EXHIBIT 23.1
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
   
     We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No.
333-25631 of Waste Industries, Inc. of our report dated May 5, 1997 appearing in
the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement, and 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
May 12, 1997