CLEAN HARBORS INC
DEF 14A, 1997-04-30
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
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<PAGE>   1
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
                PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                             (AMENDMENT NO.       )
 
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement      [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement                  Only (as permitted by Rule
                                                14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14(a)-12
 
                              Clean Harbors, Inc.
           ---------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
                              Clean Harbors, Inc.
           ---------------------------------------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
   1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
      to Exchange Act
      Rule 0-11:
 
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   5) Total fee paid:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
    0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
    previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
    or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
   1) Amount Previously Paid:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   2) Filing Party:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   3) Date Filed:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Notes:
 
No preliminary filing was made, because the only matters to be acted upon are
routine matters as defined in Rule 14a-6.
 
The proxy statement does not include either the Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
Table or the Pension Plan Table specified in Item 402(e) and (f), respectively,
because the Company does not have a "long-term incentive plan" as defined in
Item 402(a)(7)(iii) or a pension plan other than a 401(k) plan.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
CLEAN HARBORS
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
1501 WASHINGTON STREET
BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS 02184
TEL. 617-849-1800
 
                                                                     May 1, 1997
 
To Our Fellow Stockholders:
 
     On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to invite you to
attend the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on Thursday, June 26,
1997 in Boston, Massachusetts.
 
     Information about the Annual Meeting is presented on the following pages.
In addition to the formal items of business, the meeting will include a report
by members of management on Company operations. You will have an opportunity to
ask questions of our management team if you attend the meeting in person.
 
     Your vote is important. You can be sure your shares are represented at the
meeting by completing, signing, and returning your proxy form in the enclosed
envelope, even if you plan to attend the meeting. Sending in your proxy will not
prevent you from voting in person at the meeting should you wish to do so.
 
     Thank you for your continued support of Clean Harbors. We look forward to
seeing those stockholders who are able to attend the Annual Meeting on June 26.
 
                                          Sincerely,
                                          
                                          /s/ Alan S. Mckim
                                          Alan S. McKim
                                          Chairman of the Board




 

- ----------------------
People and Technology
Protecting & Restoring
America's Environment
                   
                                                     Printed on recycled paper 
<PAGE>   3
 
                              CLEAN HARBORS, INC.
                             1501 WASHINGTON STREET
                         BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS 02184
 
                            ------------------------
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            ------------------------
 
     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Clean
Harbors, Inc. (the "Company"), will be held at 9:30 a.m., local time, on
Thursday, June 26, 1997, at USTrust, 40 Court Street, Boston, Massachusetts, for
the following purposes:
 
          1. To elect two (2) Class II members of the Board of Directors of the
     Company to serve until the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until
     their respective successors are duly elected;
 
          2. To consider and act upon a proposal to amend the Clean Harbors,
     Inc. Equity Incentive Plan to increase the total number of shares
     authorized for issuance under the Plan from 800,000 to 1,250,000; and
 
          3. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come
     before the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
 
     Stockholders of record at the close of business on May 1, 1997 will be
entitled to notice and to vote at the meeting.
 
     You are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Whether or not you plan to
attend the meeting in person, please date, sign and mail your proxy in the
enclosed envelope to ensure that your shares will be represented at the meeting.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          /s/ C. MICHAEL MALM 
                                          C. Michael Malm, Clerk
 
May 1, 1997
Boston, Massachusetts
 
     YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING,
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE
PROVIDED.
<PAGE>   4
 
                              CLEAN HARBORS, INC.
                             1501 WASHINGTON STREET
                              BRAINTREE, MA 02184
                            ------------------------
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                            ------------------------
 
     This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders are being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Board of Directors of Clean Harbors, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation
(the "Company"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to
be held at USTrust, 40 Court Street, Boston, Massachusetts, on June 26, 1997,
commencing at 9:30 a.m., local time, and any adjournment thereof.
 
                               PROXY SOLICITATION
 
     Proxies in the accompanying form, properly executed and received prior to
the meeting and not revoked, will be voted as specified or, if no instructions
are given, will be voted in favor of the proposals described herein. Proxies may
be revoked at any time prior to the meeting by written notice given to the Clerk
of the Company. The cost of this solicitation shall be borne by the Company.
Solicitations of proxies by telephone or in person may be made by the Company's
directors, officers or other employees, but any such solicitation will be
carried on during working hours and for no additional cost, other than the time
expended and telephone charges in making such solicitation. This Proxy Statement
and the accompanying proxy form are scheduled to be mailed to stockholders
beginning on May 5, 1997.
 
                      INFORMATION AS TO VOTING SECURITIES
 
     The holders of the Company's Common Stock and Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock vote as a single class with respect to the election of directors
and most other matters. Each issued and outstanding share of the Company's
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, and each issued and outstanding share of
the Company's Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, is
entitled to one vote. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
May 1, 1997 will be entitled to vote at the meeting. On April 1, 1997, there
were 9,820,865 shares of Common Stock and 112,000 shares of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock of the Company outstanding and entitled to vote. Votes cast by
proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be counted by persons appointed by
the Company to act as election inspectors for the meeting.
 
     The election of the Class II directors requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a plurality of the shares of both classes of stock represented at the
meeting. Approval of the proposal to amend the Equity Incentive Plan and any
other matters which may properly come before the meeting will require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented and
entitled to vote on such proposals at the meeting. Votes withheld from any
nominee for election as a director, abstentions, and broker "non-votes" are
counted as present or represented for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum for the meeting. Therefore, votes withheld from any nominee for director
and abstentions on the vote to amend the Equity Incentive Plan will have the
effect of "against" votes. Broker "non-votes" occur when a nominee holding
shares for a beneficial owner votes on one proposal, but does not vote on
another proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power
and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Usually, this would
occur when brokers holding stock in "street name" have not received any
instructions from clients, in which case the brokers (as holders of record) are
permitted to vote on "routine" proposals but not on non-routine matters. The
election of directors is considered a routine matter,
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   5
 
and therefore it is anticipated that broker "non-votes" will not occur with
respect to such election. However, the proposal to amend the Equity Incentive
Plan is a non-routine matter, and broker "non-votes" may occur with respect to
such proposal. Because such brokers will not be entitled to vote at the meeting
on any non-routine matter, their broker "non-votes" will not have any effect on
the voting on such proposal.
 
                DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                     AGE                      POSITION
- ------------------------------------------  ---     ------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>     <C>
Alan S. McKim.............................  42      Chairman of the Board of Directors,
                                                    President and Chief Executive Officer
Christy W. Bell...........................  74      Director
David A. Eckert...........................  41      Director and Executive Vice President of
                                                    the Company; Chief Operating Officer of
                                                    Clean Harbors Environmental Services*
John F. Kaslow............................  64      Director
Daniel J. McCarthy........................  65      Director
John T. Preston...........................  47      Director
Lorne R. Waxlax...........................  63      Director
Stephen H. Moynihan.......................  41      Senior Vice President Planning &
                                                    Development
Donald N. Leef............................  45      Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
                                                    Financial Officer
Brian J. House............................  36      Vice President of Field Services Group*
John P. Lawton............................  36      Senior Vice President of Corporate
                                                    Marketing and National Accounts *
Stephen E. Dovell.........................  42      Vice President of Disposal Group*
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
* Officer of Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc., a wholly-owned
  subsidiary of the parent holding company, Clean Harbors, Inc.
 
