EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Waste Industries,
Inc. on Form S-1 of our report dated April 20, 1997, appearing in the
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
 
     We also consent to the reference to us under the headings "Selected
Consolidated Financial and Operating Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.
 
                                         /s/        DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Raleigh, North Carolina
April 22, 1997