<PAGE>

   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 1999
                                                       Registration No. 333-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      S E C U R I T I E S   A N D   E X C H A N G E   C O M M I S S I O N
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
                           ---------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                            03-0338873
----------------------------                              -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)

                   25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701
                   -------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                  KTI, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Incentive Award Plan
                 ----------------------------------------------
                Convergent Solutions, Inc. 1989 Stock Option Plan
                -------------------------------------------------
                      KTI, Inc. Directors Stock Option Plan
                      -------------------------------------
          Non-Plan Options to Acquire Shares of KTI, Inc. Common Stock
          ------------------------------------------------------------
   Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Casella Waste Systems, Inc. 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
            Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            (Full title of the plans)

                                 John W. Casella
                 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
                           Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
                               25 Greens Hill Lane
                             Rutland, Vermont 05701
                             ----------------------
                     (Name and address of agent for service)
                                 (802) 775-0325
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>             <C>             <C>              <C>                <C>
  Title of                         Proposed          Proposed
Securities        Amount to        Maximum            Maximum         Amount of
   to be              be        Offering Price       Aggregate      Registration
Registered       Registered        Per Share      Offering Price         Fee
----------       ----------       ---------       --------------    ------------

KTI, INC.
1994 Long Term Incentive Award Plan
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)
                12,046 shares   $   11.2039 (2)   $   134,959(2)    $     35.63
                13,428 shares   $   14.8922 (2)   $   199,976(2)    $     52.79

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>

<S>             <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>
                26,733 shares   $   13.5392 (2)   $   361,946(2)    $     95.55
                14,804 shares   $   15.8725 (2)   $   234,982(2)    $     62.04
                12,862 shares   $   15.8725 (2)   $   204,156(2)    $     53.90
                36,987 shares   $   13.0725 (2)   $   483,511(2)    $    127.65
                15,299 shares   $   14.3784 (2)   $   219,975(2)    $     58.07
                20,272 shares   $   13.0725 (2)   $   265,013(2)    $     69.96
                   268 shares   $   15.4059 (2)   $     4,125(2)    $      1.09
                21,420 shares   $   16.3392 (2)   $   349,986(2)    $     92.40
                15,391 shares   $   15.4059 (2)   $   237,116(2)    $     62.60
                34,134 shares   $   18.1373 (2)   $   619,102(2)    $    163.44
                10,224 shares   $   19.9510 (2)   $   203,988(2)    $     53.85
                28,534 shares   $   18.1373 (2)   $   517,538(2)    $    136.63
                   802 shares   $   19.9510 (2)   $    15,995(2)    $      4.22
                 5,231 shares   $   19.1176 (2)   $    99,996(2)    $     26.40
                 2,419 shares   $   19.1176 (2)   $    46,254(2)    $     12.21
                 3,676 shares   $   27.2059 (2)   $    99,997(2)    $     26.40
                 3,468 shares   $   28.7990 (2)   $    99,875(2)    $     26.37
                 9,282 shares   $   28.7990 (2)   $   267,312(2)    $     70.57
                 9,074 shares   $   27.2059 (2)   $   246,878(2)    $     65.18
               112,328 shares   $   32.5980 (2)   $ 3,661,656(2)    $    966.68
                 3,060 shares   $   35.8578 (2)   $   109,725(2)    $     28.97
                47,175 shares   $   32.5980 (2)   $ 1,537,812(2)    $    405.98
                 2,999 shares   $   33.3333 (2)   $    99,960(2)    $     26.39
                 9,751 shares   $   33.3333 (2)   $   325,040(2)    $     85.81
                 3,060 shares   $   32.3529 (2)   $    99,000(2)    $     26.14
                 9,690 shares   $   32.3529 (2)   $   313,500(2)    $     82.76
                 5,610 shares   $   31.3725 (2)   $   176,000(2)    $     46.46
                 4,590 shares   $   31.3725 (2)   $   144,000(2)    $     38.02
                 3,185 shares   $   30.5147 (2)   $    97,188(2)    $     25.66
                 4,373 shares   $   30.5147 (2)   $   133,448(2)    $     35.23
                 3,045 shares   $   32.8431 (2)   $    99,998(2)    $     26.40
                 6,135 shares   $   32.8431 (2)   $   201,502(2)    $     53.20
                 6,375 shares   $   39.2157 (2)   $   250,000(2)    $     66.00
                20,400 shares   $   39.2157 (2)   $   800,000(2)    $    211.20
                15,300 shares   $   38.7255 (2)   $   592,500(2)    $    156.42
                40,800 shares   $   38.7255 (2)   $ 1,580,000(2)    $    417.12
                41,942 shares   $   30.0245 (2)   $ 1,259,300(2)    $    332.46
                60,058 shares   $   30.0245 (2)   $ 1,803,200(2)    $    476.04
                 2,488 shares   $   40.1961 (2)   $    99,999(2)    $     26.40
                 7,712 shares   $   40.1961 (2)   $   310,001(2)    $     81.84
               194,476 shares   $   18.8906 (3)   $ 3,673,773(3)    $    969.88