     Alan S. McKim founded the Company in 1980 and is Chairman of the Board of
Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He serves as a
director of most of the Company's subsidiaries. Mr. McKim served as President of
the Company and its predecessor from 1980 to 1988. Mr. McKim holds an MBA from
Northeastern University. He has been a director of the Company since its
formation. His current term as a Class I director expires in 1999.
 
     Christy W. Bell was Chairman of the Board of ChemClear Inc., a public
company which was primarily engaged in the business of treating industrial,
aqueous waste at its plants in Baltimore, Cleveland, and Chicago, for more than
five years prior to its merger into a subsidiary of the Company in 1989. Mr.
Bell had also served as President of ChemClear prior to the merger. Mr. Bell is
President and an owner of Electro-Petroleum, Inc., Electro-Pyrolysis, Inc., and
Arc Technologies, Inc., all of which are involved in the development of
technologies for the management of waste and the production of energy. He is
also a director of Thoratec Laboratories Corporation. Mr. Bell has served as a
director of the Company since the ChemClear merger in 1989. His current term as
a Class III director expires in 1998.
 
     David A. Eckert joined the Company as Executive Vice President in March
1996 and was appointed by the Board to serve as a Class I director. He also
serves as Chief Operating Officer of Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.
From 1991 until joining Clean Harbors, Mr. Eckert was Co-Chairman and Co-Chief
Executive Officer of SV Corporation, an industrial valve manufacturing company.
From 1988 through 1991 he was co-founder, Managing Director and President of
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
Cornerstone Partners Limited, which invested in underperforming companies. From
1979 through 1988, he served as a consultant and partner with Bain & Company, an
international consulting firm. Mr. Eckert holds a BS degree, with highest
distinction, from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Harvard Business
School where he was a Baker Scholar and a Loeb, Rhoades Fellow. Mr. Eckert's
current term as a Class I director expires in 1999.
 
     John F. Kaslow serves as an advisor to the Electric Power Research
Institute ("EPRI"), a collaborative research organization which provides
advanced science and technology to its member companies and their customers.
Prior to joining EPRI, Mr. Kaslow served for 34 years with an electric utility
company, the New England Electric System ("NEES"), where he held a number of
engineering, operating and general management positions, including serving prior
to his retirement as a director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of NEES, and as a director and President of its New England Power
Company subsidiary. Mr. Kaslow is a director of Doble Engineering Company and
Fusion Power Associates. He has served as a director of the Company since 1991.
His current term as a Class I director expires in 1999.
 
     Daniel J. McCarthy has been a Professor of Strategic Management at
Northeastern University since July 1972, prior to which he was President of
Computer Environments Corporation, a computer services company. He serves as a
director and on the Finance Committee of Tufts Associated Health Plan, a health
maintenance organization, and as a director and on the Compensation Committee of
MANAGEDCOMP, Inc., which manages worker's compensation for employers. Mr.
McCarthy holds an MBA degree from Dartmouth College and a DBA degree from
Harvard Business School. He has served as a director of the Company since 1987.
His current term as a Class III director expires in 1998.
 
     John T. Preston is President and Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Energy
Technologies. From 1992 through 1995, he served as Director of Technology
Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1986 to 1992 he
was Director of the M.I.T. Technology Licensing Office. Previously, Mr. Preston
was a founder of Visual Communication Network and Associate Director of the
M.I.T. Industrial Liaison Program. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University
and a BS in Physics from the University of Wisconsin. He is a member of a number
of corporate boards, including Molten Metal Technology, Inc. and Energy
BioSystems Corporation, which are public companies pioneering the application of
technology to address environmental concerns. Prior to joining the Board of the
Company, Mr. Preston served on the board of Clean Harbors Technology
Corporation. He accepted an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board of
Directors of the Company in March 1995. His term as a Class II director expires
this year, and he is standing for reelection for a three-year term.
 
     Lorne R. Waxlax is Chairman of the Board of Waban, Inc. He served as
Executive Vice President of The Gillette Company from 1985 to 1993, with
worldwide responsibility for Braun AG, Oral-B Laboratories, and Jafra Cosmetics
International. He is currently a director of HON Industries Inc. and Quaker
State Corporation, which are public companies, and The Iams Company, a private
company. Mr. Waxlax holds a BBA degree from the University of Minnesota and an
MBA degree from Northwestern University. He has served as a director of the
Company since 1994. His term as a Class II director expires this year, and he is
standing for reelection for a three-year term.
 
     Stephen H. Moynihan has served as an officer of either the Company or one
or more of its subsidiaries since June 1987. In November 1996 he was appointed
Senior Vice President Planning and Development, prior to which he served as Vice
President and Treasurer. Mr. Moynihan served as Vice President of Strategic
Planning of Clean Harbors Environmental Services from 1990 until 1995. Prior to
joining Clean Harbors, Mr. Moynihan was Audit Manager for Gerald T. Reilly and
Company, a public accounting firm. Mr. Moynihan holds a BS degree in Accounting
from Bentley College.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
     Donald N. Leef joined the Company as Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer in October 1996. He also serves as Vice President and
Treasurer of most of the Company's subsidiaries. Prior to joining Clean Harbors
Mr. Leef was Chief Operating Officer at Robert Reiser & Company, before which he
served for seven years as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Draka
(USA) Corporation. He received a BA in Economics from the University of
Pennsylvania and an MBA from St. John's University.
 
     Brian J. House currently serves as Vice President of the Field Services
Group for Clean Harbors Environmental Services. Mr. House joined the Company in
1985 and has served in a variety of operations positions. In 1988 he was
appointed General Manager of the Connecticut Field Service Operation, and in
1992 he was appointed Regional Vice President for the Northeast Region. Mr.
House received a BS degree from Bates College.
 
     John P. Lawton is Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing and National
Accounts for Clean Harbors Environmental Services. Mr. Lawton joined the Company
in 1988 as a Customer Service Account Manager at its Braintree facility. In
1989, he became Sales Manager for the Midwest region. In 1992, he became
Director of Sales for all service areas outside New England. Mr. Lawton held
various management positions with New York Air and Pan American World Airlines
from 1983 to 1988 before joining the Company. He received a BA degree from North
Adams State College.
 
     Stephen E. Dovell is Vice President of the Disposal Group of Clean Harbors
Environmental Services. Mr. Dovell joined Clean Harbors Environmental Services
in 1984 and has served in a variety of operational positions. In 1986 he was
appointed as a Vice President of Clean Harbors of Braintree, in charge of the
Braintree facility, and in 1994 he was appointed Regional Vice President of
Disposal Services. Mr. Dovell received a BS degree in Business Administration
from Emmanuel College.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
     Set forth below is information as to ownership of the Company's Common
Stock as of April 1, 1997 by each director of the Company, each of the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table set forth below, and all
directors and executive officers as a group. No director or executive officer
owns any Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. Except as otherwise indicated
below, the named owner has sole voting and investment power with respect to the
specified shares.
 
              STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                AMOUNT AND NATURE OF       PERCENT
                  NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                     BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)     OF CLASS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------     --------
<S>                                                            <C>                         <C>
Alan S. McKim................................................         3,880,462(2)           39.51%
Christy W. Bell..............................................            50,352                  *
David A. Eckert..............................................            50,000                  *
John F. Kaslow...............................................             4,300                  *
Daniel J. McCarthy...........................................            16,200(3)               *
John T. Preston..............................................             3,920                  *
Lorne R. Waxlax..............................................            36,208                  *
Stephen H. Moynihan..........................................            64,344                  *
Brian J. House...............................................            15,600                  *
John P. Lawton...............................................            12,675                  *
All current directors and executive officers
  as a group (12 persons)....................................         4,142,761              42.09%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 *  Less than 1%
 
(1) Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Securities and
    Exchange Commission regulations and includes the following number of shares
    of the Company's Common Stock which may be acquired under stock options
    which are exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 1997: Mr. Kaslow (4,000
    shares), Mr. Waxlax (3,208 shares), Mr. McCarthy (16,000 shares), Mr. Bell
    (3,000 shares), Mr. Preston (3,920 shares), Mr. Eckert (50,000 shares), Mr.
    Moynihan (33,844 shares), Mr. House (15,600 shares), Mr. Lawton (12,675
    shares), and all current directors and executive officers as a group (80,472
    shares).
 
(2) Excludes 60,000 shares owned by a trust for Mr. McKim's minor children as to
    which Mr. McKim holds no voting or investment power.
 
(3) Includes 200 shares owned by Mr. McCarthy's son as to which Mr. McCarthy
    shares voting and investment power.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
     To the Company's knowledge, as of April 1, 1997, no person or entity
"beneficially owned" (as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission) 5% or more of the Company's Common Stock or Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock, except as shown in the following table. Except as otherwise
indicated below, the Company understands that the named person or entity has
sole voting and investment power with respect to the specified shares. The
holders of the Company's Common Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
vote as a single class with respect to the election of directors and most other
matters.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             PERCENT AND
                NAME AND ADDRESS                  NUMBER OF SHARES          CLASS OF STOCK
- ------------------------------------------------  ----------------       --------------------
<S>                                               <C>                    <C>
Alan S. McKim...................................      3,880,462(1)       39.51% Common Stock
Clean Harbors, Inc.
1501 Washington St.
Braintree, MA 02184
Brinson Partners, Inc...........................        881,700(2)       8.98% Common Stock
Brinson Trust Company
c/o Brinson Holdings, Inc.
     209 South LaSalle
     Chicago, IL 60604
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc..................        521,200(2)(3)    5.31% Common Stock
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Froley, Revy Investment Company, Inc............         70,000          62.50% Series B
10900 Wilshire Blvd.                                                     Convertible
Los Angeles, CA 90024                                                    Preferred Stock
Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of New York...........         42,000          37.50% Series B
23 Wall Street                                                           Convertible
New York, NY 10015                                                       Preferred Stock
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) Excludes 60,000 shares owned by a trust for Mr. McKim's minor children as to
    which Mr. McKim holds no voting or investment power.
 
(2) Based upon ownership as of December 31, 1996 shown on Schedule 13G filed
    with the Company by the specified entities in February 1997.
 
(3) Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment
    advisor, is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 521,200 shares of Clean
    Harbors, Inc. stock as of December 31, 1996, all of which shares are held in
    portfolios of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., a registered open-end
    investment company, or in series of the DFA Investment Trust Company, a
    Delaware business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation Group
    Trust, investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans, for all of
    which Dimensional serves as investment manager. Dimensional disclaims
    beneficial ownership of all such shares.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                             (ITEM 1 ON PROXY FORM)
 
     The Board of Directors of the Company is composed of seven directors
classified into three classes of which Class I consists of three (3) directors
and Classes II and III each consist of two directors. One class of directors is
elected each year for a term of three years. The term of the Class II Directors,
John T. Preston and Lorne R. Waxlax, shall expire at the 1997 Annual Meeting,
and the Board of Directors has nominated each of the foregoing to continue to
serve as Class II Directors.
 
     UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED THEREIN, SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE ENCLOSED
PROXY WILL BE VOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING TO ELECT JOHN T. PRESTON AND LORNE R.
WAXLAX AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM, UNTIL THE 2000 ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND UNTIL THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS SHALL BE DULY
ELECTED. IN THE EVENT THAT ONE OR MORE OF THE NOMINEES IS UNABLE TO STAND FOR
ELECTION (WHICH EVENT IS NOT NOW CONTEMPLATED), THE HOLDERS OF THE ENCLOSED
PROXY WILL VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF A NOMINEE OR NOMINEES ACCEPTABLE TO THE
REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL
TO ELECT MESSRS. PRESTON AND WAXLAX AS DIRECTORS.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     According to the Company's Equity Incentive Plan approved by stockholders
at the 1992 Annual Meeting, each director who is not an employee of the Company
receives upon election to the Board a grant of a five-year, non-qualified stock
option to purchase that number of shares of the Company's Common Stock
determined by multiplying 1,000 by the number of years or fraction thereof for
which the director shall be elected, at the market price of the Common Stock on
the date of election, vesting immediately as to the first 1,000 shares of any
award and as to an additional 1,000 shares on each anniversary of the date of
election. Awards to directors appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board for less
than one year are prorated. During 1996, upon the election as directors to serve
for a term of three years, Mr. Kaslow, the only non-employee then elected as a
director, received options for 3,000 shares at the market price of $3.125 per
share.
 
     The Company's policy is to pay each director who is not an employee an
annual retainer fee of $20,000 plus $1,000 for each board meeting attended, $750
for each committee meeting attended and $500 for board meetings conducted by
telephone conference call. The Company also pays outside directors who are
members of committees of the Board $1,000 for membership on a committee and an
additional $1,500 for serving as chairman of a committee. Directors are
reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with service on the Board. Total
fees paid to outside directors in 1996 were as follows: Bell $30,750; Kaslow
$35,500; McCarthy $34,500; Preston $26,000; and Waxlax $29,250.
 
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
 
     During 1996, the Board of Directors held eight meetings, of which one was
held by conference call and one by written consent.
 
     The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee consisting of
members of the Board of Directors who are not employed by the Company. During
1996, the Audit Committee consisted of Messrs. Bell, McCarthy and Kaslow. The
primary functions of the Audit Committee are to recommend the selection of
independent public accountants, to review the scope of and approach to audit
work, and to meet with and review the activities of the Company's accountants
and the independent public accountants. During 1996, there were five meetings of
the Audit Committee.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
     The Board of Directors has also established a Compensation and Stock Option
Committee. During 1996, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee consisted of
three non-employee directors: Messrs. McCarthy, Kaslow and Waxlax. Three
meetings of the Committee were held during 1996.
 
     The Board of Directors has not established a Nominating Committee.
 
     During 1996, all directors attended at least 75 percent of the meetings of
the Board and the committees of which they were members.
 
                         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
     The Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee"), consists of three outside directors whose responsibilities include
the recommendation to the full Board of Directors of a compensation package for
the Chief Executive Officer; review and approval of other senior executive
officer compensation; review and approval of corporate management compensation
policies; and management of the Company's stock option and equity incentive
plans.
 
COMPENSATION
 
     The fundamental philosophy of the Committee regarding executive
compensation is to offer competitive compensation opportunities and to align
individual compensation with the goals, values and priorities of the Company.
Compensation for executive officers currently consists of three basic elements:
base compensation and benefits, salary "at-risk", and awards of long-term equity
incentives through non-qualified stock options.
 
