UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrant ý
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o		Preliminary Proxy Statement
o		Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
ý		Definitive Proxy Statement
o		Definitive Additional Materials
o		Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
ý		No fee required.
o		Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
		(1)		Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
		(2)		Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
		(3)		Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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o		Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
		(1)		Amount Previously Paid:
		(2)		Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
25 Greens Hill Lane
Rutland, Vermont 05701

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NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on October 11, 2011

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To the stockholders of
    CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.:

        The Annual Meeting of stockholders of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Killington Grand Hotel, 228 East Mountain Road, Killington, Vermont 05751, to consider and act upon the following matters:

1.

To elect the persons nominated by our Board of Directors to serve as members of our Board, each to serve for a term ending in 2014 or until his successor has been duly elected and qualified;



2.

To approve, in a non-binding advisory "say-on-pay" vote, the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," executive compensation tables and accompanying narrative disclosures in this proxy statement;



3.

To recommend, in a non-binding advisory "say-on-frequency" vote, the frequency of future advisory "say-on-pay" votes;



4.

To ratify the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012; and



5.

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

        The Board of Directors has no knowledge of any other business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting.

        We have included a copy of our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 with the proxy statement that accompanies this notice of meeting. The Annual Report contains consolidated financial statements and other information of interest to you.

        Stockholders of record of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock at the close of business on August 25, 2011 are entitled to receive this notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

        We encourage you to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting personally, please vote your shares by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope. If you attend the meeting and prefer to vote at that time, you may do so even if you have already voted by proxy. You may obtain directions to the location of the meeting by contacting our Investor Relations Department at (802) 775-0325.

		By order of the Board of Directors,
August 26, 2011 Rutland, Vermont		John W. Casella Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

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PROXY STATEMENT
Table of Contents

		Page
GENERAL INFORMATION		1
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF VOTING STOCK		5
PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS		8
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS		12
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION		19
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS		31
PROPOSAL 2—ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION		35
PROPOSAL 3—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ADVISORY VOTES		36
PROPOSAL 4—RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM		37
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING		37
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS		38
OTHER MATTERS		38
Appendix A		A-1

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CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
25 Greens Hill Lane
Rutland, Vermont 05701

PROXY STATEMENT

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on October 11, 2011

GENERAL INFORMATION

About this Proxy Statement

        This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. for use at the Annual Meeting of stockholders to be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Killington Grand Hotel, 228 East Mountain Road, Killington, Vermont 05751, and at any postponement or adjournment thereof. You may obtain directions to the location of the Annual Meeting by contacting our Investor Relations Department, Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701, telephone: (802) 775-0325.

        The notice of the Annual Meeting, this proxy statement, our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011, which we refer to as fiscal 2011, and the enclosed proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or about August 31, 2011.

		Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on October 11, 2011:
		This proxy statement and our 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders are available for viewing, printing and downloading at www.casella.com/2011AnnualMeeting.
		A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, except for exhibits, will be furnished without charge to any stockholder upon written or oral request to: Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Green Hills Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone: (802) 775-0325.
		This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2011 are also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Proposals to be Voted Upon

        The agenda for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will include the following proposals:

		Proposal		Board Recommendation
Proposal 1		To elect two directors to our Board of Directors, or Board, each to serve for a term ending in 2014 or until his respective successor has been duly elected and qualified		"FOR" each director nominee
Proposal 2		To approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers		"FOR"
Proposal 3		To recommend, in a non-binding advisory vote, whether future executive compensation advisory votes should occur every one year, two years or three years		"ONE YEAR" (Choice 1)
Proposal 4		To ratify the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012, which we refer to as fiscal 2012		"FOR"

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        When you return your proxy properly signed, your shares will be voted by the persons named as proxies in accordance with your directions. You are urged to specify your choices on the enclosed proxy card. If you sign and return your proxy without specifying choices, your shares will be voted in accordance with our Board's recommendations set forth above with respect to Proposals 1-4 and in the discretion of the persons named as proxies in the manner they believe to be in our company's best interests as to other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Voting Procedures

        You may vote either in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. To vote by proxy, you must:

•

Complete all of the required information on the proxy card.



•

Date and sign the proxy card.



•

Return the proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. We must receive the proxy card not later than October 10, 2011, the day before the Annual Meeting, for your proxy to be valid and for your vote to count.



•

If you are not a stockholder of record and you hold shares through a custodian, broker or other agent, such agent may have special voting instructions that you should follow.

        Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the Annual Meeting, you are requested to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed form of proxy. The shares represented by your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you attend the meeting, you may vote by ballot. If you want to vote in person at the Annual Meeting and you own your shares through a custodian, broker or other agent, you must obtain a proxy from that party in its capacity as owner of record for your shares and bring the proxy to the Annual Meeting.

        Shares represented by proxies on the enclosed proxy card will be counted in the vote at the Annual Meeting if we receive your proxy card by October 10, 2011.

        Your properly executed proxy card will appoint John W. Casella, our Chief Executive Officer, and David L. Schmitt, our Vice President and General Counsel, as proxy holders, or your representatives, to vote your shares in the manner directed therein by you. Your proxy permits you to direct the proxy holders to:

•

vote "FOR" or withhold your votes from either or both of the nominees for director;



•

vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" from the non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers;



•

vote "Choice 1" (every year), "Choice 2" (every two years), "Choice 3" (every three years) or "ABSTAIN" from the non-binding resolution to determine the frequency of future executive compensation advisory votes; and



•

vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" from the proposal to ratify the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012.

