DEF 14A 1 d558559ddef14a.htm DEF 14A

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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. )

Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

☐ |  | Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ |  | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ |  | Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ |  | Definitive Additional Materials
☐ |  | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒ |  | No fee required.
☐ |  | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
|  | (1) |  | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
|  | (2) |  | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
|  | (3) |  | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
|  | (4) |  | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|  | (5) |  | Total fee paid:
☐ |  | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐ |  | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
|  | (1) |  | Amount previously paid:
|  | (2) |  | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
|  | (3) |  | Filing party:
|  | (4) |  | Date Filed:

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CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

25 Greens Hill Lane

Rutland, Vermont 05701

NOTICE OF THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be Held on Friday, June 1, 2018

The 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2018 Annual Meeting”) of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, at the Killington Grand Hotel, located at 228 East Mountain Road, Killington, Vermont 05751, to consider and act on the following matters:

| 1. | To elect three Class III directors, each to serve for a term expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;

| 2. | To approve, in an advisory “say-on-pay” vote, the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” executive compensation tables and accompanying narrative disclosures in this proxy statement;

| 3. | To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018; and

| 4. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the 2018 Annual Meeting and any postponement, adjournment, rescheduling or continuation thereof.

Stockholders of record of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock at the close of business on April 13, 2018, the record date for the 2018 Annual Meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2018 Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. If you are a stockholder of record, please vote in one of the following ways:

| • |  | Vote over the Internet by going to the website of our tabulator, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at www.investorvote.com/CWST and following the instructions for internet voting shown on the enclosed proxy card;

| • |  | Vote by Telephone, by calling 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) and following the recorded instructions; or

| • |  | Vote by Mail, by completing and signing your enclosed proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. If you vote over the internet or by telephone, please do not mail your proxy card.

If your shares are held in “street name,” that is, held for your account by a bank, broker or other nominee, please use the enclosed voting instruction form for your shares to be voted by mail or telephone or over the internet.

All stockholders are invited to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting in person. You may obtain directions to the 2018 Annual Meeting by contacting our Investor Relations Department at 1-802-775-0325. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting in person, we urge you to take the time to vote your shares.

Please read the attached proxy statement in its entirety, as it contains important information you need to know to vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

|  | By order of the Board of Directors,
April 17, 2018 Rutland, Vermont |  | John W. Casella Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

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PROXY STATEMENT

Table of Contents

|  | Page |
TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF 2018 ANNUAL MEETING |  |  | 1 |
PROXY SUMMARY |  |  | 2 |
PURPOSES OF THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING |  |  | 5 |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING |  |  | 6 |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS |  |  | 12 |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |  |  | 18 |
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS |  |  | 27 |
OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK |  |  | 51 |
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |  |  | 54 |
PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |  |  | 56 |
PROPOSAL 3 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS |  |  | 58 |
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |  |  | 60 |
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS |  |  | 61 |
OTHER MATTERS |  |  | 61 |

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CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

25 Greens Hill Lane

Rutland, Vermont 05701

PROXY STATEMENT

for the

2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held on Friday, June 1, 2018

TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), for use at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, at the Killington Grand Hotel, located at 228 East Mountain Road, Killington, Vermont 05751, and at any adjournments, postponements, continuations or reschedulings thereof (the “2018 Annual Meeting”), pursuant to the enclosed Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting.

The Notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting, this proxy statement, the accompanying proxy card and our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Annual Report”) are being mailed to stockholders on or about April 23, 2018. Stockholders should review the information provided herein in conjunction with our 2017 Annual Report that accompanies this proxy statement. Our principal executive offices are located at 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701, and our telephone number is (802) 775-0325.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

For the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on Friday, June 1, 2018

The proxy materials, which include this proxy statement, a proxy card and our 2017 Annual Report, are available for viewing, printing and downloading at www.casella.com/2018AnnualMeeting.

A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K (including financial statements and schedules) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (“fiscal 2017”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), except for exhibits, will be furnished without charge to any stockholder upon oral or written request to Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701, Telephone: 1-802-775-0325.

This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights information that is contained elsewhere in this proxy statement and does not include all of the information that you should consider. You should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Date and Time |  | Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Location |  | Killington Grand Hotel, 228 East Mountain Rd., Killington, VT 05751
Record Date |  | April 13, 2018

Voting Matters and Board Recommendations

Item |  | Proposal |  | Board Recommendation |  | Page Number
1 |  | Elect three Class III Directors |  | For |  | 54
2 |  | Approve, in an advisory “say-on-pay” vote, the compensation of our named executive officers |  | For |  | 56
3 |  | Ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 |  | For |  | 58
4 |  | Transact other business that properly comes before the meeting |  |  |  |

2018 Nominees for the Board of Directors

Name |  | Age |  | Principal Occupation |  | Committee Memberships
John W. Casella |  | 67 |  | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. |  | None
William P. Hulligan |  | 74 |  | Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. |  | Audit Committee
James E. O’Connor |  | 68 |  | Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Republic Services, Inc. |  | Compensation Committee

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Company Performance Highlights and Execution Against 2018 Strategic Plan

Over the last several years, we have performed well against our key strategic initiatives, with this solid execution translating into strong stockholder value creation in fiscal 2017.

(1) | Peer stocks include: Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Covanta Holding Corporation, Republic Services, Inc., Waste Connections, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. Performance is measured as total shareholder return (stock price appreciation plus dividends, where applicable) from December 30, 2016 to December 29, 2017.

2021 Strategic Plan

In August 2017, we announced our updated strategic plan through our fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 (the “2021 Strategic Plan”). As part of the 2021 Strategic Plan, we intend to remain focused on creating shareholder value through: (1) increasing landfill returns; (2) improving collection profitability; and (3) creating incremental value through resource solutions. In addition, we also announced two new key strategies as part of the 2021 Strategic Plan: (4) reducing general and administration costs and improving efficiencies; and (5) allocating capital to balance debt delevering with smart growth.

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Executive Compensation Highlights

We maintain an executive compensation program that reflects our corporate strategy and short- and long-term business objectives and that provides performance-based pay that aligns the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders.

Our stockholders have shown their support for our executive compensation program as evidenced by a 99.7% favorable “say on-pay” vote at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Our Compensation Committee annually reviews our executive compensation program to ensure continued alignment with our philosophy, corporate strategy, and business objectives. The overall mix of total target compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers for fiscal 2017 is illustrated in the following charts:

We employ a number of “best practices” with respect to executive compensation design:

✓  Balance of short- and long-term incentive compensation; favors longer term ✓  Majority of named executive officer pay is performance-based ✓  Caps on named executive officer bonus payments ✓  Limited use of perquisites ✓  Executive officer and director stock ownership guidelines ✓  Double-trigger equity vesting at change in control in our 2016 Incentive Plan ✓  Clawback policy with respect to cash and equity incentive-based compensation ✓  Anti-hedging policy ✓  Commitment to no longer provide excise tax gross-ups in future employment agreements ✓  Independent Compensation Committee advisor

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PURPOSES OF THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

At the 2018 Annual Meeting, our stockholders will consider and vote upon the following matters:

| 1. | To elect three Class III directors, each to serve for a term expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;

| 2. | To approve, in an advisory “say-on-pay” vote, the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” executive compensation tables and accompanying narrative disclosures in this proxy statement;

| 3. | To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018; and

| 4. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the 2018 Annual Meeting and any postponement, adjournment, rescheduling or continuation thereof.

All proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained in those proxies. Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the enclosed proxy, all shares of our Class A and Class B common stock represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and that have not been revoked in accordance with the procedures set forth herein) will be voted (a) “FOR” the election of all three director nominees nominated by our Board as set forth in this proxy statement, (b) “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, (c) “FOR” the ratification of the appointment RSM US LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, and (d) in the discretion of the persons named on the proxy card in connection with any other business that may properly come before the 2018 Annual Meeting and any adjournments, postponements, reschedulings or continuations thereof, subject to compliance with Rule 14a-4(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). At this time, except as otherwise disclosed in this proxy statement, the Board knows of no other business that may properly come before the 2018 Annual Meeting; however, if other matters properly come before the 2018 Annual Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

Q. Why did I receive these proxy materials? | A. | We are providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation by our Board of proxies to be voted at the 2018 Annual Meeting, to be held at the Killington Grand Hotel, located at 228 East Mountain Road, Killington, Vermont 05751, on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Q. What is included in the proxy materials? | A. | The proxy materials include this proxy statement, a proxy card and our 2017 Annual Report, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Q. What are the recommendations of the Board? | A. | Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote your shares as follows:

| • |  | “FOR” the election of the three Class III directors nominated by our Board as set forth in this proxy statement;

| • |  | “FOR” the approval, in an advisory “say-on-pay” vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers; and

| • |  | “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

Q. Who can vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting and what are the voting rights of such stockholders? | A. | Our Board fixed April 13, 2018 as the record date for the 2018 Annual Meeting. If you were a stockholder of record on the record date, you are entitled to vote (in person or by proxy) all of the shares that you held on that date at the 2018 Annual Meeting and at any postponement, adjournment, rescheduling or continuation thereof.

On the record date, we had 41,700,025 shares of Class A common stock outstanding (each of which entitles its holder to one vote per share) and 988,200 shares of Class B common stock outstanding (each of which entitles its holder to 10 votes per share). Unless indicated otherwise in this proxy statement, we refer to our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock together as our common stock. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

No securities other than our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record on April 13, 2018 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Q. How do I vote? | A. | If your shares are registered directly in your name, you may vote three ways:

| (1) | Over the Internet: Go to the website of our tabulator, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at www.investorvote.com/CWST. Use the vote control number printed on your enclosed proxy card to access your account and vote your shares. You must specify how you want your shares voted or your internet vote cannot be completed and you will receive an error message. Your shares will be voted according to your

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| instructions. You must submit your internet proxy before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, May 31, 2018, the day before the 2018 Annual Meeting, for your proxy to be valid and your vote to count.

| (2) | By Telephone: Call 1-800-652-VOTE (8683), toll free from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, and follow the recorded instructions. You must specify how you want your shares voted and confirm your vote at the end of the call or your telephone vote cannot be completed. Your shares will be voted according to your instructions. You must submit your telephonic proxy before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, May 31, 2018, the day before the 2018 Annual Meeting, for your proxy to be valid and your vote to count.

| (3) | By Mail: If you received your proxy materials by mail, complete and sign your proxy card and mail it to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. in the postage prepaid envelope we provided. Computershare Trust Company, N.A. must receive the proxy card by Thursday, May 31, 2018, the day before the 2018 Annual Meeting, for your proxy to be valid and your vote to count. Your shares will be voted according to your instructions.

| (4) | In Person at the Meeting: If you attend the 2018 Annual Meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in person or you may vote by completing a ballot, which we will provide to you at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

| A. | If your shares are held in “street name,” meaning they are held for your account by a bank, broker or other nominee, you may vote:

| (1) | Over the Internet or by Telephone: You will receive instructions from your bank, broker or other nominee if they permit internet or telephone voting. You should follow those instructions.

| (2) | By Mail: You will receive instructions from your bank, broker or other nominee explaining how you can vote your shares by mail. You should follow those instructions.

| (3) | In Person at the Meeting: Contact your bank, broker or other nominee who holds your shares to obtain a broker’s legal proxy and bring it with you to the 2018 Annual Meeting. A broker’s legal proxy is not the form of proxy enclosed with this proxy statement. You will not be able to vote shares you hold in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee in person at the 2018 Annual Meeting unless you have a legal proxy from that bank, broker or other nominee issued in your name giving you the right to vote your shares.

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Q. How will my shares be voted if I do not return my proxy or do not provide specific voting instructions in the proxy card or voting instruction form that I submit? | A. | If your shares are registered directly in your name, your shares will not be voted if you do not vote over the internet, by telephone, by returning your proxy or by ballot at the 2018 Annual Meeting. If you submit a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions on one or more matters listed in the notice for the meeting, your shares will be voted as recommended by our Board on such matters, and as the proxyholders may determine in their discretion how to vote with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting, subject to compliance with Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act.

If your shares are held in street name at a broker, your broker may under certain circumstances vote your shares on “routine” matters if you do not timely provide voting instructions in accordance with the instructions provided by them. However, if you do not provide timely instructions, your broker does not have the authority to vote on any “non-routine” proposals at the 2018 Annual Meeting and a “broker non-vote” would occur.

Q. What effect do broker non-votes have on the proposals? | A. | Under applicable stock exchange rules, brokers may vote shares in their discretion on “routine” matters for which their customers do not provide voting instructions; however, on matters considered “non-routine,” brokers may not vote shares without their customers’ instruction. Shares that are voted on “routine” proposals by brokers but not on those proposals deemed “non-routine” are referred to as “broker non-votes” with respect to the “non-routine” proposals.

The election of directors (Proposal 1) and the advisory “say-on-pay” vote (Proposal 2) are “non-routine” matters. The ratification of the appointment of our independent auditors (Proposal 3) is a “routine” matter.

We encourage you to provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee by giving your proxy to them. This ensures that your shares will be voted at the 2018 Annual Meeting according to your instructions.

Q. How will my shares be voted if I mark “Abstain” on my proxy card? | A. | We will count a properly executed proxy card marked “Abstain” as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but abstentions will not be counted as votes cast for or against any given matter.

Q. Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy? | A. | If your shares are registered directly in your name, you may revoke your proxy or change your vote at any time before the 2018 Annual Meeting. To do so, you must do one of the following:

| (1) | Vote over the internet or by telephone as instructed above. Only your latest internet or telephone vote is counted. You may not change your vote over the internet or by telephone after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

| (2) | Sign a new proxy and mail it as instructed above. Only your latest dated, valid proxy received by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. by Thursday, May 31, 2018 will be counted.

| (3) | Attend the 2018 Annual Meeting, request that your proxy be revoked and vote in person as instructed above. Attending the 2018 Annual Meeting will not revoke your internet vote, telephone vote or proxy, as the case may be, unless you specifically request it.

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If your shares are held in street name, you may submit a new, later-dated voting instruction form or contact your bank, broker or other nominee. You may also vote in person at the 2018 Annual Meeting if you obtain a legal proxy as described in the answer to the question above entitled “How do I vote?”.

Q. How many shares must be present to hold the 2018 Annual Meeting? | A. | The presence, in person or by proxy, of shares representing a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the 2018 Annual Meeting by the holders of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock, voting together as a class, is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the 2018 Annual Meeting. For purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, we count as present any shares that are voted over the internet, by telephone, or by mail or that are represented in person at the 2018 Annual Meeting. Abstentions are counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Broker non-votes, if any, are counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. If a quorum is not present, we expect to adjourn the 2018 Annual Meeting until we obtain a quorum.

Q. What vote is required to approve each matter and how are votes counted? | A. | Proposal 1 — Election of Three Class III Directors

The three (3) nominees for director receiving the highest number of votes FOR election will be elected as Class III directors. Proposal 1 is a non-routine matter. Pursuant to our majority vote resignation policy included in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, any nominee who is an incumbent director and who does not receive more votes “for” his or her election than votes “withheld” from his or her election in an uncontested election of directors would be required to offer his or her resignation to the Board.

If a stockholder does not vote for the election of directors because the authority to vote is withheld, because a proxy is not returned, because the broker holding the shares does not vote, or because of some other reason, the shares will not count in determining the total number of votes for each nominee. Proxies signed and returned to the Company unmarked will be voted FOR the three (3) nominees (John W. Casella, William P. Hulligan and James E. O’Connor).

If your shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee in street name and you do not vote your shares, your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote your shares on Proposal 1. In this regard, please note that brokers may not vote on the election of directors in the absence of specific client instructions. Those who hold shares in a brokerage account are encouraged to provide voting instructions to their broker. Votes that are not returned, votes that are withheld and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election. In this regard, shares held in street name by banks, brokers or other nominees who indicate on their proxies that they do not have authority to vote the shares on Proposal 1 will not be counted as votes FOR or WITHHELD from any nominee and will be treated as broker non-votes.