     Base compensation and benefits for 1996 were determined based upon previous
studies of comparable industry groups. Salary at risk payments were made
pursuant to the Company's Management Incentive Program ("MIP") approved by the
Committee for 1996. Under the 1996 MIP, which covered approximately 150
management positions in the Company, an individual could earn a bonus based upon
any one or more of three components: (i) Company-wide success in meeting
management's goals, including a threshold achievement of earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"); (ii) business segment
net income; and (iii) net income of the individual's business unit. No bonuses
were paid under the first component of the MIP because the Company failed to
achieve its EBITDA goal. Field Services was the only business segment of the
Company within which managers received bonuses for 1996 ranging from a minimum
of $857 to a maximum of $39,975. Richard Lavoie was paid a bonus of $57,000
based upon a commitment in his employment agreement, and David A. Eckert,
Executive Vice President of the Company and Chief Operating Officer of Clean
Harbors Environmental Services, received a bonus of $50,000 because of his
measurable, positive financial impact upon the Company.
 
     The final element of compensation for executive officers is long-term
equity incentives through grants of nonqualified stock option awards at the
market price of the Company's Common Stock. Awards are designed to align the
interests of executive officers with those of stockholders of the Company and to
encourage long-term retention of executives through periodic vesting. Awards are
made at current market price, and most options vest as to 20% at the end of each
successive year of service. Options were awarded in December 1996 to 326
employees of the Company. The amount of individual awards ranged from 250 to
15,000 shares based upon the individual's position and ability to positively
impact Company results, adjusted according to his or her performance rating.
Upon joining the Company in March 1996, Mr. Eckert received options for 250,000
shares which vest over five years. The Chief Executive Officer, Alan S. McKim,
did not receive any options during 1996.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
 
     Base compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, Alan S. McKim, was
increased by the Compensation Committee in the Spring of 1993 from $250,000 to
$300,000. Mr. McKim, however, voluntarily continued to defer the implementation
of such increase until March 1, 1997 when his new base compensation went into
effect. Salary at risk payable to Mr. McKim for 1996 was to be based upon the
Company's achievement of a base line EBITDA goal and various individual goals
established with the Committee. Because the Company failed to achieve its EBITDA
threshold, Mr. McKim did not receive any bonus for 1996.
 
1996 REPRICING PROGRAM
 
     1996 was a difficult year for the Company, which faced continued pricing
pressures due to industry-wide over capacity and hazardous waste minimization by
customers. In response to these industry-wide conditions the Company was forced
to reduce costs, freeze salaries and require greater efforts from its employees.
Over the past three years ended December 19, 1996, the market price of Clean
Harbors Common Stock dropped from $6.75 to $2.125 per share. In light of this
substantial decline in market price, the Committee believed that the large
number of employee stock options outstanding with an exercise price
substantially in excess of market price were no longer an effective tool to
encourage retention of long-term employees and to motivate high levels of
performance. As a result, in December 1996, the Committee approved a repricing
of most stock options to the then current market value of $2.125 per share.
Options granted in 1987 which continued to be held by long-term employees and
consultants were also surrendered in exchange for new, five-year options issued
at the then current market price of $2.125 per share. Options were not repriced
for any director other than David Eckert who serves as Executive Vice President
of the Company and Chief Operating Officer of Clean Harbors Environmental
Services and who, since his arrival with the Company in March 1996, has been
responsible for developing and implementing substantial cost savings and
improvement of the Company's cash position.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
     The following table sets forth information regarding all of the options
repriced between the Company's initial public offering in November 1987 and
December 31, 1996 that were held by persons who were executive officers of the
Company at the time of the repricing.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        MARKET
                                          NUMBER OF    PRICE OF                                LENGTH OF ORIGINAL
                                           OPTIONS     STOCK AT    EXERCISE PRICE     NEW        TERM REMAINING
                                          REPRICED      TIME OF      AT TIME OF     EXERCISE       AT TIME OF
            NAME                DATE     (# SHARES)    REPRICING     REPRICING       PRICE          REPRICING
- ----------------------------  ---------  -----------   ---------   --------------   --------   -------------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>              <C>        <C>
David A. Eckert.............   12/19/96    250,000      $ 2.125     $        3.00    $2.125    9 years, 3 months
Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
Brian J. House..............   12/19/96     27,400      $ 2.125     $   3.00-6.25    $2.125    4 years to 7 years,
Vice President of Field                                                                        1 month
Services Group
Stephen H. Moynihan.........   12/19/96     41,444      $ 2.125     $   3.00-6.25    $2.125    3 years, 8 months
Senior Vice President                                                                          to 9 years
Planning and Development
John P. Lawton..............   12/19/96     25,075      $ 2.125     $   3.00-6.25    $2.125    4 years to 7 years,
Senior Vice President of       10/10/94     13,075       $ 6.00      $ 7.00-10.00    $6.000    1 month
Corporate Marketing and
National Accounts
Donald N. Leef..............   12/19/96     40,000      $ 2.125     $        2.75    $2.125    9 years, 10 months
Vice President, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer
Stephen H. Pozner...........   10/10/94     11,800      $ 6.000     $  7.00-10.00    $6.000    3 years to 9 years,
Vice President Health,                                                                         3 months
Safety and Compliance
Mary Ellen Drinkwater.......   10/10/94      6,500      $  6.00     $ 7.00-11.625    $6.000    7 years, 7 months
Vice President and                                                                             to 9 years, 3
Controller                                                                                     months
Stephen E. Dovell...........   12/19/96     16,750      $ 2.125     $   3.00-6.25    $2.125    5 years to 7 years,
Vice President of Disposal                                                                     10 months
Group
</TABLE>
 
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 162(M)
 
     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally
disallows a tax deduction to publicly-held companies for compensation paid to
certain executive officers, to the extent that compensation exceeds $1 million
per officer in any year. The compensation paid to the Company's executive
officers during the 1996 fiscal year did not exceed the $1 million limit per
officer, and it is not expected that the compensation to be paid to the
Company's executive officers in the foreseeable future will exceed that limit.
Because of the unlikelihood that compensation payable to any of the Company's
executive officers in the foreseeable future will approach the $1 million limit,
the Compensation Committee has decided at this time not to take any other action
to limit or restructure the elements of compensation payable to the Company's
executive officers. The Compensation Committee will reconsider this decision
should the individual compensation of any executive officer ever approach the $1
million level.
 
