<Page> Exhibit 12.1 CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS) <Table> <Caption> NINE MONTHS YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, ENDED JANUARY 31 ---------------------------------------------------- ------------------- 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO: Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, discontinued operations, extraordinary item and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle..................... $ 5,690 $13,665 $21,805 $(94,972) $17,714 $14,720 $14,870 Undistributed earnings and minority interests........ -- -- 502 1,026 (154) (2) (152) (Gain) / loss in equity method investees............. -- -- 1,062 26,256 (1,899) (1,349) (2,357) Distributed income of equity method investees........ -- -- -- -- 500 -- -- Fixed charges........................................ 7,749 6,171 17,547 41,961 31,888 24,923 21,172 Less: interest capitalized........................... (138) (530) (640) (373) (437) (343) (507) ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings (loss)...................................... $13,301 $19,306 $40,276 $(26,102) $47,612 $37,949 $33,026 ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Interest expense (includes amortization of deferred financing charges)................................. $ 7,611 $ 5,641 $16,907 $ 41,588 $31,451 $24,580 $20,665 Interest capitalized................................. 138 530 640 373 437 343 507 ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed charges........................................ $ 7,749 $ 6,171 $17,547 $ 41,961 $31,888 $24,923 $21,172 ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges................... 1.72 3.13 2.30 -- 1.49 1.52 1.56 ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- PROFORMA FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO: Proforma income from continuing operations before income taxes, discontinued operations, extraordinary item and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle............................ $24,898 $23,796 Undistributed earnings and minority interests........ (154) (152) Gain in equity method investees...................... (1,899) (1,751) Distributed income of equity method investees........ 500 -- Proforma fixed charges............................... 24,704 12,246 Less: interest capitalized........................... (437) (507) ------- ------- Proforma earnings.................................... $47,612 $33,632 ------- ------- Proforma interest expense (includes amortization of deferred financing charges)........................ $24,267 $11,739 Interest capitalized................................. 437 507 ------- ------- Proforma fixed charges............................... $24,704 $12,246 ------- ------- Ratio of proforma earnings to proforma fixed charges............................................ 1.93 2.75 ------- ------- </Table>