Clean Harbors Announces CEO Change and Los Angeles Hub

The waste management firm is centralizing operations in Los Angeles while transitioning to a single CEO structure.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Home Cleaning

Bold vector editorial illustration of a modern industrial facility and modular units, representing waste management infrastructure in an urban setting. — Clean Harbors is consolidating six regional waste treatment facilities into a new $55 million Los Angeles hub, while transitioning to a sole-CEO model. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Clean Harbors plans to consolidate six regional facilities into a new $55 million Los Angeles hub. Additionally, current co-CEO Mike Battles will retire, leaving Eric Gerstenberg as the sole CEO.

Why it matters

The company expects the move to save up to $7 million in annual lease costs. Management also cited the Southern California regulatory environment as a key driver for long-term growth.

The firm recently completed the remediation of 75,000 tons of frozen food waste in Boyle Heights, a project that generated $120 million in revenue. The company also utilizes a specialized charge-for-oil model for its sustainability services.

The players

Clean Harbors

This is a provider of environmental and industrial services that specializes in hazardous waste management and sustainability solutions.

Eric Gerstenberg

He is an executive at Clean Harbors who has been with the company since 1989 and will become the sole CEO next year.

Mike Battles

He is currently a co-CEO of Clean Harbors and will retire from his leadership post to serve as a strategic advisor.

The details

The new hub will allow Clean Harbors to expand its wastewater treatment and e-waste service offerings in the region. The company has previously invested $20 million in a Baltimore hub and $15 million in a Phoenix hub.

Eric Gerstenberg joined Clean Harbors in 1989.
The pair were appointed co-CEOs in March 2023.
The leadership change and hub site were announced in October 2026.
Mike Battles will transition to a strategic advisory role in 2027.

Culture Shift

The consolidation of operations into a single Los Angeles hub follows the pattern established by the firm's Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions business model. This shift mirrors broader efforts by industrial service firms to optimize site efficiency and reduce overhead costs.

Residents in the area may see increased operational activity as the company consolidates six regional facilities into a single site. The expansion of e-waste and wastewater services at the new hub could provide improved disposal options for local commercial entities.

The takeaway

Companies often consolidate regional infrastructure to capture long-term lease savings and regulatory advantages. Investors and stakeholders should monitor how this hub's expanded service offerings impact the firm's adjusted EBITDA projections.