                                          Members of the Committee
                                            Daniel J. McCarthy
                                            John F. Kaslow
                                            Lorne R. Waxlax
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   14
 
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth compensation information for the Chief
Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers
of the Company and its subsidiaries who were serving as executive officers at
the end of 1996. The table also includes one additional executive officer (Mr.
Lavoie) who left the Company in November 1996 but is included because total
salary and bonus paid to him during the year made him among the highest paid
executive officers.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          LONG-TERM
                                                                       COMPENSATION(1)
                                                                     --------------------
                                                                                  PAYOUTS
                                                                                  -------
                                                                       AWARDS
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     SECURITIES
                                                                     UNDERLYING
                                          ANNUAL COMPENSATION         OPTIONS               ALL OTHER
                                     -----------------------------    GRANTED                COMPEN-
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION   YEAR    SALARY     BONUS     OTHER      (SHARES)              SATION(2)
- ----------------------------  -----  --------   -------   --------   ----------             ---------
<S>                           <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>
Alan S. McKim                  1996  $250,008   $    --   $    408          --      --       $    --
  Chairman of the Board,       1995   250,008        --        384          --      --         1,000
  President and Chief          1994   250,008        --         --          --      --            --
  Executive Officer
David A. Eckert                1996  $197,904   $50,000   $  3,738     250,000      --       $    --
  Executive Vice President
  Chief Operating Officer*
Richard Lavoie(3)              1996  $172,827   $57,000   $  5,310          --
  Senior Vice President*       1995   119,481        --    114,623      50,000      --            --
Stephen H. Moynihan            1996  $130,800   $    --   $    348          --      --       $    --
  Senior Vice President        1995   130,800        --        264       7,000      --         1,000
  Planning & Development
Brian J. House                 1996  $130,000   $39,975   $    256      13,000      --       $    --
  Vice President of            1995   126,206                  210       7,000      --         1,000
  Field Services Group*        1994   107,236        --        178       5,000      --         1,000
John T. Lawton                 1996  $120,000   $    --   $    248       5,000      --       $    --
  Senior Vice President of     1995   107,187        --        205       7,000      --         1,000
  Corporate Marketing and      1994   107,812        --        169       9,000      --         1,000
  National Accounts*
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 *  Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.
 
(1) No restricted stock or stock appreciation rights were awarded during 1996,
    or held at the end of 1996. The Company does not have a long-term incentive
    plan, and there were no long-term incentive plan payouts during 1996.
 
(2) Consists of employer contribution to the 401(k) plan. The Company does not
    provide any pension benefits other than the 401(k) plan. The Company did not
    make a 401(k) plan contribution for 1996.
 
(3) Mr. Lavoie joined the Company in May 1995. During 1995, he received a
    relocation allowance of $111,207 and a car allowance of $3,010. He received
    a bonus of $57,000 based upon a commitment made at the time of his
    employment and a car allowance of $4,730 during 1996. He resigned from the
    Company in November 1996.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   15
 
OPTIONS
 
     The following table illustrates the hypothetical value of stock options
granted to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table during 1996,
based on assumed annual growth rates of 5% and 10% in the value of the Company's
stock price over the life of the stock options. The amounts set forth under
"Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation
for Option Term" reflect required disclosures pursuant to regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual value to be realized, if any,
could be more or less than the assumed values depending upon the performance of
the stock. Under the terms of the Company's Stock Option and Equity Incentive
Plans, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee retains discretion, subject
to plan limits, to modify the terms of outstanding options and to reprice the
options. On December 19, 1996 all employee stock options were repriced at the
then current market value of $2.125 per share. No stock appreciation rights were
awarded during 1996.
 
                             OPTION GRANTS IN 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                            -----------------------------------------------
                                          PERCENT                             POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                                         OF TOTAL                               AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
                            NUMBER OF     OPTIONS                             OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                            SECURITIES    GRANTED    EXERCISE                     FOR OPTION TERM(2)
                            UNDERLYING      TO        OR BASE                 ---------------------------
                             OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES   PRICE PER   EXPIRATION    5% ANNUAL      10% ANNUAL
           NAME              GRANTED      IN 1996    SHARE(1)       DATE      GROWTH RATE     GROWTH RATE
- --------------------------  ----------   ---------   ---------   ----------   -----------     -----------
<S>                         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>
Alan S. McKim.............         --         --      $    --            --    $      --       $      --
David A. Eckert...........    250,000      41.85%       2.125       3/14/06      334,100         846,676
Richard Lavoie............         --         --           --            --           --              --
Stephen H. Moynihan.......         --         --           --            --           --              --
Brian J. House............     13,000       2.18%       2.125      12/19/06       17,373          44,027
John P. Lawton............      5,000        .84%       2.125      12/19/06        6,682          16,934
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) The exercise prices of the options granted are equal to the fair market
    value of the Common Stock on the date each option was granted. Options
    awarded to Mr. Eckert were originally awarded at $3.00 per share and
    subsequently repriced to the then current market price of $2.125.
 
(2) All options have a ten-year term, vest over five years, and are exercisable
    as to 20% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and as
    to an additional 20% on each anniversary date thereafter.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   16
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
     The following table shows for the individuals named in the Summary
Compensation Table the aggregate number of any options exercised, the value
realized (market value of underlying shares on exercise minus the exercise
price), the number of unexercised options held by each individual at year-end,
and the value of unexercised in-the-money options at year-end. The high and low
sales prices of the Company's Common Stock in 1996 were $2.75 and $2.125,
respectively. The last sale price at year-end was $2.25. No stock appreciation
rights were exercised during 1995 or held by such individuals at year-end.
 
                            OPTION EXERCISES IN 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      NUMBER OF SECURITIES          VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                            NUMBER                   UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED        IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                           OF SHARES                   OPTIONS AT YEAR-END                YEAR-END
                          ACQUIRED ON    VALUE     ---------------------------   ---------------------------
          NAME             EXERCISE     REALIZED   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------------- -----------   --------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                       <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
Alan S. McKim............     --          $ --            --             --        $    --        $    --
David A. Eckert..........     --            --            --        250,000             --         31,250
Richard Lavoie...........     --            --         8,000             --             --             --
Stephen H. Moynihan......     --            --        33,244          8,200          4,156          1,025
Brian J. House...........     --            --        13,600         26,800          1,700          3,350
John P. Lawton...........     --            --        10,875         19,200          1,359          2,400
</TABLE>
 
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
     The Company has a three year employment agreement with David A. Eckert, who
joined the Company in March 1996 as Executive Vice President and as Chief
Operating Officer of Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. Under Mr.
Eckert's agreement, he receives a base salary of $250,000 and is entitled to
participate in the Company's management bonus plan, except in the first year
when his bonus was based upon the Company's achievement of certain targets of
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). Because
the Company did not achieve its EBITDA target during 1996, Mr. Eckert did not
receive a bonus for 1996 under his employment agreement. He was, however,
awarded a bonus of $50,000 independent of his employment agreement because of
his measurable, positive financial impact upon the Company. Under his employment
agreement, Mr. Eckert also received options for 250,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at market price ($3.00) upon commencement of his employment, as
well as normal employee benefits. If the Company were to terminate Mr. Eckert's
employment agreement without cause, or if his agreement were to be terminated
because of his disability, he would be entitled to receive severance payments
equal to his base salary in effect at the time of termination for a period of
twelve months or until his earlier employment. If his contract were not to be
renewed at the end of the term he would be entitled to receive severance
payments equal to his base salary in effect at the end of his contract for a
period of one year reduced by the number of months prior to the end of the term
for which the Company shall have notified him of its intention not to renew his
contract. All options awarded to Mr. Eckert will vest automatically upon any
change in control of the Company.
 
