that meet OSHA recordable criteria) or "TRIR", (ii) days away restricted time (safety incidents that result in the employee being placed on restricted duty or time away from work) or "DART",TRIR, DART, and (iii) lost time incidents (number of safety incidents that result in an employee having to spend time away from work or be re-assigned to another job function to recover from a work related injury), resulting in lost time or "LTI".LTI. Therefore, the Cash Incentive earned for achievement of the health and safety objective was reduced from 10.0% to 0.0%10% of theeach Named Executive Officer's Target Cash Incentive.

        The Cash Incentive earned by theeach Named Executive OfficersOfficer for the compliance objective was 10% because determined, reflecting the Compensation Committee's view of the success of the overall compliance program goalsat various operating divisions. The Company received eighty-seven (87) regulatory inspections and did not have any associated environmental penalties. There were considered to have been substantially achieved.no new enforcement actions initiated in 2017.

        A summary of the 20152017 MIP actual results compared to the applicable targets is provided below:

        The amount paid to each Named Executive Officer under the 20152017 MIP is set forth in the "Summary Compensation Table" of this Proxy Statement.

        Long-Term Incentives—The Company uses equity awards to provide long-term incentive opportunities to the Named Executive Officers and may grant performance stock units ("PSU"), options to purchase common stock, and shares of restricted stock as part of their total compensation package pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan. These awards align the Named Executive OfficersOfficers' interests with the interests of the Company's stockholders because the ultimate value of the stock options and stock depends on the Company's future success to which each Named Executive Officer must contribute over a period of years in order to ultimately vest in or be entitled to exercise such grants. After not making any regular program equity awards to Named Executive Officers in 2014, for 2015 the Compensation Committee introduced a newThe Company's long-term incentive program in 2017 was based on the following three vehicles:

•

Restricted stock/units (approximately 50% of total value)



•

PSUs linked to relative Total Stockholder Return ("TSR") (approximately 20%30% of total value)



•

Stock options (approximately 40% of total value)



•

Restricted stock (approximately 40%20% of total value)

Restricted Stock/Units Awards—Restricted stock granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2017 vests in its entirety on the third anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock units granted to Mr. Marshall vest annually over three years. The value of restricted stock/units is tied to the market price of the Company's common stock and further aligns the Named Executive Officers' interests with the interests of the Company's stockholders, while also providing the Company with a significant retention tool.

        PSU Awards—PSU awards are designed to link a portion of a Named Executive Officer's compensation with increases in stockholder value relative to an established index and peer group. The total number of PSUs granted in 20152017 that each Named Executive Officerof Messrs. Feeler, Welling, Bell, and Gerratt is eligible to earn ranges from 0% to 200% of the target number of PSUs granted (for each, Named Executive Officer, the "Target PSUs"), based on the Company's TSR relative to the TSR of the S&P 600 (50% of Target PSUs) and the TSR of certain companies in the environmental and facilities services industry ("Peer Group") (50% of Target PSUs) over the three-year performance period beginning January 1, 2015.2017. TSR is determined by reference to a change in the value of the Company's common stock (based on the stock price) for the relevant measurement period. The Peer Group includes those companies in the 20142016 Industry Peer Group, plus Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Republic Services, Inc., Waste Connections, Inc., and Waste Management, Inc. and

Republic Services, Inc. The performance measures and potential payouts for the PSUs awarded in 20152017 are set forth in more detail in the following table:

        Stock Option Awards—Stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers in 20152017 vest in equal annual installments over three years. The Company believes that, because the option holder will not realize value from a stock option unless the value of our stock increases after the grant date, stock options are performance-based awards that directly align the interests of the option holder with those of our stockholders. In addition, the long-term vesting of the awards provides a key retention tool while providing a long-term focus on driving increased stockholder value.

        Restricted Stock Awards—Restricted stock granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2015 vests in its entirety on or after the third anniversary of the grant date. The value of restricted stock is tied to the market price of our common stock and further aligns the Named Executive Officers with the stockholders, while also providing the Company a significant retention tool.

Equity Awards Granted in 20152017—The equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officers in 20152017 are set forth in the table below:

        Restricted stock units and options were granted to Mr. Marshall as part of the regular annual awards cycle prior to him being appointed to Executive Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Safety. He was not granted PSUs as his appointment occurred after the grant of PSUs to existing Named Executive Officers.

Other In-Cycle PSU Awards in 2017—PSU awards granted in 2015 vested on December 31, 2017 and shares of common stock to which each Named Executive Officer was entitled and subsequently received are set forth below:

        With respect to the PSUs granted in 2015, the Company achieved a cumulative TSR of 33.3%, resulting in the vesting of PSUs as disclosed in the table above equal to 102.25% of target.