        All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed proxies received by us prior to the Annual Meeting and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxy card. If you do not indicate how your shares are to be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your properly executed proxy will be voted "FOR" the election of both of the nominees for director (Proposal 1), "FOR" approval of the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 2), for "Choice 1" to recommend that a non-binding stockholder advisory vote to approve the compensation of our executive officers occur every year (Proposal 3) and "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012 (Proposal 4). In addition,

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the shares represented by your properly executed proxy may be voted by the proxy holders on any other matters that are properly presented at the Annual Meeting for consideration, including a motion to adjourn the Annual Meeting to another time or place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies, unless you withhold authorization therefor.

Revocation of Proxies

        You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is used to cast a vote. To revoke a proxy, you must:

•

file with our Corporate Secretary, at or before the taking of the vote, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy;



•

duly execute a later dated proxy relating to the same shares and deliver it to our Corporate Secretary before the taking of the vote; or



•

attend the Annual Meeting, revoke your proxy and vote in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting, if you do not vote, is not sufficient to revoke your proxy. Shares represented by valid proxies, timely received and not revoked at or prior to the Annual Meeting, will be voted at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held through a custodian, broker or other agent, you will need to obtain a proxy card from the holder of record in order to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting.

        Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy should be sent to the following address: Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Stockholders Entitled to Vote

        Our Board has fixed August 25, 2011 as the record date for the Annual Meeting. You are entitled to vote (in person or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on the record date. On August 25, 2011, there were 25,898,225 shares of Class A common stock and 988,200 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. Each share of Class A common stock entitles the record holder to one vote on each matter properly submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting. Each share of Class B common stock entitles the record holder to ten votes on each matter properly submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting.

Quorum

        The presence, in person or by proxy, of shares representing a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a class, is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy, including shares which abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval and "broker non-votes" described below, will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present, we expect to adjourn the Annual Meeting until we obtain a quorum.

Votes Required

        Election of Directors.    Joseph Doody and Gregory B. Peters are the two director nominees. Under our By-laws, the holders of Class A common stock, voting separately as a class, are entitled to elect one director, whom we refer to as the Class A Director. Mr. Peters has been nominated as the Class A Director. The affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Class A common stock, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting is required to elect Mr. Peters. The affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a class, in

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person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting is required to elect Mr. Doody. The two director nominees, if elected, each will serve for a three-year term or until his respective successor has been duly elected and qualified. Shares represented by proxies received by the Board and not marked to withhold authority to vote for a nominee will be voted "FOR" the election of the nominee. If a stockholder properly withholds authority to vote for the nominee or abstains from voting, such stockholder's shares will not be counted toward the nominee's achievement of a plurality. Broker non-votes, if any, will also not be counted toward the nominee's achievement of a plurality.

        Other Matters.    The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a class, representing a majority of votes cast on a matter is required for: approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2) and approval of the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012 (Proposal 4). With respect to Proposal 3, we will consider the frequency option (one year, two years or three years) receiving the highest number of votes cast by holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a class, to be the frequency that has been recommended by our stockholders. However, as described in more detail in Proposal 3, because this proposal is non-binding, our Board may decide that it is in our best interest or the best interest of our stockholders to hold future executive compensation advisory votes more or less frequently. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes in favor of, or with respect to, these proposals and will also not be counted as votes cast. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of these proposals.

        If you hold shares of Class A common Stock or Class B common stock through a broker, bank or other representative, your representative may under certain circumstances vote your shares if you do not return your proxy. Your broker, bank or representative has discretionary authority to vote customers' unvoted shares on routine matters. If you do not return a proxy to your representative to vote your shares, your representative may, on routine matters, either vote your shares or leave your shares unvoted. Your representative cannot vote your shares on any matter that is not considered routine. Proposal 4, ratification of the appointment of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012, is considered a routine matter. Each of Proposal 1, Proposal 2 and Proposal 3 is not considered a routine matter. If your representative does not timely receive instructions, your representative may only vote on those matters for which it has discretionary voting authority. If your representative cannot vote your shares on a particular matter because it does not have discretionary voting authority, this is a "broker non-vote" on a matter.

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF VOTING STOCK

        The following table sets forth information as of July 31, 2011 regarding the beneficial ownership of our voting stock by (a) each person or entity known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of our voting stock, (b) each of our directors and director nominees, (c) each of our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and our other executive officers who served during the year ended April 30, 2011, whom, collectively, we refer to as our named executive officers and (d) our directors and executive officers as a group.

        We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Shares of Class A common stock that an individual has a right to acquire within 60 days after July 31, 2011, including pursuant to options to purchase Class A common stock, Class B common stock convertible into Class A common stock and restricted stock awards subject to vesting, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership owned by the person or entity holding such security, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any other person or entity. Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, we believe that the persons named in this table, based on information provided by these persons, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table is care of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701.

        The "Total Ownership of Equity Securities" column reflects each listed individual's or entity's percent beneficial ownership with respect to all of our voting securities as of July 31, 2011. This column assumes the conversion of shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share of Class B common stock that they beneficially own. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible at the discretion of the holder thereof into one share of Class A common stock. As of July 31, 2011, a total of 25,898,225 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding and a total of 988,200 shares of Class B common stock were outstanding.

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*

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

(1)

Information is as reported in a Schedule 13F filed with the SEC on August 9, 2011 by Buckhead Capital Management, LLC.

(2)

As reported in a Schedule 13F filed with the SEC on August 15, 2011 by Bridger Management LLC.