     The Company provides "change of control" protection under stock option
agreements awarded to executive officers. Some of those agreements provide that
options will automatically fully vest upon a change of control, while others
provide that if an employee is involuntarily terminated or experiences a change
of position and a reduction in salary or relocation within twelve months of a
change of control, the employee's options become fully vested.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   17
 
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     The following graph compares the five-year return from investing $100 on
January 1, 1992 in each of Clean Harbors, Inc. Common Stock, the NASDAQ Market
Index of companies, and an index of environmental services companies, compiled
by Media General Financial Services, Inc. The environmental services group used
by Media General Financial Services, Inc. includes all companies whose listed
line-of-business is SIC Code 4953 (refuse systems), and assumes reinvestment of
dividends on the ex-dividend date. An index compares relative performance since
a particular starting date. In this instance, the starting date is December 31,
1991, when the Company's Common Stock closed at $10.935 per share.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Measurement Period            'Clean Harbors,
      (Fiscal Year Covered)                Inc.'          Industry Index       Broad Market
<S>                                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
1991                                         100                100                  100
1992                                      106.67              94.39               100.98
1993                                       63.33              68.66               121.13
1994                                          35              64.62               127.17
1995                                       22.22              77.09               164.96
1996                                          20              88.45               204.98
</TABLE>
 
                       AMENDMENT OF EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
                             (ITEM 2 ON PROXY FORM)
 
     The Company's Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the stockholders at the
1992 Annual Meeting and subsequently amended at the 1994 Annual Meeting. As now
in effect, the Equity Incentive Plan provides that the Compensation and Stock
Option Committee (the "Committee") of the Company's Board of Directors may grant
awards ("Awards") for up to 800,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to
anti-dilution adjustments, at the sole discretion of the Committee). All
employees and directors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries are eligible
to participate, except that directors who are not employees may participate only
to the limited extent described below under "(e) Non-Employee Directors." At the
discretion of the Committee, Awards may be in the form of incentive stock
options ("ISOs") which qualify for special federal income tax treatment under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
options which are not qualified for special tax treatment ("Non-Qualified Stock
Options"), restricted stock, performance stock units, and stock appreciation
rights.
 
     As of April 22, 1997, there were 88,923 shares available to be awarded
under the Equity Incentive Plan. The Company desires to amend the Equity
Incentive Plan to provide that the number
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   18
 
of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan be increased from 800,000 to
1,250,000, and that therefore the number of shares available to be awarded under
the Plan as of April 22, 1997 be increased from 88,923 to 538,923. The Board of
Directors believes that this amendment is appropriate in order to have available
sufficient equity incentives to attract and retain the best qualified and
motivated employees. Under the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, stockholder
approval is required for any amendment that increases the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to the Plan (other than in connection with an adjustment
upon a change in capitalization).
 
     The Equity Incentive Plan is now the only plan in effect under which Awards
may be granted to the Company's employees and directors, although the Company
also has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan under which employees of the Company
and its subsidiaries may purchase shares of Common Stock at 85% of the current
market price. The Company previously had in effect an additional plan (the "1987
Plan"), under which the Committee could grant Non-Qualified Stock Options. The
1987 Plan expired on March 2, 1997, although stock options outstanding under the
1987 Plan (for a maximum of 655,888 shares as of April 22, 1997) may continue to
be exercised until such options expire or are terminated in accordance with
their respective terms.
 
     The Board of Directors believes that the use of equity incentives will
enhance the ability of employees and directors to acquire or increase their
ownership interest in the Company, thereby increasing their motivation to strive
toward ensuring the Company's growth and success. The Board also believes that
the availability of such incentives will be a factor in attracting and retaining
those highly competent individuals upon whose judgment, initiative and
leadership the Company's continuing success depends.
 
     The Equity Incentive Plan provides that the Committee may grant Awards to
employees, including directors who are employees, in any of the following forms:
 
     (A) OPTIONS.  The Committee may award ISOs and Non-Qualified Stock Options
(collectively, "Options") and determine the number of shares to be covered by
each Option, the option price therefor, the term of the Option, and the other
conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option. As required
by the Code, the option price per share of Common Stock purchasable under an ISO
shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of award. The Equity Incentive Plan provides that the option price per
share of Common Stock purchasable under a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be
determined by the Committee, and may be less than, equal to or greater than the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of award. Options may be
exercisable for not more than ten years after the date the Option is awarded. A
participant in the Equity Incentive Plan must notify the Committee in the event
that the optionee disposes of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO
either within the two-year period following the date the ISO was granted or
within the one-year period following the date the optionee receives Common Stock
upon the exercise of an ISO.
 
     For federal income tax purposes, no taxable income results to the optionee
upon the grant of an ISO or upon the issuance of shares to the optionee upon the
exercise of the option, and no deduction is allowed to the Company upon either
the grant or the exercise of the ISO. Rather, if shares acquired upon the
exercise on an ISO are not disposed of either within the two-year period
following the date the option is granted or within the one-year period following
the date the shares are transferred to the optionee pursuant to exercise of the
option, the difference between the amount realized on any disposition thereafter
and the option price will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss to the
optionee. If a disposition occurs before the expiration of the requisite holding
periods, then the lower of (i) any excess of the fair market value of the shares
at the time of exercise of the option over the option price, or (ii) the actual
gain realized on disposition, will be deemed to be compensation to the optionee
and will be taxed at ordinary income rates. In such event the Company will be
entitled to a corresponding deduction from its income, provided the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   19
 
Company withholds and deducts as required by law. Any such increase in the
income of the optionee or deduction from the income of the Company attributable
to such disposition is treated as an increase in income or a deduction from
income in the taxable year in which the disposition occurs. Any excess of the
amount realized by the optionee on disposition over the fair market value of the
shares at the time of exercise will be treated as a capital gain.
 
     "Alternative minimum taxable income" in excess of a taxpayer's exemption
amount is subject to the alternative minimum tax, which is now imposed at the
rate of 26% of the first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income ($87,500
for married individuals filing a separate return) and 28% thereafter, and is
payable to the extent it exceeds the regular income tax. The excess of the fair
market value on the date of exercise over the option price of shares acquired on
exercise of ISOs generally constitutes an item of alternative minimum taxable
income for the purpose of the alternative minimum tax, and the payment of any
alternative minimum tax resulting therefrom will not increase the optionee's
basis for the shares acquired for regular income tax purposes. In addition, if
the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is granted)
of the Common Stock covered by ISOs which are exercisable for the first time by
an individual in a calendar year exceeds $100,000, the amount of the excess will
not be treated as shares acquired through exercise on an ISO.
 
     Under the Code, a person who is granted a Non-Qualified Stock Option will
not have taxable income at the date of grant; however, an optionee who
thereafter exercises such an option will be deemed to have received compensation
income in an amount equal to the difference between the option price and the
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise. The optionee's basis
for such shares will be increased by the amount which is deemed compensation
income. For the year in which a Non-Qualified Stock Option is exercised, the
Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the optionee is
required to include in his or her income, provided the Company withholds and
deducts as required by law. When the optionee disposes of such shares, he or she
will recognize a capital gain or loss.
 
     (B) STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.  A stock appreciation right ("SAR") entitles
the participant to receive an amount in cash or shares of Common Stock or a
combination thereof having a value equal to (or if the Committee shall so
determine at the time of grant, less than) the excess of the fair market value
of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the fair market value of
a share of Common Stock on the date of grant (or over the Option exercise price,
if the SAR was granted in tandem with an Option) multiplied by the number of
shares with respect to which the SAR shall have been exercised. Subject to the
provisions of the Equity Incentive Plan, the Committee may award SARs in tandem
with an Option (at or after the award of the Option), or alone and unrelated to
an Option, and determine the terms and conditions applicable thereto, including
the form of payment. Generally, SARs granted in tandem with an Option will be
exercisable at such time or times, and only to the extent that, a related Option
is exercisable, and shall not be transferable except to the extent that a
related Option is transferable.
 
