For Waste Connections, giving back isn’t a corporate slogan—it’s a year-round commitment woven into the company’s identity. Two of its hallmark charity events, the Waste Connections Golf Classic for Kids and the Annual Holiday Bike Build, embody this culture of generosity and community impact.
Each March, hundreds gather in The Woodlands, Texas, for the Waste Connections Golf Classic for Kids, an event that started in Folsom, California, and relocated to Texas in 2013, when the Company moved it headquarter to Texas. Now approaching its 18th year, the tournament channels 100 percent of funds raised back into mostly local charities, with the company underwriting all event costs. From its modest beginning in 2008, which raised $70,000, the tournament has flourished—bringing in $2.6 million in 2025 alone and nearly $15 million to date for primarily children-focused organizations.
Equally inspiring is the company’s Annual Holiday Bike Build, a tradition born from a late-night idea in 2001. The founder was inspired by his pastor’s challenge to “give back” and envisioned building bikes for children in need at Christmas. What started with 16 bikes donated to two local charities has grown into a massive North American movement.
Now in its 25th year, the program spans 171 locations across the U.S. and Canada. In 2024, Waste Connections employees, vendors, and community partners raised over $1 million to build 10,581 bikes—bringing the total number of bicycles given to more than 100,000 since the program’s inception.
For Waste Connections, these events reflect a shared belief that corporate success is measured not only by profit but also by purpose. Whether swinging clubs on the fairway or assembling bikes in December, Waste Connections continues to prove that giving back builds more than community—it builds connection.
Waste & Recycling Workers Week is proud to add Ronald J. Mittelstaedt to its Wall of Honor, recognizing his transformative leadership and decades of impact across the waste management industry. From humble beginnings to steering one of North America’s largest waste companies, Ron’s journey reflects perseverance, community focus, and service beyond business success.
Celebrating Ron Mittelstaedt’s Years of Contribution
Ron Mittelstaedt’s connection to the waste industry spans more than 30 years, defined by his deep commitment to operational excellence, ethical leadership, and industry collaboration. From the company’s earliest days, Ron was at the forefront—leading the first acquisition for Waste Connections in Washington state in 1997 when the company had just 300 employees and $20 million in annual revenue. Success soon followed, and the company went public just a year later, embarking on a path of sustained growth that would reshape the industry’s landscape.
Over the years, Ron served in multiple pivotal roles at Waste Connections, including President, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Chairman, and Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, Waste Connections grew into the third-largest waste management company operating across 45 U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces, with more than 26,000 employees and revenues exceeding $10 billion—a testament to his strategic foresight and unwavering dedication.
Mr. Mittelstaedt has emphasized that Waste Connections’ responsibility extends beyond business operations to the communities where its employees live and work, and that giving back has been part of the company’s culture since its early days.
Waste & Recycling Workers Week is honored to add Ronald J. Mittelstaedt and Waste Connections to the Wall of Honor in recognition the decades of service and lasting impact on the industry.