(3)

As reported in a Schedule 13F filed with the SEC on August 12, 2011 by Franklin Resources, Inc. ("FRI"). The securities reported herein (the "Securities") are beneficially owned by one or more open or closed end investment companies or other managed accounts that are investment management clients of investment managers that are direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the "Investment Management Subsidiaries") of FRI. Investment management contracts grant to the Investment Management Subsidiaries all investment and/or voting power over the securities owned by such investment management clients, unless otherwise noted, and therefore, the Investment Management Subsidiaries may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the Securities. Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (the "Principal Shareholders") each own in excess of 10% of the outstanding common stock of FRI and are the principal stockholders of FRI. FRI, the Principal Shareholders and each of the Investment Management Subsidiaries disclaim any pecuniary interest in any of the Securities.

(4)

Consists of 918,361 shares of Class A common stock held by BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., 564,176 shares of Class A common stock held by BlackRock Fund Advisors, 82,808 shares of Class A common stock held by BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, 12,486 shares of Class A common stock held by BlackRock Advisers, LLC and 1,114 shares of Class A common stock held by BlackRock Inc., as reported in Schedules 13F filed by these entities with the SEC on July 27, 2011.

(5)

Includes (a) 164,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Casella pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011, (b) 91,246 shares of Class A common stock held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Casella's minor children, (c) 694 shares of Class A common stock held by Mr. Casella's wife and (d) 494,100 shares of Class A common stock issuable at any time at the discretion of the holder upon the conversion of Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis.

(6)

Includes (a) 164,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Bohlig pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011 and (b) 23,907 shares of Class A common stock held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Bohlig's minor children. On March 1, 2011, Mr. Bohlig resigned from his

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positions with Casella Waste Systems, Inc. We obtained information regarding beneficial ownership of these shares solely from information provided to us by Mr. Bohlig.

(7)

Includes 50,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Larkin pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011.

(8)

Includes 83,333 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Johnson pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011. Mr. Johnson was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on July 6, 2010.

(9)

Includes 4,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Massaro pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011. Mr. Massaro served as our interim principal financial officer and principal accounting officer from September 28, 2009 until the appointment of Mr. Johnson as Chief Financial Officer on July 6, 2010.

(10)

Includes 7,500 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Burke pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011.

(11)

Includes (a) 35,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Callahan pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011 and (b) 7,500 shares of Class A common stock held by the James F. Callahan, Jr. 1998 Trust, of which Mr. Callahan and his wife are trustees.

(12)

Includes (a) 164,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Casella pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011, (b) 25,682 shares of Class A common stock held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Casella's minor children and (c) 494,100 shares of Class A common stock issuable at any time at the discretion of the holder upon the conversion of Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis.

(13)

Includes 52,500 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Chapple pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011.

(14)

Includes 30,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Doody pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011.

(15)

Includes 22,500 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. McManus pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011.

(16)

Includes 52,500 shares of Class A common stock issuable to Mr. Peters pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011.

(17)

Includes (a) 829,333 shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2011 and (b) 988,200 shares of Class A common stock issuable at any time at the discretion of the holders thereof upon the conversion of Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Based solely on a review of copies of reports filed pursuant to Section 16(a) and representations made by persons required to file such reports, we believe that during fiscal 2011, our officers, directors and greater than 10% owners timely filed all reports they were required to file under Section 16(a), with the exception of late Forms 4 reporting the grant of restricted stock units filed with the SEC on June 21, 2010 on behalf of Paul Massaro and David Schmitt, and late Forms 4 reporting the grant of restricted stock units filed with the SEC on June 28, 2010 on behalf of and James Bohlig, John Casella and Douglas Casella.

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PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        We have three classes of directors, currently consisting of three Class I director seats, three Class II director seats and three Class III director seats. At each Annual Meeting, directors are elected for a full term of three years to succeed those whose terms are expiring. The terms of the three classes are staggered in a manner so that stockholders elect only one class annually. At the recommendation of the Nominations and Governance Committee, our Board has nominated Gregory B. Peters, the designee of the holders of Class A common stock on our Board, and Joseph Doody for re-election as Class II directors. The two Class II director nominees are proposed for re-election at the Annual Meeting to serve as members of the Board until the 2014 Annual Meeting, or until their successors are elected and qualified. We currently have a vacancy on our Board as a result of the resignation of James W. Bohlig on March 1, 2011. Mr. Bohlig served as a Class II director. The Nominations and Governance Committee currently is evaluating candidates to fill this vacancy, and we intend to fill this vacancy by a vote of the majority of our remaining directors after the 2011 Annual Meeting, pursuant to our amended and restated by-laws.

        The persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote at the Annual Meeting to elect Messrs. Peters and Doody as Class II directors unless the proxy is marked otherwise. Each of the nominees has indicated his willingness to serve, if elected; however, if any nominee should be unable to serve, the person acting under the proxy may vote the proxy for a substitute nominee designated by our Board. Our Board has no reason to believe that either of the nominees will be unable to serve if elected.

        The Board believes that the election of the Class II director nominees is in the best interests of our stockholders and therefore recommends that our stockholders vote "FOR" the election of each of the Class II nominees.

        Set forth below for each director, including the director nominees, is information as of July 31, 2011 with respect to (a) his name and age, (b) his position and offices at Casella, if any, (c) his principal occupation and business experience during at least the past five years, (d) his directorships, if any, of other publicly-held companies, held currently or during the past five years, and (e) the year he became a member of our Board. We have also included information below regarding each director's specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of our company.

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        See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions" and "Beneficial Ownership of Voting Stock" for additional information concerning members of our Board, including those who are nominees for election as directors.

