[LOGO] Safety-Kleen Corp.
1000 N. Randall Road
Elgin, IL 60123

(847) 697-8460
For further information:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MAUREEN FISK
(847) 468-2452

SAFETY-KLEEN REPORTS 12% EARNINGS INCREASE
FOR SECOND INTERIM PERIOD 1996
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ELGIN, ILLINOIS -- JULY 10, 1996 -- Safety-Kleen Corp. (NYSE:SK) today
announced results for the second interim period ended June 15, 1996.
Consolidated revenue for the 12-week period was $211 million, an increase of 4%
compared with the similar period in 1995. Net earnings rose to $13.6 million, an
increase of 12% over the second quarter in 1995. On a per share basis, earnings
were $0.23, compared with $0.21 in the same quarter one year ago.

For the first twenty-four weeks of 1996, consolidated revenue increased 4%
to $413 million. Net earnings rose 10% to $26.7 million from $24.2 million
during the same period one year ago. Earnings per share were $0.46 compared with
$0.42 in 1995.

Commenting on the results, President and Chief Executive Officer, John G.
Johnson, Jr., noted, "As anticipated, our Fluid Recovery ("FRS") and Oil
Recovery Services produced the strongest revenue growth in the second quarter
with increases of 14% and 16%, respectively, compared with the second quarter of
1995. FRS revenue was up $2.5 million over the first quarter of 1996 and Oil
Recovery revenue rose $5.7 million, or 19% , to $36.1 million during the quarter
compared with the first quarter of 1996," added Johnson. Approximately $2.3
million of the increase in Oil Recovery revenue was derived from the acquisition
of certain assets of Industrial Service Corp ("ISC"). The ISC acquisition,
completed in late April of 1996, enhances Safety-Kleen's used oil collection
network and volumes.

- MORE -

Johnson further added, "We are pleased that the average time interval
between services in our parts cleaner business remained unchanged from year-end
1995. As we discussed in the first quarter results, this is a positive for the
Company in that it represents a departure from the lengthening intervals
witnessed for the previous six years. We are hopeful that this trend will
continue in the future." Johnson noted, "In addition, our plant and recycle
operations are running smoothly and efficiently. The perpetuation of these
factors along with continued growth in our Imaging, Fluid Recovery, and Oil
Recovery Services should produce solid revenue and earnings momentum in the
second half of 1996."

Imaging Services revenue for the second quarter of 1996 effectively
increased $2.2 million when the prior year quarter is adjusted to reflect the
elimination of approximately $4.4 million of broker-related business that
Safety-Kleen has discontinued. Costs associated with the addition and training
of Branch Imaging Specialists as well as facility consolidation costs impacted
profitability in the quarter. "Year-to-date, Imaging revenue and gross profit
are in line with our expectations," Johnson noted. European revenues were up 3%
to $24 million in the second quarter and net earnings more than doubled to
approximately $600,000.

Safety-Kleen is a leading service company specializing in the recovery and
recycling of waste fluids, including the collection and re-refining of used
motor oil. Safety-Kleen stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "SK".

- END -

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
(thousands, except per share amounts)

-----------------------------------------------------------
TWELVE TWENTY-FOUR
WEEKS ENDED WEEKS ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------------
June 15, June 16, June 15, June 16,
1996 1995 1996 1995
-----------------------------------------------------------

Revenue
North America
Automotive/Retail Repair Services $ 54,498 $ 55,911 $ 109,107 $ 111,939

Industrial Services
Parts Cleaner ................. $ 28,870 27,260 57,633 54,165
Fluid Recovery ................ $ 32,973 28,841 63,421 56,365

Total Industrial .............. $ 61,843 56,101 121,054 110,530

Oil Recovery Services ........... $ 36,074 30,993 66,473 57,971
Other ........................... $ 34,978 37,019 68,012 71,549

Total North America ............. $ 187,393 180,024 364,646 351,989

Europe ............................. $ 23,962 23,168 48,432 45,762

Consolidated Revenue ................. $ 211,355 203,192 413,078 397,751

Operating costs and expenses ......... $ 154,788 148,986 300,611 291,403
Selling and administrative expenses .. $ 30,099 29,323 59,827 56,893

Operating income ..................... $ 26,468 24,883 52,640 49,455
Interest income ...................... $ 252 225 432 485
Interest expense ..................... ($ 4,446) (4,843) (8,710) (9,387)

Earnings before income taxes ......... $ 22,274 20,265 44,362 40,553

Income taxes ......................... $ 8,670 8,134 17,681 16,351

Net earnings ......................... $ 13,604 $ 12,131 $ 26,681 $ 24,202

Earnings per common and common
equivalent share ................... $ 0.23 $ 0.21 $ 0.46 $ 0.42

Average number of common and common
equivalent shares outstanding ...... 58,041 57,906 57,983 57,847

Cash dividends per common share ...... $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.18 $ 0.18

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1. The Company's interim reporting periods are twelve weeks each for the first
three reporting periods of the year and sixteen weeks for the fourth
reporting period.

SAFETY-KLEEN CORP.
Key Statistics
TWELVE WEEKS ENDED JUNE 15, 1996

1996 1995 Change
---- ---- ------

Parts Cleaners In Service at Quarter End
- ----------------------------------------
Industrial .............................................. 149,535 144,145 5,390
All Other ............................................... 460,239 466,944 (6,705)
Total ................................................... 609,774 611,089 (1,315)
Average Service Interval in Weeks........................ 8.85 8.47 0.38

Oil Recovery Service
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Branch Collection:
Used Oil/Glycol/Oily Water Gallons Collected
Quarter ............................................ 35.8 Million 30.5 Million 5.3 Million
Year-to-date ....................................... 62.0 Million 58.8 Million 3.2 Million

Avg Revenue Per Used Oil/Glycol/Oily
Water Gal. Collected
Quarter ............................................ $0.267 $0.256 $0.011
Year-to-date ....................................... $0.285 $0.247 $0.038

Avg. Base Oil Selling Price Per Gallon
Quarter ............................................ $1.004 $1.000 $0.004
Year-to-date ....................................... $0.999 $0.995 $0.004