Votes that are withheld will not be included in the vote tally for the election of directors and will not affect the results of the vote.

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With respect to Proposal 1, you may:

| • |  | vote FOR all nominees;

| • |  | vote FOR one or more nominees and WITHHOLD your vote from the other nominees; or

| • |  | WITHHOLD your vote from all nominees.

Proposal 2 — Advisory “Say-on-Pay” Vote on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers

To approve Proposal 2, the holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a class, representing a majority of the votes cast on the matter must vote FOR the proposal. Proposal 2 is a non-routine matter. Therefore, if your shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee in street name and you do not vote your shares, your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote your shares on Proposal 2. Shares held in street name by banks, brokers or other nominees who indicate on their proxies that they do not have authority to vote the shares on Proposal 2 will not be counted as votes FOR or AGAINST Proposal 2 and will be treated as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the voting on Proposal 2. If you vote to ABSTAIN on this Proposal 2, your shares will not be voted FOR or AGAINST the proposal and will not be counted as votes cast or shares withheld on Proposal 2. Voting to ABSTAIN will have no effect on the voting on Proposal 2.

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding. The outcome of this advisory vote will not overrule any decision by us or our Board (or any committee thereof). However, the Compensation Committee of our Board and our Board value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in their vote on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

Proposal 3 — Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Auditors

To approve Proposal 3, the holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a class, representing a majority of the votes cast on the matter must vote FOR the proposal. Proposal 3 is a routine matter. If your shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee in street name and you do not vote your shares, your bank, broker or other nominee may vote your unvoted shares on Proposal 3. If you vote to ABSTAIN on this Proposal 3, your shares will not be voted FOR or AGAINST the proposal and will not be counted as votes cast or shares withheld on Proposal 3. Voting to ABSTAIN will have no effect on the voting on Proposal 3.

Although stockholder ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 by the Audit Committee of our Board is not required, we believe that it is advisable to give stockholders an opportunity to ratify this appointment. If such ratification is not approved at the 2018 Annual Meeting, our Audit Committee may reconsider its appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

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Q. Are there other matters to be voted on at the 2018 Annual Meeting? | A. | We do not know of any matters that may come before the 2018 Annual Meeting other than as discussed in this proxy statement. If any other matters are properly presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on the matter subject to compliance with Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act.

Q. Where can I find the voting results? | A. | We will report the voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following the conclusion of the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Q. What is the Company’s Internet address? | A. | The Company’s internet address is www.casella.com. The Company’s filings with the SEC are available free of charge via a link from this address. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, information contained on our website is not part of this proxy statement. In addition, none of the information on the other websites listed in this proxy statement is part of this proxy statement. These website addresses are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Q. May I attend the 2018 Annual Meeting? | A. | Only holders of the Company’s shares as of the record date are entitled to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, please be prepared to provide proper identification, such as a driver’s license or state identification card. If you hold your shares in “street name,” you will need to provide proof of ownership, such as a recent account statement or letter from your bank, broker or other nominee, along with proper identification. The Company reserves the right to deny admittance to anyone who cannot adequately show proof of share ownership as of the record date.

No cameras, recording equipment, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted into the 2018 Annual Meeting and anyone recording the meeting on any device may be asked to leave.

Q. What are the costs of soliciting these proxies? | A. | We will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board, including the costs of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this proxy statement, the proxy card and any additional soliciting materials furnished to stockholders by or on behalf of the Company. In addition to such solicitation materials, our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies by telephone, telegram, facsimile, electronic mail, internet and text messaging as well as personal solicitation without additional compensation. You may also be solicited by advertisements in periodicals, press releases issued by us and postings on our corporate website. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, information contained on our corporate website is not part of this proxy statement.

Copies of solicitation material will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, dealers, voting trustees, their respective nominees and other agents holding shares in their names, which are beneficially owned by others, so that they may forward such solicitation material, together with our 2017 Annual Report, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, to beneficial owners. In addition, if asked, we will reimburse these persons for their reasonable expenses in forwarding these materials to the beneficial owners.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Information Regarding Directors and Director Nominees

Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our By-Laws provide for the classification of our Board into three classes, each having as nearly an equal number of directors as possible. The terms of service of the three classes are staggered so that the term of one class expires each year. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for a full term of three years to continue or succeed those directors whose terms are expiring.

Our Board currently consists of nine directors. Class I consists of Michael K. Burke, James F. Callahan, Jr. and Douglas R. Casella, each with a term ending at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Class II consists of Joseph G. Doody, Emily Nagle Green and Gregory B. Peters, each with a term ending at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Class III consists of John W. Casella, William P. Hulligan and James E. O’Connor, each with a term ending at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Upon the recommendation of the Nominations and Governance Committee of our Board, our Board nominated Messrs. John W. Casella, William P. Hulligan and James E. O’Connor for re-election at the 2018 Annual Meeting as Class III directors, each to serve until the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his respective successor is elected and qualified.

Director Biographies and Qualifications

The following table provides biographical information relating to each director and director nominee, including his or her age and period of service as a director of the Company; his or her committee memberships; his or her business experience, including principal occupation and employment and directorships at other public companies during the past five years; his or her community activities; and his or her other experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led our Board to conclude he or she should serve as a director of the Company.

Name |  | Age |  |  | Board Tenure, Principal Occupation, Other Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Directorships
Class III Director Nominees to be elected at the 2018 Annual Meeting (terms expiring at 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, if elected) |  |  |  |  |  |
John W. Casella Chairman |  |  | 67 |  |  | Mr. Casella has served as Chairman of our Board since July 2001 and as our Chief Executive Officer since 1993. Mr. Casella also served as our President from 1993 to July 2001 and as Chairman of our Board from 1993 to December 1999. In addition, Mr. Casella has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Casella Waste Management, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, since 1977. Mr. Casella is also an executive officer and director of Casella Construction, Inc., a company owned by Mr. Casella, his son John Casella II, his brother Douglas R. Casella, also a member of our Board, and Mr. Douglas Casella’s son, Joseph Casella, which specializes in general contracting, soil excavation and heavy equipment work, and which performs landfill-construction and related services for us. Mr. Casella has been a member of numerous industry-related and community service-related state

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Name |  | Age |  | Board Tenure, Principal Occupation, Other Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Directorships
|  |  |  | and local boards and commissions, including the National Recycling Coalition, the Board of Directors of the Associated Industries of Vermont, the Association of Vermont Recyclers, the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce, the Rutland Industrial Development Corporation and the Rutland Regional Medical Center. Mr. Casella has also served on various state task forces, serving in an advisory capacity to the Governors of Vermont and New Hampshire on solid waste issues. Mr. Casella holds an A.S. in Business Management from Bryant & Stratton College and a B.S. in Business Education from Castleton State College. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. Casella is qualified to serve on our Board due to his insight and expertise in the waste management industry and his leadership and knowledge of the Company obtained in his role as our Chief Executive Officer, coupled with his extensive business and leadership experience.
William P. Hulligan Audit Committee |  | 74 |  | Mr. Hulligan has served as a member of our Board since September 2015. Mr. Hulligan served as senior advisor to Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., a waste management company, from March 2014 to August 2015, as President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2012 to March 2014, and as President USA and Executive Vice President of Florida operations from July 2010 to January 2012. Prior to joining Progressive Waste Solutions, Mr. Hulligan served as Executive Vice President of North America Operations of Waste Services, Inc., a publicly-traded solid waste services company, from June 2003 to July 2010. Prior to joining Waste Services, Mr. Hulligan also spent over 20 years at Waste Management, Inc., a provider of waste management services, where he held various senior management positions. Mr. Hulligan previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of two publicly-traded waste management companies, EarthCare Company and OHM Corporation. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Environmental Industry Association as well as on the board of Trustees at John Carroll University and Bradley University. Mr. Hulligan holds a B.S. in Business Administration from John Carroll University. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. Hulligan is qualified to serve on our Board due to his over 40 years of experience in the waste management industry, including extensive operational and executive experience.

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Name |  | Age |  |  | Board Tenure, Principal Occupation, Other Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Directorships
James E. O’Connor Lead Director Compensation Committee |  |  | 68 |  |  | Mr. O’Connor has served as a member of our Board since July 2015. Mr. O’Connor served as Chief Executive Officer of Republic Services, Inc., a publicly-traded non-hazardous solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services company, from 1998 to 2011, and as Chairman of the Board of Republic Services from 2003 to 2011. Prior to joining Republic Services, Mr. O’Connor spent close to 30 years at Waste Management, Inc., a provider of waste management services, where he held various senior management positions. Mr. O’Connor is a member of the Board of Directors of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a publicly-traded provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America, where he serves on the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Canadian National Railway Company, a publicly-traded rail transportation company, where he chairs the board’s Strategic Planning Committee and also serves on the Audit, Environmental & Safety and Finance Committees. Mr. O’Connor holds a B.S. in Commerce (concentration in accounting) from DePaul University. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. O’Connor is qualified to serve on our Board due to his over 40 years of experience in the waste management industry, including extensive public company leadership experience, as well as experience serving on the boards of directors of publicly-traded companies in a variety of industries, including waste management, transportation and energy.
Class I Directors (terms expiring at 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders) |  |  |  |  |  |
Michael K. Burke Audit Committee Nominations and Governance Committee |  |  | 60 |  |  | Mr. Burke has served as a member of our Board since February 2008. Mr. Burke has served as Chief Financial Officer of EndoGastric Solutions, Inc., a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing incisionless surgical technology for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, since November 2015. From January 2012 to June 2014, Mr. Burke served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Landauer, Inc., a publicly traded global provider of devices, consumable medical products and technical/analytical services. Prior to Landauer, Mr. Burke served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Albany International Corp., a publicly-traded global advanced textiles and materials processing company, from July 2009 to September 2010. Mr. Burke served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Intermagnetics General Corporation, a publicly traded medical device company, from December 2001 until its sale to Royal Philips Electronics in November 2006. Before joining Intermagnetics

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Name |  | Age |  | Board Tenure, Principal Occupation, Other Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Directorships
|  |  |  | General Corporation, Mr. Burke served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HbT, Inc., a manufacturer of hydrogen generators and processors. Prior to joining HbT in May 2000, Mr. Burke served as a Managing Director within the U.S. Investment Banking Department of CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. Mr. Burke holds a B.A. in Economics from Lake Forest College and a Graduate Certificate in Mergers and Acquisitions from The Wharton School. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. Burke is qualified to serve on our Board due to his leadership and financial experience, particularly his past experience as a senior-level investment banker with a prominent investment banking firm and as a chief financial officer of various publicly-traded companies, and his broad functional skill set.
James F. Callahan, Jr. Audit Committee (Chair) Nominations and Governance Committee |  | 74 |  | Mr. Callahan has served as a member of our Board since March 2003. Mr. Callahan served as an audit and business advisory partner of Arthur Andersen LLP, an independent public accounting firm, from September 1975 to March 2000. Mr. Callahan has been retired since March 2000. Mr. Callahan has served as a member of various community service-related boards and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services’ Hogan Regional Center and is Trustee Emeritus of Bates College. Mr. Callahan holds a B.A. from Bates College and an M.B.A. from the Rutgers University School of Management. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. Callahan is qualified to serve on our Board due to his years of experience at Arthur Andersen LLP, the depth and breadth of his financial reporting expertise and his experience with complex financial matters.
Douglas R. Casella Vice Chairman |  | 61 |  | Mr. Casella has served as Vice Chairman of our Board since 1993. Mr. Casella founded Casella Waste Management, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ours, in 1975 and has served as its President since then. Since 1989, Mr. Casella has served as President of Casella Construction, Inc., a company owned by Mr. Casella, his son Joseph Casella, his brother John W. Casella, who is also our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Mr. John Casella’s son, John Casella II, which specializes in general contracting, soil excavation and heavy equipment work, and which performs landfill-construction and related services for us. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. Casella is qualified to serve on our Board due to his extensive experience with operational and asset management matters in the waste management industry.

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Name |  | Age |  |  | Board Tenure, Principal Occupation, Other Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Directorships
Class II Directors (terms expiring at 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders) |  |  |  |  |  |
Joseph G. Doody Compensation Committee (Chair) |  |  | 65 |  |  | Mr. Doody has served as a member of our Board since 2004. Mr. Doody served as Vice Chairman of Staples, Inc., an office products company, from January 2014 until September 2017. Previously, Mr. Doody had served as President, North American Commercial of Staples, Inc. from 1998 until January 2014. From 1974 to 1998, Mr. Doody held several managerial positions with the Eastman Kodak Company, an imaging technology company, including General Manager and Vice President, North America, Office Imaging. Mr. Doody has served on the Board of Directors of Paychex, Inc., a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions, since October 2010, and Virtusa Corporation, a global business consulting and IT outsourcing company, since February 2017. Mr. Doody holds a B.S. in Economics from State University of New York at Brockport and an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. Doody is qualified to serve on our Board due to his significant leadership experience, board experience and management experience with a publicly-traded multinational company.
Emily Nagle Green Compensation Committee Nominations and Governance Committee |  |  | 60 |  |  | Ms. Nagle Green has served as a member of our Board since July 2012. From January 2012 until July 2015, Ms. Nagle Green served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Lunches, Inc., an online delivery service providing fresh meals to children. From November 2005 to June 2011, Ms. Nagle Green served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Yankee Group, a technology research firm, and from June 2011 to January 2012, Ms. Nagle Green served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yankee Group. Prior to joining Yankee Group, Ms. Nagle Green served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Energy Research, an energy research and consulting firm, from 2003 to 2004. From 1995 to 2003, Ms. Nagle Green served in several leadership positions with Forrester Research, a provider of information technology and consulting services. Ms. Nagle Green is a member of the Board of Directors of Investors Real Estate Trust, a multifamily real estate investment trust. Ms. Nagle Green holds a B.S.L. from Georgetown University and an M.S. in Engineering and Computer Graphics from the University of Pennsylvania. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Ms. Nagle Green is qualified to serve on our Board due to her substantial senior management executive experience as well as over 25 years of experience in identifying and leveraging technology trends.

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Name |  | Age |  | Board Tenure, Principal Occupation, Other Business Experience During the Past Five Years and Other Directorships
Gregory B. Peters Compensation Committee Audit Committee Nominations and Governance Committee (Chair) |  | 72 |  | Mr. Peters has served as a member of our Board since 1993. From November 2002 to October 2015, he served as our Lead Director. Mr. Peters has served as managing general partner of Lake Champlain Capital Management, LLC, a corporate finance firm, since April 2001. From April 1988 to March 2001, Mr. Peters served as managing general partner of Vermont Venture Capital Partners, L.P., a venture capital company. Mr. Peters also previously served as general partner of North Atlantic Capital Partners, L.P., a venture capital company. Mr. Peters holds a B.A. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Skills and Qualifications: We believe Mr. Peters is qualified to serve on our Board due to his significant experience as a professional investor and extensive experience in areas of corporate governance.

The holders of Class A common stock, voting separately as a class, are entitled to elect the Class A Director. Mr. Peters, a Class II director and a member of the Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and Nominations and Governance Committee, serves as the Class A Director.

The employment agreement by and between us and Mr. John Casella requires that we use our best efforts to cause Mr. John Casella to be nominated and elected as a director.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

General

We believe that good corporate governance is important to ensure that the Company is managed for the long-term benefit of our stockholders. This section describes key corporate governance policies and practices that we have adopted. We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, Corporate Governance Guidelines and charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominations and Governance Committee of our Board. Complete copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines and committee charters, which are described below, are available on the Investor Relations section of our website, www.casella.com. Alternatively, you can request a copy of any of these documents by writing to Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701.

Board Responsibilities

The Board oversees, counsels and directs management in our long-term interests and those of our stockholders. The Board’s responsibilities include:

| • |  | Selecting and regularly evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers;

| • |  | Reviewing and approving our major financial objectives and strategic and operating plans, business risks and actions;

| • |  | Overseeing the conduct of our business to evaluate whether the business is being properly managed; and

| • |  | Overseeing the processes for maintaining the integrity of our financial statements and other publicly disclosed information in compliance with law.