        The holders of Class A common stock, voting separately as a class, are entitled to elect the Class A Director. Mr. Peters, a Class II director who serves as our Lead Director and a member of the Compensation Committee, Audit Committee, Nominations and Governance Committee and Stock Plan Subcommittee, has been nominated as the Class A Director to serve as a member of our Board until the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

        The employment agreement by and between us and Mr. John Casella provides that Mr. Casella shall be elected as a member of our Board. We have agreed to use our best efforts to ensure that Mr. Casella is elected as a director.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

General

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

Corporate Governance Guidelines

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

•

the Board's principal responsibility is to oversee the management of Casella Waste Systems, Inc.;



•

a majority of the members of the Board shall be independent directors;



•

the independent directors shall meet regularly in executive session;



•

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



•

new directors are expected to participate in an orientation program and all directors are expected to participate in continuing director education on an ongoing basis; and



•

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

Stock Ownership Guidelines

        Our Board believes that each non-employee director should acquire and hold shares of our stock in an amount that is meaningful and appropriate to such director. Accordingly, our Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines that require each non-employee director to attain a share ownership level of our Class A common stock equal to four times the annual cash retainer paid to non-employee directors for service on our Board, which does not include fees paid to non-employee directors based on meeting attendance or service as a committee chairman or Lead Director. Each non-employee director is required to attain such ownership levels not later than the later of (i) the third Annual Meeting following the 2008 Annual Meeting or (ii) the third Annual Meeting following the first Annual Meeting at which such non-employee director is elected to the Board.

Board Determination of Independence

        Under NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an "independent director" if, in the opinion of our Board, that person does not have a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our Board has determined that none of Messrs. Burke, Callahan, Chapple, Doody, McManus and Peters has a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an "independent director" as defined under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Marketplace Rules.

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Board of Directors Meetings and Attendance

        Our Board met seven times during fiscal 2011, either in person or by teleconference. During fiscal 2011, each director other than Mr. McManus attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which he then served. Mr. McManus attended, either in person or by teleconference, four of seven Board meetings and five of six Compensation Committee meetings held during fiscal 2011.

Director Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders

        Messrs. Casella, Casella, Burke, Peters and Callahan attended the 2010 Annual Meeting of stockholders. We encourage, but have no policy with respect to, attendance of directors at the Annual Meeting.

Board Leadership Structure

        We believe that Mr. John Casella, our Chief Executive Officer, is best situated to serve as Chairman of our Board because he is the director most familiar with our business and industry and is therefore best positioned, collectively with the Lead Director, to establish the Board's agenda and fulfill the other responsibilities of the Chairman of the Board. As our founder and our Chief Executive Officer since 1993, Mr. John Casella has been an integral part of the leadership of our Board and his strategic vision has helped to guide our growth and performance. In 2003, our Board established the position of Lead Director. Mr. Peters was elected Lead Director by the independent members of our Board in 2003 and he has served in that role ever since. The responsibilities of the Lead Director are included in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on the Corporate Governance page of the Investor Relations section of our website, www.casella.com. The Lead Director chairs meetings of our independent directors, meets with any directors who are not adequately performing his or her duties as a member of our Board or any committee and facilitates communications between the Chairman of our Board and other directors. The Lead Director also works with the Chairman of our Board in preparing agendas for each meeting of our Board and consults with the Chairman of our Board on matters relating to corporate governance and board performance.

        Our Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate because it strikes an effective balance between strategy development and independent leadership and management oversight in the Board process.

Board Committees

        Our Board has established three standing committees—Audit, Compensation and Nominations and Governance—each of which operates under a charter that has been approved by the Board. In addition, the Compensation Committee has designated two of its members to serve on the Stock Plan Subcommittee.

        Our Board has determined that all of the members of each of the Board's three standing committees and its one subcommittee are independent as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, including, in the case of all members of the Audit Committee, the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In addition, all of the members of the Audit Committee otherwise satisfy NASDAQ's eligibility requirements for Audit Committee membership.

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee's responsibilities include:

•

reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures;

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•

overseeing our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;



•

taking appropriate actions, or recommending that our Board take appropriate action, to oversee the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;



•

monitoring the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm;



•

overseeing our risk management policies;



•

reviewing and approving or ratifying any related person transactions; and



•

preparing the Audit Committee report required by SEC rules, which is included on pages 33 and 34 of this proxy statement.

        The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Callahan (Chair), Burke and Peters. Our Board has determined that Mr. Callahan is an "Audit Committee financial expert" as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee met ten times during fiscal 2011. See "Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors."

Compensation Committee and Stock Plan Subcommittee

        The Compensation Committee's responsibilities include:

•

administering any bonus, incentive compensation and stock incentive plans;



•

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



•

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



•

reviewing and discussing with management our "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," which is included beginning on page 19 of this proxy statement; and



•

preparing the Compensation Committee report required by SEC rules, which is included on page 23 of this proxy statement.

        The Stock Plan Subcommittee of the Compensation Committee grants restricted stock units and other awards under our stock incentive plans to executive officers.

        The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. McManus (Chair), Doody, Chapple and Peters. The members of the Stock Plan Subcommittee are Messrs. McManus and Peters. The Compensation Committee met six times during fiscal 2011, either in person or by teleconference.

Nominations and Governance Committee

        The Nominations and Governance Committee's responsibilities include:

•

identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board;



•

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



•

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



•

overseeing an annual evaluation of our Board.

        The members of the Nominations and Governance Committee are Messrs. Peters (Chair) and Callahan. The Nominations and Governance Committee met four times during fiscal 2011.

