All Three Leading Independent Proxy Advisors Recommend Stockholders Vote “For” the Merger of Republic Services & Allied W...

  
    
  
  
    
      Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) and Allied Waste Industries, Inc. 
      (NYSE: AW) today announced that RiskMetrics Group (formerly 
      Institutional Shareholder Services), Glass Lewis and PROXY Governance, 
      Inc., the three leading independent proxy advisory firms, have all 
      recommended that stockholders vote �FOR� 
      the proposals with respect to the merger of Republic Services and Allied 
      Waste.
    
    
      In its report dated November 3, 2008, RiskMetrics Group stated:
    
    
      �Based on our review of the terms of the 
      transaction�particularly the strategic 
      rationale, the narrowing of the EV/EBITDA valuation multiple between 
      Allied Waste and its peer group since the initial merger announcement, 
      Republic's history of generating better than peer average total 
      shareholder returns, and the analysts' favorable outlook for Republic, 
      we believe that the merger agreement warrants shareholder support.�
    
    
      In its report, Glass Lewis stated:
    
    
      �Based on the sound strategic rationale, fair 
      financial terms and the absence of significant conflict, we believe the 
      merger of equals is in the interest of shareholders of both companies�Further, 
      the transaction is expected to yield significant cost synergies and the 
      boards of Allied Waste and Republic anticipate that the merger will be 
      accretive to the Company�s earnings per share 
      within the first full calendar year after closing.�
    
    
      In its report, dated October 23, 2008, PROXY Governance, Inc. stated:
    
    
      �We support this transaction because it 
      appears to make strategic sense and we believe that shareholders will be 
      better off with shares of the combined company.�
    
    
      As announced on June 23, 2008, Republic Services and Allied Waste boards 
      of directors unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement to 
      firmly establish one of the nation�s leading 
      waste and environmental services providers, with expected pro forma 
      annual revenues of approximately $9 billion. The combined company will 
      have more than 35,000 employees serving more than 13 million customers 
      in 40 states and Puerto Rico. The transaction is expected to close by 
      the fourth quarter of 2008, to generate approximately $150 million in 
      net annual synergies by the third year following completion of the 
      merger, and to be accretive to Republic�s 
      earnings per share in the first year following completion of the merger.
    
    
      Republic will hold its special stockholder meeting on November 14, 2008, 
      at 1:30 p.m., Eastern Time, in the Atrium on the 7th Floor of 110 S.E. 
      6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. Allied will hold its special 
      stockholder meeting on November 14, 2008 at 11:30 a.m., Mountain Time, 
      at the Marriott at McDowell Mountains, 16770 North Perimeter Drive, 
      Scottsdale, Arizona 85260. Stockholders of record as of the October 6, 
      2008 record date are eligible to vote on the proposed merger.
    
    
      The Republic board of directors unanimously recommends that Republic 
      stockholders vote "FOR" the Republic share issuance in connection with 
      the merger. The Allied board of directors unanimously recommends that 
      Allied stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement. The 
      merger is subject to the approvals of the respective stockholders of 
      both companies, as well as regulatory approval from the U.S. Department 
      of Justice which is expected in early December 2008.
    
    
      About Republic Services, Inc.
    
    
      Republic Services, Inc. is a leading provider of environmental services 
      including solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services in the 
      United States. The company�s operating units 
      are focused on providing solid waste services for commercial, 
      industrial, municipal and residential customers.
    
    
      About Allied Waste Industries, Inc.
    
    
      Allied Waste is America's second largest non-hazardous solid waste 
      services company and an environmental leader. Headquartered in Phoenix, 
      AZ, Allied Waste provides waste collection, transfer, recycling and 
      disposal services to millions of residential, commercial and industrial 
      customers in over 100 major markets spanning 38 states and Puerto Rico. 
      Allied's team of more than 22,000 dedicated employees operates within a 
      highly efficient, integrated organization that generated 2007 revenue of 
      $6.1 billion.
    
    
      Additional Information and Where to Find It
    
    
      This communication is being made in respect of the proposed business 
      combination involving Republic and Allied. Republic and Allied have 
      filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a definitive a Joint 
      Proxy Statement/Prospectus in connection with the proposed merger 
      transaction. The definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus was mailed 
      on or about October 14, 2008 to stockholders of Republic and Allied of 
      record as of the close of business on October 6, 2008. INVESTORS AND 
      SECURITY HOLDERS OF REPUBLIC AND ALLIED ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT 
      PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC 
      CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION 
      ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders are able 
      to obtain free copies of the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus 
      and other documents filed with the SEC by Republic and Allied through 
      the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the 
      definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed 
      with the SEC can also be obtained by directing a request to Republic 
      Services, Inc., 110 SE 6th Street, 28th Floor, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 
      33301 Attention: Investor Relations or by directing a request to Allied 
      Waste Industries, Inc., 18500 North Allied Way, Phoenix, Arizona 85054, 
      Attention: Investor Relations.
    
    
      Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    
    
      Certain statements and information included herein constitute �forward-looking 
      statements� within the meaning of the Federal 
      Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking 
      statements are identified by words such as �will,� 
      �expects,� �intends,� 
      and similar words. Any such forward-looking statements contained herein 
      are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, 
      uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ 
      materially from expectations expressed in such forward-looking 
      statements, many of which are beyond the control of Republic and Allied. 
      Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include: the effect of 
      changes in general economic conditions, the risk that a condition to 
      funding under Republic's the new credit facility may not be satisfied, 
      the risk that a regulatory approval that may be required for the merger 
      is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not 
      anticipated and other risks to consummation of the merger, and the risk 
      that the merger, if completed, may not generate synergies or be 
      accretive to earnings or create long-term value for stockholders as 
      expected. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers are urged 
      to consider these factors carefully in evaluating our forward-looking 
      statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on 
      forward-looking statements. Risk factors are discussed in the definitive 
      Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed with the SEC. The forward-looking 
      statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press 
      release and the parties hereto undertake no obligation to publicly 
      update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or 
      circumstances.