<Page> Exhibit 12.1 CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS) <Table> <Caption> SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, OCTOBER 31, --------------------------------------------------- ------------------ 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2002 2003 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO: Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, discontinued operations, extraordinary loss and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle..................... $13,665 $22,042 $(114,001) $15,798 $ 7,871 $12,900 $ 9,643 Undistributed earnings and minority interests........ -- 502 1,026 (154) (152) (152) -- (Gain) / loss in equity method investees............. -- 1,062 26,256 (1,899) (2,073) (1,751) (898) Distributed income of equity method investees........ -- -- -- 500 2,000 500 -- Fixed charges........................................ 6,171 17,547 41,961 31,888 27,291 14,360 12,622 Less: interest capitalized........................... (530) (640) (373) (437) (719) (273) (290) ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings (loss)...................................... $19,306 $40,513 $(45,131) $45,696 $34,218 $25,584 $21,077 ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Interest expense (includes amortization of deferred financing charges)................................. $ 5,641 $16,907 $ 41,588 $31,451 $26,572 $14,087 $12,332 Interest capitalized................................. 530 640 373 437 719 273 290 ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed charges........................................ $ 6,171 $17,547 $ 41,961 $31,888 $27,291 $14,360 $12,622 ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges................... 3.13 2.31 -- 1.43 1.25 1.78 1.67 ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- 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............................ $ 7,871 $ 9,643 Undistributed earnings and minority interests........ (152) -- Gain in equity method investees...................... (2,073) (898) Distributed income of equity method investees........ 2,000 -- Proforma fixed charges............................... 25,642 14,738 Less: interest capitalized........................... (719) (290) ------- ------- Proforma earnings.................................... $32,569 $23,193 ------- ------- Proforma interest expense (includes amortization of deferred financing charges)........................ $24,923 $14,448 Interest capitalized................................. 719 290 ------- ------- Proforma fixed charges............................... $25,642 $14,738 ------- ------- Ratio of proforma earnings to proforma fixed charges............................................ 1.27 1.57 ------- ------- </Table>