All of our directors are expected to comply with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Insider Trading Policy. The Board conducts an annual self-evaluation. In addition, we encourage our directors to attend formal training programs in areas relevant to the discharge of their duties as directors.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities and to serve the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. These guidelines, which provide a framework for the conduct of our Board’s business, provide, among other matters, that:

| • |  | our Board’s principal responsibility is to oversee the management of the Company;

| • |  | a majority of the members of our Board shall be independent directors;

| • |  | the independent directors shall meet regularly in executive session;

| • |  | directors shall have full and free access to management and, as necessary and appropriate, independent advisors;

| • |  | newly elected directors are expected to participate in a briefing program and all directors are expected to participate in continuing director education on an ongoing basis. The briefing program

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| is designed to provide new directors with the non-public information regarding the strategic direction of the Company as well as a background of the Company’s financial information; and

| • |  | at least annually, our Board and its committees will conduct a self-evaluation to determine whether they are functioning effectively.

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

Our Board believes that each non-employee director should acquire and hold shares of our stock in an amount that is meaningful and appropriate to such director. Accordingly, our Board adopted stock ownership guidelines that require each non-employee director to attain a share ownership level of our Class A common stock having a value equal to three times the amount of the annual retainer fee paid to non-employee directors for service on our Board. Each non-employee director is required to attain such ownership levels by the third annual meeting of stockholders following the first annual meeting of stockholders at which such non-employee director is elected to our Board. As of December 31, 2017, each of our non-employee directors was in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines.

Executive Officer Stock Ownership Policy

We have adopted an executive officer stock ownership policy reflective of the Board’s view that all executive officers should have a significant personal investment in the Company through their ownership of shares of Class A common stock. Our stock ownership policy is applicable to all executive officers who are required to file reports pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and requires such executive officers to hold shares of Class A common stock or other equity rights, including restricted stock with time-based vesting, vested stock options and restricted stock units with time-based vesting, with a value at least equal to the following multiple of the individual’s respective base salary: Chief Executive Officer: 3X, President/Chief Operating Officer: 2X, Chief Financial Officer: 2X and our other executive officers: 1X. The stock ownership requirement will be measured as to each executive officer as of March 1 (the “measurement date”) of each year. In the event that an executive officer does not satisfy the stock ownership requirement as of any measurement date, then such executive officer is required to retain all shares of Class A common stock held by such executive officer, subject to certain exceptions, and any shares thereafter acquired by such executive officer until such time as such executive officer satisfies the stock ownership requirement. As of March 1, 2018, all of our executive officers were in compliance with the executive officer stock ownership policy.

Restrictions on Hedging Transactions and Pledging Transactions

Our insider trading policy restricts hedging transactions and the pledging of shares other than pledges pursuant to approved exceptions granted in extraordinary situations where a person wishes to pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan (other than a margin loan) and clearly demonstrates the financial capacity to repay the loan without resort to the pledged securities.

Board Determination of Independence

Under the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our Board, that person does not have a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our Board determined that none of Ms. Nagle Green or Messrs. Burke, Callahan, Doody, Hulligan, O’Connor and Peters has a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.

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Director Nomination Process

The Nominations and Governance Committee acts under a written charter that we have posted on the Corporate Governance page of the Investor Relations section of our website, www.casella.com. The process followed by the Nominations and Governance Committee to identify and evaluate director candidates includes requests to Board members and others for recommendations, meetings to evaluate biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates and interviews of selected candidates by members of the Nominations and Governance Committee and our Board. In addition, in 2017 the Nominations and Governance Committee retained the services of an independent consultant to assist the Committee and our Board in developing a board succession plan to serve as a guideline for future Board member recruitment.

Criteria and Diversity

In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in our Board’s slate of recommended director nominees, the Nominations and Governance Committee applies the criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, knowledge of our business and industry, experience, diligence, absence of conflicts of interest and the ability to act in the interests of all stockholders. The Nominations and Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. The Nominations and Governance Committee does not have a formal diversity policy, but believes that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow our Board to fulfill its responsibilities to our stockholders.

The director biographies appearing above indicate each nominee’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board to conclude that he or she should continue to serve as a member of our Board. Our Board believes that each of the nominees has substantial achievement in his or her professional pursuits, and possesses the background, talents and experience that our Board desires and that will contribute to the best interests of the Company and to long-term stockholder value.

Stockholder Nominations

Stockholders may recommend individuals to the Nominations and Governance Committee for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting their names, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials to: Nominations and Governance Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701. The Nominations and Governance Committee has no obligation to consider individuals recommended by stockholders for nomination by the Committee as potential director candidates. However, assuming that appropriate biographical and background material has been provided on a timely basis, we expect that individuals recommended by stockholders would be so considered and evaluated by the Nominations and Governance Committee by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as it follows for candidates identified by the Committee and others.

Stockholders also have the right under our By-Laws to directly nominate director candidates, without any action or recommendation on the part of the Nominations and Governance Committee or our Board, by following the procedures set forth under “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.” If our Board determines to nominate a stockholder-recommended candidate and recommends his or her election, then his or her name will be included in our proxy statement and proxy card for the next annual meeting of stockholders. Otherwise, candidates nominated by stockholders in accordance with the procedures set forth in the By-Laws will not be included in our proxy statement and proxy card for the next annual meeting.

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Board Meetings and Attendance

Our Board met eight times during fiscal 2017, either in person or by teleconference. During fiscal 2017, each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the meetings of our Board and the committees of our Board on which he or she then served.

Director Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders

We encourage, but have no policy with respect to, attendance of directors at the annual meeting of stockholders. Four of our then-serving directors attended the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Board Leadership Structure

Mr. John Casella serves as Chairman of our Board and our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. O’Connor serves as our Lead Director. Our Board believes that combining the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions fosters clear accountability, effective decision-making and alignment of corporate strategy, strikes an effective balance between strategy development, independent leadership and management oversight in the Board process and, taken together with the Lead Director role, is the appropriate leadership structure for us at this time. The responsibilities of the Lead Director are included in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on the Corporate Governance page of the Investor Relations section of our website, www.casella.com. The Lead Director chairs meetings of our independent directors, meets with any director who is not adequately performing his or her duties as a member of our Board or any committee and facilitates communications between the Chairman of our Board and other directors. The Lead Director also works with the Chairman of our Board in preparing agendas for each meeting of our Board and consults with the Chairman of our Board on matters relating to corporate governance and board performance.

Board Committees

Our Board has established three standing committees — Audit, Compensation and Nominations and Governance—each of which operates under a charter that was approved by our Board.

Our Board determined that all of the members of each of its three committees are independent under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, including, in the case of all members of the Audit Committee, the independence requirements under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, and, in the case of all members of the Compensation Committee, the independence requirements under Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. Our current non-employee directors serve on the committees of our Board as follows:

|  | Audit Committee |  | Compensation Committee |  | Nominations and Governance Committee
Michael K. Burke |  |  |  |  |  |
James F. Callahan |  |  |  |  |  |
Joseph G. Doody |  |  |  |  |  |
William P. Hulligan |  |  |  |  |  |
Emily Nagle Green |  |  |  |  |  |
James E. O’Connor** |  |  |  |  |  |
Gregory B. Peters |  |  |  |  |  |

** | Lead Director

| Chairperson

| Member

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Audit Committee

The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include:

| • |  | appointing, evaluating, retaining and, if necessary, terminating an independent registered public accounting firm to serve as our independent auditors;

| • |  | reviewing and discussing with management and our independent auditors our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures and the internal controls over our financial reporting;

| • |  | overseeing our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

| • |  | taking appropriate actions, or recommending that our Board take appropriate action, to oversee the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors, including the consideration of independence when preapproving audit and non-audit services;

| • |  | overseeing our internal audit function;

| • |  | monitoring the performance of our internal audit function and our independent auditors, including conducting an annual evaluation of the performance of our auditors;

| • |  | overseeing our risk management policies;

| • |  | reviewing and approving or ratifying any related person transactions; and

| • |  | preparing the Audit Committee report required by SEC rules, which is included on page 26 of this proxy statement.

The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Callahan (Chair), Burke, Hulligan and Peters. Our Board determined that Mr. Callahan is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2017, either in person or by teleconference. See “Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.”

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include:

| • |  | administering any bonus, incentive compensation and stock incentive plans;

| • |  | reviewing and approving the salaries and certain other compensation and benefits of our executive officers;

| • |  | reviewing and making recommendations to our Board with respect to director compensation;

| • |  | reviewing and discussing with management our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” which is included beginning on page 27 of this proxy statement; and

| • |  | preparing the Compensation Committee report required by SEC rules, which is included on page 36 of this proxy statement.

Under its charter, the Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees as its deems appropriate from time to time under the circumstances. The members of the Compensation Committee

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are Messrs. Doody (Chair), O’Connor and Peters and Ms. Nagle Green. The Compensation Committee met five times during fiscal 2017, either in person or by teleconference.

Nominations and Governance Committee

The Nominations and Governance Committee’s responsibilities include:

| • |  | identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board;

| • |  | recommending to our Board persons to be nominated for election as directors;

| • |  | developing, reviewing and recommending to our Board applicable corporate governance guidelines; and

| • |  | overseeing an annual evaluation of our Board.

The members of the Nominations and Governance Committee are Messrs. Peters (Chair), Burke and Callahan and Ms. Nagle Green. The Nominations and Governance Committee met four times during fiscal 2017, either in person or by teleconference.

Risk Oversight

Role of Our Board in Management of Risk

Our Board administers its risk oversight function directly and through its Audit Committee and receives regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to us, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, cybersecurity, strategic and reputational risks. As part of its charter, the Audit Committee regularly discusses with management our major risk exposures, their potential financial impact on us and the steps we take to manage them. In addition, the Compensation Committee assists our Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks arising from our compensation policies and programs and succession planning. The Nominations and Governance Committee assists our Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with board organization, membership and structure and corporate governance.

Risk Considerations in Executive Compensation

Our Compensation Committee regularly considers risk as it relates to our executive compensation program, and our Compensation Committee does not believe our executive compensation program encourages excessive or inappropriate risk taking. As described more fully below in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we structure our compensation program to consist of both fixed and variable components to motivate our executives to produce superior short and long-term results that are in the best interests of us and our stockholders in order to attain our ultimate objective of increasing stockholder value. We believe that any risks that may arise from our compensation policies and practices for our employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The members of the Compensation Committee in fiscal 2017 were Messrs. Doody, O’Connor and Peters and Ms. Nagle Green. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of our Board or Compensation Committee.

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Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

We have adopted a written policy and have established procedures regarding approval of transactions between us and any employee, officer, director and other related persons, including those required to be reported under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. The policy requires that all related person transactions are reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by our Board.

With respect to bidding projects in excess of $500,000 in which a related person, including Casella Construction, Inc., is a bidder, the Audit Committee has established a specific procedure. This procedure requires us to solicit a minimum of three qualified bids. The bid package is required to be sufficiently detailed to allow for direct comparisons of costs between responsive bidders. Bids for work on which Casella Construction, Inc. or any other related person is bidding are required to be directed to a third party engineer for opening, compilation and tabulation. The bids are then evaluated by the project team based on price, performance references, qualifications, experience, alternate bid items, proposed schedule, subcontractors qualifications/references, technical compliance and other bid information that is in the best interest of the project. In the event that a construction contract is successfully bid by a related person, bids and recommendations are required to be submitted to our Chief Financial Officer and our President and Chief Operating Officer for submission to the Audit Committee for review and to our Board for approval. With respect to sole source bids (i.e. those less than $500,000), the Audit Committee is required to be provided with documentation describing the reason for the work, a comparison of market or historical prices to the bid price, and approval by our Chief Financial Officer or our President and Chief Operating Officer. Change orders relating to contracts with related parties are required to be forwarded to our Chief Financial Officer for submission to the Audit Committee for review and to our Board for approval before the change order is approved; provided that change orders to existing contracts with related parties may be approved by our Chief Financial Officer and our President and Chief Operating Officer (executive officers who are not affiliated with the related parties), as long as the total value of such change orders does not exceed 10% of the value of the contract, up to a maximum of $500,000, and subject to ratification of the change order by our Board. Transactions not exceeding $75,000 individually or $300,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year may, for administrative purposes, be approved by our President and Chief Operating Officer or our Chief Financial Officer, subject to ratification and approval by the Audit Committee and our Board.

The credit agreement for our term loan facility and revolving credit facility provides that, subject to certain exceptions, we may not enter into any transaction with any affiliate of ours, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, unless our Board determines in good faith that such transaction is on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable as would be obtainable by us at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction.

Our related person transaction policy also provides that transactions involving compensation of executive officers shall be reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee in the manner specified in its charter.

We engage Casella Construction, Inc., a company owned by John W. Casella, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of our Board, his son John Casella II, his brother Douglas R. Casella, the Vice Chairman of our Board, and Mr. Douglas Casella’s son, Joseph Casella, to provide construction and related services for us, including construction, closure and capping activities at our landfills. Total purchased services from Casella Construction, Inc. charged to operations or capitalized to landfills from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 was $3,377,303, of which $30,006 was outstanding and included in either accounts payable or other current liabilities at December 31, 2017. All contracts awarded to Casella Construction, Inc. in excess of $500,000 were approved in accordance with the procedures described above for bidding projects in which a related person is a bidder. In addition, we have approved ongoing contracts with Casella Construction, Inc., which we expect will result in additional payments by us to Casella Construction, Inc. Total revenue recorded pursuant to these contracts from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 was $237,102.

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We are also party to two real estate leases with Casella Associates, LLP, a Vermont limited liability company owned by Messrs. John Casella and Douglas Casella. These leases relate to our corporate headquarters in Rutland, Vermont, and our Montpelier, Vermont facility, and provide for aggregate monthly payments by us of $27,916, subject to an annual escalation provision based on increases in the consumer price index, through their expiration in April 2018. These leases include a five year lessee renewal option with terms consistent with the current leases.

From 1977 to 1992, we operated an unlined landfill located in Whitehall, New York, owned by Bola, Inc., a corporation owned by Messrs. John Casella and Douglas Casella, which operated as a single-purpose real estate holding company. We paid the cost of closing this landfill in 1992, and have agreed to pay all post-closure obligations. From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017, we paid an aggregate of $27,400 pursuant to this arrangement. As of December 31, 2017, we had accrued $60,365 for costs related to those post-closure obligations.

In connection with Mr. Douglas Casella’s service as President of Casella Waste Management, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, in fiscal 2017 we granted Mr. Douglas Casella a restricted stock unit award with a grant date fair value of $120,619 and paid $8,883 for life insurance premiums.

Michael Casella, the son of Mr. John Casella, is employed by the Company as a general manager. From January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, Mr. Michael Casella earned $165,627 as salary, bonus, and other benefits related to his employment and received a restricted stock unit award with a grant date fair value of $8,001.

Elizabeth Casella, the daughter of Mr. John Casella, is employed by the Company as Director, Solutions Development & Coordination. From January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, Ms. Casella earned $142,361 as salary, bonus, and other benefits related to her employment and received a restricted stock unit award with a grant date fair value of $9,998.

We have entered into employment agreements with certain of our officers. See “Executive and Director Compensation and Related Matters — Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control — Employment Agreements.”

Communicating with the Independent Directors

Our Board will give appropriate attention to written communications that are submitted by stockholders, and will respond if and as appropriate. Our Lead Director, with the assistance of our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, is primarily responsible for monitoring communications from stockholders and for providing copies or summaries to the other directors as he considers appropriate.

Communications are forwarded to all directors if they relate to important substantive matters and include suggestions or comments that our Lead Director considers to be important for the directors to know. In general, communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to ordinary business affairs, personal grievances and matters as to which we receive repetitive or duplicative communications.

Stockholders who wish to send communications on any topic to our Board should address such communications to: Board of Directors, Attn: Corporate Secretary, Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701.

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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and persons performing similar functions. We have posted a current copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on the Corporate Governance page of the Investor Relations section of our website, www.casella.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq’s listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

The Audit Committee reviewed our audited financial statements for fiscal 2017 and discussed these financial statements with our management and RSM US LLP, our independent auditors.