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Risk Oversight

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

Communicating with the Independent Directors

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

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

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

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of our Board or Compensation Committee. None of the members of our Compensation Committee is a current or former officer or employee of our company.

Director Nominations Process

        The Nominations and Governance Committee acts under a written charter that we have posted on our website, www.casella.com. The process followed by the Nominations and Governance Committee to identify and evaluate director candidates includes requests to Board members and others for recommendations, meetings from time to time to evaluate biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates and interviews of selected candidates by members of the Committee and the Board.

Criteria and Diversity

        Although our Board does not have a formal diversity policy, in considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in the Board's slate of recommended director nominees, the Nominations and Governance Committee applies the criteria set forth in our corporate governance guidelines. These criteria include the candidate's integrity, business acumen, knowledge of our business and industry, experience, diligence, absence of conflicts of interest and the ability to act in the interests of all stockholders. The Nominations and Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to

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particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow our Board to fulfill its responsibilities to our stockholders.

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

Stockholder Nominations

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

        Stockholders also have the right under our by-laws to directly nominate director candidates, without any action or recommendation on the part of the Nominations and Governance Committee or the Board, by following the procedures set forth under "Stockholder Proposals for the 2012 Annual Meeting."

        At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider the re-election of Messrs. Peters and Doody, both of whom were proposed to our Board by our Nominations and Governance Committee, and nominated for re-election by our Board.

Risk Considerations in Executive Compensation

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

Compensation of Directors

        The form and amount of director compensation is determined by our Board in accordance with the policies and principles set forth below. The Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of the compensation of our directors. The Compensation Committee understands that questions as to directors' independence may be raised if director compensation and perquisites exceed customary levels, if we make substantial charitable contributions to organizations with which a director is affiliated or if we enter into consulting contracts or business arrangements with (or provide other indirect forms of compensation to) a director or an organization with which the director is affiliated.

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Forms of Director Compensation

        Our Board believes that directors should be incentivized to focus on long-term stockholder value. Including equity as part of director compensation helps align the interest of directors with those of our stockholders.

        We seek to attract exceptional talent to our Board. Therefore, our policy is to compensate directors at least competitively relative to comparable companies. Our Board believes that it is appropriate for the chairmen and members of the committees to receive additional compensation for their services in those positions.

        Cash Compensation—We reimburse non-employee directors for expenses incurred in attending Board and committee meetings. In addition, non-employee directors currently receive $6,250 for each fiscal quarter that the non-employee director serves on the Board, an additional $1,500 for each meeting of the Board that the non-employee director attends in person, an additional $1,000 for each meeting of the Board that the non-employee director attends by telephone, an additional $1,000 for each meeting of a committee or subcommittee of the Board that the non-employee director attends in person and an additional $500 for each meeting of a committee or subcommittee of the Board that the non-employee director attends by telephone. The non-employee director serving as chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional $15,000 for his service in fiscal 2011. Each non-employee director serving as a chairman of other committees of the Board receives an additional $5,000 per fiscal year. In addition to the compensation described above, Mr. Peters receives an additional $18,750 for each fiscal quarter that he serves as our Lead Director.

        Equity Based Compensation—Each new non-employee director receives shares of restricted Class A common stock on the date of such director's initial election to our Board having a value on the date of grant of $50,000, vesting in three equal annual installments over the three year period following the date of grant. Each incumbent non-employee director, other than non-employee directors who were initially elected to our Board at an Annual Meeting or at any time after the prior year's Annual Meeting, receives an additional grant of shares of restricted Class A common stock having a value on the date of grant of $50,000, vesting in three equal annual installments over the three year period following the date of grant, at the time of each Annual Meeting of stockholders. Our Board has adopted certain stock ownership guidelines for its non-employee directors as described above.

        We have also entered into or engaged in certain transactions with our directors or affiliates of our directors. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."

        The following table provides compensation information for fiscal 2011 for each non-employee director who served on our Board at any time during fiscal 2011. Messrs. John Casella and Douglas Casella are

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officers of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and do not receive any compensation for serving as directors or for attending meetings of our Board or its committees.

Non-Employee Director Compensation for Fiscal 2011

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

        This section discusses the principles underlying our executive compensation policies and decisions and the most important factors relevant to an analysis of these policies and decisions. It provides qualitative information regarding the manner and context in which compensation is awarded to and earned by our executives and is intended to place in perspective the data presented in the tables and narrative that follow.

The Role of Our Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee, including its Stock Plan Subcommittee, is responsible for overseeing the compensation of our executive officers. In this capacity, our Compensation Committee administers our bonus, incentive compensation and stock incentive plans, and approves the salaries and other benefits of our executive officers. In addition, the Compensation Committee consults with management regarding our benefit plans and compensation policies and practices.

        To assist the Compensation Committee in discharging its responsibilities, the Committee has engaged Towers Watson, an independent global consulting firm. Towers Watson provides the Compensation Committee with relevant market data and alternatives to consider when making executive compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee also considers compensation information from other sources, including from publicly available industry compensation information and general economic trends in the areas in which our executive officers work and live.

Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program

        The Compensation Committee, including its Stock Plan Subcommittee, seeks to achieve three broad objectives in connection with our executive compensation program. First, the Compensation Committee seeks to reward executives for the achievement of business objectives. Second, the executive compensation program is intended to provide executives with equity incentives so as to link a portion of the executive's compensation with the future performance of our Class A common stock, thereby aligning the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. Finally, the Compensation Committee structures its executive compensation program so as to enable us to attract and retain qualified and talented executives.