        Discretionary Bonuses—The Company may, from time to time,time-to-time, grant discretionary bonuses to Named Executive Officers in order to achieve defined objectives. Discretionary bonuses were not paid to the Named Executive Officers in 2015.2017.

        Other Compensation—The Company provides employee benefits that are intended to meet current and future health and financial security needs for its employees, including the Named Executive Officers, and their families. Such employee benefits include medical, dental and life insurance benefits, short-term disability pay, long-term disability insurance, flexible or health savings accounts for medical expense reimbursements, and a 401(k) retirement savings plan that includes a partial Company match, which are provided to the Named Executive Officers on the same terms and conditions that apply to all other full-time regular employees.

Certain 2018 Compensation Decisions

        On November 15, 2017, the Company approved base salary for the Named Executive Officers, effective with the first payroll in 2018. The base salary for each of Mr. Welling and Mr. Bell was increased from $340,000 to $360,000. Mr. Marshall's base salary was not increased in light of the adjustment effective with his appointment on May 23, 2017. Each of Mr. Feeler and Mr. Gerratt declined the Company's recommended increase in base salary from his existing base salary of $485,000 to $500,000 in the case of Mr. Feeler and $316,500 to $340,000 in the case of Mr. Gerratt. Mr. Feeler also declined the Company's recommendation to increase his 2018 equity award from $900,000 to $1,100,000. These increases were declined by Messrs. Feeler and Gerratt in recognition of the Company not achieving its 2017 operating income target and the fact that base salary increases for many of the Company's other employees would be limited.

Equity and Security Ownership Guidelines

        Effective May 27,        In 2015, the Board approved a Share Ownership Policy in which target share ownership levels (set forth below) were established for the Named Executive Officers and outside

        The following table summarizes equity holding requirements as set forth in the Share Ownership Policy as of December 31, 2017.

Prohibition Against Pledging Awards Received Under Omnibus Incentive Plan

        The Company's stockholder approved Omnibus Incentive Plan provides that no award or other right or interest granted under the plan may be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to, or in favor of, or subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such recipient to, any party, other than the Company or any subsidiary, or assigned or transferred by such recipient otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and the value of eligible equity awards granted in 2015 as approved by the Board.distribution.

Severance Arrangements

        In 2016, the Company entered into new employment agreements with each of Messrs. Feeler, Welling, Bell, and Gerratt. In 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Marshall in connection with his appointment to Executive Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Safety. These agreements are collectively referred to herein as the "Employment Agreements." In addition to establishing salaries, equity grantspaid time off, and ownership requirements,cash incentive opportunities, the 2013 Employment Agreements established the executives' rights in the event of a termination or change of control in 2015. Under these agreements, the executive was entitled to certain payments andreceive severance benefits in the event of certain qualifying terminations of employment or under certain circumstances related to a termination or change of control. Change-of-control payments wereare subject to a subsequent termination by the Company without cause"without cause" or by the executive for good"good reason," as those terms are defined in the 2013 Employment Agreements.Agreements, in either case, within twenty-four (24) months after the applicable change of control. The Compensation Committee believes these severance protections wereare an effective tool for attracting and retaining key employees and are reasonably similar to those of other comparable companies. An offer of employment letter ("2014 Employment Letter") was accepted by Mr. Romero upon his appointment to Executive Vice President of Operations, Field and Industrial Services wherein he was entitled to certain payments if his employment is involuntarily terminated without cause prior to December 31, 2015. For more information on potential severance payments and change-of-control benefits in 2015,2017, refer to the "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control" section of this Proxy Statement.

Risk Considerations

        The Compensation Committee considers, in establishing and reviewing the executive compensation program, whether the program encourages unnecessary or excessive risk taking and has concluded that it does not. Base salaries are fixed in amount and thus do not encourage risk-taking. While the performance-based Cash Incentive awards focus on achievement of annual goals, the Company's Cash Incentive program is only one element of the Named Executive Officers' total compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that the Cash Incentive program appropriately balances risk and the desire to focus the Named Executive Officers on specific short-term goals important to the Company's success, and that it does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking. Further, the Company grants equity awards that focus the attention of Named Executive Officers on long-term strategic goals through multi-year vesting formulas. Moreover, the Named Executive Officers are required to own and hold a significant amountamounts of stock in the Company. Such long-term equity awards and stock ownership interests further reduce the incentive for the Company's Named Executive Officers to engage in actions designed to achieve only short-term results. The Company has reviewed its compensation policies and practices for all employees, including for the Named Executive Officers, and concluded that any risks arising from the policies and programs are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

        U.S. federal income tax (Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code) generally limits the tax deductibility of compensation the Company pays to its President and Chief Executive Officer and certain other highly compensated executive officers, to $1.0 million in the year the compensation becomes taxable to such executive officers. ThereFor compensation covered by qualifying written binding contracts entered into as of November 2, 2017 that are not materially modified thereafter and that meet certain requirements, there is an exception to thethis limit on deductibility for performance-based compensation. Effective January 1, 2018, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code was modified to limit the deductibility of all compensation that meets certain requirements.in excess of $1 million paid to Named Executive Officers. Although deductibility of compensation is preferred, tax deductibility is not a primary objective of the Company's executive compensation program. Rather, the Company seeks to maintain flexibility in its executive compensation program as to the objectives of the program described above and, accordingly, the Company may be limited in its ability to deduct amounts of compensation from time to time.

