Our History

POWERED BY A SINGLE PURPOSE FROM DAY ONE: TO MAKE GREEN WORK.

Today, Safety-Kleen is a leading provider of environmental services, oil re-refining and responsible cleaning solutions

We are still at the forefront of developing practical green processes for business, just as we were the day the company was founded. In fact, for many years, we were virtually alone.

Few people shared our passion for keeping workplaces safe by keeping the environment clean. That passion, and the resulting innovation, punctuates our history with notable firsts and remarkable achievements.

Here are key moments in our story:

1954 – 1959
Ben Palmer invents the Parts Washer. The "Safety-Kleen Machine" was a success from the start, and he decided in the early 1960's not to sell his machine, but to lease it to the customer and service it by removing and replenishing the used solvent.

1968 – 1969
Chicago Rawhide acquires Safety-Kleen.

1970
Safety-Kleen opens the first "Reclamation Plant".

1972 – 1973
100,000th Parts Washer sold.

1974
Safety-Kleen spun off from Chicago Rawhide.

1976
RCRA – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

The early 1970's began a new trend in environmental protection. The result was the 1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which introduced and defined the term "hazardous waste." Four years later, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlined categories of hazardous waste, as well as appropriate methods of treatment and disposal for each category.

1978 – 1983
Initial Public Offering and Second Public Offering.

1987
Safety-Kleen Oil Recovery Services Launched.

1988
Safety-Kleen maintains record growth.

In 1988, Safety-Kleen set a new growth record by increasing earnings more than 20 percent per year for 18 consecutive years.

1998
Safety-Kleen and Laidlaw merge.

2000
Safety-Kleen files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

2003
Safety-Kleen successfully emerges from bankruptcy and completes relocation to Plano, TX. New turnaround strategy is implemented.

2005
After sustained revenue and EBITDA growth, Safety-Kleen obtains new financing.

2006
Refinanced Sr. debt facility and completed $500 million re-capitalization. Received new, improved financial ratings (S&P: BB- and Moody's: B1).

2008
Safety-Kleen introduces EcoPower recycled motor oil to consumers.

2009
Safety-Kleen acquires Atlantic Industrial Services and Gateway Petroleum.

2012
Safety-Kleen is purchased by Clean Harbors, Inc., forming the largest environmental services company in North America, approaching $4 billion in annual revenue.