     No income will be realized by a participant in connection with the grant of
an SAR. When the SAR is exercised or when a participant receives payment in
cancellation of an Option, the participant will generally be required to include
as taxable ordinary income in the year of such exercise or payment an amount
equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any stock
received. The Company will generally be entitled to a deduction for federal
income tax purposes at the same time equal to the amount includable as ordinary
income by such participant, provided the Company withholds and deducts as
required by law.
 
     (C) PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS.  A performance stock unit ("Performance Stock
Unit") entitles a participant to acquire shares of Common Stock upon the
attainment of specified performance goals. Subject to the provisions of the
Equity Incentive Plan, the Committee may award Performance
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   20
 
Stock Units and determine the performance goals applicable to each such Award,
the number of such shares for each period of performance established (the
"Performance Cycle"), the duration of each Performance Cycle, and all other
limitations and conditions applicable to the awarded Performance Stock Units.
There may be more than one Performance Cycle in existence at any one time, and
the duration of Performance Cycles may differ from each other. The payment value
of each Performance Stock Unit shall be equal to the fair market value of one
share of Common Stock on the date the Performance Stock Unit is earned or, in
the discretion of the Committee, on the date the Committee determines that the
Performance Stock Unit has been earned. The Committee will determine, at or
after the time of award, whether payment values will be settled in whole or in
part in cash or other property, including Common Stock or Awards.
 
     The recipient of Performance Stock Units will generally be subject to tax
at ordinary income rates on the amount of cash received and the fair market
value of any Common Stock issued under the Award, and the Company will generally
be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by
the recipient, provided the Company withholds and deducts as required by law.
 
     (D) RESTRICTED STOCK.  An Award of restricted stock ("Restricted Stock")
entitles the participant to acquire shares of Common Stock for a purchase price
equal to or greater than par value, subject to such conditions and restrictions,
including a right of the Company, during a specified period or periods, to
repurchase such shares at their original purchase price (or to require
forfeiture of such shares) upon the participant's termination of employment.
Subject to the provisions of the Equity Incentive Plan, the Committee may award
shares of Restricted Stock and determine the purchase price therefor, the
duration of the restricted period during which, and the conditions under which,
the shares may be forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, and the other
terms and conditions of such Awards. The Committee may modify or waive the
restrictions with respect to any Restricted Stock. Shares of Restricted Stock
may be issued for no cash consideration or such minimum consideration as may be
required by applicable law. A participant shall have all the rights of a
stockholder with respect to the Restricted Stock including voting and dividend
rights, subject to nontransferability restrictions and Company repurchase or
forfeiture rights and subject to any other conditions contained in the Award.
 
     A recipient of Restricted Stock generally will be subject to tax at
ordinary income rates on the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time
the Common Stock is no longer subject to forfeiture, minus any amount paid for
such stock. However, a recipient who makes an election under Section 83(b) of
the Code within 30 days of the date of issuance of the Restricted Stock will
realize ordinary income on the date of issuance equal to the fair market value
of the shares of Restricted Stock at the time (measured as if the shares were
unrestricted and could be sold immediately), minus any amount paid for such
stock. If the election is made, no taxable income will be realized when the
shares subject to such election are no longer subject to forfeiture. If the
shares subject to such election are forfeited, the recipient will not be
entitled to any deduction, refund or loss for tax purposes with respect to the
forfeited shares. Upon sale of the shares after the forfeiture period has
expired, the holding period to determine whether the recipient has a long-term
or short-term capital gain or loss begins when the restriction period expires
(or upon earlier issuance of the shares, if the recipient elected immediate
realization of income under Section 83(b) of the Code).
 
     (E) NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.  The Equity Incentive Plan provides for
non-discretionary grants of Non-Qualified Stock Options to all directors of the
Company who are not employees ("Non-Employee Directors"). On the date upon which
a Non-Employee Director is elected a member of the Company's Board of Directors,
and on each subsequent election, he or she receives the grant of a Non-Qualified
Stock Option to purchase that number of shares of Common Stock determined by
multiplying 1,000 by the number of years or portion thereof for which the
Director shall be elected to serve and rounding the result to the nearest whole
number. Options granted to Non-Employee Directors elected for a term of one year
or less are immediately exercisable. Options
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   21
 
granted to Non-Employee Directors elected for a term of more than one year shall
be exercisable as to 1,000 shares and as to 1,000 additional shares (or such
lesser number as shall have been awarded) at the commencement of each successive
year of the term. The purchase price of the shares of Common Stock subject to
each option shall be the closing price of a share of the Common Stock on NASDAQ
on the date the Option is granted. The number, kind and per share exercise price
of shares issuable upon the exercise of any Options outstanding or to be granted
to Non-Employee Directors shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of a
stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares of Common Stock,
recapitalization or other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of
Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.
 
     The term of each Option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall be five
years from its date of grant, unless sooner terminated or extended in the event
of the death of the Non-Employee Director or if the Non-Employee Director's
membership on the Board is terminated. If a Non-Employee Director dies while
serving as a director, his or her options are exercisable by either his or her
executor or administrator or, if not so exercised, by the legatees or the
distributees of his or her estate, only during the 12 months following his or
her death. If a Non-Employee Director's membership on the Board terminates for
any reason other than death, his or her options are exercisable only during the
three months following the date of termination.
 
     (F) GENERAL.  Each Award may be made alone, in addition to or in relation
to any other Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the
Committee need not treat participants uniformly. Except as otherwise provided by
the Equity Incentive Plan or a particular Award, any determination with respect
to an Award may be made by the Committee at the time of award or at any time
thereafter. The Committee shall determine whether Awards are settled in whole or
in part in cash, Common Stock, other securities of the Company, Awards or other
property. The Committee may permit a participant to defer all or any portion of
a payment under the Equity Incentive Plan, including the crediting of interest
on deferred amounts denominated in Common Stock. Such a deferral may have no
effect for purposes of determining the timing of taxation of payments.
 
     Awards may not be made under the Equity Incentive Plan after March 15,
2002, but outstanding Awards may extend beyond such date. Common Stock subject
to Awards which expire or are terminated prior to exercise or Common Stock which
has been forfeited under the Equity Incentive Plan will be available for future
Awards under the Plan. Both treasury shares and authorized but unissued shares
may be used to satisfy Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. Any proceeds
received by the Company from transactions under the Equity Incentive Plan will
be used for the general purposes of the Company.
 