        We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. These employment agreements establish annual base salary and annual bonus amounts that the Compensation Committee may increase. In general, the Compensation Committee has tied potential bonus compensation to performance factors, including the executive officer's efforts and contributions towards obtaining corporate objectives and our company's performance.

        In making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee considers a number of factors, including the compensation packages paid by a peer group of publicly traded companies in the waste management industry selected by the Committee. This peer group, which is periodically reviewed and updated by the Compensation Committee after consultation with an independent compensation consultant (Towers Watson served in this capacity in fiscal 2011), consists of companies we believe are generally comparable to us. The companies included in this peer group for fiscal 2011 were Waste Services, Inc. and WCA Waste Corp. The Compensation Committee looks to this information in order to obtain a general understanding of current compensation practices in the industry but does not formally use that information to benchmark its executive compensation. The Compensation Committee also relies on various other factors, including existing compensation paid to executives, experience level of the individual, market factors, general economic conditions, corporate performance and cost of living in the areas where our executives live.

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Components of our Executive Compensation Program

        The primary elements of our executive compensation program are:

•

base salary;



•

annual cash incentive bonuses;



•

stock performance awards; and



•

severance and change-of-control benefits.

        We do not have any policy or target for allocating compensation between long-term and short-term compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation or among the different forms of non-cash compensation. Instead, the Compensation Committee determines what it believes to be the appropriate level and mix of the various compensation components based on its review of compensation of similarly situated executives in our peer group, the advice of its compensation consultant and our compensation philosophy described previously.

Base Salary

        Base salary is used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all our employees, including our executives. Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by our Compensation Committee. When establishing base salaries for fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee began by reviewing the total base salary paid to each of our executives during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010, which we refer to as fiscal 2010, and, for each executive officer, used that amount as a baseline for establishing fiscal 2011 base salary. The Compensation Committee then considered whether to make any increases or decreases to this baseline for fiscal 2011. Based primarily upon our operational and financial performance in fiscal 2010, the Compensation Committee decided not to increase the base salaries of our named executive officers in fiscal 2011, except for Mr. Massaro, whose salary was increased by 14%, from $175,000 to $200,000, effective July 2, 2010, as a result of Mr. Massaro's promotion from Director of Finance to Vice President and Controller. In fiscal 2011, our other named executive officers' annual base salaries were as follows: Mr. Casella, $361,333; Mr. Johnson, $300,000; Mr. Bohlig, $344,784; and Mr. Larkin, $280,000.

Annual Cash Incentive Bonus

        The employment agreement of each of our executive officers provides that such executive officer will be eligible to receive a bonus consisting of cash, a stock award or a combination thereof in an amount, if any, to be determined by the Compensation Committee after the conclusion of each fiscal year.

        The annual cash incentive bonuses for executive officers are intended to compensate for the achievement of company strategic, operational and financial goals. Amounts payable under the annual cash incentive bonus plan are calculated as a percentage, from zero to 150%, of a specified percentage of the applicable executive's base salary. For fiscal 2011, the specified percentage of fiscal 2011 annual base salary was 85% for each of Messrs. Douglas Casella, Johnson, Bohlig and Larkin, 100% for Mr. John Casella and 45% for Mr. Massaro. The fiscal 2011 bonus plan provided for the payment of a cash bonus based on (i) our earnings before interest and tax, or EBIT; (ii) our earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, severance and reorganization charges, goodwill impairment charge, environmental remediation charge, as well as development project charges, or Adjusted EBITDA; and (iii) net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, payments on landfill operating lease contracts, and assets acquired through financing leases, plus proceeds from the sale of assets and property and equipment, or Free Cash Flow. In addition, for the purpose of calculating amounts payable under this bonus plan, Free Cash Flow is also adjusted for net effects of our financing as compared to target. An aggregate of 25% of the bonus was to be paid upon the achievement of each of the EBIT and Adjusted

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EBITDA target levels; and 50% was to be paid upon the achievement of Free Cash Flow target levels. A greater or lesser amount was payable in the event the targets were exceeded or not met.

Fiscal 2011 Bonus Plan

        For fiscal 2011, the target levels for each metric were as set forth below. The target levels were determined following a review of internal projections. The Compensation Committee worked with our Chief Executive Officer to develop corporate goals that they believed could be reasonably achieved with hard work during the year, based on economic conditions in effect at the time the targets were adopted.

        In June 2011, the Compensation Committee determined that we had not met the corporate targets for fiscal 2011 set forth above, and we did not pay any cash bonuses to our named executive officers under the 2011 bonus plan. However, the Compensation Committee determined that in recognition of the value created through the successful divestiture of the non-integrated recycling assets and the steps taken to recapitalize our balance sheet at lower interest rates, it was appropriate to reward our named executive officers. Accordingly, in June 2011, the Compensation Committee granted discretionary bonuses to our named executive officers as follows: Mr. Casella, $270,667; Mr. Johnson, $252,938; Mr. Bohlig, $148,257; Mr. Larkin, $168,000; and Mr. Massaro, $70,100.

Fiscal 2012 Bonus Plan

        In June 2011, the Compensation Committee approved a cash bonus plan for fiscal 2012, pursuant to which our executive officers are eligible to receive an annual cash bonus upon our achievement of specified targets with respect to the following corporate goals for fiscal 2012: earnings before interest and tax, adjusted to exclude any accruals for incentive bonus and any one-time non-recurring gains or losses, or Pre-Bonus EBIT, and price growth from existing customers, or Price Growth. Under the Bonus Plan, each of Douglas Casella, Paul Larkin and Edwin Johnson is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus of up to 85% of his annual base salary for fiscal 2012, and John Casella is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus of up to 100% of his annual base salary for fiscal 2012. Mr. Bohlig ceased serving as an employee on March 1, 2011. As a result of Mr. Johnson's hiring, Mr. Massaro ceased serving as our principal financial and accounting officer in July 2010 and is not eligible to receive a bonus under the fiscal 2012 bonus plan.

