EXHIBIT 99.1


                                                      REPUBLIC CONTACTS
                          Media Inquiries:            Will Flower (954) 769-6392
                          Investor Inquiries:         Tod Holmes  (954) 769-2387
                                                      Ed Lang     (954) 769-3591

                            JAMES E. O'CONNOR BECOMES
                    CHAIRMAN-ELECT OF REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
                         - Wayne Huizenga to retire from
                         chairman post at year-end 2002


Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- Sept. 13, 2002 -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG)
announced today that the Board of Directors has named James E. O'Connor
Chairman-Elect, effective immediately. Mr. O'Connor will succeed H. Wayne
Huizenga, who is retiring as chairman effective December 31, 2002. Mr. Huizenga
will remain a member of the company's Board of Directors.

Mr. O'Connor, 53, will be the second chairman in Republic's history. He will
continue to serve as the company's president and chief executive officer. He
will also continue to serve as a member of the Board's Executive Committee,
along with Mr. Huizenga and Vice Chairman Harris W. Hudson.

"I will be 65 in December and I am fortunate to be in excellent health," said
Mr. Huizenga. "I want to step back from my day-to-day involvement in Republic
and focus my attention on new entrepreneurial opportunities. The succession to
Jim O'Connor is well-timed considering his knowledge, experience and the
stability of the company. Jim is a natural leader and ideally suited to lead
Republic for many years. He brings a keen strategic intellect, a valued
background, strong leadership characteristics and a unique set of team-building
skills. I am confident in Jim's abilities and proud of the company's
performance," said Mr. Huizenga.

Jim O'Connor has been the chief executive officer of Republic since he joined
the firm in 1998. Prior to joining Republic, Mr. O'Connor had a successful
26-year career with



Waste Management, Inc. He began his career as a staff accountant with Waste
Management in Oakbrook, Illinois, after graduating from DePaul University in
1972. From there, he moved up through the company's ranks, stopping only for a
four-year period during which he managed his own solid waste collection company
in Indiana. He rejoined Waste Management in 1982 and became vice president of
the company's Southeastern Region in 1987. He was named senior vice president of
Waste Management North America, and in 1992, he was named area president with
responsibility for $1.8 billion of the company's revenue.

Mr. O'Connor is married and has three children and two grandchildren. He and his
wife, Cathy, reside in Coral Springs, Florida.

Republic Services, Inc. is a leading provider of 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.

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