REPUBLIC SERVICES INC
424B1, 1999-05-20
REFUSE SYSTEMS
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<PAGE>   1
                                                  Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(B)1
                                                      Registration No. 333-78137
 
PROSPECTUS
                                  $600,000,000
                         REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC. (LOGO)
 
                       $225,000,000 6 5/8% NOTES DUE 2004
 
                       $375,000,000 7 1/8% NOTES DUE 2009
                           -------------------------
 
     Interest on the notes will be payable on May 15 and November 15 of each
year beginning November 15, 1999. The 6 5/8% notes will mature on May 15, 2004
and the 7 1/8% notes will mature on May 15, 2009. We may redeem some or all of
the notes at any time. We describe the redemption prices of the notes under the
heading "Description of the Notes -- Optional Redemption" on page 59 of this
prospectus.
 
     The notes are unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other
unsecured senior indebtedness. The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of
any sinking fund.
 
     INVESTING IN THE NOTES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN THE
"RISK FACTORS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
                           -------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PUBLIC OFFERING   UNDERWRITING   PROCEEDS BEFORE
                                                    PRICE(1)         DISCOUNT        EXPENSES
                                                 ---------------   ------------   ---------------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>            <C>
Per Note due 2004..............................        99.552%             .6%          98.952%
Total..........................................   $223,992,000      $1,350,000     $222,642,000
Per Note due 2009..............................        99.848%            .65%          99.198%
Total..........................................   $374,430,000      $2,437,500     $371,992,500
                                                  ------------      ----------     ------------
     Total.....................................   $598,422,000      $3,787,500     $594,634,500
</TABLE>
 
     (1) Plus accrued interest from May 24, 1999, if settlement occurs after
that date
 
     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
 
     The notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the
Depository Trust Company on or about May 24, 1999.
 
                           -------------------------
                          Joint Book-Running Managers
 
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC                               MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                           -------------------------
 
BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
               CHASE SECURITIES INC.
                               DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
                                            DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                                                      SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
                           -------------------------
 
                  The date of this prospectus is May 19, 1999.
<PAGE>   2
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
Prospectus Summary..........................................     3
Risk Factors................................................     7
Use of Proceeds.............................................    10
Capitalization..............................................    10
Selected Financial Data.....................................    11
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
  and Results of Operations.................................    13
Business....................................................    26
Management..................................................    40
Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management......    47
Intercompany Relationships and Related Transactions.........    49
Description of Other Indebtedness...........................    57
Description of the Notes....................................    59
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.............    69
Underwriting................................................    74
Legal Matters...............................................    76
Experts.....................................................    76
Available Information.......................................    77
Index to Financial Statements...............................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
                           -------------------------
 
     You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We
have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide
you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the
underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on
the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     This summary highlights some information contained in this prospectus. The
summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You
should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the risk factors and the
financial statements, in order to understand this offering. With the exception
of the section of this prospectus captioned "Description of the Notes," where we
refer to ourself in this prospectus, including our references to "Republic
Services" or "our company," we mean Republic Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries
since we completed our initial public offering of common stock in July 1998,
along with the historical operating results and activities of, and assets and
liabilities of, the solid waste services business and operations of AutoNation,
Inc. before we completed our initial public offering of common stock in July
1998.
 
     This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from the results we
discuss in the forward-looking statements. We discuss some of the factors that
might cause differences in actual results in the "Risk Factors" section of this
prospectus.
 
                                  OUR COMPANY
 
     We are a leading provider of services in the domestic non-hazardous solid
waste industry. We provide non-hazardous solid waste collection services for
commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 139
collection companies in 26 states. We also own or operate 76 transfer stations
and 58 solid waste landfills. We had revenue of $403.5 million and operating
income of $79.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and revenue of
$300.8 million and operating income of $59.0 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1998. We had revenue of $1,369.1 million and operating income of
$284.3 million in the year ended December 31, 1998, and revenue of $1,127.7
million and operating income of $201.3 million in the year ended December 31,
1997. We believe that the $241.4 million, or 21.4%, increase in revenue and the
$83.0 million, or 41.2%, increase in operating income from 1997 to 1998 are
primarily attributable to the successful execution of our growth and operating
strategies.
 
     Our presence in high growth markets throughout the Sunbelt, including
Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Southern California and Texas and other domestic
markets that have experienced higher than average population growth during the
past several years supports our internal growth strategy. We believe that our
presence in these markets positions our company to experience growth at rates
that are generally higher than the industry's overall growth rate.
 
     Since 1995, we have acquired numerous solid waste companies with an
aggregate of over $1.4 billion in annual revenue. We believe that we are well
positioned to continue to increase our revenue and operating income through
acquisitions in addition to our internal growth. We focus our acquisition growth
strategy on the approximately $8.0 billion of revenue generated by the over
5,000 privately held solid waste companies in 1997. We believe that several
factors enhance our ability to acquire many of these privately held companies,
including,
 
          - increasing competition in the solid waste industry,
 
          - increasing requirements for capital as a result of regulatory
            changes in the solid waste industry, and
 
          - the existence of only a limited number of exit strategies for the
            owners and principals of these privately held solid waste companies.
 
     Until our initial public offering of common stock in July 1998, we were a
wholly owned subsidiary of AutoNation, Inc., formerly known as Republic
Industries, Inc. Recently, AutoNation completed the sale of substantially all of
its shares of our common stock through a secondary public offering.
                                        3
<PAGE>   4
 
                               THE NOTES OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
The Issuer......................................  Republic Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation
                                                  110 S.E. Sixth Street, 28th Floor
                                                  Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
                                                  (954) 769-2400
 
Notes Offered...................................  $225,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8%
                                                  notes due 2004.
                                                  $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7 1/8%
                                                  notes due 2009.
 
Maturity Date...................................  May 15, 2004 for the 2004 notes.
                                                  May 15, 2009 for the 2009 notes.
 
Interest Payment Dates..........................  On May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning
                                                  on November 15, 1999.
 
Ranking.........................................  The notes will rank equally with all of our other
                                                  senior unsecured indebtedness, including
                                                  indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit
                                                  facility.
 
Optional Redemption.............................  We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time.
                                                  We describe the redemption price under the heading
                                                  "Description of the Notes -- Optional Redemption."
 
Form of Note....................................  One or more global securities, held in the name of
                                                  The Depository Trust Company.
 
Covenants.......................................  The indenture governing the notes will contain
                                                  covenants that, among other things, generally will
                                                  limit our ability and the ability of our
                                                  subsidiaries to:
                                                  - enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
                                                  - consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially
                                                  all of our assets; and
                                                  - create liens.
                                                  These covenants are subject to important exceptions
                                                  and qualifications, which are described under the
                                                  heading "Description of the Notes" in this
                                                  prospectus.
 
Use of Proceeds.................................  We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of
                                                  the notes to reduce amounts outstanding under our
                                                  revolving credit facility.
</TABLE>
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   5
 
     SUMMARY HISTORICAL, PRO FORMA AND PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED FINANCIAL DATA
                (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
     In the table below, we provide you with a summary of our historical, pro
forma and pro forma as adjusted financial and operating data for the periods
indicated. The summary historical, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted financial
data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated
Financial Statements and their Notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." See Notes 1, 3, 6 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for a discussion of basis of presentation, business combinations,
stockholders' equity and restructuring and other charges. The pro forma data set
forth below assumes the initial public offering and the repayment in full of the
amounts due to AutoNation occurred as of January 1, 1998. The pro forma as
adjusted financial data further gives effect to the sale of $600.0 million of
the notes offered hereby and the application of net proceeds of $593.5 million
as if such transaction had occurred as of the beginning of the periods
presented. The summary historical, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted financial
data below is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or
financial position which would have resulted had our separation from AutoNation,
our initial public offering and our sale of $600.0 million of the notes offered
hereby occurred at the beginning of the periods presented.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                ---------------------------------   ---------------------------------------------------------
                                 PRO FORMA                           PRO FORMA
                                AS ADJUSTED                         AS ADJUSTED   PRO FORMA
                                   1999         1999       1998        1998         1998        1998       1997       1996
                                -----------   --------   --------   -----------   ---------   --------   --------   ---------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
                                -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue.......................   $  403.5     $  403.5   $  300.8    $1,369.1     $1,369.1    $1,369.1   $1,127.7   $  953.3
Expenses:
  Cost of operations..........      244.7        244.7      185.9       842.7        842.7       842.7      723.0      628.3
  Depreciation, amortization
    and depletion.............       33.4         33.4       23.8       106.3        106.3       106.3       86.1       75.3
  Selling, general and
    administrative............       46.0         46.0       32.1       135.8        135.8       135.8      117.3      135.3
  Restructuring and other
    charges...................         --           --         --          --           --          --         --        8.8
                                 --------     --------   --------    --------     --------    --------   --------   --------
Operating income..............       79.4         79.4       59.0       284.3        284.3       284.3      201.3      105.6
Interest expense..............      (13.3)       (11.3)      (5.4)      (41.3)        (7.4)      (44.7)     (25.9)     (29.7)
Interest income...............        2.6          2.6         .5         1.5          1.5         1.5        4.9       11.7
Other income (expense), net...        (.1)         (.1)        .3         (.9)         (.9)        (.9)       1.8        2.2
                                 --------     --------   --------    --------     --------    --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes....       68.6         70.6       54.4       243.6        277.5       240.2      182.1       89.8
Provision for income taxes....       26.4         27.2       19.6        87.7         99.9        86.5       65.9       38.0
                                 --------     --------   --------    --------     --------    --------   --------   --------
Net income....................   $   42.2     $   43.4   $   34.8    $  155.9     $  177.6    $  153.7   $  116.2   $   51.8
                                 ========     ========   ========    ========     ========    ========   ========   ========
Basic and diluted earnings per
  share(a)....................   $    .24     $    .25   $    .36    $    .89     $   1.01    $   1.13   $   1.21   $    .54
                                 ========     ========   ========    ========     ========    ========   ========   ========
Weighted average common and
  common equivalent shares
  outstanding(a)..............      175.4        175.4       95.7       175.4        175.4       135.6       95.7       95.7
                                 ========     ========   ========    ========     ========    ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                ---------------------------------   ---------------------------------------------------------
                                 PRO FORMA                           PRO FORMA
                                AS ADJUSTED                         AS ADJUSTED   PRO FORMA
                                   1999         1999       1998        1998         1998        1998       1997       1996
                                -----------   --------   --------   -----------   ---------   --------   --------   ---------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
                                -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
 
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA(b).....................   $  112.8     $  112.8   $   82.8    $  390.6     $  390.6    $  390.6   $  287.4   $  180.9
EBITDA margin(c)..............       28.0%        28.0%      27.5%       28.5%        28.5%       28.5%      25.5%      19.0%
Capital expenditures..........   $   55.7     $   55.7   $   29.0    $  193.0     $  193.0    $  193.0   $  165.3   $  146.9
Cash flows from operating
  activities..................       62.8         64.0       80.3       273.3        295.0       271.1      279.4      143.5
Cash flows from investing
  activities..................     (489.1)      (489.1)     (21.2)     (607.4)      (607.4)     (607.4)    (168.1)    (175.7)
Cash flows from financing
  activities..................     (116.2)      (116.2)     (59.1)      892.9        892.9       892.9     (135.5)      20.3
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(d)..................        5.2x         5.9x       9.9x        6.4x        25.3x        5.9x       7.3x       3.7x
</TABLE>
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   6
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    MARCH 31,
                                                              ----------------------
                                                               PRO FORMA                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                              AS ADJUSTED              ------------------------------
                                                                 1999         1999       1998       1997       1996
                                                              -----------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                              ----------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents...................................   $   15.3     $   15.3   $  556.6   $     --   $   24.2
Total assets................................................    2,794.8      2,788.3    2,812.1    1,348.0    1,090.3
Amounts due to AutoNation(e)................................         --           --         --      266.1      254.9
Total debt..................................................      949.1        942.6    1,057.1       75.1      142.7
Total stockholders' equity..................................    1,344.5      1,344.5    1,299.1      750.8      494.5
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(a) Prior to our initial public offering on July 1, 1998, we had only 100 shares
    of common stock outstanding, all of which were owned by AutoNation.
    Historical share and per share data have been retroactively adjusted for the
    recapitalization of our 100 shares of common stock into 95.7 million shares
    of common stock in July 1998.
(b) EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation, amortization and
    depletion. While EBITDA data should not be construed as a substitute for
    operating income, net income or cash flows from operations in analyzing our
    operating performance, financial position and cash flows, we have included
    EBITDA data, which is not a measure of financial performance under generally
    accepted accounting principles, because we believe that this data is
    commonly used by certain investors to evaluate a company's performance in
    the solid waste industry. Due to the fact that not all companies calculate
    non-GAAP measures in the same manner, the EBITDA presentation herein may not
    be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
(c) EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenue.
(d) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is determined by dividing the sum of
    income before income taxes, interest expense, income tax expense and a
    portion of rent expense representative of the interest component by the sum
    of interest expense and the portion of rent expense representative of the
    interest component.
(e) In July 1998, we repaid all amounts due to AutoNation as of June 30, 1998
    through the issuance of common stock and through all of the proceeds of our
    initial public offering.
                                        6
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     You should carefully consider the risks below before making a decision to
invest in our notes. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together
with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you make
an investment decision.
 
     If any of the following risks, or other risks not presently known to us or
that we currently believe to not be significant, develop into actual events,
then our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could
be materially adversely affected.
 
WE OPERATE IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY AND MAY BE UNABLE TO COMPETE
EFFECTIVELY.
 
     We operate in a highly competitive business environment. Some of our
competitors have significantly larger operations and may have significantly
greater financial resources than we do. In addition, the solid waste industry is
constantly changing as a result of rapid consolidation which may create
additional competitive pressures in our business environment.
 
     We also compete with municipalities that maintain their own waste
collection or disposal operations. These municipalities may have a financial
advantage over us as a result of the availability of tax revenue and tax-exempt
financing.
 
     In each market in which we own or operate a landfill, we compete for solid
waste volume on the basis of disposal or "tipping" fees, geographical location
and quality of operations. Our ability to obtain solid waste volume for our
landfills may be limited by the fact that some major collection companies also
own or operate landfills to which they send their waste.
 
     We compete for collection accounts primarily on the basis of price and the
quality of services. From time to time our competitors may reduce the price of
their services in an effort to expand their market share or to win a
competitively bid municipal contract.
 
     As a result, we may have difficulty competing effectively from time to
time.
 
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO EXECUTE OUR ACQUISITION GROWTH STRATEGY.
 
     Our ability to execute our growth strategy depends in part on our ability
to identify and acquire desirable acquisition candidates as well as our ability
to successfully integrate the acquired operations into our business. The
consolidation of our operations with the operations of acquired companies,
including the integration of systems, procedures, personnel and facilities, the
relocation of staff, and the achievement of anticipated cost savings, economies
of scale and other business efficiencies, presents significant challenges to our
management, particularly if several acquisitions occur at the same time. In
short, we cannot assure you that:
 
     - we will be able to identify desirable acquisition candidates;
 
     - we will be able to acquire any of the identified candidates;
 
     - we will effectively integrate companies which are acquired and fully
       realize the expected cost savings, economies of scale or business
       efficiencies; or
 
     - any acquisitions will be profitable or accretive to our earnings.
 
     Additional factors may negatively impact our acquisition growth strategy.
Our acquisition strategy requires spending significant amounts of capital. If we
are unable to obtain additional needed financing on acceptable terms, we may
need to reduce the scope of our acquisition growth strategy, which could have a
material adverse effect on our growth prospects. The intense competition among
our competitors pursuing the same acquisition candidates may increase purchase
prices for solid waste
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   8
 
businesses and increase our capital requirements. In addition, our inability to
account for acquisitions under the pooling of interests method of accounting
until May 2001 may impede our ability to complete some transactions. If any of
the aforementioned factors force us to alter our growth strategy, our financial
condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely
affected.
 
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO MANAGE OUR GROWTH EFFECTIVELY.
 
     Our growth strategy places significant demands on our financial,
operational and management resources. In order to continue our growth, and to
operate independently of AutoNation, we will need to add administrative and
other personnel, and make additional investments in operations and systems. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to find and train qualified personnel, or
do so on a timely basis, or expand our operations and systems to the extent, and
in the time, required.
 
BUSINESSES WE ACQUIRE MAY HAVE UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.
 
     In pursuing our acquisition strategy, our investigations of the acquisition
candidates may fail to discover certain undisclosed liabilities of the
acquisition candidates. If we acquire a company having undisclosed liabilities,
as a successor owner we may be responsible for such undisclosed liabilities. We
typically try to minimize our exposure to such liabilities by obtaining
indemnification from each seller of the acquired companies, by deferring payment
of a portion of the purchase price as a security for the indemnification and by
acquiring only specified assets. However, we cannot assure you that we will be
able to obtain indemnifications or that they will be enforceable, collectible or
sufficient in amount, scope or duration to fully offset any undisclosed
liabilities arising from our acquisitions.
 
WE DEPEND ON KEY PERSONNEL.
 
     Our future success depends on the continued contributions of several key
employees and officers. Most of our officers do not have employment agreements
and we do not maintain key man life insurance policies on any of our officers.
The loss of the services of key employees and officers, whether such loss is
through resignation or other causes, or the inability to attract additional
qualified personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
 
COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION MAY IMPEDE OUR GROWTH.
 
     We may need to spend considerable time, effort and capital to keep our
facilities in compliance with federal, state and local requirements regulating
health, safety, environment, zoning and land use. In addition, some of our waste
operations that cross state boundaries could be adversely affected if the
federal government, or the state or locality in which these waste operations are
located, imposes discriminatory fees on, or otherwise limits or prohibits, the
transportation or disposal of solid waste. If environmental laws become more
stringent, our environmental capital expenditures and costs for environmental
compliance may increase in the future. In addition, due to the possibility of
unanticipated events or regulatory developments, the amounts and timing of
future environmental expenditures could vary substantially from those we
currently anticipate. Because of the nature of our operations, we have in the
past and may in the future be named as a potentially responsible party in
connection with the investigation or remediation of environmental conditions. We
cannot assure you that the resolution of these investigations will not have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. A
significant judgment or fine against our company, or our loss of significant
permits or licenses, could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition, results of operations or prospects.
 
     Citizens' groups have become increasingly active in challenging the grant
or renewal of permits and licenses for landfills and other waste facilities.
Responding to the challenges presented by those
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   9
 
citizens' groups has at times further increased our costs and extended the time
associated with establishing new facilities and expanding existing facilities.
 
     We currently accrue for landfill closure and post-closure costs based on
consumption of landfill airspace. As of December 31, 1998, assuming that all
available landfill capacity is used, we expect to expense approximately $370.5
million of landfill closure and post-closure costs over the remaining lives of
these facilities. We cannot assure you that our reserves for landfill and
environmental costs will be adequate to cover the requirements of existing
environmental regulations, future changes or interpretations of existing
regulations or the identification of adverse environmental conditions previously
unknown to us.
 
POTENTIAL YEAR 2000 PROBLEMS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
 
     We use computer software and related technologies throughout our business
that are likely to be affected by the date change in the year 2000. We may not
discover and remediate all potential problems with our systems in a timely
manner. In addition, computer software and related technologies used by our
customers, service providers, vendors and suppliers are likely to be affected by
the year 2000 date change. Failure of any of these parties to properly process
dates for the year 2000 and thereafter could result in unanticipated expenses
and delays to us, including delays in the payment by our customers for services
provided and delays in our ability to conduct normal banking operations. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Year 2000."
 
SEASONAL CHANGES AND ECONOMIC FLUCTUATIONS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND
OPERATIONS.
 
     Our operations may be adversely affected by periods of inclement weather
which could delay the collection and disposal of waste, reduce the volume of
waste generated or delay the construction or expansion of our landfill sites and
other facilities.
 
     Our commercial and industrial collection operations, and our landfills
which accept construction and demolition debris, may be adversely affected by
periods of economic downturn or declines in the construction industry.
 
OUR AGREEMENTS WITH AUTONATION MAY NOT BE AS FAVORABLE AS AGREEMENTS WITH THIRD
PARTIES.
 
     We entered into agreements with AutoNation while we were its wholly owned
subsidiary. We cannot assure you that these agreements were made on terms as
favorable as could have been obtained from parties with whom we were not
related.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   10
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds we will receive from the sale of the notes are estimated
to be $593.5 million, after deducting the underwriting discount and other
offering expenses.
 
     We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay $378.0
million and $215.5 million of the short-term and long-term portions of our
revolving credit facility, respectively, which amounts will be available to be
reborrowed. Our credit facility is unsecured and consists of a long-term
revolving credit facility of $500.0 million expiring July 2003 and a short-term
revolving credit facility of $500.0 million expiring July 1999. Interest under
the revolving credit facility is based on LIBOR rates. We used the proceeds of
our revolving credit facility to complete acquisitions and to fund capital
expenditures, as well as for working capital.
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table summarizes our capitalization as of March 31, 1999 and
as adjusted to give effect to our receipt of the estimated net proceeds from the
sale by our company of $600.0 million of the notes we are selling hereunder. For
the three months ended March 31, 1999, our borrowings under our short-term and
long-term credit facility had a weighted average interest rate of 5.71%. You
should read this information in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial
Statements and the related Notes that appear in this prospectus beginning on
page F-1.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AS OF MARCH 31, 1999
                                                              ----------------------
                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                               ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                              --------   -----------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT
                                                                   SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $   15.3    $   15.3
                                                              ========    ========
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt:
  Short-term credit facility(1).............................  $  378.0    $     --(4)
  Other debt................................................       7.2         7.2
                                                              --------    --------
    Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term
     debt...................................................     385.2         7.2
                                                              --------    --------
Long-term debt, net of curent maturities:
  Long-term credit facility.................................     500.0       284.5(4)
  Senior notes..............................................        --       600.0
  Other debt................................................      57.4        57.4
                                                              --------    --------
    Total long-term debt....................................     557.4       941.9
                                                              --------    --------
    Total debt(2)...........................................     942.6       949.1
                                                              --------    --------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 50,000,000
    shares authorized; none issued..........................        --          --
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 375,000,000 shares
    authorized; 175,412,500 shares issued and
    outstanding(3)..........................................       1.8         1.8
Additional paid-in capital..................................   1,205.5     1,205.5
Retained earnings...........................................     137.2       137.2
                                                              --------    --------
    Total stockholders' equity..............................   1,344.5     1,344.5
                                                              --------    --------
        Total capitalization................................  $2,287.1    $2,293.6
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) We are currently negotiating with our lenders to extend the maturity of the
    portion of our credit facility expiring July 1999 to July 2000.
(2) For a description of our outstanding debt, see "Description of Other
    Indebtedness."
(3) Excludes (A) 12.6 million shares subject to options outstanding as of April
    30, 1999 and (B) 7.4 million additional shares reserved for issuance
    pursuant to options available for grant under our stock option plan. See
    "Management -- Stock Incentive Plan."
(4) Reflects repayment of $378.0 million and $215.5 million of the short-term
    and long-term portions of our credit facility.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   11
 
                              SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                   (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
     The following table presents selected financial data of our company for the
periods and dates indicated. Our selected statement of operations data and other
operating data for each of the full fiscal years 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, and
our selected balance sheet data at December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 presented
below were derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified public accountants. Our
selected statement of operations data and other operating data for the full
fiscal year 1994, and our selected balance sheet data at December 31, 1995 and
1994 presented below are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial
statements, which we believe reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this data. Our
selected financial data for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 and
as of March 31, 1999 are derived from our unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements include all material adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary for
a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations for
these periods. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1999 are
not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.
You should read the following selected financial data along with our
Consolidated Financial Statements and their Notes as of March 31, 1999
(unaudited) and December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the three months ended March
31, 1999 and 1998 (unaudited) and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998, included elsewhere in this prospectus and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." See
Notes 1, 3, 6 and 9 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a
discussion of basis of presentation, business combinations, stockholders' equity
and restructuring and other charges and their effect on comparability of
year-to-year data.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               THREE MONTHS
                                              ENDED MARCH 31,                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            -------------------   -------------------------------------------------------
                                              1999       1998       1998       1997       1996       1995        1994
                                            --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   -----------
                                                (UNAUDITED)                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue...................................   $403.5     $300.8    $1,369.1   $1,127.7    $953.3     $805.0      $610.1
Expenses:
  Cost of operations......................    244.7      185.9      842.7      723.0      628.3      507.1       380.8
  Depreciation, amortization and
    depletion.............................     33.4       23.8      106.3       86.1       75.3       63.0        53.2
  Selling, general and administrative.....     46.0       32.1      135.8      117.3      135.3      137.7       115.0
  Restructuring and other charges.........       --         --         --         --        8.8        3.3          --
                                             ------     ------    --------   --------    ------     ------      ------
Operating income..........................     79.4       59.0      284.3      201.3      105.6       93.9        61.1
Interest expense..........................    (11.3)      (5.4)     (44.7)     (25.9)     (29.7)     (19.1)      (13.2)
Interest income...........................      2.6         .5        1.5        4.9       11.7        4.4         1.5
Other income (expense), net...............      (.1)        .3        (.9)       1.8        2.2        1.8        (5.5)
                                             ------     ------    --------   --------    ------     ------      ------
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes............................     70.6       54.4      240.2      182.1       89.8       81.0        43.9
Provision for income taxes................     27.2       19.6       86.5       65.9       38.0       31.6        17.0
                                             ------     ------    --------   --------    ------     ------      ------
Income from continuing operations.........     43.4       34.8      153.7      116.2       51.8       49.4        26.9
Loss from discontinued operations.........       --         --         --         --         --      (24.8)       (5.4)
                                             ------     ------    --------   --------    ------     ------      ------
Net income................................   $ 43.4     $ 34.8    $ 153.7    $ 116.2     $ 51.8     $ 24.6      $ 21.5
                                             ======     ======    ========   ========    ======     ======      ======
Basic and diluted earnings per share(a)...   $  .25     $  .36    $  1.13    $  1.21     $  .54     $  .26      $  .22
                                             ======     ======    ========   ========    ======     ======      ======
Weighted average common and common
  equivalent shares outstanding(a)........    175.4       95.7      135.6       95.7       95.7       95.7        95.7
                                             ======     ======    ========   ========    ======     ======      ======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               THREE MONTHS
                                              ENDED MARCH 31,                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            -------------------   -------------------------------------------------------
                                              1999       1998       1998       1997       1996       1995        1994
                                            --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   -----------
                                                (UNAUDITED)                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA(b).................................   $112.8     $ 82.8    $ 390.6    $ 287.4     $180.9     $156.9      $114.3
EBITDA margin(c)..........................     28.0%      27.5%      28.5%      25.5%      19.0%      19.5%       18.7%
Capital expenditures......................   $ 55.7     $ 29.0    $ 193.0    $ 165.3     $146.9     $147.9      $ 41.8
Cash flows from operating activities......     64.0       80.3      271.1      279.4      143.5      125.4        59.0
Cash flows from investing activities......   (489.1)     (21.2)    (607.4)    (168.1)    (175.7)    (110.7)      (62.4)
Cash flows from financing activities......   (116.2)     (59.1)     892.9     (135.5)      20.3        2.8         5.8
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(d).....      5.9x       9.9x       5.9x       7.3x       3.7x       4.4x        3.6x
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   12
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                        MARCH 31,    ----------------------------------------------------
                                                          1999         1998       1997       1996       1995       1994
                                                       -----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                       (UNAUDITED)                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents............................    $   15.3    $ 556.6    $    --    $  24.2     $ 36.1     $ 39.2
Total assets.........................................     2,788.3    2,812.1    1,348.0    1,090.3      838.9      681.1
Amounts due to AutoNation(e).........................          --         --      266.1      254.9      125.0       27.4
Total debt...........................................       942.6    1,057.1       75.1      142.7      160.1      195.2
Total stockholders' equity...........................     1,344.5    1,299.1      750.8      494.5      372.2      272.4
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(a) Prior to our initial public offering on July 1, 1998, we had only 100 shares
    of common stock outstanding, all of which AutoNation owned. Historical share
    and per share data have been retroactively adjusted for the recapitalization
    of our 100 shares of common stock into 95.7 million shares of common stock
    in July 1998.
(b) EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation, amortization and
    depletion. While EBITDA data should not be construed as a substitute for
    operating income, net income or cash flows from operations in analyzing our
    operating performance, financial position and cash flows, we have included
    EBITDA data, which is not a measure of financial performance under generally
    accepted accounting principles, because we believe that this data is
    commonly used by certain investors to evaluate a company's performance in
    the solid waste industry. Due to the fact that not all companies calculate
    non-GAAP measures in the same manner, the EBITDA presentation herein may not
    be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
(c) EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenue.
(d) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is determined by dividing the sum of
    income before income taxes, interest expense, income tax expense and a
    portion of rent expense representative of the interest component by the sum
    of interest expense and the portion of rent expense representative of the
    interest component.
(e) In July 1998, we repaid all amounts due to AutoNation as of June 30, 1998
    through the issuance of common stock and through all of the proceeds of our
    initial public offering.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   13
 
   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
                                   OPERATIONS
 
     You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our
Consolidated Financial Statements and their Notes contained in this prospectus.
All references to historical share and per share data of our common stock have
been retroactively adjusted for the recapitalization of the 100 shares of our
common stock into 95,688,083 shares of common stock in July 1998.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     In May 1998, AutoNation announced its intention to separate our company,
which at the time was a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoNation, from AutoNation,
and for our company to complete an initial public offering of common stock. As a
result, we entered into certain agreements with AutoNation providing for the
separation and governing various interim and ongoing relationships between our
company and AutoNation.
 
