Singapore’s Waste Warriors Eye a Big Payday
In a move that could see the founders of the Singaporean “trash‑harvesters” 800 Super Waste Management pocket a ~$300 million payday, the company is almost set to hand over the reins. The deal, if it goes through this month, would value the firm at roughly S$414 million.
Who Owns the Stacks of “Waste”?
Executive chairman Lee Koh Yong and his family are the big shots steering the company, but they’ve enlisted one or more advisers to shepherd the sale. KKR & Co, a private‑equity titan that helped Lee buy back 800 Super in 2019, and Australia’s Macquarie Asset Management are leading the bidding.
KKR and Macquarie have previously flirted with the business. KKR, in particular, amounted to the funds that let the Lee family pull the company off the Singapore Exchange’s Catalist board—valuing it at S$161 million back then.
From 1986 to 2024: A Quick Throwback
- Founded in 1986 as a purely traditional rubbish collector.
- Today, the fleet is green—literally—using electric trucks to haul the trash.
- Services have grown from simple picking to cleaning, conservancy, and even horticultural work.
- Clients? Think Changi Airport Group and Marina Bay Sands.
Beyond Singapore: Cambodian Capers
In January of last year, 800 Super sealed a 10‑year contract to collect and transport waste in one of Phnom Pheng’s three zones. Because they’re not just hauling trash—they also run a biomass plant that churns out two million kilowatt‑hours of renewable electricity every month.
When the Deal Hits the Books
KKR, Macquarie, and the Lee family are all chipping in to make the sale, but the parties haven’t yet commented on the details. The company remains quiet on the matter, as usual.
Whether the sale closes this month or later, one thing’s clear: 800 Super has climbed from humble beginnings to become Singapore’s trash‑management heavyweight—and now it’s looking to trade in its hard-earned everything for a hefty sum.