        Accounting rules require the Company to expense the cost of equity grants. Because of equity expensing and the impact of dilution on ourthe Company's stockholders, wethe Compensation Committee carefully considerconsiders the type of equity awards that are granted and the number and value of the shares underlying such awards.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

        The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement with the Company's management and, based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017.

        This report is respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

        The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation of the Named Executive Officers for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016, and 2013.2015.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

        The following table sets forth information for each Named Executive Officer regarding estimated payouts of the annual incentive opportunitiesequity and non-equity awards granted under their respective incentive plans during the year ended December 31, 2015.2017. All non-equity awards set forth below were granted under the 2017 MIP and all equity-based awards set forth below were granted under the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

        The following table sets forth information for each Named Executive Officer with respect to (i) each option to purchase the Company's common stock that had not been exercised and remained outstanding as of December 31, 2015;2017; (ii) each award of restricted stock and restricted stock units that had not vested and remained outstanding as of December 31, 2015;2017; and (iii) each award of PSUs that had not vested and remained outstanding as of December 31, 2015.2017.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

        The following table sets forth information for each Named Executive Officer with respect to the exercise of options to purchase shares of the Company's stock during the 20152017 fiscal year and the vesting of restricted stock and PSUs during the same period.

CEO PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

        As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, the Company determined the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Feeler, our chief executive officer, to the annual total compensation of our median employee.

        The Company identified its median employee from its total population of 1,572 employees as of October 31, 2017 (excluding Mr. Feeler) based on the cash paid to such employees for fiscal year 2017. We included all employees, whether employed on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis. We did not make any assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to total cash compensation, and wedid not annualize the compensation for any employees who were not employed by the Company during the entire period of measurement. We believe the use of total cash compensation for all employees is a consistently applied compensation measure because we do not widely distribute annual equity awards to employees. After identifying the median employee based on total cash compensation, we calculated total compensation for such employee during fiscal year 2017 using the same methodology we use for our Named Executive Officers as set forth in the "Summary Compensation Table" in this Proxy Statement. The total compensation calculated for the median employee was $56,293, compared to $1,844,671 for Mr. Feeler. Our 2017 chief executive officer-to-median employee pay ratio is 33 to 1.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

        We entered into new employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers effective February 25, 2016 (the "2016 Employment Agreements").        The following discussion describes the potential payments upon termination or change of control with respect to the 2013 Employment Agreements and the 2014 Employment Letter (together, the "Employment Agreements"). Payments and benefits to which the Named Executive Officers would be entitled as a result of a termination or change of control as set forth in the 2016 Employment Agreements will be described more fully in the Company's Proxy Statement to be filed in 2017.

        Among other things, the Employment Agreements established a minimum annual base salary and provided for participation in the Company's employee benefit plans, including any Cash Incentive plans. TheIn addition, the Employment Agreements requiredrequire the Company or its successors to pay or provide certain compensation and benefits to the respective executive in the event of termination of employment or in the casetermination of the 2013 Employment Agreements,employment following a change of control. The compensation and benefits payable infollowing discussion describes the eventpotential payments upon termination of employment or termination of employment following a change of control with respect to the Employment Agreements. Under the terms of the Employment Agreements, upon a termination of employment, in 2015 were set forth in the respective Employment Agreement. Upon a termination of employment during 2015, the Company would have been obligated to pay the Named Executive Officers:

1.•

Any unpaid base salary through the termination date and any accrued vacation;paid-time off;



2.•

Any unpaid Cash Incentive earned for anythe fiscal year ending on or prior toin which the termination date;of employment occurs, prorated for the number of days employed during such fiscal year;



3.•

Any un-reimbursed business expenses incurred through the termination date; and



4.•

All other payments or other benefits the Named Executive Officer may be entitled to under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit program, or grant.

These payments are referred to belowherein as the "Accrued Obligations".Obligations."

        Termination—CompensationUnder the terms of the Employment Agreements the amount and types of compensation due to a Named Executive Officer in the event of termination fromof employment with the Company in 2015 was dependent upon the basis for separation.such termination.