The Audit Committee also received from, and discussed with, our independent auditors various communications that our independent auditors are required to provide to the Audit Committee, including the matters required to be discussed by AS 1301: Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”).

Our independent auditors also provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), as modified or supplemented. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors their independence from us.

Based on its discussions with management and the independent auditors, and its review of the representations and information provided by management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.

Following the completion of the Audit Committee’s review of our fiscal 2017 financial statements and our internal accounting controls over financial reporting for fiscal 2017, the Audit Committee, with input from management, completed an evaluation of the performance of our independent auditors, RSM US LLP. Based on the results of this evaluation, the Audit Committee determined that it was in the best interest of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and its stockholders to appoint, and the Audit Committee then appointed, RSM US LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Casella Waste Systems, Inc.

James F. Callahan, Jr., Chair

Michael K. Burke

William P. Hulligan

Gregory B. Peters

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis is designed to provide our stockholders with an understanding of our executive compensation philosophy, objectives, program and process, as well as the compensation paid to our named executive officers in fiscal 2017. For fiscal 2017, our named executive officers were:

| • |  | John W. Casella, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board;

| • |  | Edmond R. Coletta, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;

| • |  | Edwin D. Johnson, our President and Chief Operating Officer;

| • |  | David L. Schmitt, our Senior Vice President and General Counsel; and

| • |  | Christopher B. Heald, our Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer.

Executive Summary

Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee seeks to achieve the following broad objectives in connection with our executive compensation program:

| • |  | Attract, retain and incentivize qualified and talented executives by providing compensation opportunities comparable to those offered by other companies with which we compete for business and talent;

| • |  | Reward achievement of our short-term and long-term business objectives, while discouraging excessive risk-taking behavior;

| • |  | Ensure that executive compensation is aligned with our corporate strategies, business objectives and the long-term interests of our stockholders; and

| • |  | Closely align the long-term interests of our executives with those of our stockholders by providing equity incentives that link a portion of the executives’ compensation with the future performance of our Class A common stock.

Company Performance Highlights and Execution Against 2018 Strategic Plan

Over the last five years we have made significant progress in simplifying our business structure, improving cash flows and reducing risk exposure by divesting and closing under-performing operations that did not enhance or complement our core operations. Specifically, we have had success during this period improving our financial performance and driving positive cash flows by advancing efforts in the following four key areas:

| • |  | Increasing landfill returns by driving pricing in excess of inflation in the disposal capacity constrained markets in the northeast and working to maximize capacity utilization.

| • |  | Driving additional profitability in our collection operations through profitable revenue growth, operating efficiencies and selling or swapping under-performing routes or operations.

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| • |  | Creating incremental value through our resource solutions offerings in our recycling, organics, and customer solutions operations.

| • |  | Improving our balance sheet and reducing risk through continued capital discipline and a focus on debt repayment with excess cash flows.

2021 Strategic Plan

In August 2017, we announced our 2021 Strategic Plan. As part of the 2021 Strategic Plan, we intend to remain focused on creating shareholder value through: (1) increasing landfill returns; (2) improving collection profitability; and (3) creating incremental value through resource solutions. In addition, we also announced two new key strategies as part of the 2021 Plan: (4) reducing general and administration costs and improving efficiencies; and (5) allocating capital to balance debt delevering with smart growth.

Fiscal 2017 Compensation Decisions

Our compensation decisions for fiscal 2017, including with respect to our named executive officers, were based on company and individual performance.

| • |  | Base salary increases ranging from 2.4% to 12.1% for our named executive officers;

| • |  | For our Chief Executive Officer, annual cash incentive compensation payout of 132.6% of his target annual cash incentive amount, and for each of our other named executive officers, annual cash incentive compensation payout of 167.7% of each such named executive officer’s target annual cash incentive amount, driven by strong performance against our fiscal 2017 budgeted amounts for Adjusted Operating Income and Free Cash Flow, with 100% of such payments made to named executive officers based on corporate performance. The Compensation Committee exercised discretion to reduce our Chief Executive Officer’s annual cash incentive compensation payout on account of the decision to close the landfill located in Southbridge, Massachusetts, or Southbridge Landfill, and the resultant impairment charge; and

| • |  | Awards consisting of performance-based stock units, or PSUs, which vest based on (i) our level of achievement of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA during the third year of our three-year performance period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 and (ii) a multiplier based on Relative Total Shareholder Return, or Relative TSR, for the period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. Relative TSR means the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the Russell 2000 Index.

Roles of Our Compensation Committee and Compensation Committee Consultant

The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing our executive compensation program. In this capacity, the Compensation Committee designs, implements, reviews and approves annually all compensation for our named executive officers. In the performance of its duties, the Compensation Committee periodically reviews the total compensation, including the base salary, annual incentive compensation opportunities, long-term incentive award opportunities and other benefits for each of our named executive officers. In the first quarter of each year, the Compensation Committee meets to determine base salary increases, if any, for our named executive officers; confirm the results of our prior-year performance for purposes of the annual incentive compensation awards; approve strategic and business objectives, which include the performance measures and goals for the annual incentive compensation plan; review the annual incentive compensation targets for the current year; and approve the form, amount, dollar value and vesting criteria for equity awards.

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The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants and other outside advisors to assist in the evaluation of executive officer compensation. In fiscal 2017, the Compensation Committee retained an independent compensation consultant, Pay Governance LLC, or Pay Governance, to assist the Compensation Committee and the Company in reviewing executive compensation disclosures, compensation surveys and CEO pay ratio; administering the Relative TSR multiplier for PSUs and performance options; and completing a review of director compensation.

In making executive compensation decisions for fiscal 2017, the Compensation Committee analyzed a number of factors, including the compensation data provided by Pay Governance, from independent commercially available salary surveys published by Willis Towers Watson and other sources, which included publicly available compensation information from our industry and other industries. Data was generally gathered from this independent market data based on the size of the organization (measured in revenue) and type of organization, and where possible, the data was targeted to our revenue level using regression analysis.

The Compensation Committee also reviewed compensation programs of a peer group of publicly traded companies in the waste management industry. While we do not consider their compensation programs to be directly comparable to ours due to the larger size of those companies, we do review their programs to understand how relevant peers in our industry align performance-based compensation to key operating and financial metrics. This peer group, which is periodically reviewed and updated by the Compensation Committee and its external advisor, consists of Covanta Holding Corporation, Republic Services, Inc., Waste Connections, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. was formerly included in our peer group prior to its acquisition by Waste Connections, Inc. While the Compensation Committee did not target any compensation element or total compensation for fiscal 2017 to any specified level of the peer group due to the relative size of the Company compared to the peer group companies, it reviewed the peer group executive compensation data to supplement its general understanding of current executive compensation practices and levels among the Company’s industry peers.

In addition, the Compensation Committee also relied on various other factors in making executive compensation decisions for fiscal 2017, including our 2018 Strategic Plan, our budget, our guidance ranges, existing compensation paid to executive officers, experience level of the individual, market factors, general economic conditions, corporate performance and cost of living in the areas where our executive officers live.

Say-on-Pay Feedback from Stockholders

The Compensation Committee carefully considers feedback received from shareholders on compensation for our named executive officers. At our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we submitted our executive compensation program to an advisory vote of our stockholders and it received the support of over 99% of the total votes cast. The Compensation Committee considered the results of the advisory stockholder vote, together with the other factors and data discussed in this proxy statement, in determining executive compensation decisions and policies. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the say-on-pay votes as it reviews and determines the total compensation packages for our named executive officers.

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Components of our Executive Compensation Program

The primary elements of our executive compensation program are:

Element |  | Fixed or Variable |  | Objectives
Base Salary |  | Fixed |  | To attract and retain executive officers by offering fixed compensation that is generally competitive with market opportunities and that recognizes each executive officer’s position, role, responsibility and experience.
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation |  | Variable |  | To link pay and annual Company performance. Align executive compensation with the annual financial performance of the Company.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation |  | Variable |  | To link pay and long-term Company performance. Reward stock appreciation, align our executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders by focusing on the creation of long-term stockholder value and promote long-term retention.

Base Salary

On an annual basis, our Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates for adjustment the base salaries of our named executive officers based on the scope of each executive’s responsibilities, individual contribution, prior experience and sustained performance. Base salaries are also reviewed and adjusted, as deemed appropriate, in the case of promotions or other significant changes in responsibility. No formulaic base salary increases are provided to our named executive officers, and none of our named executive officers is currently party to an employment agreement that provides for automatic or scheduled increases in base salary. In making decisions regarding salary increases, the Compensation Committee may also draw on the experiences of members of our Board with other companies and its review of independent commercially available salary surveys and publicly available compensation information. After taking into consideration such factors, the Compensation Committee approved increases in the annual base salaries of our named executive officers ranging from 2.4% to 12.1% for fiscal 2017.

The following table sets forth the annual base salaries of our named executive officers for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016:

Name |  | Annual Base Salary for Fiscal 2017 |  |  | Annual Base Salary for Fiscal 2016 |  |  | Percentage Increase in Base Salary |
John W. Casella |  | $ | 525,000 |  |  | $ | 468,180 |  |  |  | 12.1 | %
Edmond R. Coletta |  | $ | 335,000 |  |  | $ | 308,703 |  |  |  | 8.5 | %
Edwin D. Johnson |  | $ | 405,000 |  |  | $ | 395,352 |  |  |  | 2.4 | %
David L. Schmitt |  | $ | 310,000 |  |  | $ | 281,694 |  |  |  | 10.0 | %
Christopher B. Heald |  | $ | 210,000 |  |  | $ | 192,474 |  |  |  | 9.1 | %

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Annual incentive compensation is paid to our named executive officers under our Non-Equity Incentive Plan, pursuant to which participants are granted awards that are earned at the end of a specified performance period, subject to the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee. Performance goals for the applicable fiscal year are established by the Compensation Committee and based on attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of performance measures. The amount of incentive

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compensation paid to a named executive officer may, in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, be less than or more than the amount otherwise payable to such named executive officer based on attainment of performance goals for the applicable fiscal year.

Fiscal 2017 target annual cash incentive amounts

In 2017, the Compensation Committee determined that each of the Company’s named executive officers would have an opportunity to earn annual incentive compensation for fiscal 2017 based on a percentage of annual base salary. The target annual cash incentive compensation opportunity of each named executive officer for fiscal 2017, based upon the following percentage of the respective officer’s annual base salary, was as follows:

Name |  | Fiscal 2017 Target Annual Cash Incentive Percentage |  |  | Fiscal 2017 Target Annual Cash Incentive Amount |
John W. Casella |  |  | 150 | % |  | $ | 787,500 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 85 | % |  | $ | 284,750 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 85 | % |  | $ | 344,250 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 75 | % |  | $ | 232,500 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 50 | % |  | $ | 105,000 |

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Fiscal 2017 performance measures, weightings and goals

In December 2016, the Compensation Committee established performance measures and specific performance goals based solely on our fiscal 2017 budget, and not individual performance, that had to be achieved in order for any annual incentive compensation to be paid to our named executive officers for fiscal 2017. The Compensation Committee evaluated key financial measures and identified and defined Adjusted Operating Income and Free Cash Flow, both non-GAAP measures, as appropriate drivers of performance under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan for fiscal 2017.1 All of our named executive officers were assigned the same performance measures and weightings in recognition of their shared responsibility for overall corporate financial performance.

The performance measures and weightings for fiscal 2017 annual cash incentive compensation were as follows:

|  | Fiscal 2017 Performance Measures and Weightings |
|  | Adjusted Operating Income |  |  | Free Cash Flow |
For All Executive Officers |  |  | 50 | % |  |  | 50 | %

Each performance goal has a performance range built around it, with a commensurate increase or decrease in the associated annual incentive compensation opportunity. The range of performance goals and associated incentive compensation opportunities under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan for fiscal 2017 was expressed in the form of “minimum,” threshold,” “target” and “maximum” achievement levels. Between each of the achievement levels, results would be interpolated within each achievement level to calculate specific annual incentive compensation award percentages. If Free Cash Flow for fiscal 2017 did not exceed a certain minimum amount, or Free Cash Flow Gate, no annual incentive compensation would be paid to the executive officers under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan for fiscal 2017 even if achievement of the Adjusted Operating Income performance goal would have resulted in payment of the annual incentive compensation.

1 | For purposes of annual cash incentive compensation, Adjusted Operating Income is calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, adjusted for the Southbridge Landfill closure charge; gains or losses on assets sales or divestiture transactions; development project charge write-offs; legal, contract or tax settlement costs; bargain purchase gains; asset or goodwill impairment charges; environmental remediation charges; severance and reorganization costs; expenses from divestiture, acquisition and financing transactions; gains on the settlement of acquisition related contingent consideration; fiscal year-end transition costs; proxy contest costs; losses on the abandonment or the closure and discontinuation of operations, subject to certain adjustments as specified by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the Non-Equity Incentive Plan.

| For purposes of annual cash incentive compensation, Free Cash Flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures (excluding acquisition and rail infrastructure related capital expenditures), less payments on landfill operating lease contracts, plus proceeds from divestiture transactions, plus proceeds from the sale of property and equipment, plus proceeds from property insurance settlement, less contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interest holders, plus certain cash outflows associated with landfill closure, site improvement and remediation expenditures, plus certain cash outflows associated with new contract and project capital expenditures, plus cash (inflows) outflows associated with certain business dissolutions, plus cash interest outflows associated with the timing of refinancing transactions, subject to certain adjustments as specified by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the Non-Equity Incentive Plan.

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The goals and performance ranges for Adjusted Operating Income and Free Cash Flow and the degree to which we attained these goals in fiscal 2017 are as follows:

Performance Measure |  | Weighting |  |  | Minimum (0% Payout) |  | Threshold (50% Payout) |  | Target (100% Payout) |  | Maximum (200% Payout) |  | Actual Achievement |  |  | Payout % |
Adjusted Operating Income |  |  | 50 | % |  | $44.0 million |  | $47.5 million |  | $51.0 million |  | $55.0 million |  | $ | 52.8 million |  |  |  | 140.4 | %
Free Cash Flow |  |  | 50 | % |  | $24.2 million |  | $33.0 million |  | $35.0 million |  | $39.0 million |  | $ | 38.8 million |  |  |  | 195.0 | %
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Overall Payout % |  |  |  | 167.7 | %

Free Cash Flow for fiscal 2017 exceeded the Free Cash Flow Gate of $24.2 million.

Fiscal 2017 annual cash incentive payments

As reflected in the table above, we demonstrated solid performance against our performance goals for fiscal 2017, resulting in a payout of that percentage of each named executive officer’s target annual cash incentive amount as set forth in the table below. The Compensation Committee used its discretion to adjust downward the payout percentage for Mr. Casella to 132.6% on account of the decision to close the Southbridge Landfill and the resultant impairment charge.

Name |  | Fiscal 2017 Target Annual Cash Incentive Amount |  |  | Payout % Against Target |  |  | Actual Fiscal 2017 Annual Cash Incentive Amount |
John W. Casella |  | $ | 787,500 |  |  |  | 132.6 | % |  | $ | 1,044,225 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  | $ | 284,750 |  |  |  | 167.7 | % |  | $ | 477,526 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  | $ | 344,250 |  |  |  | 167.7 | % |  | $ | 577,307 |
David L. Schmitt |  | $ | 232,500 |  |  |  | 167.7 | % |  | $ | 389,903 |
Christopher B. Heald |  | $ | 105,000 |  |  |  | 167.7 | % |  | $ | 176,085 |

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Our named executive officers are eligible to receive equity awards under our stock incentive plan. We typically make equity awards to our officers and employees as an incentive to enhance long-term shareholder value. Equity awards are typically granted when the person is first hired or receives a promotion or other significant change in responsibility, and thereafter once annually as a part of our broader equity incentive program at a regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meeting early in the fiscal year. Our long-term incentive compensation program includes the granting of awards up to 75% in the form of PSUs and 25% in the form of time-based restricted stock units, or RSUs. The Compensation Committee believes that this approach to long-term incentive compensation builds upon its pay-for-performance philosophy and provides a balanced focus on stock price appreciation and the achievement of financial metrics that are drivers of long-term shareholder value creation.