     As part of the separation, and prior to our initial public offering of
common stock, we declared and paid a $2.0 billion dividend in April 1998 to
AutoNation with a series of promissory notes. In addition, we owed AutoNation
approximately $139.5 million and owed Republic Resources Company, at that time a
subsidiary of ours, approximately $165.4 million, net of an approximate $90.5
million that Resources owed to our company. On June 30, 1998, we repaid $565.4
million of the promissory notes that we owed to AutoNation with cash, assets we
received from Resources and with the receivable that Resources owed to our
company. In addition, we distributed all of our shares of common stock of
Resources to AutoNation. We repaid the approximately $139.5 million we owed to
AutoNation and the approximately $255.9 million we owed to Resources by issuing
16,474,417 shares of our common stock to AutoNation, and we repaid the remaining
balance of the promissory notes due to AutoNation with the net proceeds from our
issuance and sale of 63,250,000 shares of common stock in our initial public
offering completed in July 1998, which totalled approximately $1.4 billion.
 
     Following our initial public offering and the repayment of amounts due to
AutoNation, AutoNation owned approximately 63.9% of the outstanding shares of
our common stock. Following the recapitalization of our common stock, repayment
of amounts due to AutoNation and our initial public offering, we had the
following shares of common stock outstanding (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Recapitalization of our common stock........................   95.7
Repayment of amounts due to AutoNation......................   16.5
Initial public offering of common stock.....................   63.2
                                                              -----
                                                              175.4
                                                              =====
</TABLE>
 
     In March 1999, AutoNation exercised registration rights that it had with
our company in order to be able to sell its entire interest in our company,
consisting of approximately 112.2 million shares of common stock, and in May
1999, AutoNation sold 100.0 million shares of common stock in a secondary public
offering. The remaining 12.2 million shares owned by AutoNation are subject to
an over-allotment option which may be exercised by the underwriters in whole or
in part on or before May 26, 1999. We received no proceeds in the secondary
public offering and will receive no proceeds upon any exercise by the
underwriters of the over-allotment option.
 
     Prior to our initial public offering, our employees received options under
AutoNation's stock option plans. In March 1999, options to purchase
approximately 8.3 million shares of AutoNation common stock were cancelled and
were replaced, on a one-for-one basis, with options to purchase shares of our
common stock under our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. These replacement options
retained the vesting and exercise rights of the original options, subject to
exercise limitations for individuals who signed stock option repricing
agreements with AutoNation. The individual
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   14
 
replacement options are priced so that the unrealized gain or loss on each grant
of AutoNation options will generally be maintained under the replacement
options. The compensation expense related to our granting of replacement options
with exercise prices below the quoted market price of the common stock at the
date of grant is approximately $2.0 million, which we recorded in the first
quarter of 1999 as a one-time charge to earnings. As of April 30, 1999, options
to purchase a total of approximately 12.6 million shares of Class A common
stock, at a weighted average exercise price of $18.50 per share, were
outstanding under our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, approximately 2.6 million of
which were exercisable.
 
     Prior to our initial public offering, we were a wholly owned subsidiary of
AutoNation. As a result, AutoNation provided us with various services including:
 
     - accounting,
 
     - auditing,
 
     - cash management,
 
     - corporate communications,
 
     - corporate development,
 
     - financial and treasury,
 
     - human resources and benefit plan administration,
 
     - insurance and risk management,
 
     - legal,
 
     - purchasing and
 
     - tax services.
 
     AutoNation also provided our company with the services of a number of its
executives and employees. In consideration for these services, AutoNation
allocated to our company a portion of its general and administrative costs
related to these services. This allocation had historically been based on the
proportion of our invested capital as a percentage of the consolidated invested
capital of AutoNation and its subsidiaries, including our company. In June 1998,
we entered into a services agreement with AutoNation under which AutoNation
agreed to continue to provide various services to our company in exchange for a
monthly fee of $1.25 million. This fee is subject to review and adjustment from
time to time as we reduce the services we require from AutoNation. Effective
January 1, 1999, we negotiated a reduction in this fee to $0.9 million per
month. The services agreement has a one-year term and expires on June 30, 1999.
Our management believes that the amounts allocated to our company and/or charged
under the services agreement were no less favorable to our company than costs we
would have incurred to obtain such services on our own or from unaffiliated
third parties.
 
     The historical consolidated financial information included in this
prospectus does not necessarily reflect what our financial position and results
of operations would have been had we been operated as a separate, stand-alone
entity during the periods presented.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   15
 
OUR BUSINESS
 
     We are a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection and
disposal services in the United States. We provide solid waste collection
services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through
139 collection companies in 26 states. We also own or operate 76 transfer
stations and 58 solid waste landfills.
 
     We generate revenue primarily from our solid waste collection operations,
and our remaining revenue is from landfill disposal services and other services,
including recycling and composting operations. Collection, transfer and
disposal, recycling and other services accounted for approximately 78.7%, 10.1%,
3.1% and 8.1%, respectively, of consolidated revenue for the year ended December
31, 1998.
 
     Our revenue from collection operations consists of fees we receive from
commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. In 1998, our
revenue from collection services was approximately one third from services
provided to commercial customers, one third from services provided to industrial
customers and one third from services provided to municipal and residential
customers. Our residential and commercial collection operations in some markets
are based on long-term contracts with municipalities. We generally provide
industrial and commercial collection operations to individual customers under
contracts with terms up to three years. Our revenue from landfill operations is
from disposal or tipping fees charged to third parties. In general, we integrate
our recycling operations with our collection operations and obtain revenue from
the sale of recyclable materials. No one customer has individually accounted for
more than 10% of our consolidated revenue in any of the last three years.
 
     The cost of our collection operations is primarily variable and includes
disposal, labor, fuel and equipment maintenance costs. We try to be more
efficient by controlling the movement of waste streams from the point of
collection through disposal. During 1998, we disposed of approximately 40% of
the total volume of waste we collected at our landfills. Our landfill cost of
operations includes most daily operating expenses, costs of capital for cell
development, accruals for closure and post-closure costs, and the legal and
administrative costs of ongoing environmental compliance. We expense all
indirect landfill development costs as they are incurred and we capitalize and
deplete the following direct landfill development costs based on consumed
airspace:
 
     - engineering,
 
     - upgrading,
 
     - cell construction and
 
     - permitting costs.
 
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
     We make decisions to acquire or invest in businesses based on financial and
strategic considerations.
 
     We have retroactively included significant businesses that we acquired and
accounted for under the pooling of interests method of accounting in our
consolidated financial statements as if the companies had operated as one entity
since inception. We have included businesses that we acquired and accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting in our consolidated financial statements
from the date of acquisition.
 
     In September 1998, we signed an agreement with Waste Management, Inc. to
acquire assets and to enter into disposal agreements at various Waste Management
facilities. By March 1999, we had
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   16
 
completed the purchase of the assets for approximately $438.0 million in cash
plus properties. The assets included 16 landfills, 11 transfer stations and 139
commercial collection routes across the United States, and were accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting. $251.1 million of the purchase price
for these assets was paid during the three months ended March 31, 1999.
 
     In addition to the acquisitions from Waste Management, we also acquired
various other solid waste businesses during the three months ended March 31,
1999, which were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The
aggregate purchase price we paid in these transactions was $189.9 million in
cash.
 
     Prior to our initial public offering, AutoNation acquired various
businesses operating in the solid waste services industry using cash and shares
of AutoNation common stock. AutoNation then contributed these businesses to our
company. We have applied the same accounting method AutoNation used in
accounting for business acquisitions.
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1998, AutoNation acquired various solid
waste services businesses which it contributed to our company. The aggregate
purchase price AutoNation paid in transactions accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting was $128.3 million, consisting of cash and approximately
3.4 million shares of AutoNation common stock. Subsequent to our initial public
offering, we acquired various solid waste businesses. The aggregate purchase
price we paid in transactions accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting was $450.5 million consisting of cash and certain properties. Cost in
excess of fair value of net assets acquired for 1998 acquisitions totaled
approximately $572.4 million. As of December 31, 1998, we had intangible assets,
net of accumulated amortization, of $918.3 million, which consists primarily of
the cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired. We amortize cost in
excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over 40 years on a straight-line
basis. As of December 31, 1998, the amortization expense associated with these
intangible assets on an annualized basis is approximately $32.2 million. We
believe the 40 year life assigned to the cost in excess of the fair value of net
assets acquired is reasonable as the businesses we acquired are generally
well-established companies which have been in existence for many years and have
stable, long-term customer relationships.
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1997, AutoNation acquired various solid
waste services businesses which it contributed to our company. The aggregate
purchase price AutoNation paid in transactions accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting was $147.9 million, consisting of cash and approximately
5.7 million shares of AutoNation common stock. Cost in excess of the fair value
of net assets acquired in these acquisitions totaled $149.1 million. In
addition, AutoNation issued an aggregate of approximately 34.1 million shares of
AutoNation common stock in transactions accounted for under the pooling of
interests method of accounting. Included in the shares of AutoNation common
stock issued in acquisitions accounted for under the pooling of interests method
of accounting are approximately 0.3 million shares issued for acquisitions that
were not material individually or in the aggregate and, consequently, prior
period financial statements were not restated for such acquisitions.
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1996, AutoNation acquired various solid
waste services businesses which it contributed to our company. The aggregate
purchase price AutoNation paid in transactions accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting was $87.6 million, consisting of cash and approximately 6.6
million shares of AutoNation common stock. Cost in excess of the fair value of
net assets acquired in these acquisitions totaled $73.6 million. In addition,
AutoNation issued an aggregate of approximately 40.0 million shares of
AutoNation common stock in transactions accounted for under the pooling of
interests method of accounting. Included in the shares of AutoNation common
stock issued in acquisitions accounted for under the pooling of interests method
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   17
 
of accounting are approximately 1.1 million shares issued for acquisitions that
were not material individually or in the aggregate and, consequently, prior
period financial statements were not restated for such acquisitions.
 
     See Note 3, Business Combinations, of the Notes to our Consolidated
Financial Statements, for further discussion of business combinations.
 
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Our pro forma net income was $177.6 million, or $1.01 per share, for the
year ended December 31, 1998. Our pro forma operating results assume our initial
public offering and the repayment in full of the amounts we owed to AutoNation
had occurred as of January 1, 1998.
 
     See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, of the Notes to our Consolidated
Financial Statements, for further discussion of pro forma operating results.
 
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  Three Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998
 
     Net income was $43.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1999, or
$.25 per share, as compared to $34.8 million, or $.36 per share, for the three
months ended March 31, 1998.
 
     The following table summarizes our costs and expenses in millions of
dollars and as a percentage of our revenue for the three months ended March 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1999       %       1998       %
                                                    ------    -----    ------    -----
                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
Revenue...........................................  $403.5    100.0%   $300.8    100.0%
Cost of operations................................   244.7     60.6     185.9     61.8
Depreciation, amortization and depletion..........    33.4      8.3      23.8      7.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses......    42.0     10.4      32.1     10.7
Other charges.....................................     4.0      1.0        --       --
                                                    ------    -----    ------    -----
Operating income..................................  $ 79.4     19.7%   $ 59.0     19.6%
                                                    ======    =====    ======    =====
</TABLE>
 
     Revenue.  Revenue was $403.5 million and $300.8 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, which was an increase of
34.1%. Internal growth, consisting of price and primarily volume, accounted for
8.1% of the increase, and "tuck-in" acquisitions contributed 10.8%. Other
acquisitions accounted for the remaining 15.2% of the increase.
 
     Cost of Operations.  Cost of operations was $244.7 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1999, versus $185.9 million for the comparable 1998
period. The increase in aggregate dollars is primarily due to acquisitions. Cost
of operations as a percentage of revenue was 60.6% for the three months ended
March 31, 1999, versus 61.8% for the comparable 1998 period. The decrease in
these costs as a percentage of revenue is primarily a result of improved
operating efficiencies and an increase in higher margin landfill operations
primarily due to acquisitions.
 
     Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion.  Depreciation, amortization and
depletion expenses were $33.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1999,
versus $23.8 million for the comparable 1998 period. The increase in aggregate
dollars is primarily due to acquisitions. Depreciation, amortization and
depletion expenses as a percentage of revenue were 8.3% for the three months
ended March 31, 1999, versus 7.9% for the comparable 1998 period. The increase
in such expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily the result of an
increase in amortization expense due to acquisitions.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   18
 
     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $42.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
1999, versus $32.1 million for the comparable 1998 period. The increase in
aggregate dollars is primarily due to acquisitions. Selling, general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 10.4% for the three
months ended March 31, 1999, versus 10.7% for the comparable 1998 period. The
decrease in such expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to
leveraging our existing overhead structure over an expanding revenue base.
 
     Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are fees paid to
AutoNation under the services agreement of $2.7 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1999 and allocations of AutoNation's corporate general and
administrative costs to us of $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31,
1998. See Note 10, Related Party Transactions, of the Notes to our Consolidated
Financial Statements for further information.
 
     Other Charges.  Other charges were $4.0 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1999. These costs relate to our separation from AutoNation and consist
primarily of $2.0 million of compensation expense related to the granting of
replacement employee stock options at exercise prices below the quoted market
price of our common stock on the date the options were granted and $2.0 million
of additional charges directly related to this separation. We expect to incur an
additional $1.5 to $2.0 million in additional separation costs during the second
quarter of 1999.
 
     Interest Expense.  Interest expense was $11.3 million for three months
ended March 31, 1999, versus $5.4 million for the comparable 1998 period.
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 1999 is primarily due to
revolving credit facility borrowings and debt assumed in acquisitions.
Borrowings under our revolving credit facility were used primarily to fund
acquisitions. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 1998 was
primarily due to $4.8 million of interest expense on borrowings from AutoNation
and interest expense on debt assumed in acquisitions. All amounts due to
AutoNation were repaid in full in July 1998 through the issuance of shares of
our Class A common stock and proceeds from our initial public offering.
 
     Interest Income.  Interest income was $2.6 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1999, versus $.5 million for the comparable 1998 period. The
increase in interest income for the three months ended March 31, 1999, versus
the comparable period in 1998 is primarily due to higher average cash balances
on hand during 1999.
 
     Income Taxes.  Our provision for income taxes was $27.2 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1999, versus $19.6 million for the comparable 1998
period. Our effective income tax rate was 38.5% and 36.0% for the three months
ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Income taxes have been provided
based upon our anticipated annual effective tax rate.
 
  Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
 
     Our net income was $153.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, as
compared to $116.2 million in 1997 and $51.8 million in 1996. Our operating
results for the year ended December 31, 1996 includes restructuring and other
charges further described below.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   19
 
     The following table summarizes our costs and expenses in millions of
dollars and as a percentage of our revenue for 1996 through 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  1998        %        1997        %        1996        %
                                --------   -------   --------   -------   --------   -------
<S>                             <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
Revenue.......................  $1,369.1    100.0%   $1,127.7    100.0%   $  953.3    100.0%
Cost of operations............     842.7      61.6      723.0      64.1      628.3      65.9
Depreciation, amortization and
  depletion...................     106.3       7.8       86.1       7.6       75.3       7.9
Selling, general and
  administrative expenses.....     135.8       9.9      117.3      10.4      135.3      14.2
Restructuring and other
  charges.....................        --        --         --        --        8.8        .9
                                --------   -------   --------   -------   --------   -------
Operating income..............  $  284.3     20.8%   $  201.3     17.9%   $  105.6     11.1%
                                ========   =======   ========   =======   ========   =======
</TABLE>
 
     Revenue.  Revenue was $1,369.1 million, $1,127.7 million and $953.3 million
for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increase
in 1998 over 1997 of $241.4 million, or 21.4%, is a result of internal growth
consisting of price and primarily volume, which accounted for 7.0% of the
increase, tuck-in acquisitions which accounted for 5.8% of the increase, and
other acquisitions which accounted for 8.6% of the increase. The increase in
1997 over 1996 of $174.4 million, or 18.3%, is a result of internal growth,
consisting of price and primarily volume, which accounted for 7.4% of the
increase, and tuck-in acquisitions, which accounted for 3.4% of the increase and
other acquisitions, which accounted for 7.5% of the increase.
 
     Cost of Operations.  Cost of operations was $842.7 million, $723.0 million
and $628.3 million or, as a percentage of revenue, 61.6%, 64.1% and 65.9%, for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increases in
aggregate dollars are a result of the expansion of our operations through
acquisitions and internal growth. The decreases in cost of operations as a
percentage of revenue are primarily a result of our improved operating
efficiencies.
 
     Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion.  Depreciation, amortization and
depletion expenses were $106.3 million, $86.1 million and $75.3 million or, as
percentages of revenue, 7.8%, 7.6% and 7.9%, for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increases in depreciation, amortization
and depletion expenses in aggregate dollars are primarily due to our
acquisitions.
 
     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $135.8 million, $117.3 million and $135.3 million
or, as percentages of revenue, 9.9%, 10.4% and 14.2%, for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The decreases in selling,
general and administrative expenses as percentages of revenue in each of the
years are primarily due to applying our existing overhead structure over an
expanding revenue base. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses
are allocations of AutoNation's corporate general and administrative costs of
$7.5 million, $10.2 million and $8.4 million for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and fees paid to AutoNation under the
services agreement of $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. See
Note 10, Related Party Transactions, of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial
Statements for further information.
 
     Restructuring and Other Charges.  We recorded restructuring and other
charges of approximately $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1996,
which includes costs to close certain landfill operations, asset write-offs and
merger expenses associated with certain business combinations accounted for
under the pooling of interests method of accounting.
 
     Operating Income.  Operating income was $284.3 million, $201.3 million and
$105.6 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Excluding restructuring and other charges, operating income would
have been $114.4 million in 1996.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   20
 
     Interest Expense.  We incurred interest expense on our revolving credit
facility, on amounts due to AutoNation and on the debt we assumed in
acquisitions. Interest expense was $44.7 million, $25.9 million and $29.7
million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and
includes interest expense on amounts due to AutoNation of $37.3 million, $20.2
million and $18.8 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. We repaid in full the amounts due to AutoNation in July 1998 by
issuing our common stock and from the net proceeds of our initial public
offering. Pro forma interest expense was $7.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998.
 
     Interest and Other Income.  Interest and other income was $0.6 million,
$6.7 million and $13.9 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively. The variances during the periods are primarily due to
fluctuations in cash balances on hand and related interest income.
 
     Income Taxes.  Our provision for income taxes was $86.5 million, $65.9
million and $38.0 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The effective income tax rate was 36.0%, 36.2% and 42.3% for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The higher 1996
effective income tax rate is primarily due to varying higher historical
effective income tax rates of acquired businesses.
 
     As of our initial public offering on July 1, 1998, we are no longer
included in AutoNation's federal tax returns.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL AND LANDFILL MATTERS
 
     As of April 30, 1999, we owned or operated 58 solid waste landfills. We
owned or operated 48 solid waste landfills with approximately 6,200 permitted
acres and total available permitted disposal capacity of approximately 1.2
billion in-place cubic yards as of December 31, 1998. As of December 31, 1998
and 1997, we had 1,230.1 million and 1,104.7 million, respectively, in-place
cubic yards of available airspace at our landfills. Airspace increased during
1998 by 125.4 million cubic yards as a result of landfills we acquired and
internally developed totaling 145.3 million cubic yards, offset by consumption
of 19.9 million cubic yards during the year.
 
     We provide for accrued environmental and landfill costs which include
landfill site closure and post-closure costs. Landfill site closure and
post-closure costs include estimated costs to be incurred for final closure of
the landfills and estimated costs for providing required post-closure monitoring
and maintenance of landfills. We accrued these costs based on consumed airspace
at the landfills. We estimate our future cost requirements for closure and
post-closure monitoring and maintenance for our solid waste facilities based on
our interpretation of the technical standards of the Environmental Protection
Agency's Subtitle D regulations. These estimates do not take into account
discounts for the present value of our total estimated costs. We have
engineering reviews of the future cost requirements for closure and post-closure
monitoring and maintenance for our operating landfills generally performed on an
annual basis. These reviews provide the basis upon which we estimate future
costs and revise the related accruals. Changes in these estimates primarily
relate to modifications in available airspace, inflation and changes in
regulations, all of which we take into consideration annually. As of December
31, 1998, assuming that all available landfill capacity is used, we expect to
expense approximately $370.5 million of these costs over the remaining lives of
these facilities.
 
     As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, accrued closure and post-closure costs
associated with landfills were $73.4 million and $47.3 million, respectively.
The current and long-term portion of these costs reflected in our Consolidated
Balance Sheets are included in other current liabilities and
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   21
 
accrued environmental and landfill costs, respectively. The increase in such
accruals resulted primarily from landfill acquisitions.
 
     We accrue costs related to environmental remediation activities through a
charge to income in the period such liabilities become probable and can be
reasonably estimated.
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
     At December 31, 1998, we had $556.6 million of unrestricted cash. We used
this cash primarily to fund acquisitions in the first quarter of 1999. At March
31, 1999, we had $15.3 million of unrestricted cash.
 
     As previously discussed, in July 1998, we completed our initial public
offering of common stock, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $1.4
billion. In July 1998, we repaid all remaining amounts due to AutoNation with
all of the net proceeds of our initial public offering and by issuing additional
shares of our Class A common stock.
 
     Prior to our initial public offering, we obtained working capital and
capital for our general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, from
AutoNation. Since our initial public offering, AutoNation has not provided funds
to finance our operations or acquisitions. We use our own operating cash flow to
finance our working capital, acquisitions and other requirements. Additionally,
in July 1998, we entered into a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility
with a group of banks. $500.0 million of the credit facility has a term expiring
in July 1999 and the remaining $500.0 million has a term expiring in July 2003.
Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at LIBOR-based rates. We use
proceeds from the credit facility for working capital needs, capital
expenditures and acquisitions. As of March 31, 1999, we had approximately $109.0
million of availability under the short-term portion of the credit facility.
 
     The net proceeds from this offering will be used to repay amounts
outstanding under our revolving credit facility, which amounts will be available
to be reborrowed. In addition, we expect to extend the maturity of our revolving
short-term credit facility, prior to its expiration in July 1999, to July 2000.
At present, we believe that we will be able to raise additional debt or equity
financing to fund general corporate needs and to complete acquisitions; however,
we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional financing under
favorable terms.
 
     We believe that we have sufficient financial resources available to meet
our anticipated capital requirements and obligations as they come due.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     The major components of changes in cash flows for the three months ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998 and for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
are discussed below.
 
     Cash Flows from Operating Activities.  Cash provided by operating
activities was $64.0 million and $80.3 million during the three months ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, and $271.1 million, $279.4 million and
$143.5 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The changes in cash provided by operating activities during the
periods are due to expansion of our business.
 
     Cash Flows from Investing Activities.  Cash flows from investing activities
consist primarily of cash used for business acquisitions and capital additions.
Cash (used in) provided by business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was
$(432.5) million and $1.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 1999
and 1998, respectively, and $425.2 million during the year ended December 31,
1998. Prior to our initial public offering, business acquisitions were funded by
AutoNation. Capital additions were $55.7 million and $29.0 million during the
three months ended
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   22
 
March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, and $193.0 million, $165.3 million and
$146.9 million during the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
 
     We believe capital expenditures and cash used in business acquisitions will
increase during the remainder of 1999 and in the foreseeable future as a result
of the expansion of our business. In addition, we expect to use primarily cash
for business acquisitions. We intend to finance capital expenditures and
acquisitions through cash on hand, cash flow from operations, our credit
facility and other financings.
 
     Cash Flows from Financing Activities.  Cash flows from financing activities
during the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 and during the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 included commercial bank and affiliate
borrowings and repayments of debt and, in 1998, proceeds from our sale of common
stock in our initial public offering.
 
     We used proceeds from bank and affiliate borrowings to fund acquisitions
and capital additions, and to repay debt. We used all of the proceeds from our
initial public offering of common stock to repay amounts due to AutoNation.
 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
     The table below provides information about our market sensitive financial
instruments and constitutes a "forward-looking statement." Our major market risk
exposure is changing interest rates in the United States and fluctuations in
LIBOR. We intend to manage interest rate risk through the use of a combination
of fixed and floating rate debt. All items described below are non-trading.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          EXPECTED MATURITY DATE                         FAIR VALUE
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------   DECEMBER 31,
                                       1999    2000    2001    2002     2003    THEREAFTER    TOTAL         1998
                                      ------   -----   -----   -----   ------   ----------   --------   ------------
                                                                      (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                   <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>          <C>        <C>
VARIABLE RATE DEBT
Amount outstanding..................  $495.2   $ 3.4   $ 3.2   $ 3.0   $503.1     $35.9      $1,043.8     $1,043.8
Average interest rates..............   6.40%   5.06%   5.31%   5.19%    6.42%     5.21%         6.36%
</TABLE>
 
SEASONALITY
 
     Our operations can be adversely affected by periods of inclement weather
which could delay the collection and disposal of waste, reduce the volume of
waste generated or delay the construction or expansion of our landfill sites and
other facilities.
 
YEAR 2000
 
     We utilize software and related technologies throughout our business that
will be affected by the date change in the year 2000. We are currently
addressing the impact of Y2K on our computer programs, embedded chips and third
party suppliers. We have developed a dedicated Y2K project office to coordinate
the compliance efforts and to monitor and report the project status throughout
our company.
 
     We have identified four core phases in preparing for the year 2000:
 
     - Assessment -- In the assessment phase, an inventory of software,
        hardware, telecommunications equipment, embedded chip technology and
        significant third party suppliers is performed and critical systems and
        vendors are identified and prioritized.
 
     - Analysis -- In the analysis phase, each system or item assessed as
        critical is reviewed to determine its Y2K compliance. Key vendors are
        also evaluated at this time to determine their compliance status.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   23
 
     - Remediation -- In the remediation phase, modifications or replacements
        are made to critical systems and equipment to make them Y2K compliant or
        the systems and/or vendors are replaced with compliant systems or
        vendors. Decisions are also made as to whether changes are necessary or
        feasible for key third party suppliers.
 
     - Testing and Validation -- In this phase, our company prepares, executes
        and verifies the testing of critical systems.
 
     We have focused on six critical systems or processes in our compliance
efforts:
 
        (1) hauling and disposal fleet operations,
 
        (2) electrical systems,
 
        (3) telecommunications,
 
        (4) payroll processing,
 
        (5) billing systems and
 
        (6) payments to critical third parties.
 
     We primarily use industry standard automated applications provided by third
parties in most of our locations. We believe that the majority of these
applications comply with Y2K requirements, but we are currently testing
compliance in coordination with our vendors. We expect to complete the testing
and validation of these applications by the third quarter of 1999. Our three
locations using proprietary software are currently in the remediation phase,
which we expect to be completed in the second quarter of 1999. We expect to
complete testing and validation of the software at these locations by the third
quarter of 1999.
 
     We are currently finalizing our assessment of embedded chips and third
party suppliers. We expect to complete the inventory and assessment of this
information during the second quarter of 1999. As we receive information related
to these areas, we analyze the compliance of products and develop a strategy for
repair or replacement of non-compliant systems through testing and validation.
We expect to complete the testing and validation phases by the third quarter of
1999.
 