KTI, INC.
Convergent Solutions Inc. 1989 Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)

                 4,462 shares   $   11.2039 (2)   $    49,992(2)    $      13.20

KTI, INC.
Directors Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)

                 8,568 shares   $   10.7373 (2)   $     91,997(2)   $      24.29
                16,065 shares   $   13.5392 (2)   $    217,508(2)   $      57.42
                19,125 shares   $   17.8922 (2)   $    342,188(2)   $      90.34
                15,300 shares   $   46.0784 (2)   $    705,000(2)   $     186.12

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>             <C>             <C>               <C>                <C>

KTI, INC.
Non-Plan Options to Acquire Shares of KTI, Inc. Common Stock
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)

                13,388 shares   $  13.5392 (2)    $      181,256(2)  $     47.85
                76,500 shares   $  17.6471 (2)    $    1,350,000(2)  $    356.40
                12,750 shares   $  28.7990 (2)    $      367,188(2)  $     96.94
                76,500 shares   $  32.5980 (2)    $    2,493,750(2)  $    658.35
                79,050 shares   $  33.3333 (2)    $    2,635,000(2)  $    695.64
                 7,650 shares   $  35.2941 (2)    $      270,000(2)  $     71.28
                89,250 shares   $  30.0245 (2)    $    2,679,688(2)  $    707.44

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock
($.01 par value)

             2,000,000 shares   $  18.8906 (3)    $   37,781,200(3)  $  9,974.24

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock
($.01 par value)

                50,000 shares   $  18.8906 (3)    $      944,530(3)  $    249.36

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Class A Common Stock
($.01 par value)

               300,000 shares   $  18.8906 (3)    $    5,667,180(3)  $  1,496.14

TOTAL        3,669,515 SHARES                     $   78,056,760     $ 20,606.98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

     (1) The number of shares of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Class A Common
Stock to be issued gives effect to the exchange ratio of 0.51 shares of Casella
Waste Systems, Inc. Class A Common Stock for each share of KTI, Inc. Common
Stock originally issuable under the plans registered hereby, as provided in the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 12, 1999, as amended as of May 12,
1999, September 8, 1999, and September 23, 1999 by and among Casella Waste
Systems, Inc., Rutland Acquisition Sub, Inc., and KTI, Inc. Pursuant to Rule
416(a), this Registration Statement also covers additional securities that may
be offered as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions
relating to the shares covered by this Registration Statement.

     (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee,
and based upon the exercise prices of outstanding options on the date of grant
in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act").

     (3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee,
and based on the average of the high and low prices as reported by Nasdaq on
December 7, 1999, in accordance with Securities Act Rule 457(c) and (h) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

<PAGE>

                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

     This registration statement has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of the
Class A Common Stock of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Registrant") issuable to eligible employees, directors, consultants and
advisors under certain employee benefit plans and written compensation contracts
assumed by Registrant upon the merger of Registrant's wholly owned subsidiary,
Rutland Acquisition Sub, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, with and into KTI,
Inc., a New Jersey corporation. These plans and contracts were previously
obligations of KTI, Inc. and its subsidiaries. This registration statement also
registers shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Registrant issuable under
certain plans of the Registrant pursuant to amendments to those plans approved
by stockholders of the Registrant at the annual meeting held on December 8,
1999.