In fiscal 2017, we granted time-based RSUs, each of which represents the right to receive a share of our Class A common stock, to our named executive officers that vest based on continued employment in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The RSUs will vest in full, if on or prior to the first

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anniversary of the date of the consummation of a change of control of the Company, a named executive officer’s service with the Company is terminated without cause. The number of time-based RSUs granted to our named executive officers in fiscal 2017 are as follows:

Name |  | Number of RSUs Granted |
John W. Casella |  |  | 25,685 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 14,983 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 14,983 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 4,281 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 4,281 |

In fiscal 2017, we granted PSUs to each named executive officer, with each PSU award representing the right to receive a target number of shares of Class A common stock and up to a maximum number of shares of Class A common stock (equal to 180% of the target number of shares), as follows:

Name |  | Target Number of Shares Issuable Upon Vesting of PSUs |  |  | Maximum Number of Shares Issuable Upon Vesting of PSUs |
John W. Casella |  |  | 77,055 |  |  |  | 138,699 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 44,949 |  |  |  | 80,908 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 44,949 |  |  |  | 80,908 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 12,842 |  |  |  | 23,116 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 12,842 |  |  |  | 23,116 |

The number of PSUs eligible to vest for each named executive officer will be based upon our level of achievement of two performance objectives measured for the third year, or measurement period, of our three-year performance period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. The performance objectives are: (i) Free Cash Flow, as defined in the applicable PSU agreement, for the measurement period (weighted 50%) and (ii) Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable PSU agreement, for the measurement period (weighted 50%).2

2 | For purposes of the PSUs, Free Cash Flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures (excluding acquisition and rail infrastructure related capital expenditures), less payments on landfill operating lease contracts, plus proceeds from divestiture transactions, plus proceeds from the sale of property and equipment, plus proceeds from property insurance settlement, less contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interest holders, plus certain cash outflows associated with landfill closure, site improvement and remediation expenditures, plus certain cash outflows associated with new contract and project capital expenditures, plus cash (inflows) outflows associated with certain business dissolutions, plus cash interest outflows associated with the timing of refinancing transactions.

| For purposes of the PSUs, Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, accretion and depletion of landfill operating lease obligations, adjusted for the following items: gains or losses on assets sales or divestiture transactions; development project charge write-offs; legal, contract or tax settlement costs; bargain purchase gains; asset or goodwill impairment charges; environmental remediation charges; severance and reorganization costs; expenses from divestiture, acquisition and financing transactions; gains on the settlement of acquisition related contingent consideration; fiscal year-end transition costs; proxy contest costs; losses on the abandonment or the closure and discontinuation of operations.

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The number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon vesting of the PSUs will be determined based upon (i) the number of PSUs determined to be eligible to vest based on the level of achievement of such performance objectives during the measurement period multiplied by (ii) a Relative TSR multiplier for the period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. Relative TSR means the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the Russell 2000 Index.

Benefits and Other Compensation

We maintain broad based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance and a 401(k) plan. Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case, on the same basis as other employees.

We provide limited perquisites to our named executive officers. Messrs. Casella, Coletta and Johnson are eligible to receive car allowances, and the amounts that they received for car allowances in fiscal 2017 are detailed in the Summary Compensation Table. We provide this benefit because we believe it is reasonable, competitive and consistent with our overall executive compensation program.

Severance and Change-of-Control Benefits

Pursuant to employment agreements we have entered into with our named executive officers, each such named executive officer is entitled to specified benefits in the event of the termination of his employment under specified circumstances, including termination following a change of control of the Company. We have provided more detailed information about these benefits, along with estimates of their value under various circumstances, under the caption “— Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” below.

Compensation Clawback Policy

In September 2015, we adopted a Compensation Clawback Policy that applies to our current or former executive officers, or covered officers, and other applicable employees. Under the Compensation Clawback Policy, in the event of a restatement of our financial results due to the material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, regardless of fault, we will use reasonable efforts to recover cash and equity incentive-based compensation from covered officers that was: (i) based on the erroneous data; (ii) paid during the three-year period preceding the date on which the accounting restatement is required to be prepared; and (iii) in excess of what would have been paid under the accounting restatement. In the event that the Board determines in its sole discretion that a covered person’s or another current or former employee’s act or omission involving willful misconduct or fraud contributed to the circumstances requiring the restatement, then we will use reasonable efforts to recover from such covered person or current or former employee, up to 100% of cash and equity incentive-based compensation paid during the three-year period preceding the date on which the accounting restatement is required to be prepared.

Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to a company’s chief executive officer and its three other officers (other than the chief financial officer) whose compensation is required to be reported to our stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Act by reason of being among our most highly paid executive officers. Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law on December 22, 2017, or Tax Act, for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, the compensation of our chief financial officer is also subject to the deduction limitations. For fiscal years beginning on or before December 31, 2017, certain compensation, including qualified performance-based compensation, will not be subject to the deduction limitations if certain requirements are met. Pursuant to the Tax Act, subject to certain transition rules, for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, the performance-based compensation exception to the deduction limitations under

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Section 162(m) will no longer be available. As a result, for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, all compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the specified executives will not be deductible, unless grandfathered under transition guidance. The Compensation Committee has and will continue to review on a periodic basis the effect of Section 162(m) and may use its judgment to authorize compensation payments that may be in excess of the limit when it believes such payments are appropriate, after taking into consideration changing business conditions and the performance of our employees.

Compensation Committee Report

Our Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

By the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Casella Waste Systems, Inc.

Joseph G. Doody, Chair

Emily Nagle Green

James E. O’Connor

Gregory B. Peters

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Summary Compensation

The following table sets forth the total compensation earned by, paid to or granted to our named executive officers during the fiscal years or transition period indicated.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position(s) |  | Year |  | Salary ($) (1) |  |  | Stock Awards ($) (2) |  |  | Option Awards ($) (3) |  |  | Non- Equity Incentive Plan Com- pensation ($) |  |  | All Other Compensation ($) (4) |  |  | Total ($) |
John W. Casella |  | 2017 |  |  | 525,000 |  |  |  | 1,263,959 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,044,225 |  |  |  | 52,289 |  |  |  | 2,885,473 |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |  | 2016 |  |  | 468,180 |  |  |  | 1,331,242 |  |  |  | 134,000 |  |  |  | 1,318,231 |  |  |  | 21,369 |  |  |  | 3,273,022 |
| 2015 |  |  | 459,000 |  |  |  | 366,168 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 406,695 |  |  |  | 23,771 |  |  |  | 1,255,634 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  | 2017 |  |  | 335,000 |  |  |  | 737,313 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 477,526 |  |  |  | 8,351 |  |  |  | 1,558,190 |
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |  | 2016 |  |  | 308,703 |  |  |  | 776,559 |  |  |  | 67,000 |  |  |  | 492,545 |  |  |  | 8,351 |  |  |  | 1,653,158 |
| 2015 |  |  | 302,650 |  |  |  | 200,000 |  |  |  | 802,011 |  |  |  | 325,556 |  |  |  | 8,408 |  |  |  | 1,638,625 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  | 2017 |  |  | 405,000 |  |  |  | 737,313 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 577,307 |  |  |  | 11,677 |  |  |  | 1,731,297 |
President and Chief Operating Officer |  | 2016 |  |  | 395,352 |  |  |  | 776,559 |  |  |  | 67,000 |  |  |  | 630,798 |  |  |  | 11,678 |  |  |  | 1,881,387 |
| 2015 |  |  | 387,600 |  |  |  | 200,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 243,264 |  |  |  | 11,734 |  |  |  | 842,598 |
David L. Schmitt |  | 2017 |  |  | 310,000 |  |  |  | 210,656 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 389,903 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 911,559 |
Senior Vice President and General Counsel |  | 2016 |  |  | 281,694 |  |  |  | 221,869 |  |  |  | 33,500 |  |  |  | 396,576 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 934,639 |
| 2015 |  |  | 276,170 |  |  |  | 57,182 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 122,350 |  |  |  | 1,057 |  |  |  | 456,759 |
Christopher B. Heald |  | 2017 |  |  | 210,000 |  |  |  | 210,656 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 176,085 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 597,741 |
Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer |  | 2016 |  |  | 192,317 |  |  |  | 221,869 |  |  |  | 33,500 |  |  |  | 180,646 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 629,332 |
| 2015 |  |  | 188,546 |  |  |  | 57,182 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 154,915 |  |  |  | 1,057 |  |  |  | 401,700 |

(1) | The 2016 salary amount included in the Summary Compensation Table for Mr. Heald differs from the amount in the annual base salary table on page 30 because a salary increase was effected during the fiscal year on a non-retroactive basis.

(2) | Amounts shown in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs and PSUs granted under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan and 2016 Incentive Plan, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of PSUs are set forth in Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2018, or 2017 Form 10-K. The grant date fair value of RSUs is based upon the last reported sales price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the grant date. The grant date fair value of PSUs granted in fiscal 2017 is based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions which reflects the target level of performance. The grant date fair value of PSUs granted in fiscal 2017 based on attainment of the maximum level of performance is as follows: $1,445,937 for Mr. Casella, $843,468 for Mr. Coletta, $843,468 for Mr. Johnson, $240,980 for Mr. Schmitt and $240,980 for Mr. Heald.

(3) | Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for time-based stock options and performance options granted under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan and 2016 Incentive Plan in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of time-based stock options and performance options are set forth in Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2017 Form 10-K.

(4) | The amounts reported in All Other Compensation reflect, for each named executive officer, the sum of (a) the dollar value of life insurance premiums we paid, (b) the amount we contributed to the 401(k) plan,

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| (c) the amount of tax gross-ups we paid and (d) the incremental cost to us of all perquisites and other personal benefits. The following table sets forth All Other Compensation paid to or accrued by our named executive officers in 2017, 2016 and 2015:

Name |  | Year |  | Life Insurance Premiums ($) |  |  | 401(k) Plan Matching Contributions ($) |  |  | Car Allowance and Usage ($) |  |  | Tax Gross-Up Payments ($) |  |  | Other ($) |
John W. Casella |  | 2017 |  |  | 12,316 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 18,920 |  |  |  | 20,053 | (a) |  |  | — |
|  | 2016 |  |  | 12,862 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,670 |  |  |  | 2,837 | (a) |  |  | — |
|  | 2015 |  |  | 9,012 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 9,799 |  |  |  | 4,922 | (b) |  |  | 38 | (c)
Edmond R. Coletta |  | 2017 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 6,901 |  |  |  | 450 | (a) |  |  | — |
|  | 2016 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 6,901 |  |  |  | 450 | (a) |  |  | — |
|  | 2015 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 6,901 |  |  |  | 469 | (b) |  |  | 38 | (c)
Edwin D. Johnson |  | 2017 |  |  | 897 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 9,120 |  |  |  | 660 | (a) |  |  | — |
|  | 2016 |  |  | 897 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 9,120 |  |  |  | 661 | (a) |  |  | — |
|  | 2015 |  |  | 897 |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | 9,120 |  |  |  | 679 | (b) |  |  | 38 | (c)
David L. Schmitt |  | 2017 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  | 2016 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  | 2015 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 19 | (d) |  |  | 38 | (c)
Christopher B. Heald |  | 2017 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  | 2016 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  | 2015 |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 19 | (d) |  |  | 38 | (c)

| (a) | This amount consists of a tax gross up provided with respect to car allowance and usage.

| (b) | This amount consists of tax gross ups provided with respect to car allowance and usage and the gift described in note (c).

| (c) | Consists of a gift provided to all attendees at a company retreat.

| (d) | This amount consists of a tax gross up provided for the gift described in note (c).

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information regarding grants of equity awards made to our named executive officers during fiscal 2017.

Fiscal 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

Name |  | Grant Date |  |  | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) |  |  | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2) |  |  | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (3) |  |  | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (4) |
|  | Threshold ($) |  |  | Target ($) |  |  | Maximum ($) |  |  | Threshold (#) |  |  | Target (#) |  |  | Maximum (#) |  |  |
John W. Casella |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 787,500 |  |  |  | 1,575,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 25,685 |  |  |  | 300,001 |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 77,055 |  |  |  | 138,699 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 963,958 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 284,750 |  |  |  | 569,500 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 14,983 |  |  |  | 175,001 |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 44,949 |  |  |  | 80,908 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 562,312 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 344,250 |  |  |  | 688,500 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 14,983 |  |  |  | 175,001 |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 44,949 |  |  |  | 80,908 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 562,312 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 232,500 |  |  |  | 465,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,281 |  |  |  | 50,002 |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 12,842 |  |  |  | 23,116 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 160,653 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 105,000 |  |  |  | 210,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,281 |  |  |  | 50,002 |
|  |  | 2/28/2017 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 12,842 |  |  |  | 23,116 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 160,653 |

(1) | The amounts shown in the threshold, target and maximum columns reflect the minimum, target and maximum amounts payable as annual cash incentive compensation under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan, respectively. The actual amounts earned in fiscal 2017 are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above and were as follows:

Name |  | Actual Payout Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan for Fiscal 2017 |
John W. Casella |  | $ | 1,044,225 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  | $ | 477,526 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  | $ | 577,307 |
David L. Schmitt |  | $ | 389,903 |
Christopher B. Heald |  | $ | 176,085 |

(2) | Represents PSUs granted under our 2016 Incentive Plan. The PSUs vest based on (i) our level of achievement of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA during the third year of our three-year performance period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 and (ii) a Relative TSR multiplier for the period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

(3) | Represents RSUs granted under our 2016 Incentive Plan. The RSUs vest based on continued employment in equal annual installments over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

(4) | The grant date fair value of RSUs is based on the last reported sales price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the grant date. The grant date fair value of PSUs is calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using a Monte Carlo pricing model as set forth in Note 11 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2017 Form 10-K and is based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions which reflects the target level of performance.

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Information Relating to Equity Awards and Holdings

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding unexercised options and stock units that have not vested and related information for each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2017.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2017

|  | Option Awards |  |  | Stock Awards |
Name |  | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |  |  | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |  |  | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) |  |  | Option Exercise Price ($/sh) |  |  | Option Expiration Date |  |  | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |  |  | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) |  |  | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested (#) |  |  | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested ($) |
John W.Casella |  |  | 54,874 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.54 |  |  |  | 12/12/2023 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 20,000 | (1) |  |  | 12.48 |  |  |  | 11/16/2026 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 25,685 | (2) |  |  | 591,269 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 31,646 | (3) |  |  | 728,491 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 29,200 | (4) |  |  | 672,184 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 77,055 | (5) |  |  | 1,773,806 |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 72,115 | (6) |  |  | 1,660,087 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 20,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4.72 |  |  |  | 3/4/2020 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 90,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4.00 |  |  |  | 12/5/2022 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | 150,000 | (7) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 7.17 |  |  |  | 11/18/2025 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 10,000 | (1) |  |  | 12.48 |  |  |  | 11/16/2026 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 14,983 | (2) |  |  | 344,909 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 18,460 | (3) |  |  | 424,949 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,949 | (4) |  |  | 367,146 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 44,949 | (5) |  |  | 1,034,726 |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 42,067 | (6) |  |  | 968,382 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 200,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3.81 |  |  |  | 7/6/2020 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 72,466 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4.00 |  |  |  | 12/5/2022 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 50,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.71 |  |  |  | 12/10/2023 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | 52,534 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.71 |  |  |  | 12/10/2023 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 10,000 | (1) |  |  | 12.48 |  |  |  | 11/16/2026 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 14,983 | (2) |  |  | 344,909 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 18,460 | (3) |  |  | 424,949 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,949 | (4) |  |  | 367,146 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 44,949 | (5) |  |  | 1,034,726 |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42,067 | (6) |  |  | 968,382 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,000 | (1) |  |  | 12.48 |  |  |  | 11/16/2026 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,281 | (2) |  |  | 98,549 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,274 | (3) |  |  | 121,407 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,560 | (4) |  |  | 104,971 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 12,842 | (5) |  |  | 295,623 |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,019 | (6) |  |  | 276,677 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 20,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4.38 |  |  |  | 1/23/2023 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,000 | (1) |  |  | 12.48 |  |  |  | 11/16/2026 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,281 | (2) |  |  | 98,549 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,274 | (3) |  |  | 121,407 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,560 | (4) |  |  | 104,971 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 12,842 | (5) |  |  | 295,623 |
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 12,019 | (6) |  |  | 276,677 |

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##### Table of Contents

(1) | Represents performance options granted on November 17, 2016 at the target award level. The performance options vest based on (i) our level of achievement of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA during the third year of our three-year performance period running from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 and (ii) a Relative TSR multiplier for the period running from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018.

