Dive Brief:

• The Department of Justice will need Waste Management and Deffenbaugh Disposal Inc. to remove itself from three markets in order to complete Waste Management's acquisition of Deffenbaugh Disposal.
• The waste and recycling company will sell its assets in Kansas and Arkansas, and has 90 days to complete the divestments
• The required divestitures are aimed at alleviating uneasiness regarding competition. 

Dive Insight:

Bill Baer, the assistant attorney general for the antitrust division, said, “This deal threatened to weaken competition in small container commercial waste service in three cities and surrounding areas. Competition between Waste Management and Deffenbaugh historically has resulted in lower prices and better service.”

The acquisition was announced in October.