     To date, we estimate that we have spent approximately $1.7 million on Y2K
efforts across all areas of our company and expect to spend a total of
approximately $4.0 million by the time we are complete. We expect to fund Y2K
costs through our operating cash flows. We will expense all system modification
costs associated with Y2K as incurred. Our Y2K expenditures vary significantly
in project phases and vary depending on remedial methods used. Our past
expenditures in relation to total estimated costs should not be used as a basis
for estimating our progress to completion for any element of our Y2K project.
 
     We presently believe that upon the remediation of our business software
applications, as well as other equipment with embedded technology, the Y2K issue
will not present a materially adverse risk to our future consolidated results of
operations, liquidity and capital resources. However, if we do not complete such
remediation in a timely manner or if the level of timely compliance by our key
suppliers or vendors is not sufficient, we believe that the most likely
reasonable worst-case scenario would involve the failures of one of our critical
systems delaying or disrupting the delivery of services and resulting in:
 
     - loss of revenue,
 
     - increased operating costs,
 
     - loss of customers or suppliers and/or
 
     - other significant disruptions in our business.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   24
 
     In response to this scenario, we are currently testing comprehensive
contingency and business continuation plans which address the six critical
processes described above. We expect our contingency and business continuation
plans to be implemented by the third quarter of 1999. These plans include the
manual performance of processes that are currently automated, such as billing,
accounts payable and payroll.
 
     Determining the Y2K readiness of third party products, including
information technology and other computerized equipment, and business
dependencies, including suppliers, distributors or ancillary industry groups,
requires pursuit, collection and appraisal of voluntary statements made or
provided by those parties, if available, together with independent factual
research. Our company has a number of material third party relationships, the
most significant of which include billing services provided by municipalities,
delivery of fuel for collection vehicles and delivery of parts and supplies for
collection vehicles. Surveys have been distributed to each of the material third
parties identified and results are being analyzed as surveys are received. We
expect to complete this task in the second quarter of 1999. In addition,
employees of our company will independently verify and validate these responses
by the end of the third quarter of 1999. Although we have taken, and will
continue to take, reasonable efforts to gather information to determine and
verify the readiness of such products and business dependencies, we cannot
assure you that we will be able to obtain reliable information. In addition,
verification methods, including testing methods, may not prove to be reliable or
may not be fully implemented. Accordingly, notwithstanding our efforts, we
cannot assure you that a product or a business dependency of ours is Y2K ready.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities." Standard No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting
standards requiring that every derivative instrument, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded on the balance
sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Standard No.
133 requires that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently
in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Standard No. 133
cannot be applied retroactively. We will adopt Standard No. 133 beginning
January 1, 2000. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a
material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This document contains certain statements that are "Forward Looking
Statements," which include, among other things, the discussions of our growth
and operating strategies, and expectations concerning market position, future
operations, margins, revenue, profitability, liquidity and capital resources, as
well as statements concerning the integration of the operations of acquired
businesses and achievement of financial benefits and operational efficiencies in
connection therewith.
 
     Forward Looking Statements are included in the sections entitled
"Prospectus Summary," "Selected Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and
elsewhere in this prospectus. Although we believe that the expectations
reflected in our forward looking statements are reasonable, we can give no
assurance that the expectations will prove to have been correct. Generally,
these statements relate to business plans or strategies, projected or
anticipated benefits or other consequences of such plans or strategies, number
of acquisitions and projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions that we
made or will
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   25
 
make, or projections involving our operations, and are subject to a number of
uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are outside our control
and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect the
results of our operations. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, those
that are disclosed in this section and under the "Risk Factors" section included
herein. We assume no duty to update our forward looking statements.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   26
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
COMPANY OVERVIEW
 
     We are a leading provider of services in the domestic non-hazardous solid
waste industry. We provide non-hazardous solid waste collection services for
commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 139
collection companies in 26 states. We also own or operate 76 transfer stations
and 58 solid waste landfills.
 
     We had revenue of $403.5 million and operating income of $79.4 million for
the three months ended March 31, 1999 and revenue of $300.8 million and
operating income of $59.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998. We
had revenue of $1,369.1 million and $1,127.7 million and operating income of
$284.3 million and $201.3 million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. The $241.4 million, or 21.4%, increase in revenue and the
$83.0 million, or 41.2%, increase in operating income from 1997 to 1998 are
primarily attributable to our successful execution of our growth and operating
strategies described below.
 
     Our presence in high growth markets throughout the Sunbelt, including
Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Southern California and Texas, and in other domestic
markets that have experienced higher than average population growth during the
past several years supports our internal growth strategy. We believe that our
presence in these markets positions our company to experience growth at rates
that are generally higher than the industry's overall growth rate.
 
     Since 1995, we have acquired numerous solid waste companies with an
aggregate of over $1.4 billion in annual revenue. In September 1998, we agreed
to purchase 16 landfills, 11 transfer stations, 139 commercial collection routes
and related assets from Waste Management. By March 1999, we completed the
purchase for approximately $438.0 million in cash plus certain properties. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Business Combinations."
 
     We believe that we are well positioned to continue to increase our revenue
and operating income in order to enhance stockholder value.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
     Based on analyst reports and industry trade publications, we believe that
the United States non-hazardous solid waste services industry generated revenue
of approximately $35.0 billion in 1997, of which approximately 44% was generated
by publicly-owned waste companies, 23% was generated by privately-held waste
companies and 33% was generated by municipal and other local governmental
authorities. Only five companies generated the substantial majority of the
publicly-owned companies' total revenue of approximately $15.4 billion in 1997.
However, according to industry data, the domestic non-hazardous waste industry
remains highly fragmented as more than 5,000 privately-held companies generate
total annual revenue of approximately $8.0 billion.
 
     We believe that in recent years there has been a trend toward rapid
consolidation in the solid waste collection industry, which has historically
been characterized by numerous small companies. We believe that this trend will
continue as a result of the following factors:
 
          Subtitle D Regulation.  Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and
     Recovery Act of 1976, as currently in effect, and similar state regulations
     have significantly increased the amount of capital, technical expertise,
     operating costs and financial assurance obligations required to own and
     operate a landfill and other solid waste facilities. Many of the smaller
     participants in our industry have found these costs difficult, if not
     impossible, to bear. Large publicly-owned companies, like our company, have
     greater access to capital, and a lower cost of capital, available
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   27
 
     to finance such increased capital expenditures and costs relative to many
     of the privately-owned companies in the industry. Additionally, the
     required permits for landfill development, expansion or construction have
     become more difficult to acquire. Consequently, many smaller, independent
     operators have decided to either close their operations or sell them to
     larger operators with greater access to capital.
 
          Integration of Solid Waste Businesses.  By being able to control the
     waste stream in a market through the collection, transfer and disposal
     process, integrated solid waste companies gain further competitive
     advantage over non-integrated operators. The ability of the integrated
     companies to both collect and dispose of solid waste, coupled with access
     to significant capital resources necessary for acquisitions, has created an
     environment in which large publicly-owned integrated companies can operate
     more cost effectively and competitively than non-integrated operators.
 
          Municipal Privatization.  The trend toward consolidation in the solid
     waste services industry is further supported by the increasing tendency of
     a number of municipalities to privatize their waste disposal operations.
     Privatization of municipal waste operations is often an attractive
     alternative to funding the changes required by Subtitle D.
 
     These developments, as well as the fact that there are a limited number of
viable exit strategies for many of the owners and principals of numerous
privately-held companies in the industry, have contributed to the overall
consolidation trend in the solid waste industry.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     Our growth strategy focuses on increasing revenue, gaining market share and
enhancing stockholder value through internal growth and acquisitions. For
certain risks related to our growth strategy, see "Risk Factors."
 
- - INTERNAL GROWTH.  Our internal growth strategy focuses on retaining existing
  customers and obtaining commercial, municipal and industrial customers through
  our well-managed sales and marketing activities.
 
          Long-Term Contracts.  We seek to obtain long-term contracts for
     collecting solid waste in high-growth markets. These include exclusive
     franchise agreements with municipalities as well as commercial and
     industrial contracts. By obtaining such long-term agreements, we have the
     opportunity to grow our contracted revenue base at the same rate as the
     underlying population growth in these markets. For example, we have secured
     exclusive, long-term franchise agreements in high-growth markets such as
     Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Arlington,
     Texas and many areas of Florida. We believe that this positions our company
     to experience internal growth rates that are generally higher than our
     industry's overall growth rate. In addition, we believe that by securing a
     base of long-term recurring revenue in growth markets, we are better able
     to protect our market position from competition and our business is less
     susceptible to downturns in economic conditions.
 
          Sales and Marketing Activities.  Our well-managed sales and marketing
     activities enable our company to capitalize on our leading positions in
     many of the markets in which we operate. We currently have over 400 sales
     and marketing employees in the field, who are incentivized by a commission
     structure to generate high levels of revenue. For the most part, these
     employees directly solicit business from existing and prospective
     commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. We emphasize
     our rate and cost structures when we train new and existing sales
     personnel.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   28
 
- - ACQUISITION GROWTH.  As a result of the highly fragmented nature of the solid
  waste industry, we have been able to grow significantly through acquisitions.
  Our acquisition growth strategy focuses on the approximately $8.0 billion of
  revenue generated by over 5,000 privately-held solid waste companies in 1997.
  We believe that our ability to acquire many of these privately-held companies
  is enhanced by increasing competition in the solid waste industry, increasing
  capital requirements as a result of changes in solid waste regulatory
  requirements and the limited number of exit strategies for these
  privately-held companies' owners and principals. Our acquisition growth
  strategy focuses on:
 
     - acquiring businesses that position our company for growth in existing and
       new markets,
 
     - acquiring well-managed companies and retaining local management,
 
     - integrating business in existing markets and
 
     - acquiring operations and facilities from municipalities that are
       privatizing.
 
    For certain risks involved with our growth strategy, see "Risk Factors -- We
  may be unable to execute our acquisition growth strategy."
 
          Acquiring Businesses Positioning the Company for Growth.  In making
     acquisitions, we principally target high quality businesses that will allow
     our company to be, or provide our company favorable prospects of becoming,
     a leading provider of integrated solid waste services in markets with
     favorable demographic growth. Generally, we have acquired, and will
     continue to seek, solid waste collection, transfer and disposal companies
     that:
 
        - have strong operating margins,
 
        - are in growth markets,
 
        - are among the largest or have a significant presence in their local
          markets and
 
        - have long-term contracts or franchises with municipalities and other
          customers.
 
          Although we are seeking to expand our operations to selected new
     markets where the potential for growth and further integration of
     operations exists, our primary focus is on acquisition efforts in our
     existing markets in the Sunbelt, including Florida, Georgia, Nevada,
     Southern California and Texas, and in other domestic markets that have
     experienced higher than average population growth during the past several
     years. We are, however, not limited to this target criteria for
     acquisitions, and may also acquire additional non-hazardous solid waste
     operations as opportunities arise. We continuously review possible
     acquisition candidates and are in discussions from time to time with one or
     more of such candidates. In September 1998, we entered into an agreement
     with Waste Management to purchase 16 landfills, 11 transfer stations and
     139 commercial collection routes across the United States, as well as to
     obtain disposal agreements at various Waste Management disposal sites. With
     the completion of these acquisitions in March 1999, we have expanded our
     presence in four existing markets and have entered 16 new markets. See
     "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
     Operations -- Business Combinations."
 
          Acquire Well-Managed Companies.  We also seek to acquire businesses
     that have experienced management teams that are willing to work with our
     company. We generally retain the local management of the larger acquired
     companies in order to capitalize on their local market knowledge, community
     relations and name recognition, and to instill their entrepreneurial drive
     at all levels of our operations. By furnishing the local management of such
     acquired
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   29
 
     companies with our financial and marketing resources and technical
     expertise, we believe that the acquired companies are better able to secure
     additional municipal franchises and other contracts. This enables our
     company to grow internally acquired businesses at faster rates than the
     industry average.
 
          Integrate Business in Existing Markets.  Once we have a base of
     operations in a particular market, we focus on acquiring trucks and routes
     of smaller businesses that also operate in that market and surrounding
     markets, which are typically referred to as "tuck-in" acquisitions. We
     integrate the operations of such tuck-in businesses into our existing
     operations in that market. In addition, we seek to acquire landfills,
     transfer stations and collection companies that operate in markets that we
     are already servicing. By doing so, we are able to increase our revenue and
     market share and integrate operations and consolidate duplicative
     facilities and functions to maximize cost efficiencies and economies of
     scale.
 
          Privatize Municipal Operations.  We also seek to acquire solid waste
     collection operations, transfer stations and landfills that municipalities
     and other governmental authorities are privatizing. Many municipalities are
     seeking to outsource or sell these types of solid waste operations, as they
     lack the capital, technical expertise and/or operational resources
     necessary to comply with increasingly stringent regulatory standards and/or
     to compete effectively with private-sector companies.
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
     We seek to leverage existing assets and revenue growth to increase
operating margins and enhance stockholder value. Our operating strategy to
accomplish this goal is to:
 
     (1) utilize the extensive industry knowledge and experience of our
         executive management,
 
     (2) utilize a decentralized management structure in overseeing day-to-day
         operations,
 
     (3) integrate waste operations,
 
     (4) improve operating margins through economies of scale, cost efficiencies
         and asset utilization and
 
     (5) achieve high levels of customer satisfaction.
 
     For certain risks related to our operating strategy, see "Risk Factors."
 
- - EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM.  We believe that we have one of the
  most experienced executive management teams among publicly-traded companies in
  the solid waste industry.
 
       H. Wayne Huizenga, who serves as our Chairman, after several years of
  owning and operating private waste hauling companies in Florida, co-founded
  Waste Management in 1971. From 1971 to 1984, he served in various executive
  capacities with Waste Management, including President and Chief Operating
  Officer. By then, Waste Management had become the world's largest integrated
  solid waste services company. From 1987 to 1994, Mr. Huizenga served as
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation,
  leading its growth from 19 stores to the world's largest video rental company.
  In August 1995, he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation.
 
       Harris W. Hudson, who serves as our Vice Chairman, worked closely with
  Mr. Huizenga, from 1964 until 1982, at Waste Management and at the private
  waste hauling firms they operated
 
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<PAGE>   30
 
  prior to the formation of Waste Management. In 1982, Mr. Hudson retired as
  Vice President of Waste Management of Florida, Inc., a subsidiary of Waste
  Management. In 1983, Mr. Hudson founded Hudson Management Corporation, a solid
  waste collection company in Florida, and served as its Chairman and Chief
  Executive Officer until it merged with AutoNation in August 1995. By that
  time, Hudson Management had grown to over $50.0 million in annual revenue,
  becoming one of Florida's largest privately-held solid waste collection
  companies based on revenue. Since August 1995, Mr. Hudson has served in
  various capacities as an executive officer of AutoNation, including as
  President and Vice Chairman.
 
       James E. O'Connor, who has served as our Chief Executive Officer since
  December 1998, also worked at Waste Management from 1972 to 1978 and from 1982
  to 1998. During that time, he served in various management positions,
  including Senior Vice President in 1997 and 1998, and Area President of Waste
  Management of Florida, Inc., from 1992 to 1997.
 
       James H. Cosman, our President and Chief Operating Officer, joined
  AutoNation as President of its Solid Waste Group in January 1997. Prior to
  joining AutoNation, Mr. Cosman was employed by Browning-Ferris Industries,
  Inc. for over 24 years. During that time, he served in various management
  positions, including Regional Vice President -- Northern Region, from 1993 to
  1996.
 
       The other officers with responsibility for our operational affairs have
  an average of over 16 years of management experience in the solid waste
  industry.
 
- - DECENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE.  We maintain a relatively small corporate
  headquarters staff, relying on a decentralized management structure to
  minimize administrative overhead costs and to manage our day-to-day operations
  more efficiently. Our local management has extensive industry experience in
  growing, operating and managing solid waste companies, and substantial
  experience in their local geographic markets. Our four Regional Vice
  Presidents have an average of 22 years of experience in the industry, and our
  23 Area Presidents have an average of 20 years of experience in the industry.
  The Regional Vice Presidents and Area Presidents have extensive authority,
  responsibility and autonomy for operations within their geographic markets.
  Compensation for management within regions and areas is in large part based on
  the improvement in operating income produced in each manager's geographic area
  of responsibility. In addition, through long-term incentive programs,
  including stock options, we believe we have one of the lowest turnover levels
  in the industry for our local management teams. As a result of retaining
  experienced managers with extensive local knowledge, community relations and
  name recognition, we react rapidly to changes in our markets. We also seek to
  implement the best practices of our various regions and areas throughout our
  operations to improve operating margins.
 
- - INTEGRATE OPERATIONS.  By controlling waste streams from the point of
  collection through disposal, we seek to achieve a high rate of waste
  integration. Through acquisitions and other market development activities, we
  create market specific, integrated operations typically consisting of one or
  more collection companies, transfer stations and landfills. We consider
  acquiring companies which own or operate landfills with significant permitted
  disposal capacity and appropriate levels of waste volume. We also seek to
  acquire solid waste collection companies in markets in which we own or operate
  landfills. In addition, we generate internal growth in our disposal operations
  by constructing new landfills and expanding our existing landfills from time
  to time in markets in which we have significant collection operations or in
  markets that we determine lack sufficient disposal capacity. During the year
  ended December 31, 1998, we disposed of approximately 40% of the total volume
  of waste that we collected at our own landfills. Because we do not have
  landfill facilities for all markets in which we provide collection services,
  we believe that through landfill
 
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<PAGE>   31
 
  and transfer station acquisitions and development we have the opportunity to
  increase our waste internalization rate and further integrate our operations.
  By further integrating operations in existing markets through acquisitions and
  development of landfills and transfer stations, we are able to reduce our
  disposal costs.
 
- - ECONOMIES OF SCALE AND COST EFFICIENCIES.  To improve operating margins, our
  management focuses on achieving economies of scale and cost efficiencies. The
  consolidation of acquired businesses into existing operations reduces costs by
  decreasing capital and expenses used for routing, personnel, equipment and
  vehicle maintenance, inventories and back-office administration. Generally, we
  are consolidating our administrative centers to reduce our general and
  administrative costs. We have reduced our selling, general and administrative
  expenses from 14.2% of consolidated revenue in 1996 to 9.9% of consolidated
  revenue in 1998. In addition, our size allows our company to negotiate volume
  discounts for certain purchases, including waste disposal rates at landfills
  operated by third parties. Furthermore, we have taken steps to increase
  utilization of our assets. For example, to reduce the number of collection
  vehicles, drivers are paid incentive wages based upon the number of customers
  they service on each route. In addition, routes are frequently analyzed and
  rerouted to ensure that the highest number of customers are efficiently
  serviced over the fewest possible miles. By using assets more efficiently,
  operating expenses are lowered significantly.
 
- - HIGH LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.  Our goal of maintaining high levels of
  customer satisfaction complements our operating strategy. Our personalized
  sales process of periodically contacting commercial, industrial and municipal
  customers is oriented towards maintaining relationships and ensuring that
  service is being properly provided.
 
OPERATIONS
 
     Our operations primarily consist of the collection and disposal of
non-hazardous solid waste.
 
     Collection Services.  We provide solid waste collection services to
commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 26 states through
139 collection companies. In 1998, the revenue we derived from collection
services was approximately one third from services provided to municipal and
residential customers, one third from services provided to commercial customers
and one third from services provided to industrial customers.
 
     Our residential collection operations involve the curbside collection of
refuse from small containers into collection vehicles for transport to transfer
stations or directly to landfills. Residential solid waste collection services
are typically performed under contracts with municipalities, which we generally
secure by competitive bid and which give our company exclusive rights to service
all or a portion of the homes in their respective jurisdictions. These contracts
or franchises usually range in duration from one to five years, although some of
our exclusive franchises are for as long as 20 years. Residential solid waste
collection services may also be performed on a subscription basis, in which
individual households contract directly with our company. The fees received for
subscription residential collection are based primarily on market factors,
frequency and type of service, the distance to the disposal facility and cost of
disposal. In general, subscription residential collection fees are paid
quarterly in advance by the residential customers receiving the service.
 
     In our commercial and industrial collection operations, we supply our
customers with small waste containers or large waste containers commonly known
as "roll-off" containers. We also rent
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   32
 
compactors to large waste generators. Commercial collection services are
generally performed under one to three-year service agreements, and fees are
determined by such considerations as:
 
     - market factors,
 
     - collection frequency,
 
     - type of equipment furnished,
 
     - the type and volume or weight of the waste collected,
 
     - the distance to the disposal facility and
 
     - the cost of disposal.
 
     We also provide waste collection services to industrial and construction
facilities on a contractual basis with terms generally ranging from a single
pickup to one year and we rent waste roll-off containers to construction sites.
We collect the containers or compacted waste and transport them either to a
landfill, where the waste is disposed of, or to a transfer station.
 
     We own or operate 76 transfer stations. We deposit waste at these stations,
as do other private haulers and municipal haulers, for compaction and transfer
to trailers for transport to landfills, incinerators, recycling facilities or
other disposal sites.
 
     Also, we currently provide recycling services in certain markets primarily
to comply with local laws or obligations under our franchise agreements. These
services include the curbside collection of residential recyclable waste and the
provision of a variety of recycling services to commercial and industrial
customers.
 
     Disposal Services.  We own or operate 58 solid waste landfills. As of
December 31, 1998, we owned or operated 48 landfills, which had approximately
6,200 permitted acres and total available permitted disposal capacity of
approximately 1.2 billion in-place cubic yards. The in-place capacity of our
landfills is subject to change based on engineering factors, requirements of
regulatory authorities and successful site expansions. Some of our landfills
accept non-hazardous special waste, including utility ash, asbestos and
contaminated soils. See "-- Properties."
 
     Most of our existing landfill sites have the potential for expanded
disposal capacity beyond the currently permitted acreage. We monitor the
availability of permitted disposal capacity at each of our landfills and
evaluate whether to pursue expansion at a given landfill based on estimated
future waste volumes and prices, remaining capacity and likelihood of obtaining
expansion. As of December 31, 1998, we believe that each of our landfills has
adequate permitted capacity. To satisfy future disposal demand, we are currently
seeking to expand permitted capacity at certain of our landfills.
 
     Other Services.  We have materials recovery facilities and other recycling
operations, which are generally required to fulfill our obligations under
long-term municipal contracts for residential collection services. These
facilities primarily sort recyclable paper, aluminum, glass and other materials.
Most of these recyclable materials are internally collected by our residential
collection operations. In some areas, we receive commercial and industrial solid
waste that is sorted at our facilities into recyclable materials and
non-recyclable waste. The recyclable materials are salvaged, repackaged and sold
to third parties and the non-recyclable waste is disposed of at landfills or
incinerators. Wherever possible, our strategy is to reduce our exposure to
fluctuations in recyclable commodity prices by utilizing third party facilities,
thereby minimizing our recycling investment. We use long-term contracts for the
sale of recycling materials to mitigate the impact of commodity price
 
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<PAGE>   33
 
fluctuations. We also have composting operations at which yard waste is
composted, packaged and sold as mulch.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     We seek to provide quality services that will enable our company to
maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. We derive our business from a
broad customer base which we believe will enable our company to experience
stable growth. We focus our marketing efforts on continuing and expanding
business with existing customers, as well as attracting new customers.
 
     We employ more than 400 sales and marketing employees. Our sales and
marketing strategy is to provide high-quality comprehensive solid waste
collection, recycling, transfer and disposal services to our customers at
competitive prices. We target potential customers of all sizes, from small
quantity generators to large "Fortune 500" companies and municipalities.
 
     All our marketing activity is local in nature. We generally do not change
the tradenames of the local businesses we acquire, and therefore we do not
operate nationally under any one mark or tradename. Rather, we rely on the
goodwill associated with the acquired companies' local tradenames as used in
each geographic market in which we operate.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
     We provide services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential
customers. No one customer has individually accounted for more than 10% of our
consolidated revenue in any of the last three years.
 
REGULATION
 
     Our facilities and operations are subject to a variety of federal, state
and local requirements which regulate health, safety, the environment, zoning
and land use. Operating and other permits are generally required for landfills,
certain waste collection vehicles, fuel storage tanks and other facilities that
we own or operate, and these permits are subject to revocation, modification and
renewal. Federal, state and local regulations vary, but generally govern
wastewater or stormwater discharges, air emissions, the treatment, storage,
transportation and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and the
remediation of contamination associated with the release of hazardous
substances. These regulations provide governmental authorities with strict
powers of enforcement, which include the ability to obtain injunctions and/or
impose fines or penalties in the case of violations, including criminal
penalties. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and various other federal,
state and local environmental, health and safety agencies and authorities,
including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S.
Department of Labor, administer these regulations.
 
     We strive to conduct our operations in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. However, in the existing climate of heightened environmental
concerns, from time to time, we have been issued citations or notices from
governmental authorities which have resulted in the need to expend funds for
remedial work and related activities at various landfills and other facilities.
We have established a reserve which we believe, based on currently available
information, will be adequate to cover any potential regulatory costs. However,
we cannot assure you that actual costs will not exceed our reserve.
 
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<PAGE>   34
 
     Federal Regulation.  The following summarizes the primary environmental and
safety-related federal statutes of the United States affecting our facilities
and operations:
 
          (1) The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource
     Conservation and Recovery Act.  The RCRA and its implementing regulations
     establish a framework for regulating the handling, transportation,
     treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid
     wastes, and require states to develop programs to ensure the safe disposal
     of solid wastes in sanitary landfills.
 
          Subtitle D of the RCRA establishes a framework for regulating the
     disposal of municipal solid wastes. Regulations under Subtitle D currently
     include minimum comprehensive solid waste management criteria and
     guidelines, including location restrictions, facility design and operating
     criteria, closure and post-closure requirements, financial assurance
     standards, groundwater monitoring requirements and corrective action
     standards, many of which have not commonly been in effect or enforced in
     the past in connection with municipal solid waste landfills. Each state was
     required to submit a permit program designed to implement Subtitle D
     regulations to the EPA by April 9, 1993. These state permit programs may
     include landfill requirements which are more stringent than those of
     Subtitle D. Some states have not yet fully implemented permit programs
     pursuant to the RCRA and Subtitle D. Once a state has an approved permit
     program it is required to review all existing landfill permits to ensure
     compliance with the new regulations.
 
          All of our planned landfill expansions or new landfill development
     projects have been engineered to meet or exceed Subtitle D requirements.
     Operating and design criteria for existing operations have been modified to
     comply with these new regulations. Compliance with the Subtitle D
     regulations has resulted in increased costs and may in the future require
     substantial additional expenditures in addition to other costs normally
     associated with our waste management activities.
 
          (2) The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
     Liability Act of 1980. CERCLA, among other things, provides for the cleanup
     of sites from which there is a release or threatened release of a hazardous
     substance into the environment. This Act may impose strict, joint and
     several liability for the costs of cleanup and for damages to natural
     resources upon current owners and operators of the site, parties who were
     owners or operators of the site at the time the hazardous substances were
     disposed of, parties who transported the hazardous substance to the site
     and parties who arranged for disposal at the site. Under the authority of
     this Act and its implementing regulations, detailed requirements apply to
     the manner and degree of investigation and remediation of facilities and
     sites where hazardous substances have been or are threatened to be released
     into the environment. Liability under this Act is not dependent upon the
     existence or disposal of "hazardous wastes" but can also be based upon the
     existence of small quantities of more than 700 "substances" characterized
     by the EPA as "hazardous," many of which may be found in common household
     waste.
 
          Among other things, this Act authorizes the federal government to
     investigate and remediate sites at which hazardous substances have been or
     are threatened to be released into the environment, or to order (or offer
     an opportunity to) persons potentially liable for the cleanup of the
     hazardous substances to do so. In addition, the EPA has established a
     National Priorities List of sites at which hazardous substances have been
     or are threatened to be released and which require investigation or
     cleanup.
 
          Liability under CERCLA is not dependent upon the intentional disposal
     of hazardous wastes. It can be founded upon the release or threatened
     release, even as a result of
 
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<PAGE>   35
 
     unintentional, non-negligent or lawful action, of thousands of hazardous
     substances, including very small quantities of such substances. Thus, even
     if our landfills have never knowingly received hazardous wastes as such, it
     is possible that one or more hazardous substances may have been deposited
     or "released" at our landfills or at other properties which we may have
     owned or operated. Therefore, we could be liable under CERCLA for the cost
     of cleaning up such hazardous substances at such sites and for damages to
     natural resources, even if those substances were deposited at our
     facilities before we acquired or operated them. The costs of a CERCLA
     cleanup can be very expensive. Given the difficulty of obtaining insurance
     for environmental impairment liability, such liability could have a
     material impact on our business and financial condition. For a further
     discussion, see "-- Liability Insurance and Bonding."
 