<PAGE>

PART I.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

     The information required by Part I is included in documents sent or given
to participants in the plans specified on the cover page of this Registration
Statement, pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.

PART II.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
             -----------------------------------------------

     The Registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements
of Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). The following documents, which are filed with the
Commission, are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:

     (1) The Registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or either (1) the latest prospectus filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that contains audited financial
statements for the Registrant's latest fiscal year for which such statements
have been filed or (2) the Registrant's effective registration statement on Form
10 or 20-F filed under the Exchange Act containing audited financial statements
or the Registrant's latest fiscal year;

     (2) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document
referred to in (1) above.

     (3) The description of the Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
(the "Common Stock"), contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
8-A as filed with the Commission on October 15, 1997, including any amendment or
report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

     All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all shares of Common Stock offered
hereby have been sold, or which deregisters all shares of Common Stock then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
be part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.

                                     -2-
<PAGE>


     Item 4. Description of Securities.
             --------------------------

     Not applicable.

     Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
             ---------------------------------------

     Not applicable.

     Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
             ------------------------------------------

     The Registrant's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
contains certain provisions permitted under the General Corporation Law of
Delaware relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate a
director's personal liability for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary
duty, except in certain circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as the
breach of a director's duty of loyalty or acts or omissions which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law. The Registrant's
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation also contains
provisions obligating the Registrant to indemnify its directors and officers to
the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

     The Registrant maintains insurance coverage insuring directors and officers
of the Registrant against certain liabilities which they may incur as directors
and officers of the Registrant, which may include coverage for liabilities
arising under the Securities Act.

     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that a
corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the
corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and expenses incurred in
connection with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be
made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that, in
the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no
indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter as to which such person
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the adjudicating court determines that such indemnification is
proper under the circumstances.

     Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
             ------------------------------------

     Not applicable.

     Item 8. Exhibits.
             ---------

     The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein
by reference.

     Item 9. Undertakings.
             -------------

     1. The Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

        (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the

<PAGE>

                   Securities Act;

        (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
              the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
              recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
              in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
              information set forth in the registration statement; and

        (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
              distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
              statement or any material change to such information in the
              registration statement;

     provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
     registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information
     required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
     is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
     Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
     reference in the registration statement.

        (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
     a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
     and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     2. The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be in the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, executive officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, executive officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, executive officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Rutland, Vermont, on this 14th day of December, 1999.

                                      Casella Waste Systems, Inc.


                                      By:    /s/ John W. Casella
                                             -------------------
                                             John W. Casella
                                             President, Chief Executive
                                             Officer, Chairman of the
                                             Board of Directors and Secretary



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     We, the undersigned officers and directors of Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
hereby severally constitute and appoint John W. Casella, James W. Bohlig and
Jeffrey A. Stein, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our
names, in the capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-8
filed herewith and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement and
generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities
as officers and directors to enable Casella Waste Systems, Inc. to comply with
the provisions of the Securities Act and all requirements of the Commission,
hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them singly, to said Registration Statement and
any and all amendments thereto.


    WITNESS our hands and common seal on the date set forth below.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
as of December 14, 1999.

     Signature                         Title
     ---------                         -----

/s/ John W. Casella                President, Chief Executive
-------------------------------    Officer and Chairman
John W. Casella                    (Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ James W. Bohlig                Senior Vice President and
-------------------------------    Chief Operating Officer,
James W. Bohlig                    Director

/s/ Jerry S. Cifor                 Senior Vice President and
-------------------------------    Chief Financial Officer
Jerry S. Cifor                     (Principal Accounting and
                                   Financial Officer)

/s/ Douglas R. Casella             Director
-------------------------------
Douglas R. Casella



<PAGE>



/s/ John F. Chapple III             Director
-------------------------------
John F. Chapple III

/s/ Gregory B. Peters               Director
-------------------------------
Gregory B. Peters

                                      -7-


<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit Index
                                  -------------


Exhibit
Number
------


4.1(1)     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.

