Analysis
NAICS 56299 is the 2022 NAICS industry for all other waste management services, part of 5629 (Remediation and Other Waste Management Services). Census lists 20 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 17% and employment rose 31%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 10 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 56211, 48423, 56221 and 22132. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
County Business Patterns counts 5,622 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 51,648 people at an average annual payroll of $64,857 per employee (42nd percentile of national industries). 56% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Across its national industries Census lists 20 index entries; typical ones are cesspool cleaning services and beach maintenance and cleaning services.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 562991 (Septic Tank and Related Services) with 4,054.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in waste management services (except waste collection, waste treatment and disposal, remediation, operation of materials recovery facilities, and waste management consulting services).
Illustrative Examples:
Beach cleaning and maintenance services Pumping (i.e., cleaning) cesspools, portable toilets, or septic tanks Cesspool cleaning services Sewer cleaning and rodding services Portable toilet renting and/or servicing Sewer or storm basin cleanout services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Collecting and/or hauling waste within a local area | 56211 Waste Collection |
| Long-distance trucking of waste | 48423 Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance |
| Operating treatment or disposal facilities (except sewer systems or sewage treatment facilities) for waste | 56221 Waste Treatment and Disposal |
| Collecting, treating, and disposing waste through sewer systems or sewage treatment facilities | 22132 Sewage Treatment Facilities |
| Remediation and cleanup of contaminated buildings, mine sites, soil, or ground water | 56291 Remediation Services |
| Operating facilities for separating and sorting recyclable materials from nonhazardous waste streams (i.e., garbage) or where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, and metal cans, are sorted into distinct categories | 56292 Materials Recovery Facilities |
| Installing septic tanks | 23891 Site Preparation Contractors |
| Providing waste management consulting services, such as developing remedial action plans | 54162 Environmental Consulting Services |
| Providing street cleaning services | 48849 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation |
| Merchant wholesaling waste oil | 42393 Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (20)
- Cesspool cleaning services
- Beach maintenance and cleaning services