          (3) The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972.  This Act
     regulates the discharge of pollutants from a variety of sources, including
     solid waste disposal sites, into streams, rivers and other waters. Point
     source runoff from our landfills and transfer stations that is discharged
     into surface waters must be covered by discharge permits that generally
     require us to conduct sampling and monitoring and, under certain
     circumstances, reduce the quantity of pollutants in those discharges. Storm
     water discharge regulations under this Act require a permit for certain
     construction activities, which may affect our operations. If a landfill or
     transfer station discharges wastewater through a sewage system to a
     publicly-owned treatment works, the facility must comply with discharge
     limits imposed by that treatment works. In addition, states may adopt
     groundwater protection programs under this Act or the Safe Drinking Water
     Act that could affect solid waste landfills. Furthermore, development which
     alters or affects "wetlands" must generally be permitted prior to such
     development commencing, and certain mitigation requirements may be required
     by the permitting agencies.
 
          (4) The Clean Air Act.  The Clean Air Act imposes limitations on
     emissions from various sources, including landfills. In March 1996, the EPA
     enacted rules that require large municipal solid waste landfills to install
     landfill gas monitoring systems. These regulations apply to landfills that
     have been operating since November 1987, and that can accommodate 2.5
     million cubic meters or more of municipal solid waste. The regulations
     apply whether the landfill is active or closed. The date by which each
     affected landfill must have the required gas collection and control system
     is dependent upon the adoption of state regulations and the date the EPA
     approves the state program. Many state regulatory agencies currently
     require monitoring systems for the collection and control of landfill gas.
     We do not expect that compliance with the new regulations will have a
     material effect on us.
 
          (5) The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.  This act
     authorizes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to promulgate
     occupational safety and health standards. Various of these standards,
     including standards for notices of hazardous chemicals and the handling of
     asbestos, apply to our facilities and operations.
 
     State Regulation.  Each state in which we operate has its own laws and
regulations governing solid waste disposal, water and air pollution and, in most
cases, releases and cleanup of hazardous substances and liability for such
matters. States also have adopted regulations governing the design, operation,
maintenance and closure of landfills and transfer stations. Our facilities and
operations are likely to be subject to these types of requirements. In addition,
our solid waste collection and landfill operations may be affected by the trend
in many states toward requiring the development of waste reduction and recycling
programs. For example, several states have enacted laws that require counties or
municipalities to adopt comprehensive plans to reduce, through waste planning,
composting, recycling or other programs, the volume of solid waste deposited in
landfills. Additionally, laws and
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   36
 
regulations restricting the disposal of certain wastes, including yard waste,
newspapers, beverage containers, unshredded tires, lead-acid batteries and
household appliances in solid waste landfills have been promulgated in several
states and are being considered in others. Legislative and regulatory measures
to mandate or encourage waste reduction at the source and waste recycling also
are under consideration by Congress and the EPA.
 
     In order to construct, expand and operate a landfill, one or more
construction or operating permits, as well as zoning approvals, must be
obtained. These are difficult and time-consuming to obtain, are often opposed by
neighboring landowners and citizens' groups, may be subject to periodic renewal
and are subject to modification and revocation by the issuing agency. In
connection with our acquisition of existing landfills, it may be necessary for
our company to expend considerable time, effort and money to bring the acquired
facilities into compliance with applicable requirements and to obtain the
permits and approvals necessary to increase their capacity.
 
     Many of our facilities own and operate underground storage tanks which are
generally used to store petroleum-based products. These tanks are generally
subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations that mandate their
periodic testing, upgrading, closure and removal and that, in the event of
leaks, require that polluted groundwater and soils be remediated. We believe
that all our underground storage tanks currently meet federal regulations. If
underground storage tanks we own or operate leak, and the leakage migrates onto
the property of others, we could be liable for response costs and other damages
to third parties. We do not believe that our compliance with regulations related
to underground storage tanks will have a material adverse effect on our business
or financial condition.
 
     Finally, with regard to our solid waste transportation operations, we are
subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission and are
regulated by the Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carriers and by
regulatory agencies in each state. Various states have enacted, or are
considering enacting, laws and regulations that would restrict the interstate
transportation and processing of solid waste. In 1978, the United States Supreme
Court held similar laws and regulations unconstitutional; however, states have
attempted to distinguish proposed laws and regulations from the laws and
regulations involved in that ruling. In May 1994, the Supreme Court ruled that
state and local flow control laws and ordinances, which attempt to restrict
waste from leaving its place of generation, were an impermissible burden on
interstate commerce, and therefore, were unconstitutional. In response to these
Supreme Court rulings, Congress has considered passing legislation authorizing
states and local governments to restrict the free movement of solid waste in
interstate commerce. If federal legislation authorizing state and local
governments to restrict the free movement of solid waste in interstate commerce
is enacted, such legislation could adversely affect our operations.
 
     We have established a reserve for environmental and landfill costs, which
includes landfill site closure and post-closure costs. We periodically reassess
such costs based on various methods and assumptions regarding landfill airspace
and the technical requirements of Subtitle D of the RCRA and adjust our accruals
accordingly. Based on current information and regulatory requirements, we
believe that our reserve for such environmental expenditures is adequate.
However, environmental laws may change, and there can be no assurance that our
reserves will be adequate to cover requirements under existing or new
environmental regulations, future changes or interpretations of existing
regulations or the identification of adverse environmental conditions previously
unknown to us. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations -- Environmental and Landfill Matters" and "Risk
Factors -- Compliance with environmental regulation may impede our growth."
 
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<PAGE>   37
 
COMPETITION
 
     We operate in a highly competitive industry, which is changing as a result
of rapid consolidation. Entry into our business and the ability to operate
profitably in the industry requires substantial amounts of capital and
managerial experience.
 
     Competition in the non-hazardous solid waste industry comes from a few
large, national publicly-owned companies, including Waste Management,
Browning-Ferris and Allied Waste Industries, Inc. several regional publicly- and
privately-owned solid waste companies, and from thousands of small
privately-owned companies in their respective markets. Some of our
publicly-owned competitors also are engaging in aggressive acquisition
strategies. Some of our competitors have significantly larger operations, and
may have significantly greater financial resources, than we do. In addition to
national and regional firms and numerous local companies, we compete with those
municipalities that maintain waste collection or disposal operations. These
municipalities may have financial advantages due to the availability of tax
revenues and tax-exempt financing.
 
     We compete for collection accounts primarily on the basis of price and the
quality of our services. From time to time, our competitors may reduce the price
of their services in an effort to expand market share or to win a competitively
bid municipal contract.
 
     In each market in which we own or operate a landfill, we compete for
landfill business on the basis of disposal costs, geographical location and
quality of operations. Our ability to obtain landfill business may be limited by
the fact that some major collection companies also own or operate landfills to
which they send their waste. There also has been an increasing trend at the
state and local levels to mandate waste reduction at the source and to prohibit
the disposal of certain types of wastes, such as yard wastes, at landfills. This
may result in the volume of waste going to landfills being reduced in certain
areas, which may affect our ability to operate our landfills at their full
capacity and/or affect the prices that we can charge for landfill disposal
services. In addition, most of the states in which we operate landfills have
adopted plans or requirements that set goals for specified percentages of
certain solid waste items to be recycled.
 
LIABILITY INSURANCE AND BONDING
 
     The nature of our business exposes our company to the risk of liabilities
arising out of our operations, including possible damages to the environment.
Such potential liabilities could involve, for example, claims for remediation
costs, personal injury, property damage and damage to the environment in cases
where we may be held responsible for the escape of harmful materials; claims of
employees, customers or third parties for personal injury or property damage
occurring in the course of our operations; or claims alleging negligence or
professional errors and omissions in the planning or performance of work. We
could also be subject to fines and civil and criminal penalties in connection
with alleged violations of regulatory requirements. Because of the nature and
scope of the possible environmental damages, liabilities imposed in
environmental litigation can be significant. The majority of our solid waste
operations have third party environmental liability insurance with limits in
excess of those required by permit regulations, subject to certain limitations
and exclusions. However, we cannot assure you that the limits of such
environmental liability insurance would be adequate in the event of a major
loss, nor can we assure you that we would continue to carry environmental
liability insurance should market conditions in the insurance industry make such
coverage costs prohibitive.
 
     We have general liability, vehicle liability, workers compensation and
employer's liability coverage, as well as umbrella liability policies to provide
excess coverage over the underlying limits contained in these primary policies.
We also carry property insurance. Although we try to operate
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   38
 
safely and prudently and while we have, subject to limitations and exclusions,
substantial liability insurance, no assurance can be given that we will not be
exposed to uninsured liabilities which could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition or results of operations.
 
     In the normal course of business, we may be required to post a performance
bond or a bank letter of credit in connection with municipal residential
collection contracts, the operation, closure or post-closure of landfills,
certain remediation contracts, certain environmental permits and certain
business licenses and permits. Bonds issued by surety companies operate as a
financial guarantee of our performance. To date, we have satisfied financial
responsibility requirements by making cash deposits, obtaining bank letters of
credit or by obtaining surety bonds.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     We are and will continue to be involved in various administrative and legal
proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We can give you no assurance
regarding the outcome of these proceedings or the effect their outcomes may
have, or that our insurance coverages or reserves are adequate. A significant
judgment against our company, the loss of significant permits or licenses, or
the imposition of a significant fine could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
 
     Except for routine litigation incidental to our business, there are no
pending material legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of
our property is subject. We believe that the outcome of the proceedings to which
we are currently a party will not have a material adverse effect upon our
financial condition, results of operations or prospects. However, unfavorable
resolution of any proceedings could affect the consolidated results of
operations or cash flows for the quarterly period in which they are resolved.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of March 31, 1999, we employed approximately 11,000 full time employees,
approximately 2,500 of whom were covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Our management believes that we have good relations with our employees.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     Our corporate headquarters are located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in
premises we lease from a subsidiary of AutoNation. As of March 31, 1999, we
owned approximately 5,200 collection vehicles. Some of our property and
equipment are subject to liens securing payment of indebtedness. We also lease
offices and equipment. We believe that all of our facilities are sufficient for
our current needs. See "Intercompany Relationships and Related
Transactions -- Lease."
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   39
 
     The following table provides information regarding the 58 landfills that we
owned or operated as of April 30, 1999:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               UNUSED
                                                                                         TOTAL    PERMITTED   PERMITTED
              LANDFILL NAME                                LOCATION                     ACREAGE    ACREAGE     ACREAGE
              -------------                                --------                     -------   ---------   ---------
  <S>                                    <C>                                            <C>       <C>         <C>
  Apex.................................  Clark County, Nevada                            2,340      1,233       1,128
  Brazoria.............................  Clute, Texas                                    1,000        195          75
  Broadhurst Landfill*.................  Jesup, Georgia                                    900         90          64
  Brent Run............................  Montrose, Michigan                                370        106          67
  C&T Regional.........................  Linn, Texas                                       200         77          19
  Capital Waste & Recycling
    Disposal...........................  Rotterdam, New York                                33          5          --
  Carleton Farms.......................  Detroit, Michigan                                 495        388         261
  Charter Waste........................  Abilene, Texas                                    396        300         283
  Chiquita Canyon......................  Valencia, California                              592        257         103
  Cleveland Container..................  Shelby, North Carolina                            174         77          40
  Countywide...........................  East Sparta, Ohio                                 818         88          22
  CWI Florida..........................  Winter Haven, Florida                              80         58          14
  Dozit Landfill.......................  Morganfield, Kentucky                             232         47          33
  East Carolina Landfill...............  Aulander, North Carolina                          729        108          71
  Elk Run..............................  Onaway, Michigan                                   99         40          33
  Epperson Landfill....................  Williamstown, Kentucky                            861        100          58
  Foothills Landfill*..................  Lenior, North Carolina                            231         78          72
  Forest Lawn..........................  Three Oaks, Michigan                              387        126          57
  Front Range..........................  Denver, Colorado                                  602        195         162
  Green Ridge..........................  Scottdale, Pennsylvania                           580         87          54
  Green Valley Landfill................  Ashland, Kentucky                                 263         37          --
  Honeygo..............................  Perry Hall, Maryland                               68         39          31
  Kestrel Hawk.........................  Racine, Wisconsin                                 210        125          37
  Laughlin*............................  Laughlin, Nevada                                   40         40          --
  Los Mangos...........................  Alajuela, Costa Rica                               41         24           8
  Mallard Ridge........................  Delavan, Wisconsin                                659         40          14
  Modern...............................  York, Pennsylvania                                716        167         167
  National Serv-All....................  Fort Wayne, Indiana                               265        204          41
  Nine Mile Road.......................  St. Augustine, Florida                            154         28           9
  North County.........................  Houston, Texas                                     40         31          17
  Northern Wasco.......................  The Dalles, Oregon                                308        165         135
  Northwest Tennessee..................  Union City, Tennessee                             600        120          99
  Oak Grove............................  Winder, Georgia                                   301         60          32
  Ohio County Balefill*................  Beaver Dam, Kentucky                              908        179         143
  Pepperhill...........................  North Charleston, South Carolina                   37         22          13
  Pine Grove...........................  Amanda, Ohio                                      734        112          83
  Pine Ridge...........................  Griffin, Georgia                                  850        101          81
  Pinellas*............................  St. Petersburg, Florida                           750        478         200
  Presidio*............................  Presidio, Texas                                    10         10           6
  Republic/Alpine*.....................  Alpine, Texas                                      80         74          63
  Republic/CSC.........................  Avalon, Texas                                     298        205         133
  Republic/Imperial....................  Imperial, California                              250         73          37
  Republic/Maloy.......................  Campbell, Texas                                   388        195         130
  Safety Lights........................  Memphis, Tennessee                                 49         21           6
  San Angelo*..........................  San Angelo, Texas                                 257        232         109
  Savannah Regional....................  Savannah, Georgia                                 132         59          52
  Southern Illinois Regional...........  DeSoto, Illinois                                  249        113          47
  Springfield Environmental............  Mt. Vernon, Indiana                                55         25          --
  Swiftcreek Landfill..................  Macon, Georgia                                    792         81          33
  Tay-Ban..............................  Birch Run, Michigan                                90         25           6
  Tri-K Landfill.......................  Stanford, Kentucky                                572         64          49
  United Refuse........................  Fort Wayne, Indiana                               305         77          16
  Upper Piedmont Environmental.........  Roxboro, North Carolina                           614         70          54
  Uwharrie Landfill*...................  Mt. Gilead, North Carolina                        905         90          31
  Valley View..........................  Louisville, Kentucky                              663        109          82
  Victory Environmental................  Terre Haute, Indiana                              461        260         138
  Wabash Valley........................  Wabash, Indiana                                   284         69          12
  Whitefeather.........................  Pinconning, Michigan                              105         70          45
                                                                                        ------      -----       -----
  Total................................                                                 24,622      7,549       4,775
                                                                                        ======      =====       =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* We operate, but do not own this landfill.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   40
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     Our directors and executive officers are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                   AGE                      POSITION
                ----                   ---                      --------
<S>                                    <C>   <C>
H. Wayne Huizenga....................  61    Chairman of the Board
Harris W. Hudson.....................  56    Vice Chairman, Secretary and Director
James E. O'Connor....................  50    Chief Executive Officer and Director
James H. Cosman......................  56    President and Chief Operating Officer
David A. Barclay.....................  37    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
                                              Assistant Secretary
Steven R. Goldberg...................  48    Senior Vice President -- Corporate Development
Tod C. Holmes........................  50    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                              Officer
John W. Croghan......................  68    Director
Ramon A. Rodriguez...................  54    Director
Allan C. Sorensen....................  61    Director
</TABLE>
 
  Directors and Executive Officers
 
     H. WAYNE HUIZENGA was named Chairman of the Board in May 1998. He also
served as our Chief Executive Officer from May 1998 until December 1998. Mr.
Huizenga has served as the Chairman of the Board of AutoNation since August 1995
and as Co-Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation since October 1996. From August
1995 until October 1996, Mr. Huizenga served as Chief Executive Officer of
AutoNation. Since September 1996, Mr. Huizenga also has served as the Chairman
of the Board of Florida Panthers Holdings, Inc., a sports, entertainment and
leisure company that owns and operates the Florida Panthers professional sports
franchise and several luxury resort hotels and other facilities. Since January
1995, Mr. Huizenga also has served as the Chairman of the Board of Extended Stay
America, Inc., an operator of extended stay lodging facilities. From September
1994 until October 1995, Mr. Huizenga served as the Vice Chairman of Viacom
Inc., a diversified entertainment and communications company. During such
period, Mr. Huizenga also served as the Chairman of the Board of Blockbuster
Entertainment Group, a division of Viacom. From April 1987 through September
1994, Mr. Huizenga served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Blockbuster, during which time he helped build Blockbuster from a 19-
store chain into the world's largest video rental company. In September 1994,
Blockbuster merged into Viacom. In 1971, Mr. Huizenga co-founded Waste
Management, which he helped build into the world's largest integrated solid
waste services company, and he served in various capacities, including
President, Chief Operating Officer and a director from its inception until 1984.
Mr. Huizenga also owns the Miami Dolphins professional sports franchise, as well
as Pro Player Stadium in South Florida, and is a director of theglobe.com, an
internet on-line community, and NationsRent, Inc., a national equipment rental
company.
 
     HARRIS W. HUDSON was named Vice Chairman and Secretary and a director in
May 1998. Mr. Hudson has served as a director of AutoNation since August 1995
and as Vice Chairman of AutoNation since October 1996. He served as Chairman of
AutoNation's Solid Waste Group from October 1996 until July 1998. From August
1995 until October 1996, Mr. Hudson served as President of AutoNation. From 1983
until August 1995, Mr. Hudson served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President of Hudson Management, a solid waste collection company
that he founded, which was acquired by AutoNation in August 1995. From 1964 to
1982, Mr. Hudson served as Vice President of Waste Management of Florida, Inc.,
a subsidiary of Waste
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   41
 
Management and its predecessor. Mr. Hudson also serves as a director of
NationsRent and Florida Panthers Holdings.
 
     JAMES E. O'CONNOR was named Chief Executive Officer and a director in
December 1998. From 1972 to 1978 and from 1982 to 1998, Mr. O'Connor served in
various positions with Waste Management, including Senior Vice President from
1997 to 1998, Area President of Waste Management of Florida, Inc. from 1992 to
1997, Senior Vice President of Waste Management-North America from 1991 to 1992
and Vice President -- Southeastern Region from 1987 to 1991.
 
     JAMES H. COSMAN was named President and Chief Operating Officer in May
1998. Mr. Cosman served as President and Chief Operating Officer of AutoNation's
Solid Waste Group from January 1997 until July 1998. From 1972 until December
1996, Mr. Cosman served in various positions with Browning-Ferris, including
Regional Vice President -- Northern Region from 1993 to 1996, Regional Vice
President -- Mid America Region from 1989 to 1993, Regional Vice
President -- South Central Region from 1979 to 1988 and District Manager from
1975 to 1979.
 
     DAVID A. BARCLAY was named Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary in August 1998. Mr. Barclay served as Senior Vice President
and General Counsel of AutoNation's Solid Waste Group from March 1998 until July
1998. Prior to that, from January 1997 to February 1998, Mr. Barclay was Vice
President and Associate General Counsel of AutoNation. From June 1995 to January
1997, Mr. Barclay was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Discovery
Zone, Inc. Discovery Zone filed a voluntary petition under the federal
bankruptcy laws in March 1996. Mr. Barclay served in various positions with
Blockbuster, including Senior Corporate Counsel from 1993 to 1995 and Corporate
Counsel from 1991 to 1993. Prior to joining Blockbuster, Mr. Barclay was an
attorney in private practice in Miami, Florida.
 
     STEVEN R. GOLDBERG was named Senior Vice President -- Corporate Development
in October 1998. From 1987 to 1998, Mr. Goldberg served in various positions
with Ryder System, Inc., including Vice President of Corporate Development
during 1998, Chief Financial Officer of Ryder Transportation Services, a
division of Ryder, from 1996 to 1998, and Vice President and Treasurer from 1993
to 1996.
 
     TOD C. HOLMES was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
in August 1998. Mr. Holmes served as our Vice President -- Finance from June
1998 until August 1998 and as Vice President of Finance of AutoNation's Solid
Waste Group from January 1998 until July 1998. From 1987 to 1998, Mr. Holmes
served in various positions with Browning-Ferris, including Vice President,
Investor Relations from 1996 to 1998, Divisional Vice President, Collection
Operations from 1995 to 1996, Divisional Vice President and Regional Controller,
Northern Region, from 1993 to 1995 and Divisional Vice President and Assistant
Corporate Controller from 1991 to 1993.
 
     JOHN W. CROGHAN was named a director in July 1998. Mr. Croghan is President
and General Partner of Lincoln Partners, a partnership of Lincoln Capital
Management Inc. He was a founder and, through 1997, the Chairman of Lincoln
Capital Management, an investment management firm. He is a director of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter & Co.'s public closed-end funds, Lindsay Manufacturing Co.,
and St. Paul Bancorp, Inc.
 
     RAMON A. RODRIGUEZ was named a director in March 1999. Mr. Rodriguez has
served as President of Madsen, Sapp, Meng, Rodriguez & Co., P.A., a certified
public accounting firm, since 1971.
 
     ALLAN C. SORENSEN was named a director in November 1998. Mr. Sorensen is
also a director of Let's Talk Cellular & Wireless, Inc. and Westmark Group
Holdings, Inc. He is also a co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Interim
Health Care, Inc., which was spun-off from Interim Services, Inc. in October
1997. Prior to that, Mr. Sorensen served as a director and in various capacities
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   42
 
including President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Interim Services
from 1967 to 1997. He was a member of the Board of Directors of H&R Block, Inc.
from 1979 until September 1993 when Interim Services was spun off in an initial
public offering.
 
     There is no family relationship between any of our executive officers and
directors, except that Mr. Huizenga is Mr. Hudson's brother-in-law. Our
executive officers are selected by and serve at the discretion of our board of
directors. Our directors hold office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
 
     The board of directors develops our business strategy, establishes our
overall policies and standards and reviews the performance of management in
executing our business strategy and implementing our policies and standards. The
directors are kept informed of our operations at meetings of the board of
directors and committees of the board of directors, through reports and analyses
presented to the board of directors, and by discussions with management.
Significant communications between the directors and management also occur apart
from meetings of the board of directors and committees of the board of
directors.
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
 
     The board of directors has established three committees: the Executive
Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.
 
     The Executive Committee has full authority to exercise all the powers of
the board of directors between meetings of the board of directors, except as
reserved by the board of directors. The Executive Committee does not have the
power to elect or remove executive officers, approve a merger, recommend a sale
of substantially all of our assets, recommend a dissolution of our company,
amend our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, declare dividends on our
outstanding securities, or, except as authorized by the board of directors,
issue any common stock or preferred stock. The board of directors has given the
Executive Committee the authority to approve acquisitions, borrowings,
guarantees and other transactions individually not involving more than $100
million in cash, securities, including common stock that we might issue, or
other consideration. The Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Huizenga and
Hudson.
 
     The Audit Committee has the power to oversee the retention, performance and
compensation of the independent public accountants and the establishment and
oversight of such systems of internal accounting and auditing control as it
deems appropriate. The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Croghan and Sorensen.
 
     The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation of our
executive officers, including payment of salaries, bonuses and incentive
compensation, determines our compensation philosophy and programs, and
administers our stock option plans. The Compensation Committee consists of
Messrs. Croghan and Sorensen.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  Summary Compensation Information
 
     The following tables set forth certain compensation information regarding
our Chief Executive Officer, our former Chief Executive Officer and our four
most highly compensated executive officers during the year ended December 31,
1998. Compensation earned by Messrs. Hudson, Cosman, Holmes and Goldberg was
paid or awarded by AutoNation, and/or our company, through the end of 1998. All
amounts paid by AutoNation were paid on our behalf and we reimbursed AutoNation
for those amounts.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   43
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        LONG-TERM
                                                                                       COMPENSATION
                                                                                          AWARDS
                                                                      ANNUAL           ------------
                                                                 COMPENSATION(1)        SECURITIES
                                                              ----------------------    UNDERLYING     ALL OTHER
             NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION               YEAR     SALARY       BONUS      OPTIONS(2)    COMPENSATION
             ---------------------------               ----   ----------   ---------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                    <C>    <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>
H. Wayne Huizenga....................................  1998           --          --           --             --
  (Chairman of the Board and Chief                     1997           --          --           --             --
  Executive Officer through                            1996           --          --           --             --
  December 1998)(3)
 
James E. O'Connor....................................  1998   $   20,731   $   8,432      250,000             --
  (Chief Executive Officer                             1997           --          --           --             --
  and Director)(4)                                     1996           --          --           --             --
 
Harris W. Hudson.....................................  1998      398,461     200,000           --             --
  (Vice Chairman and Secretary)                        1997      395,769     100,000           --             --
                                                       1996      286,501          --           --             --
 
James H. Cosman......................................  1998      340,961      87,500           --             --
  (President and Chief                                 1997      300,000      75,000           --       $ 33,775(6)
  Operating Officer)(5)                                1996           --          --           --             --
 
Tod C. Holmes........................................  1998      187,692      50,000           --         46,342(8)
  (Senior Vice President and                           1997           --          --           --             --
  Chief Financial Officer)(7)                          1996           --          --           --             --
 
Steven R. Goldberg...................................  1998       58,173      35,000      110,000        105,000(10)
  (Senior Vice President --                            1997           --          --           --             --
  Corporate Development)(9)                            1996           --          --           --             --
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 (1) The aggregate total value of perquisites, other personal benefits,
     securities or property or other annual compensation did not equal $50,000,
     or ten percent of the annual salary and bonus for any person named in this
     chart, during 1996, 1997 or 1998 and has not been included in this table.
 (2) Messrs. O'Connor and Goldberg were the only people named in this chart who
     received options to purchase shares of our common stock in 1998.
 (3) We did not pay Mr. Huizenga any cash salary or bonus.
 (4) Mr. O'Connor became an employee in December 1998.
 (5) Mr. Cosman joined AutoNation in January 1997.
 (6) Consists of certain relocation expenses for Mr. Cosman.
 (7) Mr. Holmes joined AutoNation in January 1998.
 (8) Consists of certain relocation expenses for Mr. Holmes.
 (9) Mr. Goldberg became an employee in October 1998.
(10) Consists of an initial signing bonus received by Mr. Goldberg that is not
     part of a recurring arrangement.
 