4.2(2)     Second Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant
4.3(3)     Specimen Certificate of Class A Common Stock of the Registrant
5.1        Opinion of Hale and Dorr LLP

23.1       Consent of Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent accountants
24.1       Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages of this
           Registration Statement)

-----------------------

(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registration
    statement on Form S-8 of Registrant as filed on November 18, 1998 (File
    No. 333-67487).

(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the registration
    statement on Form S-1 of Registrant as filed on September 24, 1997 (File
    No. 333-33135).

(3) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to Amendment No. 2 to the
    registration statement on Form S-1 of Registrant as filed on October 9,
    1997 (File No. 333-33135).
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 24591}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS INC", "cik": "0000911177", "assigned-sic": "4953", "irs-number": "030338873", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0430"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-92735", "film-number": "99774366"}, "business-address": {"street1": "25 GREENS HILL LANE P O BOX 866", "city": "RUTLAND", "state": "VT", "zip": "05701", "phone": "8027750325"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "25 GREENE HILL ROAD", "city": "RUTLAND", "state": "VT", "zip": "05702"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 1999
                                                       Registration No. 333-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      S E C U R I T I E S   A N D   E X C H A N G E   C O M M I S S I O N
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
                           ---------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                            03-0338873
----------------------------                              -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)

                   25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701
                   -------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                  KTI, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Incentive Award Plan
                 ----------------------------------------------
                Convergent Solutions, Inc. 1989 Stock Option Plan
                -------------------------------------------------
                      KTI, Inc. Directors Stock Option Plan
                      -------------------------------------
          Non-Plan Options to Acquire Shares of KTI, Inc. Common Stock
          ------------------------------------------------------------
   Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Casella Waste Systems, Inc. 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
            Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            (Full title of the plans)

                                 John W. Casella
                 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
                           Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
                               25 Greens Hill Lane
                             Rutland, Vermont 05701
                             ----------------------
                     (Name and address of agent for service)
                                 (802) 775-0325
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of                         Proposed          Proposed
Securities        Amount to        Maximum            Maximum         Amount of
   to be              be        Offering Price       Aggregate      Registration
Registered       Registered        Per Share      Offering Price         Fee
----------       ----------       ---------       --------------    ------------

KTI, INC.
1994 Long Term Incentive Award Plan
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)
                12,046 shares   $   11.2039 (2)   $   134,959(2)    $     35.63
                13,428 shares   $   14.8922 (2)   $   199,976(2)    $     52.79
26,733 shares   $   13.5392 (2)   $   361,946(2)    $     95.55
                14,804 shares   $   15.8725 (2)   $   234,982(2)    $     62.04
                12,862 shares   $   15.8725 (2)   $   204,156(2)    $     53.90
                36,987 shares   $   13.0725 (2)   $   483,511(2)    $    127.65
                15,299 shares   $   14.3784 (2)   $   219,975(2)    $     58.07
                20,272 shares   $   13.0725 (2)   $   265,013(2)    $     69.96
                   268 shares   $   15.4059 (2)   $     4,125(2)    $      1.09
                21,420 shares   $   16.3392 (2)   $   349,986(2)    $     92.40
                15,391 shares   $   15.4059 (2)   $   237,116(2)    $     62.60
                34,134 shares   $   18.1373 (2)   $   619,102(2)    $    163.44
                10,224 shares   $   19.9510 (2)   $   203,988(2)    $     53.85
                28,534 shares   $   18.1373 (2)   $   517,538(2)    $    136.63
                   802 shares   $   19.9510 (2)   $    15,995(2)    $      4.22
                 5,231 shares   $   19.1176 (2)   $    99,996(2)    $     26.40
                 2,419 shares   $   19.1176 (2)   $    46,254(2)    $     12.21
                 3,676 shares   $   27.2059 (2)   $    99,997(2)    $     26.40
                 3,468 shares   $   28.7990 (2)   $    99,875(2)    $     26.37
                 9,282 shares   $   28.7990 (2)   $   267,312(2)    $     70.57
                 9,074 shares   $   27.2059 (2)   $   246,878(2)    $     65.18
               112,328 shares   $   32.5980 (2)   $ 3,661,656(2)    $    966.68
                 3,060 shares   $   35.8578 (2)   $   109,725(2)    $     28.97
                47,175 shares   $   32.5980 (2)   $ 1,537,812(2)    $    405.98
                 2,999 shares   $   33.3333 (2)   $    99,960(2)    $     26.39
                 9,751 shares   $   33.3333 (2)   $   325,040(2)    $     85.81
                 3,060 shares   $   32.3529 (2)   $    99,000(2)    $     26.14
                 9,690 shares   $   32.3529 (2)   $   313,500(2)    $     82.76
                 5,610 shares   $   31.3725 (2)   $   176,000(2)    $     46.46
                 4,590 shares   $   31.3725 (2)   $   144,000(2)    $     38.02
                 3,185 shares   $   30.5147 (2)   $    97,188(2)    $     25.66
                 4,373 shares   $   30.5147 (2)   $   133,448(2)    $     35.23
                 3,045 shares   $   32.8431 (2)   $    99,998(2)    $     26.40
                 6,135 shares   $   32.8431 (2)   $   201,502(2)    $     53.20
                 6,375 shares   $   39.2157 (2)   $   250,000(2)    $     66.00
                20,400 shares   $   39.2157 (2)   $   800,000(2)    $    211.20
                15,300 shares   $   38.7255 (2)   $   592,500(2)    $    156.42
                40,800 shares   $   38.7255 (2)   $ 1,580,000(2)    $    417.12
                41,942 shares   $   30.0245 (2)   $ 1,259,300(2)    $    332.46
                60,058 shares   $   30.0245 (2)   $ 1,803,200(2)    $    476.04
                 2,488 shares   $   40.1961 (2)   $    99,999(2)    $     26.40
                 7,712 shares   $   40.1961 (2)   $   310,001(2)    $     81.84
               194,476 shares   $   18.8906 (3)   $ 3,673,773(3)    $    969.88