(2) | Represents RSUs granted on February 28, 2017. RSUs vest based on continued employment in equal annual installments over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

(3) | Represents RSUs granted on March 1, 2016. RSUs vest based on continued employment in equal annual installments over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

(4) | Represents RSUs granted on February 24, 2015. RSUs vest based on continued employment in equal annual installments over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

(5) | Represents PSUs granted on February 28, 2017 at the target award level. The PSUs vest based on (i) our level of achievement of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA during the third year of our three-year performance period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 and (ii) a Relative TSR multiplier for the period running from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

(6) | Represents PSUs granted on November 17, 2016 at the target award level. The PSUs vest based on (i) our level of achievement of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA during the third year of our three-year performance period running from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 and (ii) a Relative TSR multiplier for the period running from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018.

(7) | Represents stock options granted on November 19, 2015. The stock options fully vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 2017

|  | Option Awards |  |  | Stock Awards |
Name |  | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) (1) |  |  | Value Realized on Exercise (#) |  |  | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (2) |  |  | Value Realized on Vesting ($) |
John W. Casella |  |  | 14,000 |  |  |  | 22,055 |  |  |  | 60,433 |  |  |  | 786,958 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 21,000 |  |  |  | 123,257 |  |  |  | 33,597 |  |  |  | 436,965 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 250,000 |  |  |  | 4,248,000 |  |  |  | 33,597 |  |  |  | 436,965 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 9,604 |  |  |  | 124,913 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 500 |  |  |  | 1,997 |  |  |  | 9,604 |  |  |  | 124,913 |

(1) | Number of shares acquired on exercise of stock options is the gross number of shares exercised, including shares that were surrendered to us, if applicable, for the payment of withholding taxes pursuant to the terms of our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan or 2016 Incentive Plan.

(2) | Number of shares acquired on vesting of stock awards is the gross number of shares vested, including shares that were surrendered to us, if applicable, for the payment of withholding taxes pursuant to the terms of our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan or 2016 Incentive Plan.

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

Employment Agreements

We have employment agreements with Messrs. John Casella, Johnson, Coletta, Schmitt and Heald, which we entered into as follows: Mr. John Casella: December 8, 1999; Mr. Johnson: July 6, 2010; Mr. Coletta: September 1, 2012; Mr. Schmitt: May 31, 2006; and Mr. Heald: March 1, 2016. Each of Messrs. John Casella’s and Johnson’s employment agreement has an initial term of three years and is automatically renewable for additional one-year terms thereafter unless terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Each of Messrs. Coletta’s, Schmitt’s and Heald’s employment agreement has an initial term of one year and is automatically renewable for additional one-year terms thereafter unless terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement. In December 2008, we amended our employment agreements with Messrs. John Casella and Schmitt to document compliance with, and, as applicable, exemption from, Section 409A of the Code.

Pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, each of Messrs. John Casella, Johnson, Coletta, Schmitt and Heald is entitled to a specified annual base salary, subject to adjustment as set forth in the agreement, an annual bonus consisting of cash, stock awards or a combination of cash and stock awards, in an amount determined by the Compensation Committee each fiscal year, and a severance package upon the termination of employment. The base salary and bonus components of their compensation are described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of our Executive Compensation Program — Base Salary” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of our Executive Compensation Program — Annual Cash Incentive Compensation”.

Mr. John Casella has agreed not to compete with us for a period of two years after the termination of his employment within 300 miles of any facility operated by us during the term of his employment and not to solicit our customers, accounts or employees for a period of two years after the termination of his employment. Each of Messrs. Johnson, Coletta, Schmitt and Heald has agreed not to compete with us for a period of one year after the termination of his employment within 100 miles of any facility operated by us during the term of his employment and not to solicit our customers, accounts or employees for a period of one year after the termination of his employment. In the event that Mr. John Casella terminates his employment voluntarily and is not entitled to severance, the non-compete provisions of his agreement would not apply unless we continue to pay his base salary and any termination benefits or payments required under his agreement.

In the event Mr. John Casella’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause (as defined below), he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to (a) three times the sum of (i) the highest annual base salary paid to him at any time prior to his termination and (ii) the higher of the most recent bonus paid to him at any time prior to his termination or 50% of his annual base salary immediately prior to such termination, plus (b) an amount in cash equal to the value of any accrued but unpaid or unused, as applicable, base salary, bonus and vacation. In addition, Mr. John Casella will continue to receive healthcare and other benefits for a period of three years from the date of termination, and any equity grants issued by us to him will become vested in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. John Casella terminates his employment with us for good reason or qualified good reason (as defined below), he will receive the severance payments and benefits described in the preceding two sentences plus an additional payment intended to compensate him for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with the severance payments and benefits. For the purposes of Mr. John Casella’s employment agreement, “good reason” means the occurrence of (a) a change of control, accompanied by, or followed within the 12-month period after a change of control by (b)(i) the assignment to the employee of any duties inconsistent with his status prior to the change of control, (ii) a material adverse alteration in the nature or status of the employee’s responsibilities from those provided in the agreement or the transfer of a significant portion of such responsibilities to one or more other persons, (iii) a material diminution in his base compensation or (iv) a material change in the geographic location at which he must perform services for us. For the purposes of Mr. John Casella’s employment agreement, “qualified good reason” means the occurrence of one of the events under clause (b)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding definition of good reason. In the event Mr. John Casella’s employment is terminated upon his death, his

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written designee, spouse or estate, as applicable, will be entitled to the severance payments described in the first sentence of this paragraph as well as healthcare and other benefits for a period of one year from the date of death. In the event Mr. John Casella’s employment is terminated by us for disability, he will be entitled to the severance payments described in the first sentence of this paragraph as well as healthcare and other benefits for a period of one year from the date of such termination.

In the event Mr. Coletta’s employment is terminated by us without cause, he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) the highest annual base salary paid to him at any time prior to such termination and (ii) his target annual cash incentive compensation opportunity under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs and (b) an amount in cash equal to any accrued but unpaid or unused, as applicable, base salary, bonus and vacation. In addition, Mr. Coletta will continue to receive healthcare and other benefits for a period of one year from the date of termination. Any stock options or equity grants issued by us to Mr. Coletta will become exercisable or vested in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. Coletta terminates his employment for good reason, defined as the assignment of any duties inconsistent with his status as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, a material adverse alteration in the nature or status of his responsibilities from those provided in the agreement or the transfer of a significant portion of such responsibilities to one or more other persons, a material diminution in his base compensation, or a material change in the geographic location at which he must perform services for us, Mr. Coletta will be entitled to receive the severance payments and benefits described in the preceding three sentences plus an additional payment intended to compensate him for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with the severance payments and benefits. In the event Mr. Coletta’s employment is terminated upon his death, his written designee, spouse or estate, as applicable, will be entitled to the payments described in the first sentence of this paragraph. In the event Mr. Coletta’s employment is terminated by us for disability, he will be entitled to the severance payments and benefits described in the first two sentences of this paragraph.

In the event Mr. Johnson’s employment is terminated by us without cause, he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) two times the highest annual base salary paid to him at any time prior to such termination and (ii) two times his target annual cash incentive compensation opportunity under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs and (b) an amount in cash equal to the value of any accrued but unpaid or unused, as applicable, base salary, bonus and vacation. In addition, Mr. Johnson will continue to receive healthcare and other benefits for a period of two years from the date of termination. Any stock options or equity grants issued by us to Mr. Johnson will become exercisable or vested in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. Johnson terminates his employment with us for good reason, defined as the assignment of any duties inconsistent with his status as President and Chief Operating Officer, a material adverse alteration in the nature or status of his responsibilities from those provided in the agreement or the transfer of a significant portion of such responsibilities to one or more other persons, or a material diminution in his compensation, Mr. Johnson will receive the severance payments and benefits described in the preceding three sentences and an additional payment intended to compensate him for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with the severance payments and benefits. In the event Mr. Johnson’s employment is terminated upon his death, his written designee, spouse or estate, as applicable, will be entitled to the payments described in the first sentence of this paragraph. In the event Mr. Johnson’s employment is terminated by us for disability, he will be entitled to the severance payments and benefits described in the first two sentences of this paragraph.

In the event Mr. Schmitt’s employment is terminated by us without cause, he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) the highest annual base salary paid to him at any time prior to such termination and (ii) his target annual cash incentive compensation opportunity under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs and (b) an amount in cash equal to any accrued but unpaid or unused, as applicable, base salary, bonus and vacation. In addition, Mr. Schmitt will continue to receive healthcare and other benefits for a period of one year from the date of termination. Any stock options or equity grants issued by us to Mr. Schmitt will become exercisable or vested in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. Schmitt terminates his employment for good reason, defined as the assignment of any duties inconsistent with his status as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, a material adverse alteration in

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the nature or status of his responsibilities from those provided in the agreement or the transfer of a significant portion of such responsibilities to one or more other persons, or a material diminution in his base compensation, Mr. Schmitt will be entitled to receive the severance payments and benefits described in the preceding three sentences plus an additional payment intended to compensate him for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with the severance payments and benefits. In the event Mr. Schmitt’s employment is terminated upon his death, his written designee, spouse or estate, as applicable, will be entitled to the payments described in the first sentence of this paragraph. In the event Mr. Schmitt’s employment is terminated by us for disability, he will be entitled to the severance payments and benefits described in the first two sentences of this paragraph.

In the event Mr. Heald’s employment is terminated by us without cause, he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) the highest annual base salary paid to him at any time prior to such termination and (ii) his target annual cash incentive compensation opportunity under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs and (b) an amount in cash equal to any accrued but unpaid or unused, applicable, base salary and vacation and a bonus relating to the prior fiscal year which, as of the date of termination, has been determined by us pursuant to his agreement but not yet paid prior to the date of termination. In addition, Mr. Heald will continue to receive healthcare benefits for a period of one year from the date of termination. Any stock options or equity grants issued by us to Mr. Heald will become exercisable or vested in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. Heald terminates his employment for good reason, defined as the assignment of any duties inconsistent with his status as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, a material adverse alteration in the nature or status of his responsibilities from those provided in the agreement or the transfer of a significant portion of such responsibilities to one or more other persons, a material diminution in his base compensation, or a material change in the geographic location at which he must perform services for us, Mr. Heald will be entitled to receive the severance payments and benefits described in the preceding three sentences. In the event Mr. Heald’s employment is terminated upon his death, his written designee, spouse or estate, as applicable, will be entitled to the payments described in the first sentence of this paragraph. In the event Mr. Heald’s employment is terminated by us for disability, he will be entitled to the severance payments and benefits described in the first two sentences of this paragraph.

For purposes of each agreement discussed above, “cause” means the discharge of the employee resulting from (a) a conviction of a crime involving us; (b) an act or omission which has a material adverse effect on us; (c) fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement; or (d) the breach in any material respect of the material terms and provisions of the agreement.

The severance benefits described above were extended to Messrs. John Casella, Coletta and Heald as an inducement to their decisions to continue to remain employed by us and, in the case of Messrs. Johnson and Schmitt, as an inducement to accept employment with us. At the time each of such agreements was entered into, our Board considered a number of factors, including severance arrangements offered by comparable companies, the importance of the respective employee to our ongoing success and the benefits of receiving a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant from the respective employee in exchange for the agreed severance. The Compensation Committee considers the severance benefits to be separate from the compensation payable to employees for their ongoing services and accordingly does not consider the value of the severance package when setting current compensation.

Equity Award Agreements

Under the terms of each named executive officer’s restricted stock unit agreements under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (other than Mr. Heald’s restricted stock unit agreements for RSUs granted to him prior to 2016), (a) if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated as a result of the officer’s death or disability, or by the Company without Cause (as defined in the applicable restricted stock unit agreement), then all unvested RSUs will vest immediately and (b) upon a Change in Control (as defined in the applicable restricted stock unit agreement), all unvested RSUs will vest immediately. Under the terms of each named executive officer’s restricted stock unit agreements under our 2016 Incentive Plan, if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated as a result of the officer’s death or disability, by the Company without Cause or by the

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officer for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the applicable restricted stock unit agreement) or by the Company without Cause on or prior to the first anniversary of the date of consummation of a Change in Control Event (as defined in our 2016 Incentive Plan), then all unvested RSUs will vest immediately.

Under the terms of each named executive officer’s performance-based stock unit agreements under our 2016 Incentive Plan, if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the officer for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the applicable performance-based stock unit agreement) during the performance period, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any employment, severance or other agreement between the named executive officer and the Company, the PSU award will remain outstanding and vest as set forth in the applicable performance-based stock unit agreement as if the officer had remained employed by the Company through the end of the performance period. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event (as defined in our 2016 Incentive Plan), the acquiring or succeeding entity will assume each outstanding PSU such that, following the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the PSU will confer the officer with the right to receive, for each share of Class A common stock subject to the award, the consideration received by each holder of Class A common stock immediately prior to the Change in Control Event, or replacement award, provided that (a) the vesting of such replacement award shall only be subject to the continued service requirement in the applicable performance-based stock unit agreement through the end of the performance period and will not be subject to achievement of the performance goals set forth in the agreement and (b) the amount of cash, securities or other property subject to such replacement award will be determined assuming that the number of shares subject to the PSU is equal to the greater of (i) the Target Number of Shares (as defined in the applicable performance-based stock unit agreement) and (ii) such number of shares as the Compensation Committee will determine in its sole discretion exercised in good faith based upon the projected level of achievement of the applicable performance goals for the performance period. In the event that the officer’s employment is terminated by either the Company or its successor without Cause or by the officer for Good Reason, in either case within twelve months following a Change in Control Event, the remaining unvested portion of the replacement award will become vested as of the date of the officer’s termination of employment. In the event that the acquiring or succeeding entity refuses to assume the PSUs and grant replacement awards in connection with a Change in Control Event, the PSU award will become vested, immediately prior to the Change in Control Event, with respect to a number of shares equal to the greater of (i) the Target Number of Shares and (ii) such number of shares as the Compensation Committee shall determine in its sole discretion exercised in good faith based upon the projected level of achievement of the applicable performance goals for the performance period. If an officer dies or is disabled prior to the end of the performance period, then the PSUs will vest as to a number of shares equal to the greater of the Target Number of Shares for the performance period and such number of shares as the Compensation Committee will determine in its sole discretion exercised in good faith based upon the projected level of achievement of the applicable performance goals for the performance period as if the death or disability had not occurred.

