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                                                                      EXHIBIT 24



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                   (Form 10-K)

           Know all men by these presents, that the individuals whose signatures
      appear below constitute and appoint Alan S. McKim and Donald N. Leef, and
      each of them acting alone, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
      agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign the
      Clean Harbors, Inc. Form 10-K Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or
      15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended
      December 31, 1996, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all
      documents in connection therewith, with the Securities Exchange
      Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
      them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
      thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as
      fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person,
      hereby ratifying and confirming all that said substitute or substitutes
      may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      Signature                    Title                 Date
      ---------                    -----                 ----

      /s/ Christy W. Bell
      -----------------------     Director          March 19, 1997
      Christy W. Bell

      /s/ David A. Eckert
      -----------------------     Director          March 19, 1997
      David A. Eckert

      /s/ John F. Kaslow
      -----------------------     Director          March 19, 1997
      John F. Kaslow

      /s/ Daniel J. McCarthy
      -----------------------     Director          March 19, 1997
      Daniel J. McCarthy

      /s/ John T. Preston
      -----------------------     Director          March 19, 1997
      John T. Preston

      /s/ Lorne R. Waxlax
      -----------------------     Director          March 19, 1997
      Lorne R. Waxlax