        For fiscal 2012, the aggregate percentage of the bonus to be paid upon achievement of the specified targets are as follows:

        The Compensation Committee worked with our Chief Executive Officer to develop corporate goals for fiscal 2012 that they believe can be reasonably achieved with hard work over the next year, taking into account the current economic environment.

Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal 2011

        Our executive officers are also eligible to receive stock awards under our stock incentive plans. Historically, the use of stock options had been a significant element of the compensation packages of our executive officers. The stock options we have granted to our executives vest in equal, annual installments

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over a three or four year period of the ten-year option term, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Exercise rights generally cease shortly after termination of employment except in the case of death or disability, although in certain circumstances the exercise period may be extended if the Compensation Committee believes the extension is in our best interests. Prior to the exercise of an option, the holder has no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject to such option, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents. It has been the policy of the Stock Plan Subcommittee to set the exercise price of the stock options at a price that is at least equal to the fair market value of a share of our Class A common stock as of the date of grant.

        Beginning in 2009, the Compensation Committee began to issue restricted stock units in the belief that they would generally serve as a more effective equity incentive program than stock options. These restricted stock units, each of which represents the right to receive a share of our Class A common stock, are subject to vesting. For fiscal 2011, restricted stock units were granted subject to vesting conditions based 50% on continued employment and 50% on achievement of a target return on net assets. The 50% of restricted stock units which vest based on continued employment vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period. The 50% of restricted stock units which vest based on target return on net assets will vest upon the achievement of a target return for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013, which we refer to as fiscal 2013, and the executive may receive a lesser or greater amount, up to 150% of the original portion of the grant that is subject to vesting based on the target return, if such target is not met or is exceeded. The restricted stock units will vest in full upon a change of control of the company. The Compensation Committee worked with our Chief Executive Officer to develop the target return on net assets for fiscal 2013 and believes that it is attainable.

        For fiscal 2012, the Compensation Committee granted restricted stock units with vesting conditions based 50% on continued employment and 50% based on achievement of a target return on net assets. The 50% of restricted stock units which vest based on continued employment vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period. The 50% of restricted stock units which vest based on target return on net assets will vest upon the achievement of a target return for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2014, which we refer to as fiscal 2014, and the executive may receive a lesser or greater amount, up to 150% of the original portion of the grant that is subject to vesting based on the target return, if such target is not met or is exceeded. The restricted stock units will vest in full upon a change of control of the company. The Compensation Committee worked with our Chief Executive Officer to develop the target return on net assets and believes that the target return on net assets for fiscal 2014 is attainable.

        We do not have a program, plan or practice of timing the grant of equity awards in coordination with the release of material non-public information. We typically make equity awards to our officers and employees when the person is first hired and thereafter once annually at a regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meeting at the commencement of the respective fiscal year.

Benefits and Other Compensation

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

Severance and Change-of-Control Benefits

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

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Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

        Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to a company's chief executive officer and its three other officers (other than the chief financial officer) whose compensation is required to be reported to our stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Act by reason of being among our most highly paid executive officers. Certain compensation, including qualified performance based compensation, may be deducted if certain requirements are met. The Compensation Committee, including its Stock Plan Subcommittee, reviews the potential effect of Section 162(m) periodically and uses its judgment to authorize compensation payments that may be in excess of the limit when it believes such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of our stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business conditions and the performance of our employees. The potential compensation arising from the grant of performance stock units to executive officers in fiscal 2012 is subject to the limitations effected by Section 162(m).

Report of the Compensation Committee

        Our Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on this review and discussion, our Compensation Committee recommended to our Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2011.

By the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
James P. McManus, Chair
John F. Chapple III
Joseph G. Doody
Gregory B. Peters

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Summary Compensation Table

        The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued for fiscal 2011, fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 to our named executive officers.

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Grants of Plan Based Awards in Fiscal 2011

        The following table sets forth information regarding grants of equity awards made to our named executive officers during fiscal 2011.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2011 Year-End

        The following table summarizes outstanding unexercised options and stock units that have not vested and related information for each of our named executive officers as of April 30, 2011.

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Option Exercises and Stock Award Vesting During Fiscal 2011

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

Employment Agreements

        We have employment agreements with Messrs. John Casella, Larkin and Johnson, and we had an employment agreement with Mr. Bohlig prior to his resignation from our company on March 1, 2011. Our employment agreements with Messrs. Casella and Bohlig commenced as of December 8, 1999. Our employment agreement with Mr. Larkin commenced as of January 9, 2008, and our employment agreement with Mr. Johnson commenced on July 6, 2010. Each of Messrs. Casella's, Larkin's and Johnson's employment agreement has, and our employment agreement with Mr. Bohlig had, an initial term of three years from the commencement date and is automatically renewable for additional terms of one year unless terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement. In December 2008 and December 2010, we amended our employment agreements with Messrs. John Casella, Bohlig and Larkin to document compliance with, and, as applicable, exemption from, Section 409A of the Code. In connection with the divestiture of certain of our assets, on March 1, 2011, Mr. Bohlig resigned and terminated his employment agreement with us. He was not entitled to any severance benefits under his employment agreement. On March 1, 2011, Mr. Bohlig, along with other employees who resigned in connection with the asset divestiture, received the following benefits: full and immediate vesting of all unvested stock options, an 18-month period in which to exercise stock options, full vesting of all outstanding performance stock units and partial vesting of outstanding time-based restricted stock units.

        Pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, each of Messrs. Casella, Larkin and Johnson is entitled to a specified annual base salary, subject to adjustment as set forth in the agreement, an annual bonus consisting of cash, stock awards or a combination of cash and stock awards, in an amount determined by the Compensation Committee prior to the conclusion of each fiscal year, and a severance package upon the termination of employment. We have agreed to use our best efforts to assure that Mr. John Casella is elected to our Board for the duration of his term of employment. In addition, within 15 days of executing his employment agreement with us, Mr. Larkin received a stock option to purchase 50,000 shares of our Class A common stock and a one-time make whole benefit of $200,000, one-half paid in cash and one-half paid in restricted stock units. Within 15 days of Mr. Johnson executing his employment agreement with us he received a stock option to purchase 250,000 shares of our Class A common stock. Additionally, we will reimburse Mr. Johnson for $105,000 in relocation expenses.

        Pursuant to their employment agreements, in fiscal 2011, the annual base salary of Mr. Casella was $361,333, and the annual base salary of Mr. Larkin was $280,000. Mr. Johnson's employment with us commenced in fiscal 2011.

        Mr. Casella also agreed not to compete with us for a period of two years after the termination of his employment within 300 miles of any facility operated by us during the term of his employment and not to solicit our customers, accounts or employees. In connection with our divestiture of certain assets and Mr. Bohlig's commencement of employment with the purchaser of such divested assets, Mr. Bohlig

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entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which he agreed not to compete with us or solicit our employees or customers while he is employed by such purchaser and for a period of two years after the termination of his employment or resignation for good reason from such employment. Each of Messrs. Larkin and Johnson agreed not to compete with us for a period of one year after the termination of his employment within 100 miles of any facility operated by us during the term of his employment and not to solicit our customers, accounts or employees. In the event that Mr. Casella terminates his employment voluntarily and is not entitled to severance, the non-compete provisions of his agreement would not apply unless we continue to pay his base salary and any termination benefits or payments required under his agreement.

        In the event Mr. Casella's employment is terminated by us other than for cause (as defined below), he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to (a) three times the sum of (i) his highest base salary paid under the agreement and (ii) the higher of the most recent bonus paid to him under his agreement or 50% of his base salary immediately prior to such termination, plus (b) an amount in cash equal to the value of any accrued but unpaid base salary, bonus and vacation pay. In addition, Mr. Casella will continue to receive healthcare and other benefits for a period of three years from the date of termination, and any stock options or equity grants issued by us to him will become exercisable in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. Casella terminates his employment with us for good reason or qualified good reason (as defined below), he will receive the maximum payments described in the preceding two sentences plus an additional payment intended to compensate him for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with the severance payments.

        In the event Mr. Larkin's employment is terminated by us without cause, he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to (a) 12 months of the highest base salary paid to Mr. Larkin prior to his termination, (b) 70% of his base salary immediately prior to such termination and (c) an amount in cash equal to any accrued but unpaid base salary, bonus and vacation pay. Any stock options or equity grants issued by us to Mr. Larkin will become exercisable in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. Larkin terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to receive the severance payments described in the preceding two sentences plus an additional payment intended to compensate him for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with the severance payments.

        In the event Mr. Johnson's employment is terminated by us without cause, he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to the sum of (a) two times his highest base salary at any time prior to such termination, (b) two times 85% of his highest base salary at any time prior to such termination, and (c) an amount in cash equal to the value of any accrued but unpaid base salary, bonus and vacation pay. In addition, Mr. Johnson will continue to receive healthcare and other benefits for a period of two years from the date of termination. Any stock options or equity grants issued by us to Mr. Johnson will become exercisable in full upon termination without cause. In the event that Mr. Johnson terminates his employment with us for good reason, defined as the assignment of any duties inconsistent with his status as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a material adverse alteration in the nature or status of his responsibilities from those provided in the agreement or the transfer of a significant portion of such responsibilities to one or more other persons, or a material diminution in his compensation, Mr. Johnson will receive the maximum payments and benefits described in the preceding three sentences and an additional payment intended to compensate him for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code payable in connection with the severance payments.

        For purposes of each agreement discussed above, "cause" means the discharge of the employee resulting from (a) a conviction of a crime involving us; (b) an act or omission which has a material adverse effect on us; (c) fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement; or (d) the breach of confidentiality, non-competition or other material obligations by the employee. For the purposes of the employment agreements of Messrs. Casella and Larkin discussed above, "good reason" means the occurrence of (a) a change of control, accompanied by, or followed within the 12-month period after a change of control by (b) (i) the assignment to the employee of any duties inconsistent with his status prior to the change of control or which require travel significantly more time-consuming than that required at commencement of the agreement, or (ii) a material adverse alteration in the nature or status of the employee's responsibilities

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from those provided in the agreement or the transfer of a significant portion of such responsibilities to one or more other persons, or (iii) a material diminution in the employee's compensation. For the purposes of the employment agreements of Mr. Casella discussed above, "qualified good reason" means the occurrence of one of the events under clause (b)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding definition of good reason.

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

Summary of Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control as of April 30, 2011

        The following table quantifies the amounts that would be payable to our named executive officers other than Mr. Bohlig upon termination of their employment under the circumstances described above under "Employment Agreements." We calculated the amounts shown based upon each such named executive officer's employment agreement described above and upon the hypothetical assumption that we terminated each named executive officer effective April 30, 2011.