Under the terms of each named executive officer’s performance-based stock option agreements under our 2016 Incentive Plan, if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the officer for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the applicable performance-based stock option agreement) during the performance period, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any employment, severance or other agreement between the named executive officer and the Company, the performance option award will remain outstanding and vest as set forth in the applicable performance-based stock option agreement as if the officer had remained employed by the Company through the end of the performance period, and the officer’s right to exercise the performance option will terminate three months after the date on which the Compensation Committee certifies the level of achievement of the performance goals following the end of the performance period, but in no event after the Final Exercise Date (as such term is defined in the applicable performance-based stock option agreement). Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event (as defined in our 2016 Incentive Plan), the acquiring or succeeding entity will assume each outstanding performance option, provided that (a) the vesting of such performance option shall only be subject to the continued service requirement in the applicable performance-based stock option agreement through the end of the performance period and will not be subject to achievement of the performance goals set forth in the agreement and (b) the number of shares that may be purchased upon exercise of the performance option will be equal to the greater of (i) the Target Number of Shares (as defined in the applicable performance-based stock option agreement) and (ii) such number of shares as the Compensation Committee will determine in its sole discretion

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exercised in good faith based upon the projected level of achievement of the applicable performance goals for the performance period. In the event that the officer’s employment is terminated by either the Company or its successor without Cause or by the officer for Good Reason, in either case within twelve months following a Change in Control Event, the remaining unvested portion of the performance option will become vested as of the date of the officer’s termination of employment. In the event that the acquiring or succeeding entity refuses to assume the performance option in connection with a Change in Control Event, the performance option award will become vested, immediately prior to the Change in Control Event, with respect to a number of shares equal to the greater of (i) the Target Number of Shares and (ii) such number of shares as the Compensation Committee shall determine in its sole discretion exercised in good faith based upon the projected level of achievement of the applicable performance goals for the performance period. If an officer dies or is disabled prior to the end of the performance period, then the performance option will vest as to a number of shares equal to the greater of the Target Number of Shares for the performance period and such number of shares as the Compensation Committee will determine in its sole discretion exercised in good faith based upon the projected level of achievement of the applicable performance goals for the performance period as if the death or disability had not occurred, and the performance option will be exercisable (to the extent vested) within the period of one year following the date of death or disability of the officer, by the officer or in the case of death, by an authorized transferee, provided that the performance option will not be exercisable after the Final Exercise Date.

Summary of Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control as of December 31, 2017

The following table quantifies the amounts that would be payable to our named executive officers upon termination of their employment under the circumstances described above under “Employment Agreements”, “Equity Award Agreements” and a change in control of the Company. We calculated the amounts shown based upon each such named executive officer’s employment agreement and equity award agreements, as applicable, described above and upon the hypothetical assumption that each named executive officer’s employment terminated effective December 31, 2017.

|  | Termination Without Cause |
Name |  | Cash Payments ($) (1) |  |  | Value of Benefits ($) (2) |  |  | Value of Stock with Accelerated Vesting ($) |  |  | Value of Options with Accelerated Vesting ($) |
John W. Casella |  |  | 5,529,693 |  |  |  | 96,675 |  |  |  | 1,991,944 |  |  |  | — |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 619,750 |  |  |  | 22,448 |  |  |  | 1,137,004 |  |  |  | 2,377,500 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 1,498,500 |  |  |  | 53,132 |  |  |  | 1,137,004 |  |  |  | — |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 542,500 |  |  |  | 25,609 |  |  |  | 324,927 |  |  |  | — |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 315,000 |  |  |  | 24,921 |  |  |  | 324,927 |  |  |  | — |

|  | Termination for Good Reason |
Name |  | Cash Payments ($) (1) |  |  | Value of Benefits ($) (2) |  |  | Value of Stock with Accelerated Vesting ($) |  |  | Value of Options with Accelerated Vesting ($) |
John W. Casella |  |  | 5,529,693 |  |  |  | 96,675 |  |  |  | 1,991,944 |  |  |  | — |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 619,750 |  |  |  | 22,448 |  |  |  | 1,137,004 |  |  |  | 2,377,500 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 1,498,500 |  |  |  | 53,132 |  |  |  | 1,137,004 |  |  |  | — |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 542,500 |  |  |  | 25,609 |  |  |  | 324,927 |  |  |  | — |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 315,000 |  |  |  | 24,921 |  |  |  | 324,927 |  |  |  | — |

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|  | Immediately upon a Change in Control |  |  | Change in Control with Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason |
Name |  | Value of Stock with Accelerated Vesting ($) |  |  | Value of Options with Accelerated Vesting ($) |  |  | Cash Payments ($) (1) |  |  | Value of Benefits ($) (2) |  |  | Tax Reimbursement ($) (3) |  |  | Value of Stock with Accelerated Vesting ($) (4) |  |  | Value of Options with Accelerated Vesting ($) (4) |
John W. Casella |  |  | 1,991,944 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,529,693 |  |  |  | 96,675 |  |  |  | 6,542,265 |  |  |  | 5,425,837 |  |  |  | 210,800 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 1,137,004 |  |  |  | 2,377,500 |  |  |  | 619,750 |  |  |  | 22,448 |  |  |  | 2,110,829 |  |  |  | 3,140,122 |  |  |  | 2,482,900 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 1,137,004 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,498,500 |  |  |  | 53,132 |  |  |  | 2,463,394 |  |  |  | 3,140,122 |  |  |  | 105,400 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 324,927 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 542,500 |  |  |  | 25,609 |  |  |  | 682,346 |  |  |  | 897,228 |  |  |  | 52,700 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 324,927 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 315,000 |  |  |  | 24,921 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 897,228 |  |  |  | 52,700 |

|  | Termination for Disability |
Name |  | Cash Payments ($) (1) |  |  | Value of Benefits ($) (2) |  |  | Value of Stock with Accelerated Vesting ($) (4) |  |  | Value of Options with Accelerated Vesting ($) (4) |
John W. Casella |  |  | 5,529,693 |  |  |  | 32,225 |  |  |  | 5,425,837 |  |  |  | 210,800 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 619,750 |  |  |  | 22,448 |  |  |  | 3,140,122 |  |  |  | 2,482,900 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 1,498,500 |  |  |  | 53,132 |  |  |  | 3,140,122 |  |  |  | 105,400 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 542,500 |  |  |  | 25,609 |  |  |  | 897,228 |  |  |  | 52,700 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 315,000 |  |  |  | 24,921 |  |  |  | 897,228 |  |  |  | 52,700 |

|  | Automatically Upon Death |
Name |  | Cash Payments ($) (1) |  |  | Value of Benefits ($) (2) |  |  | Value of Stock with Accelerated Vesting ($) (4) |  |  | Value of Options with Accelerated Vesting ($) (4) |
John W. Casella |  |  | 5,529,693 |  |  |  | 32,225 |  |  |  | 5,425,837 |  |  |  | 210,800 |
Edmond R. Coletta |  |  | 619,750 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3,140,122 |  |  |  | 2,482,900 |
Edwin D. Johnson |  |  | 1,498,500 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3,140,122 |  |  |  | 105,400 |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 542,500 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 897,228 |  |  |  | 52,700 |
Christopher B. Heald |  |  | 315,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 897,228 |  |  |  | 52,700 |

(1) | The amounts in this column reflect payments, as described above, equal to a multiple of annual base salary in effect on December 31, 2017, and a bonus or other amount equal to a percentage of the base salary or annual cash incentive compensation for each named executive officer in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement.

(2) | The amounts in this column reflect payments for monthly COBRA premiums for continued health, dental and vision coverage, as well as payments for life insurance premiums for Messrs. John Casella, Coletta, Johnson and Schmitt as of December 31, 2017 and payments for monthly COBRA premiums for continued health and dental coverage for Mr. Heald as of December 31, 2017. For Mr. John Casella, payment of these benefits will continue for a period of three years, for each of Messrs. Coletta, Schmitt and Heald, a period of one year and for Mr. Johnson, a period of two years from the date of termination.

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(3) | The amounts in this column reflect additional payments intended to compensate the named executive officers for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms of their employment agreements, other than Mr. Heald’s employment agreement which does not provide for such a payment. Such payments will only be received by a named executive officer in the event of the termination of employment by the named executive officer for good reason following a change in control of the Company.

(4) | The value of accelerated unvested RSUs is based on the last reported sales price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the last trading day of fiscal 2017 multiplied by the number of accelerated units. The value of accelerated unvested PSUs is based on the last reported sales price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the last trading day of fiscal 2017 multiplied by the Target Number of Shares (as defined in the applicable performance-based stock unit agreement). The value of accelerated unvested stock options is calculated by taking the difference between the last reported sales price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the last trading day of fiscal 2017 and the exercise price and multiplying it by the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the unvested stock options (as defined in the applicable stock option agreement). The value of accelerated unvested performance options is calculated by taking the difference between the last reported sales price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the last trading day of fiscal 2017 and the exercise price and multiplying it by the Target Number of Shares (as defined in the applicable performance-based stock option agreement).

CEO Pay Ratio

Following is a reasonable estimate, prepared under applicable SEC rules, of the ratio of the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of our other employees. Our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation for 2017 was $2,885,473, as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table appearing on page 37. The annual total compensation for our median employee (other than our Chief Executive Officer) for 2017 was $37,578. Based on the foregoing, we estimate that our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation was approximately 77 times that of the median of the annual total compensation of all other employees.

For purposes of identifying the median employee, we examined our employee population as of November 30, 2017. There were 1,936 full-time and part-time employees, excluding the Chief Executive Officer, and no temporary or seasonal workers. We used a consistently applied compensation measure to identify the median employee that included the sum of the following 2017 compensation elements: annualized base salary, incentives paid during 2017, vesting value of stock awards, value of stock options exercised and benefits. Once this amount was estimated for each employee (excluding the Chief Executive Officer), we arrayed and sorted the data to identify the median employee. After the median employee was identified, we estimated the annual total compensation for that employee by applying the same rules as used for determining total compensation for our Chief Executive Officer in the Summary Compensation Table.

Director Compensation

We compensate our directors who are not our employees or employees of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, Mr. John Casella, who serves as our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Douglas Casella, who serves as President of Casella Waste Management, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, do not receive any additional compensation for their service as directors.

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the compensation of our non-employee directors. We seek to attract exceptional talent to our Board and therefore, our policy is to compensate our directors competitively relative to comparable companies. Our Board believes that it is appropriate for the chairs and members of the committees of our Board to receive additional compensation for their services in those positions.

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Cash Compensation

In fiscal 2017, our non-employee directors were entitled to receive cash fees in consideration of their Board service as follows:

•  Annual retainer fee for service on our Board |  | $ | 55,000 |
•  Additional annual retainer fee for service as Audit Committee Chair |  | $ | 17,500 |
•  Additional annual retainer fee for service as Compensation Committee Chair |  | $ | 10,000 |
•  Additional annual retainer fee for service as Nominations and Governance Committee Chair |  | $ | 7,500 |
•  Additional annual retainer fee for service as Lead Director |  | $ | 75,000 |

Our non-employee directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending Board meetings and meetings of committees on which he or she serves. Directors who begin their Board service during the year receive a pro-rata portion of the applicable retainer fees. In addition, Mr. Peters receives a monthly payment of $3,125 in consideration of his monthly meetings with members of management on behalf of the Board.

Equity Compensation

Each new non-employee director receives a grant of shares of restricted Class A common stock on the date of such director’s initial election to our Board having a value on the date of grant of approximately $50,000, which vests in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Each incumbent non-employee director, other than non-employee directors who were initially elected to our Board at any time after the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders, receives on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders an award consisting of the number of RSUs having a value on the date of grant of approximately $65,000, which vest in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

Our Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors that require each non-employee director to attain a share ownership level of our Class A common stock equal to three times the amount of the annual retainer fee for service on our Board. Each non-employee director is required to attain such ownership levels by the third annual meeting of stockholders following the first annual meeting of stockholders at which such non-employee director is elected to our Board.

The following table provides compensation information for fiscal 2017 for each of our non-employee directors.

Non-Employee Director Compensation for Fiscal 2017

Name (1) |  | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |  |  | Stock Awards ($) (2) (3) |  |  | Total ($) |
Michael K. Burke |  |  | 55,000 |  |  |  | 64,989 |  |  |  | 119,989 |
James F. Callahan, Jr. |  |  | 72,500 |  |  |  | 64,989 |  |  |  | 137,489 |
Joseph G. Doody |  |  | 65,000 |  |  |  | 64,989 |  |  |  | 129,989 |
William P. Hulligan |  |  | 55,000 |  |  |  | 64,989 |  |  |  | 119,989 |
James E. O’Connor |  |  | 130,000 |  |  |  | 64,989 |  |  |  | 194,989 |
Emily Nagle Green |  |  | 55,000 |  |  |  | 64,989 |  |  |  | 119,989 |
Gregory B. Peters |  |  | 100,000 |  |  |  | 64,989 |  |  |  | 164,989 |

(1) | Excludes Mr. John Casella, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board, who does not receive compensation for his services as director and whose compensation as a named executive officer

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| is reported in the Summary Compensation Table above, and Mr. Doug Casella, the Vice Chairman of our Board and President of Casella Waste Management, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, who does not receive compensation for his services as director.

(2) | Amounts shown in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of RSUs granted in fiscal 2017 under our 2016 Incentive Plan for service on our Board. RSUs were granted at the fair market value as of the date of the grant, based upon the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The RSUs vest in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The individual RSU awards reflected in the compensation table above are summarized below.

Name |  | Grant Date |  |  | Number of RSUs Granted in Fiscal 2017 (#) |  |  | Grant Date Fair Value of Awards Granted in Fiscal 2017 ($) |
Michael K. Burke |  |  | 6/6/2017 |  |  |  | 4,421 |  |  |  | 64,989 |
James F. Callahan, Jr. |  |  | 6/6/2017 |  |  |  | 4,421 |  |  |  | 64,989 |
Joseph G. Doody |  |  | 6/6/2017 |  |  |  | 4,421 |  |  |  | 64,989 |
William P. Hulligan |  |  | 6/6/2017 |  |  |  | 4,421 |  |  |  | 64,989 |
Emily Nagle Green |  |  | 6/6/2017 |  |  |  | 4,421 |  |  |  | 64,989 |
James E. O’Connor |  |  | 6/6/2017 |  |  |  | 4,421 |  |  |  | 64,989 |
Gregory B. Peters |  |  | 6/6/2017 |  |  |  | 4,421 |  |  |  | 64,989 |

(3) | As of December 31, 2017, our non-employee directors held the following aggregate number of unvested shares of restricted stock and unvested RSUs as of such date:

Name |  | Number of Unvested Shares of Restricted Stock (#) |  |  | Number of Unvested RSUs (#) |
Michael K. Burke |  |  | 5,304 |  |  |  | 4,421 |
James F. Callahan, Jr. |  |  | 5,304 |  |  |  | 4,421 |
Joseph G. Doody |  |  | 5,304 |  |  |  | 4,421 |
William P. Hulligan |  |  | 5,449 |  |  |  | 4,421 |
Emily Nagle Green |  |  | 5,304 |  |  |  | 4,421 |
James E. O’Connor |  |  | 5,642 |  |  |  | 4,421 |
Gregory B. Peters |  |  | 5,304 |  |  |  | 4,421 |

We have entered into or engaged in certain transactions with our directors or affiliates of our directors. See “Corporate Governance – Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.”

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OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth as of March 31, 2018 information regarding the beneficial ownership of our capital voting stock by (a) each person or entity known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of any class of our common stock, (b) our directors and director nominees, (c) our named executive officers and (d) our directors and executive officers as a group.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Shares of Class A common stock that an individual or entity has a right to acquire within 60 days after March 31, 2018, including pursuant to options to purchase Class A common stock, Class B common stock convertible into Class A common stock and restricted stock unit awards subject to vesting, are included in the number of shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by the person or entity and are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership owned by the person or entity, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any other person or entity. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible at the discretion of the holder thereof into one share of Class A common stock. As of March 31, 2018, a total of 41,700,025 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding and a total of 988,200 shares of Class B common stock were outstanding. Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, we believe that the persons named in this table, based on information provided by these persons, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table is care of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701.

|  | Class A Common Stock |  |  | Class B Common Stock |  |  | Combined Voting Percentage (1) |
Name of Beneficial Owner |  | # of Shares |  |  | % of Class |  |  | # of Shares |  |  | % of Class |  |
5% Stockholders |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Renaissance Technologies LLC (2) 800 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 |  |  | 3,211,600 |  |  |  | 7.70 | % |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 6.23 | %
BlackRock, Inc. (3) 55 East 52 nd Street New York, NY 10055 |  |  | 2,772,472 |  |  |  | 6.65 | % |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.37 | %
Standard Life Aberdeen plc (4) 30 Lothian Rd Edinburgh, United Kingdom EH1 2DH |  |  | 2,249,588 |  |  |  | 5.39 | % |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4.36 | %
Executive Officers and Directors |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
John W. Casella (5) |  |  | 948,021 |  |  |  | 2.24 | % |  |  | 494,100 |  |  |  | 50.0 | % |  |  | 10.45 | %
Edmond R. Coletta (6) |  |  | 233,652 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
Edwin D. Johnson (7) |  |  | 514,134 |  |  |  | 1.23 | % |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
David L. Schmitt |  |  | 59,405 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
Christopher B. Heald (8) |  |  | 81,883 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
Michael K. Burke |  |  | 80,593 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |

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|  | Class A Common Stock |  |  | Class B Common Stock |  |  | Combined Voting Percentage (1) |
Name of Beneficial Owner |  | # of Shares |  |  | % of Class |  |  | # of Shares |  |  | % of Class |  |
James F. Callahan, Jr. (9) |  |  | 138,380 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
Douglas R. Casella (10) |  |  | 1,188,457 |  |  |  | 2.82 | % |  |  | 494,100 |  |  |  | 50.0 | % |  |  | 10.93 | %
Joseph Doody |  |  | 86,986 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
William P. Hulligan (11) |  |  | 72,339 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
Emily Nagle Green |  |  | 37,296 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
James E. O’Connor (12) |  |  | 22,918 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
Gregory B. Peters |  |  | 87,870 |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | * |
Executive officers and directors as a group (13 people) (13) |  |  | 3,551,934 |  |  |  | 8.25 | % |  |  | 988,200 |  |  |  | 100.0 | % |  |  | 23.96 | %

* | Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the respective class of our voting stock and/or less than 1% of total ownership of equity securities.