     The Equity Incentive Plan provides that the Committee will serve as
administrator. The Committee shall determine, from among those employees to
receive Awards, those to whom Awards should be granted and the type of Award to
be granted. The Board of Directors of the Company may amend, suspend, or
terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time. However, no amendment
shall be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to
comply with any applicable tax or regulatory requirement, including any
requirements for exemptive relief under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, or any successor provision. Accordingly, stockholder approval would
be required for any amendment that materially increases the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to the Equity Incentive Plan (other than in connection with
an adjustment upon a change in capitalization) or makes any change in the class
of employees of the Company eligible to be granted Awards by the Committee under
the Plan. In addition, Sections 10(a) and (c) of the Plan (which relate to the
grant of Non-Qualified Stock Options to Non-Employee Directors) may not be
amended more than once every six months other than to comport with changes in
the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   22
 
     The grant of future Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan is subject to
the discretion of the Committee, and the amount of future Awards is accordingly
not now determinable. All Awards which have been made under the Equity Incentive
Plan to date have been in the form of Non-Qualified Stock Options, with exercise
prices equal to 100% of the closing price of Common Stock on NASDAQ on the dates
on which such Awards were made. The following table shows all of the Awards
which have been granted through April 22, 1997 under the Equity Incentive Plan
since that Plan went in to effect in 1992 to each of the individuals named in
the Summary Compensation Table above and to the groups specified in the table.
Of the total of 2,273,326 Awards which have been made, 1,562,249 terminated in
accordance with their respective terms prior to exercise. See the Option Grants
and Option Exercises tables above for information about (i) the options which
were either granted or exercised during 1996 under both the Equity Incentive
Plan and the 1987 Stock Option Plan by the individuals named in the Summary
Compensation Table, and (ii) the unexercised options held by such individuals
under both Plans at the end of 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    AMOUNT OF
                          NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                             OPTION SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
Alan S. McKim..................................................................          -0-
  Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
David A. Eckert................................................................      250,000
  Director and Executive Vice President of the Company;
     and Chief Operating Officer*
Richard Lavoie.................................................................          -0-
  Senior Vice President*
Stephen H. Moynihan............................................................        4,000
  Senior Vice President Planning and Development
Brian J. House.................................................................       18,000
  Vice President of Field Services Group*
John P. Lawton.................................................................       13,000
  Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing and National Accounts*
All current executive officers as a group (7 persons)..........................      309,250
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group (5 persons)....       27,328
All employees, including all officers who are not executive officers,
  as a group (205 persons).....................................................      374,499
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.
 
     AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT AMENDMENT OF THE
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE
UNDER THE PLAN FROM 800,000 TO 1,250,000 WILL ALLOW THE COMPANY TO ATTRACT AND
RETAIN THE HIGHLY TRAINED AND MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS ON WHICH THE FUTURE SUCCESS
OF THE COMPANY DEPENDS. ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES THE
STOCKHOLDERS TO VOTE "FOR" THE AMENDMENT OF THE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN. PROXIES
WILL BE VOTED ON THIS PROPOSAL IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED THEREIN OR, IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL.
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     In March 1986, Mr. McKim acquired a 25% limited partnership interest in
Wood Road Associates Limited Partnership which owns property which was leased to
the Company from 1986 to 1996. The other 75% interest in the partnership is
owned by individuals unrelated to the Company or to Mr. McKim. The lease,
executed in March 1986, expired in July 1996. The Company elected not to renew
its lease and moved from this location starting in May 1996. The lease provided
for the rental of 42,078 square feet of office and laboratory space at an
initial monthly rental of $47,350, subject to
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   23
 
annual cost of living adjustments. The Company believes that the property was
leased at its fair rental value.
 
     The Company's subsidiaries currently have a $35,000,000 revolving credit
and term loan agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with Congress Financial
Corporation (New England) (the "Lender"). The Loan Agreement provides for a
maximum level of borrowings at any time which is dependent upon the maintenance
of certain ratios specified in the Loan Agreement. Borrowings are secured by
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. Under a
cash collateral agreement with the Lender, dated November 21, 1995, Mr. McKim
pledged $2 million cash as additional collateral in the event that the Company
needed to make additional borrowings than were allowed under the Loan Agreement.
In consideration for the pledge of such additional collateral, the Lender agreed
to increase the availability of borrowings by $4 million, reducing to $2 million
on January 29, 1997. Although Mr. McKim was entitled to receive the interest
earned upon the pledged cash, he otherwise received no consideration for
providing the additional collateral. The cash collateral agreement provided
that, as long as the Company's subsidiaries were not then in default of their
obligations under the Loan Agreement, Mr. McKim could withdraw the cash
collateral at any time upon three days' prior written notice. The Company and
its subsidiaries determined that they no longer needed the additional borrowing
capacity which was made available to them as a result of Mr. McKim's pledge, and
Mr. McKim therefore withdrew all of the cash collateral on March 31, 1996.
 
            SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10%
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Copies of those reports are to be furnished to the Company. Based solely on its
review of copies of the reports received by it, or written representations from
certain reporting persons, the Company believes that during 1996 all such filing
requirements were satisfied on a timely basis except for a late filing of a Form
5 by John F. Kaslow.
 
                            INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     The Company's independent public accountants will be selected by the Board
of Directors at its meeting following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The
Board of Directors anticipates that it will select Coopers & Lybrand to serve as
the Company's independent public accountants for the year ending December 31,
1997. Coopers & Lybrand has served as the Company's independent public
accountants since the fiscal year ended February 28, 1990. Representatives of
Coopers & Lybrand are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to
appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they
so desire.
 
                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     Proposals which qualified stockholders intend to present at the 1998 Annual
Meeting must be received by the Company for inclusion in the Company's proxy
statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting no later than December 31,
1997.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   24
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     THE COMPANY FILES AN ANNUAL REPORT WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K WHICH INCLUDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY.
A COPY OF THE FORM 10-K, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES, MAY BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE, AND COPIES OF THE EXHIBITS
WHICH ARE LISTED THEREIN WILL BE FURNISHED UPON PAYMENT OF THE COMPANY'S COSTS
OF REPRODUCTION AND MAILING OF SUCH EXHIBITS. ALL SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO WILLIAM J. GEARY, ESQ., VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC., 1501 WASHINGTON
STREET, BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS 02185, TELEPHONE (617) 849-1800, EXT. 4169.
 
     Except for the matters set forth above, management knows of no other matter
which is to be brought before the meeting, but if any other matter shall
properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in
the accompanying form of proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their
judgment on such matter.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          /s/ C. MICHAEL MALM 
                                          C. Michael Malm, Clerk
May 1, 1997
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOPES THAT STOCKHOLDERS WILL ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE,
DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. A PROMPT
RESPONSE WILL GREATLY FACILITATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING, AND YOUR
COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY
VOTE THEIR STOCK PERSONALLY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SENT IN THEIR PROXIES.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   25
                               CLEAN HARBORS, INC.

           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints Alan S. McKim, David A. Eckert, and C. Michael
Malm, and each of them acting solely, with full power of substitution, as the
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and proxy for the undersigned to vote all
shares of Common Stock of Clean Harbors, Inc. (the "Company") which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meting of Stockholders to be held
at 9:30 a.m., local time, on Thursday, June 26, 1997, at USTrust, 40 Court
Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or any adjournment thereof, hereby revoking any
proxies heretofore given. Each such proxy is hereby directed to vote upon the
matters set forth below and, in his own discretion, upon such other matters as
may properly come before the meeting.

Please mark your
votes as in                 [X]
this example
using dark ink only

1. Election of Directors:     FOR     WITHHELD     Nominees:     John T. Preston
                                                                 Lorne R. Waxlax
                              [ ]     [ ]


                           For, except vote withheld from the following nominee:

                           -----------------------------------------------------

2. To approve the proposal to increase the number of shares authorized for 
   issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan from 800,000 to 1,250,000:

                           FOR        AGAINST      ABSTAIN

                           [ ]        [ ]          [ ]

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED ABOVE.
IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.



Signature:________________________________ Date:___________________________

Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.  Joint owners should each 
sign.  When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such.



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