                 OPTION GRANTS IN YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                                             --------------------------------------------------     POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                            PERCENT                                   VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                             NUMBER OF      OF TOTAL                                ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                                             SECURITIES     OPTIONS                                  PRICE APPRECIATION
                                             UNDERLYING    GRANTED TO                                  FOR OPTION TERM
                                              OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN   EXERCISE    EXPIRATION   -------------------------
                   NAME                      GRANTED(1)   FISCAL YEAR     PRICE         DATE          5%            10%
                   ----                      ----------   ------------   --------    ----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
H. Wayne Huizenga..........................        --          --              --       --                 --            --
James E. O'Connor..........................   250,000          53%       $18.0625     12/6/08     $ 2,839,852   $ 7,196,743
James H. Cosman............................        --          --              --       --                 --            --
Harris W. Hudson...........................        --          --              --       --                 --            --
Tod C. Holmes..............................        --          --              --       --                 --            --
Steven R. Goldberg.........................   110,000          23%          14.50     10/8/08         879,369     2,165,927
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Messrs. O'Connor and Goldberg were the only people named in this chart who
    received options to purchase shares of our common stock in 1998.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   44
 
                             YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                       UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                             OPTIONS AT               IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                                        DECEMBER 31, 1998(1)          DECEMBER 31, 1998(1)
                                                     ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                       NAME                          EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
                       ----                          -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
H. Wayne Huizenga..................................          --             --             --            --
James E. O'Connor..................................      62,500        187,500     $   23,437      $ 70,312
Harris W. Hudson...................................          --             --             --            --
James H. Cosman....................................          --             --             --            --
Tod C. Holmes......................................          --             --             --            --
Steven R. Goldberg.................................          --        110,000             --       433,125
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Messrs. O'Connor and Goldberg were the only people named in this chart who
    received options to purchase shares of our common stock in 1998.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCK AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     Messrs. Croghan and Sorensen served as members of the Compensation
Committee in 1998. No member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or
employee of our company or AutoNation during the prior year or was formerly an
officer of our company or AutoNation. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee of any
other entity, any of whose directors or executive officers served either on our
board of directors or on our Compensation Committee.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Commencing in January 1999, we pay each of our non-employee directors
$25,000 per year, and $1,000 for each board or committee meeting they attend in
person. Under our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, we grant options to purchase shares
of Class A common stock to our non-employee directors. As of April 30, 1999,
170,000 options have been granted to our non-employee directors. Other than as
provided in our Stock Incentive Plan and the reimbursement of reasonable
expenses incurred for attending board of directors and committee meetings, we
have not adopted any other policies on directors' compensation and benefits. See
"-- Stock Incentive Plan."
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     We entered into a three year employment agreement with James E. O'Connor
who is our Chief Executive Officer, effective as of December 7, 1998. The
employment agreement provides that our board of directors will appoint Mr.
O'Connor to the board and that Mr. O'Connor will be nominated for election to
our board of directors at each annual meeting of our stockholders during the
term of the agreement. The employment agreement provides that Mr. O'Connor will
receive an annual base salary of $385,000. In addition, Mr. O'Connor will be
eligible for an annual bonus of up to 30% of his base salary, based on the
achievement of certain corporate goals and objectives. Pursuant to his
employment agreement, Mr. O'Connor also received options to purchase up to
250,000 shares of our Class A common stock, of which 62,500 shares were fully
vested and could be purchased immediately. The remaining shares shall vest and
be eligible for purchase in equal amounts of 46,875 shares each year on the
first four anniversary dates of the grant. If Mr. O'Connor is terminated
"without cause" or if he elects to terminate his employment for "good reason,"
in each case as defined in his employment agreement, Mr. O'Connor will continue
to receive his salary and health benefits for a period ending on the later of
the first anniversary date of the termination or the end of his employment
period. Mr. O'Connor is also subject to confidentiality obligations as well as
to non-
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   45
 
compete and non-solicitation covenants for a three year period following the
termination of his employment period.
 
     We also entered into a three year employment agreement with Mr. Cosman, our
President and Chief Operating Officer, effective as of January 11, 1999. The
employment agreement provides that Mr. Cosman will receive an annual base salary
of $400,000. In addition, Mr. Cosman will be eligible for an annual bonus of up
to 30% of his base salary, based on the achievement of certain corporate goals
and objectives. If Mr. Cosman is terminated "without cause" or if he elects to
terminate his employment for "good reason," in each case as defined in his
employment agreement, Mr. Cosman shall be entitled to continue to receive his
salary and health benefits for a period ending on the later of the first
anniversary date of the termination or the end of his employment period. Mr.
Cosman is also subject to confidentiality obligations as well as to non-compete
and non-solicitation covenants for a three year period following the termination
of his employment period.
 
SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
 
     Mr. Holmes entered into a severance agreement with AutoNation when hired by
AutoNation. Mr. Holmes' severance agreement provides that if his employment with
AutoNation is terminated without cause during the first 24 months of his
employment, then Mr. Holmes is entitled to continue to receive severance pay
equal to his base monthly salary for a period equal to the greater of the
balance of such 24 month period or 12 months. Mr. Holmes' severance agreement
also provides that if his employment with AutoNation is terminated without cause
after the first 24 months of his employment, Mr. Holmes is entitled to continue
to receive his base monthly salary for a period of 12 months. All options
granted under AutoNation's stock option plans would continue to vest throughout
the severance period. We assumed AutoNation's severance obligations under Mr.
Holmes' agreement prior to the closing of our initial public offering. Mr.
Holmes will not be entitled to any severance payments as a result of our
separation from AutoNation.
 
     Mr. Goldberg entered into a severance agreement with us which provides that
if his employment is terminated without cause in the first 24 months of his
employment, then Mr. Goldberg is entitled to continue to receive severance pay
equal to his base monthly salary for a period of 18 months as well as a prorated
portion of his annual incentive bonus. All options granted under our 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan would continue to vest throughout the severance period.
 
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
     In July 1998, we adopted our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan to provide for the
grant of options to purchase shares of Class A common stock, stock appreciation
rights and stock grants to employees, non-employee directors and independent
contractors who are eligible to participate in the Stock Incentive Plan. The
Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of options to employees and
independent contractors at the discretion of our board of directors.
Additionally, the Stock Incentive Plan provides for an automatic grant of an
option to purchase 50,000 shares of Class A common stock to each member of the
board of directors who joins the board of directors as a non-employee director,
and an additional automatic grant of an option to purchase 10,000 shares of
common stock at the beginning of each fiscal year thereafter to each
non-employee director continuing to serve on the board of directors at such
date. We have reserved 20.0 million shares of Class A common stock for issuance
as a result of options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan. In March 1999, we
issued approximately 8.3 million options to employees under our 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan to replace options our employees held under AutoNation's stock
option plans. As of April 30, 1999, options to
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   46
 
purchase approximately 12.6 million shares of Class A common stock were
outstanding under our 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, approximately 2.6 million of
which are presently exercisable.
 
401(k) PLAN
 
     Our board of directors is planning to adopt a 401(k) Savings and Retirement
Plan that is intended to qualify for preferential tax treatment under section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although we have not yet adopted the
specific terms of this plan, we intend that most of our employees will be
eligible to participate in this plan when it is adopted.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   47
 
                        SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF BENEFICIAL
                             OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table provides information as of April 22, 1999 regarding the
beneficial ownership of shares of common stock by (1) each of our stockholders
whom we know to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of shares of common stock
outstanding, (2) each of our directors, (3) our Chief Executive Officer, our
former Chief Executive Officer and each of our four other most highly
compensated officers and (4) all of our current directors and executive officers
as a group. Share amounts and percentages shown for each individual, entity or
group in the table are adjusted to give effect to shares of common stock that
are not outstanding but may be acquired by the individual, entity or group upon
exercise of any options exercisable within 60 days of April 22, 1999. However,
these shares of common stock are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by any other
person. Except for AutoNation, we are not aware of any individual, entity or
group that beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our
common stock.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                                      OWNED
                          NAME OF                             ---------------------
                      BENEFICIAL OWNER                          NUMBER      PERCENT
                      ----------------                        -----------   -------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
AutoNation, Inc.............................................   12,162,500      6.9%
H. Wayne Huizenga...........................................           --        *
James E. O'Connor...........................................       64,700        *
Harris W. Hudson............................................           --        *
John W. Croghan.............................................      110,000        *
Ramon A. Rodriguez..........................................       50,000        *
Allan C. Sorensen...........................................       60,000        *
James H. Cosman.............................................       16,000        *
Tod C. Holmes...............................................        5,000        *
Steven R. Goldberg..........................................        2,000        *
All directors and executive officers as a group
  (10 persons)..............................................      307,700        *
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 *  Less than 1 percent
 
     The address of AutoNation is 110 S.E. Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL
33301. AutoNation beneficially owns all of the shares through its indirect
wholly owned subsidiary, AutoNation Insurance Company, Inc., a Vermont
corporation. The address of AutoNation Insurance is 76 St. Paul Street, Suite
501, Burlington, VT 05401.
 
     The underwriters may exercise their over-allotment option on or before May
26, 1999 for all or part of the 12,162,500 shares of common stock that
AutoNation still owns. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, then
AutoNation will not own any of our stock. At this time, however, we do not know
whether, when or with respect to how many shares the underwriters will exercise
their over-allotment option.
 
     The aggregate amount of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. O'Connor
consists of 2,200 shares owned directly by him and vested options to purchase
62,500 shares.
 
     The aggregate amount of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Croghan
consists of 50,000 shares owned directly by him and vested options to purchase
60,000 shares.
 
     The aggregate amount of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Rodriguez
consists of vested options to purchase 50,000 shares.
 
     The aggregate amount of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Sorensen
consists of vested options to purchase 60,000 shares.
 
     The aggregate amount of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Cosman
consists of 16,000 shares owned by Mr. Cosman and his wife as joint tenants.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   48
 
     The aggregate amount of common stock beneficially owned by all directors
and executive officers as a group consists of (a) 75,200 shares and (b) vested
options to purchase 232,500 shares. The table above does not include a total of
136,809 options issued by our company to some officers replacing options to
purchase shares of AutoNation common stock which, although vested, may not be
exercised until after January 2, 2000 under the terms of repricing agreements
between the officers and AutoNation.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   49
 
              INTERCOMPANY RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     The following includes brief summaries of the Separation and Distribution
Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Tax Indemnification and Allocation
Agreement and the Employee Benefits Agreement between our company and
AutoNation. The summaries of these agreements are qualified in their entirety by
the actual agreements, copies of which are incorporated herein by reference as
exhibits.
 
     Prior to our initial public offering, we had been a wholly owned subsidiary
of AutoNation. After our initial public offering, AutoNation owned 63.9% of our
outstanding common stock. AutoNation sold substantially all of its shares of our
common stock in a secondary public offering in May 1999. AutoNation currently
owns approximately 12.2 million shares of our common stock, which constitutes
approximately 6.9% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and has
granted the underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase those shares, in
whole or in part, until May 26, 1999. Mr. Huizenga is the Chairman of the Board
and Co-Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation and Mr. Hudson is the Vice Chairman
and a director of AutoNation. Messrs. Huizenga and Hudson beneficially own a
total of approximately 11.3% of AutoNation's outstanding common stock, including
their presently exercisable warrants and options to purchase AutoNation common
stock. As a result, the following transactions between our company and
AutoNation may be deemed to be intercompany or related party transactions.
 
HISTORICAL INTERCOMPANY RELATIONSHIPS
 
     Prior to our initial public offering of common stock in July 1998,
AutoNation provided our company with various services, including:
 
        - accounting,
 
        - auditing,
 
        - cash management,
 
        - corporate communications,
 
        - corporate development,
 
        - financial and treasury,
 
        - human resources and benefit plan administration,
 
        - insurance and risk management,
 
        - legal,
 
        - purchasing and
 
        - tax services.
 
     AutoNation also provided our company with the services of a number of its
executives and employees. In consideration for these services, AutoNation
allocated to our company a portion of its general and administrative costs
related to such services. Our management believes that the amounts allocated to
our company were no less favorable to our company than the expenses we would
have incurred to obtain such services on our own or from unaffiliated third
parties.
 
     From time to time, AutoNation guaranteed some of our obligations. These
guarantees remain in place and may be called upon should there be a default
under these obligations. In that event, we would be obligated to reimburse
AutoNation for all liabilities AutoNation incurred as a result of the
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   50
 
obligations. Now that we are no longer a subsidiary of AutoNation, we are
required to cause all such guarantees by AutoNation to be released by the
creditors and other parties holding such guarantees.
 
DIVIDEND AND INTERCOMPANY DEBT REPAYMENTS
 
     As part of our separation from AutoNation, and prior to our initial public
offering, our company declared and paid a $2.0 billion dividend in April 1998 to
AutoNation in the form of promissory notes. In addition, we owed AutoNation
approximately $139.5 million and owed Resources, at that time one of our
subsidiaries, approximately $165.4 million, net of an approximate $90.5 million
Resources owed to our company. On June 30, 1998, we repaid $565.4 million of the
promissory notes that we issued to AutoNation with cash, assets that we received
from Resources and with the receivable Resources owed to our company. In
addition, we distributed all of our shares of common stock of Resources to
AutoNation. We also repaid the amounts we owed to AutoNation and Resources by
issuing 16,474,417 shares of Class A common stock to AutoNation and we repaid
the remaining balance of the promissory notes that we had issued to AutoNation
with the net proceeds from the sale of 63,250,000 shares of Class A common stock
in our initial public offering, which totalled approximately $1.4 billion.
 
SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
 
     The Separation and Distribution Agreement that we entered into with
AutoNation in June 1998 provided for the principal corporate transactions
required to effect our separation from AutoNation, for the then-contemplated
distribution by AutoNation of our common stock that it owned to its stockholders
and for other arrangements governing the future relationship between our company
and AutoNation.
 
     The Separation.  Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement that we
entered into with AutoNation and prior to our initial public offering, (1) we
distributed to AutoNation all of the common stock of Resources, whose assets and
liabilities related to AutoNation's automotive retail businesses, and (2) we
reorganized internally within our consolidated group of subsidiaries certain
subsidiaries engaged in the solid waste services business, that we owned
directly or indirectly. Our financial statements exclude the accounts of
Resources.
 
     The Initial Public Offering.  Under the Separation and Distribution
Agreement, in July 1998, we issued and sold 63,250,000 shares of our Class A
common stock in our initial public offering, resulting in net proceeds of
approximately $1.4 billion. We used all the net proceeds, and issued an
additional 16,474,417 shares of our Class A common stock, to repay in full all
amounts that we owed to AutoNation.
 
     The Distribution.  Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the
distribution of our common stock that AutoNation owned to its stockholders was
subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the AutoNation board of directors, in
its sole discretion, of several conditions, including the receipt of a favorable
private letter ruling from the IRS. In March 1999, the IRS advised AutoNation in
writing that the IRS would not rule as requested. As a result, with our consent,
AutoNation decided to sell its shares of our common stock. In May 1999,
AutoNation sold substantially all of its shares of our common stock in a
secondary public offering, and has given the underwriters in the offering
options exercisable on or prior to May 26, 1999 to purchase all or a portion of
its remaining shares.
 
     Registration Rights.  The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides
that AutoNation and any of AutoNation's wholly owned subsidiaries that own our
common stock will have the right in certain circumstances to require our company
to use our best efforts to register for resale shares of our common stock held
by AutoNation under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws,
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   51
 
subject to conditions, limitations and exceptions. We also agreed with
AutoNation that if we file a registration statement for the sale of securities
under the Securities Act, then AutoNation and its subsidiaries may, subject to
conditions, limitations and exceptions, include in the registration statement
shares of common stock held by AutoNation and its subsidiaries. AutoNation
agreed to pay all of the offering expenses related to the registration statement
that we file at the request of AutoNation, provided that if we registered any
new shares of our common stock in the registration statement that we prepared at
AutoNation's request, then we would pay our pro rata portion of the offering
expenses. We agreed to pay offering expenses related to the registration
statement that we may file on our own behalf; however, AutoNation must pay its
pro rata portion of the offering expenses if any shares of our common stock held
by AutoNation and its subsidiaries are included in that registration statement.
In March 1999, AutoNation exercised its right under the Separation and
Distribution Agreement to have us register all of the common stock it owns,
resulting in the secondary public offering by AutoNation of its shares of our
common stock in May 1999.
 
     Releases and Indemnification.  The Separation and Distribution Agreement
provides for a full and complete release and discharge as of the time we made
our initial public offering of all liabilities, including any contractual
agreements or arrangements existing or alleged to exist, existing or arising
from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have
occurred or to have failed to occur and all conditions existing or alleged to
have existed on or before our initial public offering, between our company and
AutoNation, including in connection with the transactions and all other
activities to implement our spinoff from AutoNation, our initial public offering
and the distribution of our common stock to AutoNation stockholders, except as
otherwise expressly stated in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
 
     Except as provided in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, we have
agreed to indemnify, defend and hold harmless AutoNation and each of
AutoNation's directors, officers and employees from and against all liabilities
relating to, arising out of or resulting from (1) our or any other person's
failure to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of our liabilities
under the Separation and Distribution Agreement and (2) any breach by our
company of the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any of the ancillary
agreements entered into by the parties related to the Separation and
Distribution Agreement.
 
     Except as provided in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, AutoNation
has agreed to defend and hold us harmless and to indemnify our company and each
of our directors, officers and employees from and against all liabilities
relating to, arising out of or resulting from (1) the failure of AutoNation or
any other person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any liabilities
of AutoNation other than our liabilities, (2) any breach by AutoNation of the
Separation and Distribution Agreement or any of the other agreements that we
entered into related to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and (3) any
untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact, or
alleged untrue statements or omissions, with respect to information relating to
AutoNation contained in the registration statement for our common stock that was
issued in our initial public offering or the registration statement that we
filed on behalf of AutoNation for its secondary offering.
 
     The Separation and Distribution Agreement also specifies certain procedures
regarding claims subject to indemnification and related matters.
 
     Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Gains.  The Separation and
Distribution Agreement provides for indemnification by our company and
AutoNation regarding contingent liabilities primarily relating to our respective
businesses or otherwise assigned to our company.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   52
 
     The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides for the establishment of
a Contingent Claims Committee comprised of one representative designated from
time to time by each of AutoNation and ourselves that will establish procedures
for resolving disagreements among our company and AutoNation as to contingent
gains and contingent liabilities.
 
     The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides for the sharing of
shared contingent liabilities, which means:
 
     - any contingent liabilities that are not exclusive contingent liabilities
       of AutoNation or exclusive contingent liabilities of ours and
 
     - specifically identified liabilities.
 
     The parties have agreed to allocate responsibility for shared contingent
liabilities based upon the respective market capitalizations of each party at
the time of our initial public offering or on other methodology to be
established by a committee that we and AutoNation will establish for this
purpose. AutoNation will assume the defense of, and may seek to settle or
compromise, any third party claim that is a shared contingent liability, and the
costs and expenses of the claim will be included in the amount to be shared by
AutoNation and our company.
 
     The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that the parties will
each have the exclusive right to any benefit received with respect to any
contingent gain that primarily relates to the business of that party, or that is
expressly assigned to that party. Each party will have sole and exclusive
authority to manage, control and otherwise determine all matters whatsoever with
respect to a contingent gain that primarily relates to its respective business.
We have agreed with AutoNation to share any benefit that may be received from
any contingent gain based upon market capitalizations of each party as of the
date we completed our initial public offering or another methodology that a
committee that the parties appoint may determine. We have agreed that AutoNation
will have the sole and exclusive authority to manage, control and otherwise
determine all matters whatsoever with respect to any contingent gain. Under the
Separation and Distribution Agreement, we have agreed that AutoNation may decide
not to pursue any contingent gain for any reason whatsoever, including a
different assessment of the merits of any action, claim or right or any business
reasons that are in the best interests of AutoNation, without regard to our best
interests, and that AutoNation will have no liability to us as a result of that
determination.
 
     Certain Business Transactions.  Under the terms of the Separation and
Distribution Agreement, AutoNation has agreed that, for a period of five years
after we are no longer a subsidiary of AutoNation, AutoNation will not directly
or indirectly compete with us in the solid waste services industry anywhere in
North America, and we have agreed that, for a period of five years after that
time, we will not directly or indirectly compete with AutoNation in the
automotive retail or vehicle rental industries anywhere in North America. The
Separation and Distribution Agreement also provided for the allocation of
corporate opportunities prior to the time we separated from AutoNation. During
this period, neither party had any duty to communicate or offer opportunities to
the other and, subject to the non-competition covenants, could pursue or acquire
any opportunity for itself or direct the opportunity to another. However, (1) if
the opportunity related primarily to the business of the other party, the party
that had the opportunity generally was required to let the other party know
about it and (2) if the opportunity related to both of our businesses, the party
that learned about the opportunity had to use its reasonable best efforts to let
the other party know about it.
 
     Insurance.  Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, AutoNation
agreed to permit our company to continue to participate in some of its insurance
policies and to provide claims adjustment services for automobile liability and
general liability claims. We have paid AutoNation a monthly fee
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   53
 
of $43,000 for insurance costs plus an amount equal to 5% of incurred losses for
claims adjustment services. We are securing insurance policies independent of
AutoNation. We have agreed with AutoNation to cooperate in good faith to provide
for an orderly transition of insurance coverage. However, AutoNation will not be
liable to our company in the event any of these policies are terminated or prove
to be inadequate. See "Business -- Liability and Insurance Bonding."
 
     Expenses.  Except as set forth in an ancillary agreement, the Separation
and Distribution Agreement treats specific third-party fees, costs and expenses
paid or incurred in anticipation of the distribution of our shares to
AutoNation's stockholders in the same manner as we will treat the expenses that
are incurred for the contingent liabilities, and all other fees, costs and
expenses in connection with the distribution will be paid by AutoNation.
 
     Termination.  The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that it
may be terminated at any time prior to the time our shares are distributed to
AutoNation's stockholders, if AutoNation and our company both agree. In the
event of any such termination, only the provisions of the Separation and
Distribution Agreement that obligate each party to pursue the distribution
terminate and the other provisions of the Separation and Distribution Agreement
and other related agreements will remain in full force and effect.
 
SERVICES AGREEMENT
 
     AutoNation and our company have entered into a Services Agreement under
which AutoNation provides our company with:
 
     - accounting,
 
     - auditing,
 
     - cash management,
 
     - corporate communications,
 
     - corporate development,
 
     - financial and treasury,
 
     - human resources and benefit plan administration,
 
     - insurance and risk management,
 
     - legal,
 
     - purchasing and
 
     - tax services.
 
     In exchange for providing these services, we paid AutoNation a fee of $1.25
million per month, subject to review and adjustment based upon a reduction in
the amount of services AutoNation provided. Effective January 1, 1999, the fee
was reduced to $0.9 million per month. The fee is payable 15 days after the
close of each month and our management thinks that the fee is no less favorable
than if we were to provide these services ourselves or if we had obtained them
from unaffiliated third parties.
 
     The Services Agreement has been amended to provide for an initial term
expiring June 30, 1999, with an option to extend the term until December 31,
1999. After that, we have an additional option
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   54
 
to extend the term for another year. At any time, we can terminate the agreement
upon 30 days' written notice.
 
     Any services that AutoNation provides our company beyond the services to be
provided under the terms of the Services Agreement that AutoNation determines
are not covered by the fees provided for under the terms of the Services
Agreement will be billed to our company as described in the Services Agreement,
or on such other basis as AutoNation and we may agree. The price payable by our
company for these non-covered services will be established on a negotiated basis
which is no less favorable than the charges for comparable services from
unaffiliated third parties.
 
TAX INDEMNIFICATION AND ALLOCATION AGREEMENT
 
     We have entered into a Tax Indemnification and Allocation Agreement with
AutoNation that provides that AutoNation will indemnify us for income taxes that
we might incur if the internal restructuring transactions that we entered into
in June 1998 in connection with our initial public offering fail to qualify as
tax-free spin-offs.
 
     In addition to the foregoing indemnities, the Tax Indemnification and
Allocation Agreement provides for four things:
 
     (1) the allocation and payment of taxes for periods during which we and
         AutoNation were included in the same consolidated group for federal
         income tax purposes or the same consolidated, combined or unitary
         returns for state tax purposes,
 
     (2) the allocation of responsibility for the filing of tax returns,
 
     (3) the conduct of tax audits and the handling of tax controversies and
 
     (4) various related matters.
 
     For periods during which AutoNation included our company in its
consolidated federal income tax returns or state consolidated, combined or
unitary tax returns, which included the periods on or before we became a public
company, we will be required to pay an amount of income tax equal to the
consolidated tax liability attributable to our operations. We will be
responsible for our own separate tax liabilities that are not determined on a
consolidated or combined basis. In the future, we will also be responsible for
any increases to the consolidated tax liability of AutoNation and our company
that is attributable to our company, and we will be entitled to refunds for
reductions of tax liabilities attributable to our company for prior periods.
 
     We were included in AutoNation's consolidated group for federal income tax
purposes for periods during which AutoNation beneficially owned at least 80% of
the total voting power and value of our outstanding common stock. Each
corporation that is a member of a consolidated group during any portion of the
group's tax year is jointly and severally liable for the federal income tax
liability of the group for that year. We and our subsidiaries stopped being
members of AutoNation's consolidated group after we became a public company.
While the Tax Indemnification and Allocation Agreement allocates tax liabilities
between AutoNation and our company during the periods when we were in included
in AutoNation's consolidated group, we could be liable in the event federal tax
liability allocated to AutoNation is incurred, but not paid, by AutoNation or
any other member of AutoNation's consolidated group for AutoNation's tax years
before we were a public company. If this were to happen, we could seek
indemnification from AutoNation under the Tax Indemnification and Allocation
Agreement.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   55
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AGREEMENT
 
     We entered into an Employee Benefits Agreement with AutoNation. Under this
Agreement, we have assumed and agreed to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge all
liabilities to, or relating to, former employees of AutoNation or its affiliates
whom we will employ as of the date we are no longer affiliated with AutoNation
and certain former employees of AutoNation or its affiliates, including
retirees, who were employed by or provided services primarily for our solid
waste business. Now that we are no longer affiliated with AutoNation, these
employees and former employees no longer participate in AutoNation's employee
benefit plans, although we are responsible for our allocable share of the costs
of such plans. We are in the process of establishing our own employee benefit
plans, which are generally similar to AutoNation's plans as in effect. The
Employee Benefits Agreement that we are describing does not preclude our company
from discontinuing or changing such plans at any time thereafter, with a few
exceptions. Our plans generally will assume all liabilities under AutoNation's
plans to employees and former employees that are assigned to us, and any assets
funding these liabilities will be transferred from funding vehicles associated
with AutoNation's plans to the corresponding funding vehicles associated with
our plans.
 
REPLACEMENT OPTIONS
 
     Prior to the initial public offering, employees of our company were granted
options to purchase AutoNation common stock under AutoNation's stock option
plans. In March 1999, the approximately 8.3 million AutoNation stock options
held by our employees were canceled, and our company's Compensation Committee
granted replacement options to purchase our common stock on a one-for-one basis.
The replacement options retained the vesting and exercise rights of the original
options, subject to exercise limitations for individuals who signed stock option
repricing agreements with AutoNation. The exercise price for individual
replacement options are priced so that the potential gain or loss on each grant
of AutoNation stock options generally has been maintained under the replacement
options. We recorded $2.0 million of compensation expense during the three
months ended March 31, 1999 relating to our granting of replacement options at
favorable exercise prices.
 
LEASE
 
     In July 1998, we signed a lease with a subsidiary of AutoNation for
approximately 10,555 square feet of office space at AutoNation's corporate
headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The annual lease rate is $220,320
($20.40 per square foot), and we pay for certain common area maintenance
charges. Effective January 1, 1999, we amended the lease to increase the space
we are renting to approximately 14,443 square feet at an annual rate of $294,637
($20.40 per square foot). The lease has an initial term of one year, and we can
terminate it on 90 days' prior written notice. It is automatically renewable by
us for an additional one year term. The rent includes utilities, security,
parking, building maintenance and cleaning services. We believe that the lease
is on terms no less favorable than could be obtained from persons unrelated to
our company.
 
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS WITH AUTONATION
 
     During 1998, we collected solid waste from, and leased roll-off containers
to, certain automotive retail and vehicle rental subsidiaries of AutoNation and
other properties. We provided all of these services at standard rates. We
continue to provide these services to AutoNation on the same terms. During 1998,
we rented vehicles from AutoNation's Alamo Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental
System subsidiaries, under standard form vehicle rental agreements under which
we were charged standard rates. We still, at times, rent vehicles from
AutoNation on the same terms. In November
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   56
 
1998, we purchased a corporate aircraft from AutoNation for $11 million. We
believe these transactions were on terms as favorable as we would have obtained
from an unrelated third party.
 
OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
 
     The following is a summary of other agreements and transactions that we are
involved in with related parties. It is our policy that transactions with
related parties must be on terms that, on the whole, are no less favorable than
those that would be available from unaffiliated parties. Based on our
experience, it is our belief that all of these transactions met that standard at
the time such transactions were effected.
 
     Pro Player Stadium is a professional sports stadium in South Florida that
is owned and controlled by Mr. Huizenga. One of our subsidiaries collected solid
waste from, and leased roll-off waste containers to, Pro Player Stadium pursuant
to standard agreements under which Pro Player Stadium paid an aggregate of
approximately $219,000 in 1998. We continue to provide these services on the
same terms. In September 1998, one of our subsidiaries began collecting solid
waste from the National Car Rental Center, an arena in Broward County, Florida,
which is operated by a subsidiary of Florida Panthers Holdings, Mr. Huizenga is
the Chairman, and Mr. Hudson is a director, of Florida Panthers Holdings.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   57
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
 
THE CREDIT FACILITY
 
     In July 1998, we entered into a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit
facility with a group of banks. $500.0 million of the facility is short-term and
expires in July 1999 and the remaining $500.0 million is long-term and expires
in July 2003. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at LIBOR-based
rates. We use the proceeds from the credit facility to satisfy working capital
requirements, capital expenditures and acquisitions. As of March 31, 1999 we had
approximately $109.0 million available under the credit facility. The credit
facility contains various covenants, including covenants regarding our financial
performance and covenants that require us to maintain minimum consolidated
stockholder's equity and limit the amount of additional debt we incur.
 