(1) | This column represents voting power rather than percentage of equity interest as each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote, while each share of Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes. Combined, the Class A common stock (41,700,025 votes) and the Class B common stock (9,882,000 votes) entitle their holders to an aggregate of 51,582,025 votes as of March 31, 2018. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, except as may otherwise be required by law.

(2) | We obtained information regarding beneficial ownership of these shares solely from a Schedule 13G that was filed with the SEC by Renaissance Technologies LLC and Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation on February 14, 2018. Each of Renaissance Technologies LLC and Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation reports sole voting power with respect to 3,211,600 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 3,211,600 shares.

(3) | We obtained information regarding beneficial ownership of these shares solely from Amendment No. 7 to Schedule 13G that was filed with the SEC by BlackRock, Inc., or BlackRock, on January 29, 2018. BlackRock reports sole voting power with respect to 2,696,778 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 2,772,472 shares.

(4) | We obtained information regarding beneficial ownership of these shares solely from a Schedule 13G that was filed with the SEC by Standard Life Aberdeen plc, or Standard Life, on February 6, 2018. Standard Life reports shared voting power with respect to 2,249,588 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 2,249,588 shares.

(5) | Consists of (a) 398,353 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 54,874 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. John Casella pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018, (c) 694 shares of Class A common stock held by Mr. John Casella’s spouse and (d) 494,100 shares of Class A common stock issuable at any time at the discretion of the holder upon the conversion of Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis.

(6) | Consists of (a) 123,652 shares of Class A common stock and (b) 110,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Coletta pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.

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(7) | Consists of (a) 339,134 shares of Class A common stock and (b) 175,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Johnson pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.

(8) | Consists of (a) 61,883 shares of Class A common stock and (b) 20,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Heald pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.

(9) | Consists of (a) 73,591 shares of Class A common stock and (b) 64,789 shares of Class A common stock held by the James F. Callahan, Jr. 1998 Trust, of which Mr. Callahan and his spouse are trustees.

(10) | Consists of (a) 694,357 shares of Class A common stock and (b) 494,100 shares of Class A common stock issuable at any time at the discretion of the holder upon the conversion of Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis.

(11) | Consists of 72,339 shares of Class A common stock held by the William P. Hulligan Revocable Trust, of which Mr. Hulligan is trustee.

(12) | Consists of 22,918 shares of Class A common stock held by the James E. O’Connor Revocable Trust, of which Mr. O’Connor is trustee.

(13) | Consists of (a) 2,203,860 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 359,874 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018 and (c) 988,200 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of Class B common stock.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our Class A common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our Class A common stock and other equity securities. Based solely on a review of copies of reports filed pursuant to Section 16(a) and representations made by persons required to file such reports, we believe that during fiscal 2017, our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners timely filed all reports they were required to file under Section 16(a).

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board. Our Board is divided into three classes, with each class having as nearly as possible an equal number of directors. The term of service of each class of directors is staggered so that the term of one class expires at each annual meeting of stockholders. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for a full term of three years to succeed those directors whose terms are expiring.

Our Board currently consists of nine members, divided into three classes as follows:

| • |  | Class I is comprised of Michael K. Burke, James F. Callahan, Jr. and Douglas R. Casella, each with a term ending at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;

| • |  | Class II is comprised of Joseph G. Doody, Emily Nagle Green and Gregory B. Peters, each with a term ending at the 2020 Annual Meeting; and

| • |  | Class III is comprised of John W. Casella, William P. Hulligan and James E. O’Connor, each with a term ending at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Messrs. John Casella, Hulligan and O’Connor are current Class III directors whose terms expire at the 2018 Annual Meeting. Messrs. John Casella, Hulligan and O’Connor are each nominated for re-election as a Class III director, each to serve for a term ending at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualified. Each of our three (3) director nominees was recommended by the Nominations and Governance Committee to the Board, which unanimously approved their nomination. The recommendations of our Board are based on its carefully considered judgment and the Board’s belief that the experience, record and qualifications of each of its nominees make them the best candidates to serve on the Board.

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a class, in person or by proxy, at the 2018 Annual Meeting is required to elect each nominee as a director. A withhold vote for a director nominee and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the meeting but will not counted as a vote cast. Banks, brokers and other nominees holding shares in “street name” are not entitled to vote on the proposal unless instructed by the beneficial owner.

We have adopted a majority vote resignation policy, pursuant to which, in an uncontested election of directors, any nominee who is an incumbent director and who does not receive more votes “for” his or her election than votes “withheld” from his or her election will be required to offer his or her resignation to our Board. In such an event, our Board, acting upon the recommendation of the Nominations and Governance Committee or other committee of independent directors, will take action with respect to the offered recommendation, which could range from accepting the resignation, maintaining the director but addressing what the committee believes to be the underlying cause of the “withheld” votes, or resolving that the director will not be re-nominated in the future for election, to rejecting the resignation. Following the Board’s determination, the Company will promptly publicly disclose the Board’s decision of whether or not to accept the resignation offer and an explanation of how the decision was reached. The election of directors at the 2018 Annual Meeting will be uncontested. Accordingly, the majority vote resignation policy would apply at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Unless contrary instructions are provided on the proxy card, the persons named as proxies will, upon receipt of a properly executed proxy, vote for the election of Messrs. John Casella, Hulligan and O’Connor as Class III directors for a term expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each such nominee to hold office until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualified. Each of the nominees has consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve on our Board, if elected. If any nominee should be

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unable to serve, the person acting under the proxy may vote the proxy for a substitute nominee designated by our Board. We do not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve if elected.

BOARD RECOMMENDATION

Our Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of John W. Casella, William P. Hulligan and James E. O’Connor as Class III directors.

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PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

We are providing our stockholders the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. This proposal, which is commonly referred to as “say-on-pay,” is required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which added Section 14A to the Exchange Act. Section 14A of the Exchange Act requires that we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. Section 14A of the Exchange Act also requires us to submit a non-binding, advisory resolution to stockholders at least once every six years to determine whether advisory votes on executive compensation paid to our named executive officers should be held every one, two or three years. At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, an annual advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers. In accordance with the results of this vote, the Board determined to implement an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers every year.

We encourage stockholders to read the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement beginning with the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” on page 27, which describes in detail our executive compensation programs and the decisions made by the Compensation Committee and our Board with respect to fiscal 2017.

As we describe in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we maintain an executive compensation program that is designed to deliver competitive total compensation linked to the achievement of performance objectives and to attract, motivate and retain qualified and talented executives, who are critical to our success, motivating them to achieve our business goals and rewarding them for superior short- and long-term performance. The goal of the Compensation Committee is to ensure that our executive compensation program is aligned with the interests of our stockholders and our business goals in order to attain our ultimate objective of increasing stockholder value. We believe that, consistent with these goals, the total compensation paid to each of our named executive officers is fair, reasonable and competitive. Further, we believe our program does not encourage excessive risk-taking by management. Annual compensation decisions for executive officers are made by our Compensation Committee based on the achievement of specified performance goals as described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Our Board is asking stockholders to approve an advisory vote on the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the named executive officers of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the compensation discussion and analysis, the compensation tables and any related material disclosed in the proxy statement of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., is hereby approved.

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding. The outcome of this advisory vote does not overrule any decision by us or our Board (or any committee thereof), create or imply any change to our fiduciary duties or those of our Board (or any committee thereof), or create or imply any additional fiduciary duties for us or our Board (or any committee thereof). However, the Compensation Committee and our Board value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in their vote on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for named executive officers.

Unless otherwise indicated on your proxy, your shares will be voted “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers. If your shares are held by your bank, broker or other nominee in street name and you do not vote your shares, your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote your shares on Proposal 2.

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BOARD RECOMMENDATION

Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers by voting “FOR” Proposal 2.

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PROPOSAL 3 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Our Audit Committee appointed RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our books, records and accounts for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. The appointment of RSM US LLP is being presented to the stockholders for ratification at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

RSM US LLP has no direct or indirect material financial interest in the Company or its subsidiaries. Representatives of RSM US LLP are expected to be present at the 2018 Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement on their firm’s behalf if they so desire. The representatives also will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

RSM US LLP served as our independent auditors for fiscal 2017 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, or fiscal 2016. A summary of the fees billed for services rendered by RSM US LLP in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 is set forth in the table below.

|  | Period |  | Audit Fees (1) |  |  | Audit Related Fees (2) |  |  | Tax Fees (3) |  |  | All Other Fees (4) |  |  | Total Fees |
RSM US LLP |  | Fiscal 2017 |  | $ | 1,290,662 |  |  | $ | 23,580 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 28,786 |  |  | $ | 1,343,028 |
RSM US LLP |  | Fiscal 2016 |  | $ | 1,150,594 |  |  | $ | 23,681 |  |  | $ | 2,050 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,176,325 |

(1) | Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of our financial statements, the audit of our internal control over financial reporting, the review of the interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other professional services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. This amount includes reimbursement of out of pocket costs in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 of $64,962 and $74,244, respectively.

(2) | Audit related fees consist of fees billed for the audit of our 401(k) benefit plan. This amount includes reimbursement of out of pocket costs in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 of $2,362 and $3,081, respectively.

(3) | Tax fees consist of fees billed for general tax consultation.

(4) | Consists of fees billed for all other services provided by RSM US LLP related to enterprise risk management. This amount includes reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 of $1,272 and $0, respectively.

Our Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our independent auditors. This policy generally provides that we will not engage an independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of the audit and non-audit services performed by our independent auditors in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016. No services were approved pursuant to the de minimis exception to the Audit Committee pre-approval requirements.

Unless otherwise indicated on your proxy, your shares will be voted “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. Although we are not required to submit the appointment to a vote of the stockholders, our Board believes it is appropriate as a matter of good corporate governance to request that the stockholders ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent auditors. If our stockholders do not ratify this appointment, the Audit Committee will investigate the reasons for stockholder rejection and consider whether to retain RSM US LLP or appoint another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, our Board and the Audit Committee, in their discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

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BOARD RECOMMENDATION

Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote to approve the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 by voting “FOR” Proposal 3.

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF

STOCKHOLDERS

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, any proposal that a stockholder intends to present at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2019 Annual Meeting”), for inclusion in the proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting, must be submitted to the attention of the Corporate Secretary at our offices, 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701 no later than December 24, 2018. In order to avoid controversy, stockholders should submit proposals by means (including electronic) that permit them to prove the date of delivery.

In addition, our By-Laws require that we be given advance written notice for nominations for election to our Board and of other business that stockholders wish to present for consideration at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than those proposals of business intended to be included in our proxy statement in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act). The required notice must be delivered by the stockholder and received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal offices and must otherwise meet the requirements set forth in our By-Laws. The required notice must be made in writing and delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to our Corporate Secretary at our principal offices, and received by March 3, 2019, but not before February 1, 2019, which is not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the 2019 Annual Meeting. However, in the event that the 2019 Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held on a date before May 12, 2019, or after July 31, 2019, which are dates 20 days before or 60 days after the anniversary date of the 2018 Annual Meeting, then such advance notice must be received by us not earlier than the 120th day prior to the 2019 Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the 90th day prior to the 2019 Annual Meeting and (2) the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the 2019 Annual Meeting is mailed or public disclosure of the date of the 2019 Annual Meeting is made, whichever first occurs.

If a stockholder who wishes to present a proposal before the 2019 Annual Meeting outside of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act fails to notify us by the required date, the proxies that our Board solicits for the 2019 Annual Meeting will confer discretionary authority on the person named in the proxy to vote on the stockholder’s proposal if it is properly brought before that meeting subject to compliance with Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act. If a stockholder makes timely notification, the proxies may still confer discretionary authority to the person named in the proxy under circumstances consistent with the SEC’s proxy rules, including Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act.

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HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our proxy statement or annual report may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you if you call or write us at the following address or phone number: Investor Relations, Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701, 1-802-775-0325. If you would like to receive separate copies of the annual report and proxy statement in the future or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holders, or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.

Our 2017 Annual Report is available at www.casella.com under the heading entitled “Investor Relations.” Stockholders may request a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017 filed with the SEC (without exhibits) free of charge upon written request to: Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, VT 05701.

OTHER MATTERS

Our Board knows of no other business which will be presented for consideration at the 2018 Annual Meeting other than that described above. However, if any other business should come before the 2018 Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

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|  | Electronic Voting Instructions Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 31, 2018.
|  |  |  | Vote by Internet •  Go to www.investorvote.com/CWST •  Or scan the QR code with your smartphone •  Follow the steps outlined on the secure website
|  | Vote by telephone •  Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone •  Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. |  | ☒ |  |

q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

A |  | Proposals

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the director nominees. 1.  To elect the following nominees as Class III directors of the Company to serve until the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: |  | +
|  |  |  | For |  | Withhold |  |  |  |  |  | For |  | Withhold |  |  |  |  |  | For |  | Withhold |  |
|  | 01 - John W. Casella |  | ☐ |  | ☐ |  | 02 - William P. Hulligan |  |  |  | ☐ |  | ☐ |  | 03 - James E. O’Connor |  |  |  | ☐ |  | ☐ |  |

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 2. |  |  |  | For |  | Against |  | Abstain
2. |  | To approve, in an advisory “say-on-pay” vote, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. |  |  |  | ☐ |  | ☐ |  | ☐
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 3. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
3. |  | To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. |  |  |  | ☐ |  | ☐ |  | ☐

B |  | Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

C |  | Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

Please sign name(s) exactly as appearing hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator or other fiduciary, please give your full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name, by authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name, by authorized person.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. |  |  |  | Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. |  |  |  | Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
/ / |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

##### Table of Contents

q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

Proxy — CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2018

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

The undersigned, having received notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the proxy statement therefor and revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints John W. Casella and David L. Schmitt (each with full power of substitution), as proxies of the undersigned, to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), to be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and any adjournment, postponement, continuation or rescheduling thereof, and there to vote and act, as indicated, upon the matters on the reverse side in respect of all shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote or act upon, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present.

Attendance of the undersigned at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or at any adjournment, postponement, continuation or rescheduling thereof will not be deemed to revoke this proxy unless the undersigned affirmatively indicates thereat the intention of the undersigned to vote said shares of common stock in person. If the undersigned hold(s) any such shares in a fiduciary, custodial or joint capacity or capacities, this proxy is signed by the undersigned in every such capacity as well as individually.

THE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROPOSAL SPECIFIED HEREIN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IF ANY OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THE PERSONS NAMED IN THIS PROXY WILL VOTE THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY IN THEIR DISCRETION.

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PRE-PAID ENVELOPE.