     We expect to use the net proceeds of the sale of the notes to repay $378.0
million of the short-term portion of the credit facility and to repay $215.5
million of the long-term portion of the credit facility, which amounts will be
available to be reborrowed under the credit facility.
 
     Following the issuance of the notes offered hereby, the credit facility
will remain outstanding. The credit facility will rank equally with the notes in
right of repayment.
 
     We expect to extend the maturity of the short-term portion of the credit
facility to July 2000, prior to its expiration in July 1999.
 
CALIFORNIA POLLUTION CONTROL BONDS
 
     When we acquired Taormina Industries, Inc. in 1997, we assumed its
obligations with respect to three series of pollution control bonds issued by
the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. These 20 year bonds were
issued under indentures dated August 1, 1994, November 1, 1994 and September 1,
1996, respectively. The aggregate amount issued under these three series of
bonds was $43.0 million, of which $42.0 million remained outstanding on March
31, 1999. The proceeds of each series of bonds was loaned by the California
Authority to Taormina Industries under loan agreements secured by letters of
credit issued in favor of the State Street Bank and Trust Company of California,
N.A., as trustee for the holders of the bonds.
 
     The bonds bear interest at a variable rates depending upon the term of each
individual interest period that we select: weekly, monthly, 3 months, 6 months,
9 months, yearly, and if longer than a year, any multiple of 6 months
thereafter, up to a maximum rate of 12% per annum. The particular interest rate
is determined in advance by a remarketing agent based on the minimum prevailing
interest rates that the remarketing agent believes that it would have to use in
order to sell the bonds at their face value. On March 31, 1999, the interest
rate on each series of bonds was 2.75%. The bonds are subject to a demand
purchase by their holders, may sometimes be redeemed with the consent of various
parties, and have mandatory and optional redemptions upon the occurrence of some
events. In the case of optional redemption, the bonds may be repurchased at
times for a premium, beginning at 102% of their face value and declining to
their face value over the term during which they are outstanding.
 
     Letters of credit have been established with NationsBank, N.A. from which
the trustee of the bonds is able to draw funds required to pay principal and
interest on and/or to redeem or repurchase the bonds.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   58
 
     The indentures, the loan agreements and the related documentation for the
bonds contain standard representations and warranties, covenants and
restrictions relating to the business operations of Taormina Industries and/or
our company and provide for standard default provisions, including failure to
pay principal and interest on the bonds and events of bankruptcy.
 
     Following the issuance of the notes offered hereby, the bonds will remain
outstanding. The bonds will rank equally with the notes in right of repayment.
 
OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
 
     Certain of our subsidiaries are indebted under various other notes payable
with total principal outstanding of approximately $22.6 million as of March 31,
1999. These notes payable are secured by real property, equipment and other
assets. The interest rates on these other notes payable range from 4% to 10% and
mature at various times through 2009. Generally, these notes payable were
incurred by companies we acquired prior to our acquisition of the companies and
are subject to prepayment penalties or premiums. We expect to continue to assume
similar notes payable, which may be secured by assets, in the course of
acquiring other companies.
 
OTHER OBLIGATIONS
 
     From time to time, our company and our subsidiaries are required to post
surety bonds and letters of credit that secure the performance of obligations to
various municipalities.
 
     As of March 31, 1999, we had outstanding surety bonds of approximately
$417.0 million in the aggregate. The surety bonds have various terms, expiration
dates and provisions, and represent debt obligations that will rank equally with
the notes issued hereunder. The surety bonds have been issued under an agreement
of indemnity between our company, our subsidiaries and affiliates and Liberty
Bond Services. Under the indemnity agreement, our company, our subsidiaries and
affiliates are obligated to pay Liberty upon demand all premiums, costs and
charges for any surety bonds until such time as their release. Our company, our
subsidiaries and affiliates have agreed to indemnify Liberty against liability
for its issuance and enforcement of the terms of the surety bonds and, as
security, we have assigned applicable contracts to Liberty. The indemnity
agreement contains standard terms and conditions and other provisions affecting
our company's, our subsidiaries' and affiliates' and the surety's rights and
obligations.
 
     As of March 31, 1999, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately
$13.0 million in the aggregate. The letters of credit are issued against our
revolving credit facility.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   59
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
     The notes will be issued under an indenture (we refer to the indenture, as
supplemented from time to time, as the "Indenture") between Republic Services,
Inc. and The Bank of New York as Trustee.
 
     The following summary of certain provisions of the notes and the Indenture
is not complete and is subject to the detailed provisions of the Indenture. We
have filed a copy of the Indenture as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Whenever particular provisions or defined terms in the Indenture are referred to
in this prospectus, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. Section references used in this prospectus are
references to the Indenture. References, in this Section only, to "Republic
Services, Inc." refer to Republic Services, Inc. exclusive of its Subsidiaries.
 
TERMS
 
     The notes due 2004 issued under the Indenture will:
 
     - be limited to $225,000,000 aggregate principal amount; and
 
     - mature on May 15, 2004.
 
     The notes due 2009 issued under the Indenture will:
 
     - be limited to $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount; and
 
     - mature on May 15, 2009.
 
     The notes due 2004 and the notes due 2009 will be unsecured obligations of
Republic Services, Inc. and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness.
 
     The notes due 2004 and the notes due 2009 will bear interest at the
respective rates shown on the front cover of this prospectus from May 24, 1999,
payable semi-annually on each May 15 and November 15 to the persons in whose
name they are registered at the close of business on May 1 or November 1
preceding the interest payment date.
 
     The first interest payment on each series of the notes will be made on
November 15, 1999.
 
     The notes of each series may be redeemed before their maturity as described
below, but are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. They will be
issued in book-entry form only. See "Book-Entry System." At March 31, 1999, on a
pro forma basis after giving effect to the offering of the notes, Republic
Services, Inc. would have had approximately $949.1 million of senior
indebtedness outstanding.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
     The notes of each series will be redeemable, as a whole or in part, at our
option, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the
greater of:
 
     (1) 100% of the principal amount of the applicable series of notes to be
redeemed, and
 
     (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of
principal and interest on the applicable series of notes to be redeemed
discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate, plus
15 basis points for the notes due 2004 and 20 basis points for the notes due
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   60
 
2009, respectively. In the case of each of clause (1) and (2), accrued interest
will be payable to the redemption date.
 
     Holders of notes to be redeemed will receive notice thereof by first-class
mail at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption. If fewer than all of the notes of a particular series are to be
redeemed, the Trustee will select, not more than 60 days prior to the redemption
date, the particular notes or portions thereof for redemption from the
outstanding notes not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair
and appropriate.
 
     On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the
notes of a particular series or any portion of the notes called for redemption
unless we default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest.
On or before the redemption date, we will deposit with a paying agent (or the
Trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on
the notes to be redeemed on such date. If less than all of the notes of a
particular series are to be redeemed, the notes to be redeemed shall be selected
by the Trustee by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     The notes initially will be represented by one or more global securities
deposited with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name
of DTC's nominee. Except under the circumstances described below, we will not
issue the notes in definitive form.
 
     Upon the issuance of a global security, DTC will credit on its book-entry
registration and transfer system the accounts of persons designated by the
underwriters with the respective principal amounts of the notes represented by
the global security. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security is
limited to persons that have accounts with DTC or its nominee ("participants")
or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership may be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee
(for interests of persons who are participants) and records maintained by
participants (for interests of persons who are not participants). The laws of
some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery
of the securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair a
purchaser's ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
 
     DTC or its nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes
represented by a global security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as
provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be
entitled to have notes represented by the global security registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of notes in
definitive form, and will not be considered the owners of record or holders of
notes under the Indenture.
 
     We will make principal and interest payments on notes registered in the
name of DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee as the registered holder of the
relevant global security. None of us, the Trustee, any paying agent nor the
registrar for the notes will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect
of the records relating to, or payment made on account of, beneficial interests
in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to such beneficial interests.
 
     We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal
or interest, will credit immediately participants' accounts with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal
amount of the relevant global security as shown on the records of DTC or its
nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in
 
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<PAGE>   61
 
a global security held through such participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for
the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and
will be the responsibility of such participants.
 
     If DTC at any time is unwilling or unable to continue as a depository and
we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days, we will issue notes in
definitive form in exchange for the entire global security. In addition, we may
at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have notes represented
by a global security and, in such event, we will issue notes in definitive form
in exchange for the entire global security. In any such instance, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery
in definitive form of notes represented by such global security equal in
principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such notes registered
in the owner's name. Notes so issued in definitive form will be issued as
registered notes in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof,
unless we specify otherwise.
 
     The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not
take responsibility for its accuracy.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference
is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any
other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
 
     "Attributable Debt" means, when used in connection with a sale and
leaseback transaction, at any date of determination, the product of (1) the net
proceeds from such sale and leaseback transaction multiplied by (2) a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of full years of the term of the lease
relating to the property involved in such sale and leaseback transaction
(without regard to any options to renew or extend such term) remaining at the
date of the making of such computation and the denominator of which is the
number of full years of the term of such lease measured from the first day of
such term.
 
     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
equivalents of or interests (including partnership interests) in (however
designated) the equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but
excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
 
     "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an
Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining
term ("Remaining Life") of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at
the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in
pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining term of such notes.
 
     "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1)
the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption
date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than five
such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
 
     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, as any date, the total amount of
assets of Republic Services, Inc. and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible
items) after deducting therefrom (1) all current liabilities (excluding any
current liabilities which are by their terms extendible or renewable at the
option of the obligor
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   62
 
thereon to a time more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount
thereof is being computed or which is supported by other borrowings with a
maturity of more than 12 months from the date of calculation), (2) all goodwill,
trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and
other like intangibles and (3) appropriate adjustments on account of minority
interests of other Persons holding stock of Republic Services, Inc.'s
Subsidiaries, all as set forth on the most recent balance sheet of Republic
Services, Inc. and its consolidated Subsidiaries (but, in any event, as of a
date within 120 days of the date of determination) in each case excluding
intercompany items and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles as in effect from time to time.
 
     "Exempted Debt" means the sum, without duplication, of the following items
outstanding as of the date Exempted Debt is being determined: (1) Indebtedness
of Republic Services, Inc. and the Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred after the
date of the Indenture and secured by Liens created, assumed or otherwise
Incurred or permitted to exist pursuant to the Indenture under "Certain
Covenants of Republic Services, Inc. -- Restrictions on Liens" and (2)
Attributable Debt of Republic Services, Inc. and the Restricted Subsidiaries in
respect of all sale and leaseback transactions with regard to any Principal
Property entered into pursuant the Indenture under "Certain Covenants of
Republic Services, Inc. -- Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions."
 
     "Funded Debt" means all Indebtedness for money borrowed, including purchase
money indebtedness, having a maturity of more than one year from the date of its
creation or having a maturity of less than one year but by its terms being
renewable or extendible, at the option of the obligor in respect thereof, beyond
one year from its creation.
 
     "Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership
arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods,
securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to
protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term "guarantee" will not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
 
     "Incur" means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable
for. The terms "Incurred," "Incurrence" and "Incurring" shall each have a
correlative meaning.
 
     "Indebtedness" means with respect to any Person at any date of
determination (without duplication), indebtedness for borrowed money or
indebtedness evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other similar instruments
given to finance the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any
kind (including, without limitation, Capital Stock or other equity interests in
any Person).
 
     "Independent Investment Banker" means either Banc of America Securities LLC
or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or, if both firms are
unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent
investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Trustee
after consultation with Republic Services, Inc.
 
     "Lien" with respect to any property or assets, means any mortgage or deed
of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security
interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement not materially
impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   63
 
or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including, without
limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing), but not
including the interest of a lessor under a lease that is an operating lease
under generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trusts, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivisions thereof.
 
     "Principal Property" means any land, land improvements or building,
together with the land upon which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part
thereof, in each case, owned or leased by Republic Services, Inc. or any
Restricted Subsidiary and located in the United States, the gross book value
(without deduction of any reserve for depreciation) of which on the date as of
which the determination is being made is an amount which exceeds 2% of
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets but not including such land, land improvements,
buildings or portions thereof which is financed through the issuance of tax
exempt governmental obligations, or any such property that has been determined
by board resolution of Republic Services, Inc. not to be of material importance
to the respective businesses conducted by Republic Services, Inc. or such
Restricted Subsidiary effective as of the date such resolution is adopted.
 
     "Reference Treasury Dealer" means (1) each of Banc of America Securities
LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and their respective
successors, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a
primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury
Dealer"), we will substitute for such initial purchaser another Primary Treasury
Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Independent
Investment Banker after consultation with Republic Services, Inc.
 
     "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption
date.
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which, at the time of
determination, owns or is a lessee pursuant to a capital lease of any Principal
Property.
 
     "Subsidiary" of a Person means, with respect to any Person, any
corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which at least
a majority the total voting power of the Capital Stock entitled (without regard
to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
     "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield,
under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding
week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated
"H.15(519)" or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on
actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the
caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding to the
comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after
the Remaining Life, yields for the two published
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   64
 
maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be
determined and the Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from such
yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such
release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding
the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal
to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury
Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as
a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
such redemption date. The Treasury Rate will be calculated on the third Business
Day preceding the redemption date.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF REPUBLIC SERVICES
 
     The following restrictions apply to each series of notes.
 
     RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS.  We will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, Incur any Lien on any shares of stock, Indebtedness or other
obligations of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property of Republic Services, Inc.
or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such shares of stock, Indebtedness or other
obligations of a Subsidiary or Principal Property is owned at the date of the
Indenture or thereafter acquired, without in any such case effectively providing
that all the notes will be directly secured equally and ratably with such Lien.
These restrictions do not apply to:
 
          (1) the Incurrence of any Lien on any shares of stock, Indebtedness or
     other obligations of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property acquired after
     the date of the Indenture (including acquisitions by way of merger or
     consolidation) by Republic Services, Inc. or a Restricted Subsidiary
     contemporaneously with such acquisition, or within 120 days thereafter, to
     secure or provide for the payment or financing of any part of the purchase
     price thereof, or the assumption of any Lien upon any shares of stock,
     Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property
     acquired after the date of the Indenture existing at the time of such
     acquisition, or the acquisition of any shares of stock, Indebtedness or
     other obligations of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property subject to any
     Lien without the assumption thereof, provided that every such Lien referred
     to in this clause (1) shall attach only to the shares of stock,
     Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property
     so acquired and fixed improvements thereon;
 
          (2) any Lien on any shares of stock, Indebtedness or other obligations
     of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property existing at the date of the
     Indenture;
 
          (3) any Lien on any shares of stock, Indebtedness or other obligations
     of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property in favor of Republic Services,
     Inc. or any Restricted Subsidiary;
 
          (4) any Lien on Principal Property being constructed or improved
     securing loans to finance such construction or improvements;
 
          (5) any Lien on shares of stock, Indebtedness or other obligations of
     a Subsidiary or any Principal Property Incurred in connection with the
     issuance of tax exempt government obligations; and
 
          (6) any renewal of or substitution for any Lien permitted by any of
     the preceding clauses (1) through (5), provided, in the case of a Lien
     permitted under clause (1), (2) or (4), the debt secured is not increased
     nor the Lien extended to any additional assets.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Republic Services, Inc. or any Restricted
Subsidiary may create or assume Liens in addition to those permitted by clauses
(1) through (6), and renew, extend or
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   65
 
replace such Liens, provided that at the time of such creation, assumption,
renewal, extension or replacement of such Lien, and after giving effect thereto,
together with any sale and leaseback transactions in addition to those permitted
under the covenant entitled "Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions,"
Exempted Debt does not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section
1005)
 
     For the purposes of this "Restrictions on Liens" covenant and the
"Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions" covenant, the giving of a
guarantee which is secured by a Lien on any shares of stock, Indebtedness or
other obligations of a Subsidiary or any Principal Property, and the creation of
a Lien on any shares of stock, Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary
or any Principal Property to secure Indebtedness that existed prior to the
creation of such Lien, shall be deemed to involve the creation of Indebtedness
in an amount equal to the principal amount guaranteed or secured by such Lien.
 
     LIMITATION ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS.  The Indenture provides that
Republic Services, Inc. will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, sell or transfer, directly or indirectly, except to Republic Services, Inc.
or a Restricted Subsidiary, any Principal Property as an entirety, or any
substantial portion thereof, with the intention of taking back a lease of such
property, except a lease for a period of two years or less at the end of which
it is intended that the use of such property by the lessee will be discontinued;
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Republic Services, Inc. or any
Restricted Subsidiary may sell any such Principal Property and lease it back for
a longer period:
 
          (1) if Republic Services, Inc. or such Restricted Subsidiary would be
     entitled, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture described above under
     "Certain Covenants of Republic Services, Inc.--Restrictions on Liens," to
     create a mortgage on the property to be leased securing Funded Debt in an
     amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such sale and
     leaseback transaction without equally and ratably securing the outstanding
     notes; or
 
          (2) if Republic Services, Inc. promptly informs the Trustee of such
     transaction, the net proceeds of such transaction are at least equal to the
     fair value (as determined by board resolution of Republic Services, Inc.)
     of such property, and Republic Services, Inc. causes an amount equal to the
     net proceeds of the sale to be applied to the retirement, within 180 days
     after receipt of such proceeds, of Funded Debt Incurred or assumed by
     Republic Services, Inc. or a Restricted Subsidiary (including the notes);
     provided further that, in lieu of applying all or any part of such net
     proceeds to such retirement, Republic Services, Inc. may, within 75 days
     after such sale or transfer, deliver or cause to be delivered to the
     applicable trustee for cancellation either debentures or notes evidencing
     Funded Debt of Republic Services, Inc. (which may include the outstanding
     notes offered in this prospectus) or of a Restricted Subsidiary previously
     authenticated and delivered by the applicable trustee, and not theretofore
     tendered for sinking fund purposes or called for a sinking fund or
     otherwise applied as a credit against an obligation to redeem or retire
     such notes or debentures. If Republic Services, Inc. so delivers debentures
     or notes to the applicable trustee with an Officers' Certificate, the
     amount of cash that Republic Services, Inc. will be required to apply to
     the retirement of Funded Debt will be reduced by an amount equal to the
     aggregate of the then applicable optional redemption prices (not including
     any optional sinking fund redemption prices) of such debentures or notes,
     or if there are no such redemption prices, the principal amount of such
     debentures or notes, provided, that in the case of debentures or notes
     which provide for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be
     due and payable upon a declaration of the maturity thereof, such amount of
     cash shall be reduced by the amount of principal of such debentures or
     notes that
 
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<PAGE>   66
 
     would be due and payable as of the date of such application upon a
     declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the terms
     of the indenture pursuant to which such debentures or notes were issued; or
 
          (3) if Republic Services, Inc., within 180 days after the sale or
     transfer, applies or causes a Restricted Subsidiary to apply an amount
     equal to the greater of the net proceeds of such sale or transfer or fair
     market value of the Principal Property so sold and leased back at the time
     of entering into such sale and leaseback transaction (in either case as
     determined by board resolution of Republic Services, Inc.) to purchase
     other Principal Property having a fair market value at least equal to the
     fair market value of the Principal Property (or portion thereof) sold or
     transferred in such sale and leaseback transaction.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Republic Services, Inc. or any Restricted
Subsidiary may enter into sale and leaseback transactions in addition to those
permitted in this paragraph and without any obligation to retire any outstanding
notes or other Funded Debt, provided that at the time of entering into such sale
and leaseback transactions and after giving effect thereto, together with any
Liens in addition to those permitted under the covenant entitled "Restrictions
on Liens," Exempted Debt does not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets. (Section 1006)
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS
 
     We may consolidate or merge with, or sell all or substantially all of our
assets to, another corporation as long as we are not in default under the
Indenture and the consolidation, merger or sale does not create a default under
the Indenture. The remaining or acquiring corporation must assume all of our
responsibilities and liabilities under the Indenture, including the payment of
all amounts due on the notes and performance of the covenants. Under these
circumstances, if our properties or assets become subject to a Lien not
permitted by the Indenture, we will equally and ratably secure the notes.
(Section 801)
 
FILING OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The Indenture will require us to file quarterly and annual financial
statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     An event of default under the Indenture with respect to a series of notes
includes the following:
 
     - failure to pay interest on the notes of such series for 30 days;
 
     - failure to pay principal on the notes of such series when due;
 
     - failure to perform any of the other covenants or agreements in the
       Indenture relating to the notes of such series that continues for 60 days
       after notice to us by the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal
       amount of the notes of each affected series then outstanding (voting as
       one class);
 
     - failure to pay when due any obligation of ours or any subsidiary having
       an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $25.0 million that
       continues for 25 days after notice to us by the Trustee or holders of at
       least 25% in principal amount of the notes of each affected series then
       outstanding (voting as one class); or
 
                                       66
<PAGE>   67
 
     - certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us
       or any Subsidiary. (Section 501)
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustee will, with certain exceptions,
notify the holders of the notes of any event of default known to it within 90
days after the occurrence of such event. (Section 602)
 
     If an event of default (other than with respect to certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs and is continuing for the notes
of a series, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the notes of each affected series then outstanding (voting as one class) may
declare the principal amount to be due and payable. In such a case, subject to
certain conditions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes
of each affected series then outstanding (voting as one class) can rescind and
annul such declaration and its consequences. (Section 502)
 
     In the event of a declaration or an acceleration because an event of
default related to the failure to perform or breach of a covenant or agreement
has occurred and is continuing, such declaration or acceleration shall be
automatically rescinded and annulled if the default triggering such event of
default shall be remedied or cured by the Republic Services, Inc. or the
relevant Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within
60 days after the declaration or acceleration with respect thereto.
 
     We are required to file an annual officers' certificate with the Trustee
concerning our compliance with the Indenture. (Section 705) Subject to the
provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, the Trustee
is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or
direction of any of the holders unless they have offered the Trustee security or
indemnity. (Section 603) If the holders provide security or indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding notes of the applicable series during an event of default may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Trustee under the Indenture or exercising any of the Trustee's
trusts or powers with respect to the notes. (Section 512)
 
MODIFICATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE INDENTURE
 
     We may enter into supplemental indentures with the Trustee without the
consent of the holders of the notes to, among other things:
 
     - evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations;
 
     - appoint additional, separate or successor trustees to act under the
       Indenture;
 
     - add covenants for the protection of the holders of one or more series of
       the notes;
 
     - cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the Indenture;
 
     - add guarantees or security; and
 
     - make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of holders of
       the notes of such series. (Section 901)
 
     With the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
notes of all series then outstanding and affected (voting as one class) we may
execute supplemental indentures with the Trustee to add provisions or change or
eliminate any provision of the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or to
modify the rights of the holders of the notes of each series so affected.
 
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<PAGE>   68
 
     Without the consent of the holders of each outstanding note affected, no
such supplemental indenture will, with respect to the notes:
 
     - change their stated maturity;
 
     - reduce their principal amount or their interest rate;
 
     - reduce the principal amount payable upon their acceleration;
 
     - change the place or currency in which they are payable;
 
     - impair the right to institute suit for their enforcement;
 
     - reduce the premium payable upon redemption;
 
     - reduce the percentage in principal amount of notes, the consent of the
       holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture;
 
     - reduce the percentage in principal amount of notes required for waiver of
       compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults;
       or
 
     - modify provisions with respect to modification and waiver. (Section 902)
 
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
 
     At our option, we (1) will be discharged from all obligations under the
Indenture in respect of the notes of a particular series (except for certain
obligations to exchange or register the transfer of the notes of such series,
replace stolen, lost or mutilated notes of such series, maintain paying agencies
and hold monies for payment in trust) or (2) need not comply with certain
restrictive covenants of the Indenture (including the restrictions on Liens)
with respect to the notes of such series, in each case if we deposit with the
Trustee, in trust, money or U.S. government obligations (or a combination
thereof) sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on the
notes of such series when due. In order to select either option, we must provide
the Trustee with an opinion of counsel or a ruling from, or published by, the
Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that holders of the notes of such series
will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes, as if we had
not exercised either option. (Section 404)
 
     In the event we exercise our option under (2) above with respect to the
notes of a particular series and the notes of such series are declared due and
payable because of the occurrence of any event of default other than default
with respect to such obligations, the amount of money and U.S. government
obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on
the notes at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay
amounts due on the notes of such series at the time of the acceleration
resulting from such event of default. We would remain liable, however, for such
amounts. (Sections 403 and 404)
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of New York.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   69
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Bank of New York, Trustee under the Indenture, is a member of the
syndicate of lenders for our credit facility.
 
                UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences
and material U.S. federal estate tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of the notes by investors. The "issue price" is generally the
first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold from their
original issuance other than to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or
organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or
wholesalers. Because the amount payable at maturity will not exceed the issue
price by more than a de minimis amount, as those amounts and issue price are
determined under the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder,
the following discussion assumes the notes will not be issued with original
issue discount for federal income tax purposes.
 
     This summary does not discuss all of the aspects of U.S. federal income and
estate taxation that may be relevant to investors in light of their particular
investment or other circumstances. In addition, this summary does not discuss
any U.S. state or local income or foreign income or other tax consequences. This
summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, the Treasury Regulations and administrative and judicial
interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code, all as in effect as of the date of
this prospectus and all of which are subject to change or differing
interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion below deals
only with the notes held as capital assets as defined in Section 1221 of the
Internal Revenue Code, which is generally property held for investment, and does
not address purchasers of the notes that may be subject to special rules,
including, without limitation, certain U.S. expatriates, financial institutions,
insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, dealers in securities or currencies,
traders in securities, and persons that hold the notes as part of a straddle,
hedge, conversion or other integrated transaction. Prospective investors should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. federal, state and
local and foreign income and other tax consequences of acquiring, owning and
disposing of the notes that may be applicable to them.
 
     For purposes of the following discussion, a U.S. holder is a beneficial
owner of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
 
     - an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
 
     - a corporation or partnership, unless the Internal Revenue Service
       provides otherwise by Treasury Regulation, created or organized in or
       under the laws of the United States or any of its political subdivisions;
 
     - an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation
       regardless of its source; or
 
     - a trust if, in general, the trust is subject to the supervision of a
       court within the United States and the control of one or more United
       States persons as described in section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal
       Revenue Code.
 
     THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL TAX INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. ACCORDINGLY, INVESTORS
CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF NOTES
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   70
 
SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS
AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR
FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
 
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION OF U.S. HOLDERS
 
Payment of Interest
 
     Stated interest on a note generally will be includable in the income of the
U.S. holder of such note as ordinary income at the time such interest is
received or accrued, in accordance with such holder's method of accounting for
United States federal income tax purposes.
 
Amortizable Bond Premium
 
     If a U.S. holder purchases a note for an amount in excess of the principal
amount the holder will be considered to have purchased the note at a "premium."
A U.S. holder generally may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining
term of the note on a constant yield method. However, if the note is purchased
at a time when the note may be optionally redeemed for an amount that is in
excess of its principal amount, special rules would apply that could result in a
smaller premium eligible for amortization during the call period and a deferral
of the amortization of bond premium until later in the term of the note. The
amount amortized in any year will be treated as a reduction of the U.S. holder's
interest income from the note. Bond premium on a note held by a U.S. holder that
does not make such an election will decrease the gain or increase the loss
otherwise recognized on disposition of the note. The election to amortize
premium on a constant yield method, once made, applies to all debt obligations
held or subsequently acquired by electing U.S. holder on or after the first day
of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked
without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Notes
 
     Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a note, a U.S. holder generally
will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between:
 
     (1) the amount of cash proceeds and the fair market value of any property
         received on the sale, exchange or redemption (except to the extent such
         amount is attributable to accrued interest income not previously
         included in income, which is taxable as ordinary income); and
 
     (2) such holder's adjusted tax basis in the note. A holder's adjusted tax
         basis in a note generally will equal the cost of the note to the U.S.
         holder, decreased by any bond premium therefore amortized by the U.S.
         holder with respect to the note. Such capital gain or loss will be
         long-term capital gain or loss if the note was held by the U.S. holder
         for more than 12 months. The net capital gain of an individual derived
         in respect of the notes generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of
         20% if it is long-term capital gain.
 
Market Discount
 
     If a U.S. holder, other than a holder who purchases the notes from the
initial purchasers, purchases a Note for an amount that is less than its
principal amount, the amount of the difference will be treated as "market
discount" for United States federal income tax purposes, unless such
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   71
 
difference is less than a specified de minimus amount. Under the market discount
rules, a U.S. holder will be required to treat any partial principal payment on,
or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a note as
ordinary income to the extent of the market discount which has not previously
been included in income and is treated as having accrued on such note at the
time of such payment or disposition. In addition, the U.S. holder may be
required to defer, until the maturity of the note or its earlier disposition in
a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense
on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such note.
 
     Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period
from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the note, unless the U.S.
holder elects to accrue on a constant interest method. A U.S. holder may elect
to include market discount in income currently as it accrues (on either a
ratable or constant interest method), in which case the rule described above
regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. This election to
include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market
discount obligations acquired on or after the first taxable year to which the
election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal
Revenue Service.
 
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
 
     In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of
principal, premium, if any, and interest of a note and payments of the proceeds
of the sale of a note to certain noncorporate holders, and a 31% backup
withholding tax may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder:
 
     (1) fails to furnish or certify his correct taxpayer identification number
         to the payer in the manner required;
 
     (2) is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he has failed to
         report payments of interest and dividends properly;
 
     (3) under certain circumstances, fails to certify that he has not been
         notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he is subject to backup
         withholding for failure to report interest and dividend payments; or
 
     (4) the Internal Revenue Service notifies us or our paying agent that the
         taxpayer identification number furnished by the U.S. holder is
         incorrect. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from
         a payment to a U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such
         holder's United States federal income tax and may entitle the holder to
         a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the
         Internal Revenue Service.
 
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS
 
     For purposes of the following discussion, a non-U.S. holder is a beneficial
owner of a note that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S.
holder. An individual may, subject to exceptions, be deemed to be a resident
alien, as opposed to a non-resident alien, by virtue of being present in the
United States on at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of
at least 183 days during a three year period ending in the current calendar
year. For this purpose the number of days an individual is present in the U.S.
includes all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days
present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in
the second preceding year. Resident aliens are subject to U.S. federal tax as if
they were U.S. citizens.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>   72
 
     Under present U.S. federal income and estate tax law and subject to the
discussion of backup withholding below:
 
     (1) payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on a note by us or
any of our agents to any non-U.S. holder will not be subject to withholding of
U.S. federal income tax, provided that in the case of interest:
 
     - the non-U.S. holder does not directly or indirectly, actually or
       constructively, own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
       classes of our stock entitled to vote;
 
     - the non-U.S. holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is
       related to us through sufficient stock ownership, or a bank receiving
       interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code;
       and
 
     - either the beneficial owner of the note certifies to us or our agent,
       under penalties of perjury, that it is not a "United States person" under
       the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code and provides its name and
       address, or a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial
       institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of
       its trade or business that holds the note on behalf of the beneficial
       owner certifies to us or our agent under penalties of perjury that it, or
       the financial institution between it and the beneficial owner, has
       received from the beneficial owner a statement, under penalties of
       perjury, that it is not a "United States person" and provides the payor
       with a copy of this statement;
 
     (2) a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any
gain or income realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement at
maturity or other disposition of a note, provided that, in the case of proceeds
representing accrued interest, the conditions described in paragraph (1) above
are met, unless:
 
     - the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States
       for 183 days or more during the taxable year and some other conditions
       are met; or
 
     - the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or
       business by the non-U.S. holder, or if an income tax treaty applies, is
       generally attributable to a U.S. "permanent establishment" maintained by
       the non-U.S. holder; and
 
     (3) a note held by an individual who at the time of death is not a citizen
or resident of the United States will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax
as a result of the individual's death if, at the time of the individual's death:
 
     - the individual did not directly or indirectly, actually or
       constructively, own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
       classes of our stock entitled to vote; and
 
     - the income on the note would not have been effectively connected with the
       conduct of a trade or business by the individual in the United States.
 
     If a non-U.S. holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States
and interest on the note is effectively connected with the conduct of this trade
or business or if an income tax treaty applies and the non-U.S. holder maintains
a U.S. "permanent establishment" to which the interest is generally
attributable, although the non-U.S. holder is exempt from the withholding tax
discussed in the preceding paragraph (1) provided that the holder furnishes a
properly executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or
successor form on or before any payment date to claim the exemption, the holder
may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest on a net basis in the
same manner as if it were a U.S. holder.
 
     In addition, a foreign corporation that is a holder of a note may be
subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected
earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to some adjustments, unless
it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty. For this
 
                                       72
<PAGE>   73
 
purpose, interest on a note or gain recognized on the disposition of a note will
be included in earnings and profits if the interest or gain is effectively
connected with the conduct by the foreign corporation of a trade or business in
the United States.
 
     Republic Services will, where required, report to the holder of notes and
the Internal Revenue Service the amount of any interest paid on the notes in
each calendar year and the amounts of tax withheld, if any, with respect to such
payments. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under
the provisions of a specific treaty agreement to the tax authorities of the
country in which the non-U.S. holder resides.
 
     Recently finalized Treasury Regulations generally effective for payments
made after December 31, 2000 will provide alternative methods for satisfying the
certification requirement described in the third bullet point of paragraph (1)
above and will require a non-U.S. holder that provides an Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8ECI or successor form as discussed above, as well as a non-U.S.
holder claiming the benefit of an income tax treaty, to also provide its U.S.
taxpayer identification number. The finalized Treasury Regulation generally also
will require, in the case of a note held by a foreign partnership, that the
certification described in the third bullet point of paragraph (1) above be
provided by the partners and that the partnership provide certain information,
including a U.S. taxpayer identification number. A look-through rule will apply
in the case of tiered partnerships.
 
     Under current Treasury Regulations, backup withholding and information
reporting will not apply to payments made by us or any of our agents, in their
capacities as agents, to a non-U.S. holder of a note if the holder has provided
the required certification that it is not a United States person as set forth in
paragraph (1) above, provided that neither we nor our agent has actual knowledge
that the holder is a United States person. We or our agent may, however, report
payments of interest on the notes. Payments of the proceeds from a disposition
by a non-U.S. holder of a note made to or through a foreign office of a broker
will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding, except that
information reporting may apply to those payments if the broker is
 
     - a United States person,
 
     - a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
 
     - a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively
       connected with a U.S. trade or business for a specified three year period
       or
 
     - with respect to payments made after December 31, 2000, a foreign
       partnership, if at any time during its tax year, one or more of its
       partners are U.S. persons, as defined in Treasury Regulations, who in the
       aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the
       partnership or if, at any time during its tax year, the foreign
       partnership is engaged in a U.S. trade or business.
 
     Payments of the proceeds from a disposition by a non-U.S. holder of a note
made to or through the U.S. office of a broker are subject to information
reporting and backup withholding unless the holder or beneficial owner certifies
as to its taxpayer identification number or otherwise establishes an exemption
from information reporting and backup withholding.
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
non-U.S. holder would be allowed as a refund or a credit against the holder's
U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is
furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
                                       73
<PAGE>   74
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
GENERAL
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a purchase agreement among
our company and each of Banc of America Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as joint book-running managers, and Banc
One Capital Markets, Inc., Chase Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.,
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Salomon Smith Barney
Inc., we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters
severally and not jointly has agreed to purchase from us, the aggregate
principal amount of each series of the notes set forth opposite its name below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PRINCIPAL          PRINCIPAL
                                                            AMOUNT OF          AMOUNT OF
UNDERWRITERS                                              NOTES DUE 2004     NOTES DUE 2009
- ------------                                              --------------     --------------
<S>                                                      <C>                <C>
Banc of America Securities LLC.........................     $78,750,000       $131,250,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated .............................      78,750,000        131,250,000
Banc One Capital Markets, Inc..........................      13,500,000         22,500,000
Chase Securities Inc...................................      13,500,000         22,500,000
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc...........................      13,500,000         22,500,000
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation....      13,500,000         22,500,000
Salomon Smith Barney Inc...............................      13,500,000         22,500,000
                                                           ------------       ------------
             Total.....................................    $225,000,000       $375,000,000
                                                           ============       ============
</TABLE>
 
     The several underwriters have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions
included in the purchase agreement, to purchase all of the notes being sold
under the agreement, if any of the notes being sold under the agreement are
purchased. In the event of a default by an underwriter, the purchase agreement
provides that, in certain circumstances, the purchase commitments of the
nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the purchase agreement may be
terminated.
 
     We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against some liabilities,
including some liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those
liabilities.
 
     The notes are being offered by the several underwriters, subject to prior
sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of
legal matters by counsel for the underwriters and other conditions. The
underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify such offer and to
reject orders in whole or in part.
 
CONCESSIONS AND DISCOUNTS
 
     The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer the
notes to the public at the initial public offering prices set forth on the cover
page of this prospectus, and to dealers at such prices, less the concessions
shown below. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, discounts
on the notes to other dealers at the discounts shown below. After the initial
public offerings, the public offering prices, concessions and discounts may be
changed.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NOTES DUE 2004   NOTES DUE 2009
                                                         --------------   --------------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>
Concession.............................................       .35%             .40%
Discount...............................................       .25%             .25%
</TABLE>
 
                                       74
<PAGE>   75
 
     The expenses of the offering, exclusive of the underwriting discount, are
estimated at approximately $1.1 million and are payable by us.
 
NO SALES OF SIMILAR SECURITIES
 
     We have agreed, subject to exceptions, not to directly or indirectly offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for
the sale of, lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any debt securities (other
than, in each case, in connection with an extension or amendment of our
revolving credit facility, replacement of our revolving credit facility with
another credit facility, or entering into a credit facility to purchase or lease
equipment) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
debt securities, or file a registration statement under the Securities Act with
respect to the foregoing, without the prior written consent of Banc of America
Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch on behalf of the underwriters for a period of
90 days after the date of this prospectus.
 
NEW ISSUE OF NOTES
 
     The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any national securities
exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system.
We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a
market in the notes after the consummation of the offering contemplated hereby,
although they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any
market-making activities at any time without any notice. No assurance can be
given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active
public market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for
the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be
adversely affected.
 
NASD REGULATIONS
 
     Part of the proceeds of the offering will be used to repay borrowings under
our revolving credit facility. Because more than 10% of the net proceeds of the
offering may be paid to members or affiliates of members of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. participating in the offering, the
offering will be conducted in accordance with NASD Conduct Rule 2710(c)(8).
 
PRICE STABILIZATION AND SHORT POSITIONS
 
     In connection with the offering, the underwriters are permitted to engage
in transactions that stabilize the market price of the notes. These transactions
consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining
the price of the notes. If the underwriters create a short position in the notes
in connection with the offering, i.e., if they sell more notes than are set
forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the underwriters may reduce that
short position by purchasing notes in the open market. In general, purchases of
a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could
cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of
such purchases.
 
     Neither our company nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above may have on the price of the notes. In addition, neither our
company nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the
underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once
commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>   76
 
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
 
     Some of the underwriters and their affiliates engage in transactions with,
and perform services for, our company in the ordinary course of business and
have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking and investment
banking transactions with our company, for which they have received customary
compensation. Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank Securities and Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette were U.S. representatives of the underwriters in our initial public
offering in July 1998, and Banc of America Securities LLC and Salomon Smith
Barney each participated in the underwriting syndicate for our initial public
offering.
 
     Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank Securities, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and
Salomon Smith Barney served as U.S. representatives of the underwriters in a
secondary public offering by our selling stockholder in April 1999. Banc of
America Securities LLC participated in the underwriting syndicate for the
secondary offering.
 
     Bank of America NTSA is the administrative agent for our credit facility.
Banc of America Securities LLC is an affiliate of Bank of America NTSA. The
Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG, The First National Bank
of Chicago and NationsBank, N.A. are each members of the syndicate of lenders
under our credit facility. Chase Securities Inc. is an affiliate of The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Salomon Smith Barney is an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., Deutsche
Bank Securities is an affiliate of Deutsche Bank AG, Banc One Capital Markets,
Inc. is an affiliate of The First National Bank of Chicago and Banc of America
Securities LLC is an affiliate of NationsBank, N.A.
 
     We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to pay some of the
amounts outstanding under our credit facility. Each member of the lending
syndicate will receive a portion of the net proceeds of this offering toward the
reduction of these amounts under our credit facility.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Legal matters regarding the validity of the notes offered under this
prospectus will be passed upon on our behalf by Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson,
P.A., Miami, Florida. Some attorneys employed by Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson,
P.A. own shares of our common stock. Legal matters relating to the offering will
be passed upon for the underwriters by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
(a partnership including professional corporations), New York, New York.
Akerman, Senterfitt and Eidson, P.A. will rely on Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver
& Jacobson with respect to New York law.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and schedule for each of the three
years ended December 31, 1998, included in this prospectus and registration
statement, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified
public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving
said reports.
 
                                       76
<PAGE>   77
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act to register the notes being
offered by Republic Services under this prospectus. This prospectus does not
contain all of the information in the registration statement, certain portions
of which are omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the
Commission. For further information pertaining to our company and the notes
being offered, reference is made to the registration statement, including its
exhibits and the financial statements, notes and schedules filed as a part
thereof. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any
contract or other document referred to herein or therein are not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of the contract or
other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or other
document, each statement being qualified in all respects by the reference.
 
     Our company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act and, in accordance therewith, will file reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. The reports, proxy statements and other
information, as well as the registration statement and its exhibits and
schedules, may be inspected, without charge, at the public reference facility
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices located
at Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048 and Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511.
Copies of the materials may also be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. The materials can also be inspected at the offices of the
NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 or on the Commission's site on
the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                       77
<PAGE>   78
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants..........   F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and
  1997......................................................   F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the Three
  Years Ended December 31, 1998.............................   F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of
  the Three Years Ended December 31, 1998...................   F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the Three
  Years Ended December 31, 1998.............................   F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................   F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   79
 
               REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Republic Services, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Republic
Services, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998
and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Republic Services, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
January 28, 1999, except with respect to the
matters discussed in Note 12, as to which
the date is May 3, 1999.
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   80
 
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                               MARCH 31,    -------------------
                                                                 1999         1998       1997
                                                              -----------   --------   --------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>        <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................    $   15.3    $  556.6   $     --
  Restricted cash...........................................         6.8         7.1       18.8
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $22.1 and $13.6 at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
     respectively...........................................       207.8       182.7      131.0
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................        43.7        37.6       26.1
                                                                --------    --------   --------
          Total Current Assets..............................       273.6       784.0      175.9
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET.................................     1,391.4     1,096.1      801.8
INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS, NET............................     1,123.3       932.0      370.3
                                                                --------    --------   --------
                                                                $2,788.3    $2,812.1   $1,348.0
                                                                ========    ========   ========
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable..........................................    $   45.0    $   64.7   $   40.2
  Accrued liabilities.......................................       156.5       146.2       57.6
  Deferred revenue..........................................        52.0        46.6       29.5
  Due to Republic Industries................................          --          --      266.1
  Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt....       385.2       499.9       10.8
  Other current liabilities.................................        54.9        26.4       19.9
                                                                --------    --------   --------
          Total Current Liabilities.........................       693.6       783.8      424.1
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES...................       557.4       557.2       64.3
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL AND LANDFILL COSTS....................       102.1        77.3       46.0
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.......................................        73.9        71.4       47.5
OTHER LIABILITIES...........................................        16.8        23.3       15.3
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Investment by Republic Industries.........................          --          --      749.8
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 50,000,000
     shares authorized; none issued.........................          --          --         --
  Common stock:
     Class A, par value $.01 per share; 250,000,000 shares
       authorized; 79,724,417 and none issued and
       outstanding, respectively............................         1.8          .8         --
     Class B, par value $.01 per share; 125,000,000 shares
       authorized; 95,688,083 shares issued and
       outstanding..........................................          --         1.0        1.0
  Additional paid-in capital................................     1,205.5     1,203.5         --
  Retained earnings.........................................       137.2        93.8         --
                                                                --------    --------   --------
          Total Stockholders' Equity........................     1,344.5     1,299.1      750.8
                                                                --------    --------   --------
                                                                $2,788.3    $2,812.1   $1,348.0
                                                                ========    ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   81
 
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                      MARCH 31,           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                 -------------------   ------------------------------
                                                   1999       1998       1998       1997       1996
                                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
REVENUE........................................  $  403.5   $  300.8   $1,369.1   $1,127.7   $  953.3
EXPENSES:
  Cost of operations...........................     244.7      185.9      842.7      723.0      628.3
  Depreciation, amortization and depletion.....      33.4       23.8      106.3       86.1       75.3
  Selling, general and administrative..........      46.0       32.1      135.8      117.3      135.3
  Restructuring and other charges..............        --         --         --         --        8.8
                                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
OPERATING INCOME...............................      79.4       59.0      284.3      201.3      105.6
INTEREST EXPENSE...............................     (11.3)      (5.4)     (44.7)     (25.9)     (29.7)
INTEREST INCOME................................       2.6         .5        1.5        4.9       11.7
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET....................       (.1)        .3        (.9)       1.8        2.2
                                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES.....................      70.6       54.4      240.2      182.1       89.8
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.....................      27.2       19.6       86.5       65.9       38.0
                                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
NET INCOME.....................................  $   43.4   $   34.8   $  153.7   $  116.2   $   51.8
                                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE...........  $    .25   $    .36   $   1.13   $   1.21   $    .54
                                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT
  SHARES OUTSTANDING...........................     175.4       95.7      135.6       95.7       95.7
                                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   82
 
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   INVESTMENT      COMMON STOCK      ADDITIONAL
                                                   BY REPUBLIC   -----------------    PAID-IN     RETAINED
                                                   INDUSTRIES    CLASS A   CLASS B    CAPITAL     EARNINGS
                                                   -----------   -------   -------   ----------   --------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995.....................   $   371.2     $ --      $1.0      $     --     $   --
  Net income.....................................        51.8       --        --            --         --
  Business acquisitions contributed by Republic
     Industries..................................        79.7       --        --            --         --
  Other..........................................        (9.2)      --        --            --         --
                                                    ---------     ----      ----      --------     ------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996.....................       493.5       --       1.0            --         --
  Net income.....................................       116.2       --        --            --         --
  Business acquisitions contributed by Republic
     Industries..................................       148.4       --        --            --         --
  Investment in Resources........................       (17.4)      --        --            --         --
  Other..........................................         9.1       --        --            --         --
                                                    ---------     ----      ----      --------     ------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997.....................       749.8       --       1.0            --         --
  Net income.....................................        59.9       --        --            --       93.8
  Business acquisitions contributed by Republic
     Industries..................................       128.3       --        --            --         --
  Dividend to Republic Industries................    (2,000.0)      --        --            --         --
  Dividend from Resources........................       437.3       --        --            --         --
  Transfer to additional paid-in capital.........       624.7       --        --        (624.7)        --
  Issuance of Class A Common Stock to Republic
     Industries..................................          --       .2        --         395.2         --
  Sale of Class A Common Stock...................          --       .6        --       1,433.0         --
                                                    ---------     ----      ----      --------     ------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998.....................          --       .8       1.0       1,203.5       93.8
                                                    ---------     ----      ----      --------     ------
  Net income.....................................          --       --        --            --       43.4
  Conversion of Common Stock owned by AutoNation,
     Inc.........................................          --      1.0      (1.0)           --         --
  Issuance of compensatory stock options.........          --       --        --           2.0         --
                                                    ---------     ----      ----      --------     ------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1999........................   $      --     $1.8      $ --      $1,205.5     $137.2
                                                    =========     ====      ====      ========     ======
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   83
 
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  MARCH 31,             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            ---------------------   ---------------------------------
                                              1999        1998        1998        1997        1996
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income..............................  $    43.4   $    34.8   $   153.7   $   116.2   $    51.8
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to
     net cash provided by operating
     activities:
     Depreciation, amortization and
       depletion of property and
       equipment..........................       26.3        20.3        88.6        76.1        66.6
     Amortization of intangible assets....        7.1         3.5        17.7        10.0         8.7
     Deferred tax provision...............        7.1         7.6        19.2        36.5         3.2
     Non-cash charge......................        2.0          --          --          --          --
     Changes in assets and liabilities,
       net of effects from business
       acquisitions:
       Accounts receivable................      (22.6)       (3.3)      (41.8)      (15.6)      (16.4)
       Prepaid expenses and other
          assets..........................       (6.4)       (2.9)      (11.3)       17.4         7.0
       Accounts payable and accrued
          liabilities.....................      (18.4)       (3.0)      (14.1)      (26.7)      (32.0)
       Other liabilities..................       25.5        23.3        59.1        65.5        54.6
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                 64.0        80.3       271.1       279.4       143.5
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and equipment.....      (55.7)      (29.0)     (193.0)     (165.3)     (146.9)
  Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash
     acquired.............................     (432.5)        1.8      (425.2)        2.7         1.2
  Other...................................        (.9)        6.0        10.8        (5.5)      (30.0)
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                               (489.1)      (21.2)     (607.4)     (168.1)     (175.7)
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING
  ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from the sale of common
     stock................................         --          --     1,433.6          --          --
  Proceeds from notes payable and
     long-term debt.......................        1.3          .5        10.6         5.2        44.5
  Payments of notes payable and long-term
     debt.................................      (15.5)      (16.3)      (61.8)     (100.2)      (91.4)
  Increase (decrease) in amounts due to
     Republic Industries..................         --       (27.3)   (1,469.5)      (47.3)      166.9
  Net proceeds from (payments on)
     revolving credit facility............     (102.0)         --       980.0          --          --
  Other...................................         --       (16.0)         --         6.8       (99.7)
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                               (116.2)      (59.1)      892.9      (135.5)       20.3
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS.............................     (541.3)         --       556.6       (24.2)      (11.9)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF
  PERIOD..................................      556.6          --          --        24.2        36.1
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF
  PERIOD..................................  $    15.3   $      --   $   556.6   $      --   $    24.2
                                            =========   =========   =========   =========   =========
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   84
 
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                (ALL TABLES IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
   (INFORMATION RELATED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998 IS
                                   UNAUDITED)
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of
Republic Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company"). As of December 31,
1998, approximately 63.9% of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per
share ("Common Stock," which is designated when issued as either "Class A Common
Stock" or "Class B Common Stock"), was owned by Republic Industries, Inc.
("Republic Industries"). The Company provides non-hazardous solid waste
collection and disposal services in the United States. All material intercompany
transactions have been eliminated.
 
     The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements exclude the accounts of
the Company's formerly wholly owned subsidiary, Republic Resources Company, Inc.
("Resources"), all of the common stock of which was distributed to Republic
Industries in June 1998. The Company and Resources have been in dissimilar
businesses, have been managed and financed historically as if they were
autonomous, have had no more than incidental common facilities and costs, have
been operated and financed autonomously after the distribution of Resources to
Republic Industries, and have no financial commitments, guarantees, or
contingent liabilities to each other following the distribution. Based on these
facts, the accounts of Resources have been excluded from the Company's
consolidated financial statements as the Company has elected to characterize the
distribution of Resources as resulting in a change in the reporting entity.
 
     In the opinion of management, the Unaudited Consolidated Financial
Statements contain all material adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring
adjustments, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of
the Company at March 31, 1999 and the consolidated results of operations and
cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998. Income taxes
during these interim periods have been provided for based upon the Company's
anticipated annual effective income tax rate. Operating results for these
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be
expected for a full year.
 
     The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the accounts of
the Company as a subsidiary of Republic Industries subject to corporate general
and administrative expense allocations or charges under the Services Agreement
as described in Note 10, Related Party Transactions. Such information does not
necessarily reflect the financial position or results of operations of the
Company as a separate, stand-alone entity.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
     All historical share and per share data of the Company's Common Stock for
all periods included in the consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto have been retroactively adjusted for the recapitalization of 100 shares
of the Company's common stock previously held by Republic Industries
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   85
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
into 95,688,083 shares of Class B Common Stock in July 1998, as more fully
described in Note 6, Stockholders' Equity.
 
     In May 1998, Republic Industries announced its intention to separate the
Company from Republic Industries (the "Separation"). Republic Industries also
announced its intention to distribute its remaining shares of Common Stock in
the Company as of the distribution date to Republic Industries' shareholders in
1999, subject to certain conditions and consents (the "Distribution"). The
Company and Republic Industries have entered into certain agreements providing
for the Separation and the Distribution, and the governing of various interim
and ongoing relationships between the companies. The Distribution was
conditioned, in part, on Republic Industries obtaining a private letter ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") to the effect that, among other
things, the Distribution will qualify as a tax-free distribution for federal
income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, in form and substance satisfactory to Republic Industries. In July 1998
Republic Industries filed its application for the private letter ruling with the
IRS. See also Note 12, Subsequent Events, for further information.
 
     In July 1998, the Company completed an initial public offering of
approximately 63.2 million shares of its Class A Common Stock ("Initial Public
Offering") resulting in net proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion. In addition,
in July 1998 the Company repaid in full all remaining amounts due to Republic
Industries as of June 30, 1998 through the issuance of shares of Class A Common
Stock and through all of the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering.
Following the Initial Public Offering and the repayment of amounts due to
Republic Industries, approximately 63.9% of the outstanding shares of Class A
and Class B Common Stock which represents approximately 88.7% of the combined
voting power of all of the outstanding shares of the Class A and Class B Common
Stock were owned by Republic Industries.
 
     The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations data
for the year ended December 31, 1998 has been prepared assuming the Initial
Public Offering and the repayment in full of the amounts due to Republic
Industries had occurred as of January 1, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Operating income............................................  $284.3
Interest expense............................................    (7.4)
Interest income.............................................     1.5
Other income (expense), net.................................     (.9)
                                                              ------
Income before income taxes..................................   277.5
Provision for income taxes..................................    99.9
                                                              ------
Net income..................................................  $177.6
                                                              ======
Basic and diluted earnings per share........................  $ 1.01
                                                              ======
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding...............................................   175.4
                                                              ======
</TABLE>
 
     The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations data are
provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed to be
indicative of the Company's consolidated results of operations had the
transactions and events described above been consummated on the date assumed and
do not project the Company's results of operations for any future date or
period.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   86
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period balance sheet
to conform to the current presentation.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
RESTRICTED CASH
 
     Restricted cash consists of amounts held in trust as a financial guaranty
of the Company's performance as well as funds restricted for capital
expenditures under certain debt facilities.
 
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
 
     Other current assets consist primarily of inventories and short-term notes
receivable. Inventories totaled approximately $13.3 million and $11.7 million at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, and consist primarily of equipment
parts, compost materials and supplies that are valued under a method that
approximates the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major
additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are
charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed
of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts
and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
 
     The Company revises the estimated useful lives of property and equipment
acquired through business acquisitions to conform with its policies regarding
property and equipment. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives
of the assets involved using the straight-line method. The estimated useful
lives are: twenty to forty years for buildings and improvements, three to
fifteen years for trucks and equipment, and five to ten years for furniture and
fixtures.
 
     Landfills are stated at cost and are depleted based on consumed airspace.
Landfill improvements include direct costs incurred to obtain a landfill permit
and direct costs incurred to construct and develop the site. These costs are
depleted based on consumed airspace. All indirect landfill development costs are
expensed as incurred.
 
     Interest costs are capitalized in connection with the construction of
landfill sites. Interest capitalized was $.8 million, $.8 million and $1.8
million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   87
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     A summary of property and equipment is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                         MARCH 31,    --------------------
                                                           1999         1998        1997
                                                        -----------   --------    --------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>         <C>
Land, landfills and improvements......................    $  903.3    $  611.7    $  420.1
Furniture, fixtures, trucks and equipment.............       826.3       806.8       668.9
Buildings and improvements............................       154.7       150.6       126.6
                                                          --------    --------    --------
                                                           1,884.3     1,569.1     1,215.6
Less: accumulated depreciation, amortization and
  depletion...........................................      (492.9)     (473.0)     (413.8)
                                                          --------    --------    --------
                                                          $1,391.4    $1,096.1    $  801.8
                                                          ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have
occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of property and
equipment or whether the remaining balance of property and equipment should be
evaluated for possible impairment. The Company uses an estimate of the related
undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the property and equipment in
measuring their recoverability.
 
INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS
 
     Intangible and other assets consist primarily of the cost of acquired
businesses in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired and other
intangible assets. The cost in excess of the fair value of net assets is
amortized over forty years on a straight-line basis. Other intangible assets
include values assigned to customer lists, long-term contracts and covenants not
to compete and are amortized generally over periods ranging from 5 to 25 years.
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets was $73.0 million and $57.9
million at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
 
     The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have
occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of intangible
assets or whether the remaining balance of intangible assets should be evaluated
for possible impairment. The Company uses an estimate of the related
undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the intangible assets in
measuring their recoverability.
 
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
     A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ---------------
                                                               1998     1997
                                                              ------   ------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Amounts due former owners of acquired businesses............  $ 26.7   $   --
Accrued payroll and benefits................................    25.7     17.0
Accrued disposal costs......................................    16.1      5.1
Accrued fees and taxes......................................    12.7      5.4
Other.......................................................    65.0     30.1
                                                              ------   ------
                                                              $146.2   $ 57.6
                                                              ======   ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   88
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL AND LANDFILL COSTS
 
     A summary of accrued environmental and landfill costs is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------
                                                              1998    1997
                                                              -----   -----
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>
Accrued landfill site closure/post-closure costs............  $73.4   $47.3
Accrued environmental costs.................................    9.5     8.6
                                                              -----   -----
                                                               82.9    55.9
Less: current portion (included in other current
  liabilities)..............................................   (5.6)   (9.9)
                                                              -----   -----
                                                              $77.3   $46.0
                                                              =====   =====
</TABLE>
 
     Landfill site closure and post-closure costs include estimated costs to be
incurred for final closure of the landfills and estimated costs for providing
required post-closure monitoring and maintenance of landfills. These costs are
accrued based on consumed airspace. Available airspace is generally based on
estimates of remaining permitted and likely to be permitted airspace developed
by independent engineers together with the Company's engineers and accounting
personnel utilizing information provided by aerial surveys of landfills which
are generally performed annually. These aerial surveys form the basis for the
volume available for disposal. Accruals for closure and post-closure costs
totaled approximately $11.4 million, $7.9 million and $4.4 million during the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Estimated aggregate
closure and post-closure costs will be fully accrued for these landfills at the
time that such facilities cease to accept waste and are closed. At December 31,
1998, approximately $370.5 million of such costs are to be expensed over the
remaining lives of these facilities. The Company estimates its future cost
requirements for closure and post-closure monitoring and maintenance for its
solid waste facilities based on its interpretation of the technical standards of
the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Subtitle D regulations.
These estimates do not take into account discounts for the present value of such
total estimated costs. The Company periodically reassesses such costs based on
various methods and assumptions regarding landfill airspace and the technical
requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency's Subtitle D regulations and
adjusts such accruals accordingly.
 
     In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to ongoing
environmental investigations by certain regulatory agencies, as well as other
claims and disputes that could result in litigation. Environmental costs are
accrued by the Company through a charge to income in the period such liabilities
become probable and can be reasonably estimated. No material amounts were
charged to expense during the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
     Revenue consists primarily of collection fees from commercial, industrial,
residential and municipal customers and transfer and landfill disposal fees
charged to third parties. Collection, transfer and disposal, recycling and other
services accounted for approximately 78.7%, 10.1%, 3.1% and 8.1%, respectively,
of consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 1998. Advance billings
are recorded as deferred revenue and revenue is recognized over the period in
which services are provided. No one customer has individually accounted for more
than 10.0% of the Company's consolidated revenues in any of the past three
years.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   89
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
INCOME TAXES
 
     Effective with the Initial Public Offering on July 1, 1998, the Company is
no longer included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Republic
Industries. For the periods prior to the Initial Public Offering, all tax
amounts have been recorded as if the Company filed a separate federal tax
return. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes." Accordingly, deferred income taxes have been
provided to show the effect of temporary differences between the recognition of
revenue and expenses for financial and income tax reporting purposes and between
the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the
financial statements.
 
     Certain businesses acquired in 1997 and 1996 and accounted for under the
pooling of interests method of accounting were subchapter S corporations for
income tax purposes. The subchapter S corporation status of these companies was
terminated effective with the closing date of the acquisitions. For purposes of
these Consolidated Financial Statements, federal and state income taxes have
been recorded as if these companies had filed subchapter C corporation tax
returns for the pre-acquisition periods, and the current income tax expense is
reflected in shareholders' equity. Pre-acquisition income taxes related to
pooled S corporations recorded in the consolidated financial statements were $0
million and $4.0 million during the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
     Earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the number of
common shares outstanding during the period after giving retroactive effect to
the recapitalization of the 100 shares of common stock held by Republic
Industries into 95,688,083 shares of Class B Common Stock. Diluted earnings per
share equals basic earnings per share for all periods presented since there was
substantially no dilutive effect of common share equivalents outstanding during
the periods presented. See Note 7, Stock Options, for further information
regarding stock options which could potentially dilute earnings per share in
future periods.
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
     The Company has no components of other comprehensive income. Accordingly,
net income equals comprehensive income for all periods presented.
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
     The Company considers all highly liquid investments with purchased
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The effect of
non-cash transactions related to business combinations, as discussed in Note 3,
Business Combinations, and other non-cash transactions are excluded from the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
     The Company made interest payments on notes payable and long-term debt of
approximately $44.8 million, $25.1 million and $30.1 million for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company made income tax
payments of approximately $65.4 million, $29.4 million and $31.7 million for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   90
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash,
receivables, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value
due to the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amounts of notes
payable and long-term debt approximate fair value because interest rates
generally are variable and, accordingly, approximate current market rates.
 
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
     The Company provides services to commercial, industrial, municipal and
residential customers in the United States. Concentrations of credit risk with
respect to trade receivables are limited due to the wide variety of customers
and markets in which services are provided as well as their dispersion across
many geographic areas in the United States. The Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers, but does not require collateral to support
customer receivables. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts
based on factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical
trends and other information.
 
3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
     Republic Industries has acquired various businesses operating in the solid
waste services industry using cash and/or shares of its common stock ("Republic
Industries Common Stock"). These businesses were contributed by Republic
Industries to the Company subsequent to their acquisition. The Company has
applied the same accounting method used by Republic Industries in accounting for
business combinations.
 
     Significant businesses acquired and accounted for under the pooling of
interests method of accounting have been included retroactively in the
Consolidated Financial Statements as if the companies had operated as one entity
since inception. Businesses acquired and accounted for under the purchase method
of accounting are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the
date of acquisition. The value of the Republic Industries Common Stock issued to
effect business combinations accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting is based on the average market price of Republic Industries Common
Stock over a five day period before and after the parties have reached agreement
on the purchase price and the proposed transaction has been publicly announced,
if applicable.
 
     In September 1998, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with
Waste Management, Inc. ("Waste Management") to acquire certain assets. The
assets to be acquired include 16 landfills, 11 transfer stations and 136
collection routes across the United States as well as disposal agreements at
various Waste Management sites, and will be accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting. At December 31, 1998, closings had been completed for 6
landfills, 7 transfer stations and all 136 of the collection routes discussed
above, at a purchase price of approximately $200.8 million consisting of cash
and certain properties.
 
     During the year ended 1998, Republic Industries acquired various solid
waste services businesses which were contributed to the Company. The aggregate
purchase price paid by Republic Industries in transactions accounted for under
the purchase method of accounting was $128.3 million, consisting of $60.3
million in cash and approximately 3.4 million shares of Republic Industries
Common Stock
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   91
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
valued at $68.0 million. Subsequent to the Initial Public Offering, the Company
acquired various solid waste businesses. The aggregate purchase price paid by
the Company in transactions accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting was $450.5 million consisting of cash and certain properties.
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1997, Republic Industries acquired
various solid waste services businesses which were contributed to the Company.
The aggregate purchase price paid by Republic Industries in transactions
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting was $147.9 million
consisting of $11.5 million in cash and 5.7 million shares of Republic
Industries Common Stock valued at $136.4 million. In addition, Republic
Industries issued an aggregate of 34.1 million shares of Republic Industries
Common Stock in transactions accounted for under the pooling of interests method
of accounting. Included in the shares of Republic Industries Common Stock issued
in acquisitions accounted for under the pooling of interests method of
accounting are approximately 0.3 million shares issued for acquisitions that
were not material individually or in the aggregate and, consequently, prior
period financial statements were not restated for such acquisitions.
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1996, Republic Industries acquired
various solid waste services businesses which were contributed to the Company.
The aggregate purchase price paid by Republic Industries in transactions
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting was $87.6 million,
consisting of $16.9 million in cash and 6.6 million shares of Republic
Industries Common Stock valued at $70.7 million. In addition, Republic
Industries issued an aggregate of 40.0 million shares of Republic Industries
Common Stock in transactions accounted for under the pooling of interests method
of accounting. Included in the shares of Republic Industries Common Stock issued
in acquisitions accounted for under the pooling of interests method of
accounting are approximately 1.1 million shares issued for acquisitions that
were not material individually or in the aggregate and, consequently, prior
period financial statements were not restated for such acquisitions.
 
     The following summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocations for
business combinations accounted for under the purchase method of accounting:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                              MARCH 31,         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         -------------------   ---------------------------
                                           1999       1998      1998       1997      1996
                                         --------   --------   -------    ------    ------
                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
Property and equipment.................  $ 295.7    $  13.2    $ 180.3    $ 36.8    $ 71.8
Cost in excess of net assets
  acquired.............................    206.1      109.7      572.4     149.1      73.6
Working capital deficit................    (44.0)      (8.0)    (108.0)    (18.0)    (20.3)
Long-term debt assumed.................     (1.7)     (13.8)     (51.7)    (26.8)    (27.1)
Other assets (liabilities).............    (23.6)      (1.2)     (39.5)      4.6     (19.5)
Investment by Republic Industries......       --     (101.7)    (128.3)   (148.4)    (79.7)
                                         -------    -------    -------    ------    ------
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash
  acquired.............................  $ 432.5    $  (1.8)   $ 425.2    $ (2.7)   $ (1.2)
                                         =======    =======    =======    ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   92
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The Company's unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations
assuming acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting had
occurred at the beginning of the periods presented are as follows for the years
ended December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1998       1997
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Revenue.....................................................  $1,552.0   $1,392.9
Income from continuing operations...........................     155.5      116.1
Basic and diluted earnings per share........................      1.15       1.21
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding...............................................     135.6       95.7
</TABLE>
 
     The unaudited pro forma results of operations are presented for
informational purposes only and may not necessarily reflect the future results
of operations of the Company or what the results of operations would have been
had the Company owned and operated these businesses as of the beginning of the
periods presented.
 
4. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     Notes payable and long-term debt are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------
                                                               1998       1997
                                                              -------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
$1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility; interest
  payable using LIBOR based rates (6.4% at December 31,
  1998); $500.0 million matures July 1999 and $500.0 million
  matures 2003..............................................  $ 980.0    $    --
Bonds payable under loan agreements with California
  Pollution Control Financing Authority; interest at
  prevailing market rates (4.3% and 5.0% at December 31,
  1998 and 1997, respectively)..............................     42.0       43.1
Other notes; secured by real property, equipment and other
  assets; interest rates ranging from 4% to 10%; maturing
  through 2009..............................................     35.1       32.0
                                                              -------    -------
                                                              1,057.1       75.1
Less: current portion.......................................   (499.9)     (10.8)
                                                              -------    -------
                                                              $ 557.2    $  64.3
                                                              =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1998, aggregate maturities of notes payable and long-term
debt are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
1999........................................................  $  499.9
2000........................................................       7.0
2001........................................................       4.5
2002........................................................       4.0
2003........................................................     503.5
Thereafter..................................................      38.2
                                                              --------
                                                              $1,057.1
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     The unsecured revolving credit facility and the loan agreements with the
California Pollution Control Financing Authority require the Company to maintain
certain financial ratios and comply with certain financial covenants. At
December 31, 1998, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants
under these agreements.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   93
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
5. INCOME TAXES
 
     The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended
December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1998    1997    1996
                                                              ------   -----   -----
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>     <C>
Current:
  Federal...................................................  $ 59.8   $20.9   $30.1
  State.....................................................     7.5     8.5     4.7
Federal and state deferred..................................    23.2    36.5     2.4
Change in valuation allowance...............................    (4.0)     --     0.8
                                                              ------   -----   -----
Provision for income taxes..................................  $ 86.5   $65.9   $38.0
                                                              ======   =====   =====
</TABLE>
 
     A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company's
effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 is shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1998    1997    1996
                                                              ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate...........................  35.0%   35.0%   35.0%
Non-deductible expenses.....................................   1.3     1.5     2.6
State income taxes, net of federal benefit..................   2.1     2.0     3.6
Other, net..................................................  (2.4)   (2.3)    1.1
                                                              ----    ----    ----
Effective income tax rate...................................  36.0%   36.2%   42.3%
                                                              ====    ====    ====
</TABLE>
 
     Components of the net deferred income tax liability in the accompanying
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1998      1997
                                                              -------   -------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Deferred income tax liabilities:
  Book basis in property over tax basis.....................  $  95.7   $  64.9
Deferred income tax assets:
  Net operating losses and other carryforwards..............       --      (4.0)
  Accruals not currently deductible.........................    (33.0)    (23.0)
Valuation allowance.........................................      8.7       9.6
                                                              -------   -------
Net deferred income tax liability...........................  $  71.4   $  47.5
                                                              =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
     In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The Company has provided a valuation allowance to
offset a portion of the deferred tax assets due to uncertainty surrounding the
future realization of such deferred tax assets. The Company adjusts the
valuation allowance in the period management determines it is more likely than
not that deferred tax assets will or will not be realized.
 
6. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     In April 1998, the Company declared a $2.0 billion dividend to Republic
Industries that it paid in the form of notes payable ("Company Notes"). Interest
expense on the Company Notes was $27.6 million for the year ended December 31,
1998.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   94
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     In June 1998, the Company received a dividend of certain assets from
Resources totaling approximately $437.3 million (the "Resources Dividend"). In
June 1998, the Company prepaid a portion of the amounts outstanding under the
Company Notes totaling $565.4 million using the Resources Dividend, cash and
certain other assets.
 
     In July 1998, the Company amended and restated its Certificate of
Incorporation to authorize capital stock consisting of (a) 50,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), and (b)
750,000,000 shares of Common Stock of which 250,000,000 shares have been
authorized as Class A Common Stock, 125,000,000 shares have been authorized as
Class B Common Stock and 375,000,000 shares may be designated by the Company's
Board of Directors as either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock. In
addition, all 100 shares of common stock previously held by Republic Industries
were converted into 95,688,083 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are identical in all respects, except
holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders
of Class B Common Stock are entitled to five votes per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors.
See also Note 12, Subsequent Events, for further information.
 
     In July 1998, the Company repaid amounts due to Republic Industries
totaling $395.4 million through the issuance of approximately 16.5 million
shares of Class A Common Stock.
 
     In July 1998, the Company completed the Initial Public Offering of
approximately 63.2 million shares of its Class A Common Stock resulting in net
proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion. All of the proceeds from the Initial
Public Offering were used to repay remaining amounts due under the Company
Notes.
 
7. STOCK OPTIONS
 
     In July 1998, the Company adopted the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan ("Stock
Incentive Plan") to provide for grants of options to purchase shares of Class A
Common Stock to employees, non-employee directors and independent contractors of
the Company who are eligible to participate in the Stock Incentive Plan. Options
granted under the Stock Incentive Plan are non-qualified and are granted at a
price equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock at the date
of grant. Generally, options granted will have a term of ten years from the date
of grant, and vest in increments of 25% per year over a four year period on the
yearly anniversary date of the grant. Options granted to non-employee directors
have a term of ten years and vest immediately at the date of grant. The Company
has reserved 20.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance pursuant
to options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan and Substitute Options (as
defined below). During 1998, options to acquire 573,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock were granted under the Stock Incentive Plan.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   95
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The following table summarizes information about the Company's outstanding
and exercisable stock options at December 31, 1998 (shares in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              OUTSTANDING                 EXERCISABLE
                                                    --------------------------------   ------------------
                                                              WEIGHTED-
                                                               AVERAGE     WEIGHTED-            WEIGHTED-
                                                              REMAINING     AVERAGE              AVERAGE
                                                             CONTRACTUAL   EXERCISE             EXERCISE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICE                             SHARES   LIFE (YRS.)     PRICE     SHARES     PRICE
- -----------------------                             ------   -----------   ---------   ------   ---------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>           <C>         <C>      <C>
$14.50-$18.75.....................................  473.0       9.85        $16.81      62.5     $18.06
$23.00-$25.69.....................................  100.0       9.51        $24.35     100.0     $24.35
                                                    -----                              -----
$14.50-$25.69.....................................  573.0       9.79        $18.12     162.5     $21.93
                                                    =====                              =====
</TABLE>
 
     In January 1999, the Board of Directors approved additional grants of
options to acquire approximately 2.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock at
an exercise price of $18 7/16 per share.
 
     Republic Industries has various stock option plans under which options to
acquire shares of Republic Industries Common Stock were granted to key employees
of the Company prior to the Initial Public Offering (the "Republic Industries
Stock Options"). Options granted under the plans are non-qualified and are
granted at a price equal to the fair market value of the Republic Industries
Common Stock at the date of grant. Generally, options granted will have a term
of ten years from the date of grant, and will vest in increments of 25% per year
over a four year period on the yearly anniversary of the grant date. As of
December 31, 1998, approximately 8.3 million Republic Industries Stock Options
held by employees of the Company were outstanding, 1.8 million of which were
exercisable.
 
     The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees" in accounting for stock-based employee
compensation arrangements whereby no compensation cost related to stock options
is deducted in determining net income. Had compensation cost for stock option
grants under the Republic Industries' stock option plans and the Company's Stock
Incentive Plan been determined pursuant to SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation", the Company's net income would have decreased
accordingly. Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for all options
granted after December 31, 1995, the Company's pro forma net income and pro
forma weighted average fair value of options granted, with related assumptions,
are as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1998       1997       1996
                                                  --------   --------   --------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>
Pro forma net income............................  $  132.7   $  108.3   $   47.6
Pro forma earnings per share....................       .98       1.13        .50
Pro forma weighted average fair value of
  Republic Industries Stock Options granted.....     14.45      13.60       7.34
Pro forma weighted average fair value of the
  Company's stock options granted...............      7.71         --         --
Risk free interest rates........................      4.76%      5.74%      5.98%
Expected lives..................................   5 years    5 years    5 years
Expected volatility.............................      40.0%      40.0%      40.0%
</TABLE>
 
     Following such time as the Company is no longer a subsidiary of Republic
Industries (the "Stand-alone Date") the Company intends to issue substitute
options under the Company's Stock Incentive Plan (collectively "Substitute
Options") in substitution for grants of Republic Industries Stock Options under
Republic Industries' stock option plans as of the Stand-alone Date held by
individuals employed by the Company as of such date (the "Company Employees").
Such Substitute Options will provide for the purchase of a number of shares of
Class A Common Stock determined
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   96
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
based on a ratio of average trading prices of Republic Industries Common Stock
and Class A Common Stock immediately prior to the Stand-alone Date. It is not
possible to specify how many shares of Class A Common Stock will be subject to
Substitute Options. It is expected that some Republic Industries Stock Options
consisting of stock options held by the Company Employees will be exercised and
that some will be forfeited, and that additional Republic Industries Stock
Options could be granted prior to the Stand-alone Date. In addition, the
remaining balance of unexercised Republic Industries Stock Options will be
converted into Substitute Options by reference to the ratio described above,
which will not be known until the Stand-alone Date. See also Note 12, Subsequent
Events, for further information.
 
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is a party to various general legal proceedings which have
arisen in the ordinary course of business. While the results of these matters
cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that losses, if any,
resulting from the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations, cash flows
or financial position. However, unfavorable resolution could affect the
consolidated results of operations or cash flows for the quarterly periods in
which they are resolved.
 
LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries lease real property, equipment and
software under various operating leases with terms from one to twenty-five
years.
 
     Future minimum lease obligations under noncancelable real property,
equipment and software leases with initial terms in excess of one year at
December 31, 1998 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Year Ending December 31:
1999........................................................  $2.5
2000........................................................   2.3
2001........................................................   1.5
2002........................................................    .9
2003........................................................    .8
Thereafter..................................................    .5
                                                              ----
                                                              $8.5
                                                              ====
</TABLE>
 
LIABILITY INSURANCE
 
     The Company carries general liability, vehicle liability, workers
compensation and employer's liability coverage, as well as umbrella liability
policies to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits contained in
these primary policies. The Company also carries property insurance.
 
     The Company's liabilities for unpaid and incurred but not reported claims
at December 31, 1998 was $16.9 million under its current risk management program
and $11.1 million under its previous risk management program with Republic
Industries (see Note 10, Related Party Transactions, for further information),
and are included in other current and other liabilities in the accompanying
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   97
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred are
dependent on future developments, in management's opinion, recorded reserves are
adequate to cover the future payment of claims. However, it is reasonably
possible that recorded reserves may not be adequate to cover the future payment
of claims. Adjustments, if any, to estimates recorded resulting from ultimate
claim payments will be reflected in operations in the periods in which such
adjustments are known.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
     In the normal course of business, the Company is required to post
performance bonds, letters of credit, and/or cash deposits as a financial
guarantee of the Company's performance. To date, the Company has satisfied
financial responsibility requirements for regulatory agencies by making cash
deposits, obtaining bank letters of credit or by obtaining surety bonds. At
December 31, 1998, surety bonds and letters of credit totaling $380.3 million
expire through 2005.
 
     The Company's business activities are conducted in the context of a
developing and changing statutory and regulatory framework. Governmental
regulation of the waste management industry requires the Company to obtain and
retain numerous governmental permits to conduct various aspects of its
operations. These permits are subject to revocation, modification or denial. The
costs and other capital expenditures which may be required to obtain or retain
the applicable permits or comply with applicable regulations could be
significant.
 
9. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company recorded restructuring
and other charges of approximately $8.8 million. These costs included $5.3
million to close certain landfill operations, $1.0 million of asset write-offs
and $2.5 million of merger expenses associated with certain business
combinations accounted for under the pooling of interests method of accounting.
There are no remaining liabilities associated with the 1996 restructuring and
other charges as of December 31, 1997.
 
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     Amounts due to Republic Industries consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  1997
                                                              ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Due to Republic Corporate Management Company ("RCMC").......     $107.8
Notes payable to Resources..................................      158.3
                                                                 ------
                                                                 $266.1
                                                                 ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   98
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The following is an analysis of activity in the due to RCMC account for the
years ended December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1998     1997     1996
                                                              ------   ------   ------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>      <C>
Balance at beginning of period..............................  $107.8   $ 49.3   $86.3
Republic Industries overhead allocations....................     7.5     10.2     8.4
Service Agreement fees......................................     7.5       --      --
Insurance allocations.......................................     9.7     15.9    10.2
Self-insurance reserve allocations..........................    (9.8)    (7.3)   (4.8)
Intercompany purchases......................................    42.4     13.8    12.0
Income taxes................................................    24.0     28.7    23.4
Cash transfers..............................................   (49.6)    (2.8)  (86.2)
Repayment in shares of Class A Common Stock.................  (139.5)      --      --
                                                              ------   ------   -----
Balance at end of period....................................  $   --   $107.8   $49.3
                                                              ======   ======   =====
</TABLE>
 
     Prior to the Initial Public Offering, due to RCMC included allocations of
various expenses from Republic Industries including general and administrative
expenses, risk management premiums, income taxes and other costs. Such
liabilities were non-interest bearing and had no specified repayment terms. In
July 1998, the Company repaid in full amounts due to RCMC as of June 30, 1998
through the issuance of approximately 5.8 million shares of Class A Common
Stock. Subsequent to the Initial Public Offering, due to RCMC consists primarily
of charges under the Services Agreement described below. Such amounts are
non-interest bearing and are repaid periodically using cash.
 
     Prior to the Initial Public Offering, Republic Industries' corporate
general and administrative costs not specifically attributable to its operating
subsidiaries were allocated to the Company based upon the ratio of the Company's
invested capital to Republic Industries' consolidated invested capital. Such
allocations are included in the Company's selling, general and administrative
costs and were approximately $7.5 million, $10.2 million and $8.4 million for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. These amounts
approximate management's estimate of Republic Industries' corporate general and
administrative costs required to support the Company's operations. Management
believes that the amounts allocated to the Company are reasonable and are no
less favorable to the Company than the expenses the Company would have incurred
to obtain such services on its own or from unaffiliated third parties.
 
     In June 1998, the Company and Republic Industries entered into a services
agreement (the "Services Agreement") pursuant to which Republic Industries
provides to the Company certain accounting, auditing, cash management, corporate
communications, corporate development, financial and treasury, human resources
and benefit plan administration, insurance and risk management, legal,
purchasing and tax services. In exchange for the provision of such services,
fees are payable by the Company to Republic Industries in the amount of $1.25
million per month, subject to review and adjustment from time to time as the
Company reduces the amount of services it obtains from Republic Industries.
Effective January 1, 1999, such fees payable by the Company to Republic
Industries have been reduced to $.9 million per month. The Company believes that
the fees for services provided under the Services Agreement are no less
favorable to the Company than could be obtained by the Company internally or
from unaffiliated third parties. Charges under the Services
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   99
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Agreement for the year ended December 31, 1998 were $7.5 million and are
included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
     Prior to the Initial Public Offering, the Company participated in Republic
Industries' combined risk management programs for property, casualty and general
liability insurance. The Company was charged for annual premiums of $9.7
million, $15.9 million and $10.2 million for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
     Notes payable to Resources represent borrowings prior to the Initial Public
Offering under revolving credit facilities to fund the Company's operations and
to repay debt assumed in acquisitions. Borrowings under these facilities bear
interest at prime plus 50 basis points and are payable on demand. In July 1998,
the Company repaid the notes payable to Resources through the issuance of
approximately 10.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock. Interest expense on
notes payable to Resources was $9.7 million, $20.2 million and $18.8 million for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
11. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
     The following is an analysis of certain items in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations by quarter for 1998 and 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              FIRST    SECOND     THIRD    FOURTH
                                                             QUARTER   QUARTER   QUARTER   QUARTER
                                                             -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                    <C>   <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenue..............................................  1998  $300.8    $335.9    $355.0    $377.4
                                                       1997  $263.2    $283.7    $287.6    $293.2
Operating income.....................................  1998  $ 59.0    $ 70.7    $ 75.3    $ 79.3
                                                       1997  $ 41.0    $ 47.1    $ 56.3    $ 56.9
Net income...........................................  1998  $ 34.8    $ 25.1    $ 46.2    $ 47.6
                                                       1997  $ 23.2    $ 25.9    $ 32.5    $ 34.6
Basic and diluted net income per share...............  1998  $  .36    $  .26    $  .26    $  .27
                                                       1997  $  .24    $  .27    $  .34    $  .36
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding........................................  1998    95.7      95.7     175.4     175.4
                                                       1997    95.7      95.7      95.7      95.7
</TABLE>
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     In March 1999, the IRS advised Republic Industries in writing that the IRS
would not rule as requested on Republic Industries' application for a private
letter ruling regarding the proposed Distribution. In light of the IRS action,
Republic Industries converted all 95.7 million shares of Class B Common Stock
into 95.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock on March 2, 1999. The Company
is registering all 112.2 million shares of its Class A Common Stock owned by
Republic Industries for sale by Republic Industries.
 
     Prior to the Initial Public Offering, employees of the Company were granted
stock options under Republic Industries' stock option plans. As of March 2,
1999, approximately 8.3 million Republic Industries options held by the
Company's employees were canceled, and the Company's Compensa-
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   100
                            REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
tion Committee granted replacement options on a one-for-one basis. The
replacement options retained the vesting and exercise rights of the original
options, subject to certain exercise limitations for individuals who signed
stock option repricing agreements with Republic Industries. The exercise price
for individual replacement options are priced such that the unrealized gain or
loss on each grant of Republic Industries stock options shall generally be
maintained under the replacement options. Compensation expense related to the
granting of certain replacement options at exercise prices below the fair market
value of the common stock at the date of grant is estimated to be approximately
$2.0 million, and will be recorded by the Company in the first quarter of 1999.
 
     On April 5, 1999, Republic Industries transferred all of its Class A Common
Stock in the Company to its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, AutoNation
Insurance Company, Inc. On April 6, 1999, Republic Industries changed its name
to AutoNation, Inc. On May 3, 1999, AutoNation Insurance Company sold 100.0
million shares of its Class A Common Stock in the Company through an
underwritten secondary public offering.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   101
 
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                                  $600,000,000
 
                         REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC. (LOGO)
 
                       $225,000,000 6 5/8% NOTES DUE 2004
 
                       $375,000,000 7 1/8% NOTES DUE 2009
 
                             ---------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                             ---------------------
 
                         BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                         BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.
                            DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                              SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
 
                                  MAY 19, 1999
 
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