KTI, INC.
Convergent Solutions Inc. 1989 Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)

                 4,462 shares   $   11.2039 (2)   $    49,992(2)    $      13.20

KTI, INC.
Directors Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)

                 8,568 shares   $   10.7373 (2)   $     91,997(2)   $      24.29
                16,065 shares   $   13.5392 (2)   $    217,508(2)   $      57.42
                19,125 shares   $   17.8922 (2)   $    342,188(2)   $      90.34
                15,300 shares   $   46.0784 (2)   $    705,000(2)   $     186.12
KTI, INC.
Non-Plan Options to Acquire Shares of KTI, Inc. Common Stock
Class A Common Stock  (1)
($.01 par value)

                13,388 shares   $  13.5392 (2)    $      181,256(2)  $     47.85
                76,500 shares   $  17.6471 (2)    $    1,350,000(2)  $    356.40
                12,750 shares   $  28.7990 (2)    $      367,188(2)  $     96.94
                76,500 shares   $  32.5980 (2)    $    2,493,750(2)  $    658.35
                79,050 shares   $  33.3333 (2)    $    2,635,000(2)  $    695.64
                 7,650 shares   $  35.2941 (2)    $      270,000(2)  $     71.28
                89,250 shares   $  30.0245 (2)    $    2,679,688(2)  $    707.44

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock
($.01 par value)

             2,000,000 shares   $  18.8906 (3)    $   37,781,200(3)  $  9,974.24

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
Class A Common Stock
($.01 par value)

                50,000 shares   $  18.8906 (3)    $      944,530(3)  $    249.36

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Class A Common Stock
($.01 par value)

               300,000 shares   $  18.8906 (3)    $    5,667,180(3)  $  1,496.14

TOTAL        3,669,515 SHARES                     $   78,056,760     $ 20,606.98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The number of shares of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Class A Common
Stock to be issued gives effect to the exchange ratio of 0.51 shares of Casella
Waste Systems, Inc. Class A Common Stock for each share of KTI, Inc. Common
Stock originally issuable under the plans registered hereby, as provided in the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 12, 1999, as amended as of May 12,
1999, September 8, 1999, and September 23, 1999 by and among Casella Waste
Systems, Inc., Rutland Acquisition Sub, Inc., and KTI, Inc. Pursuant to Rule
416(a), this Registration Statement also covers additional securities that may
be offered as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions
relating to the shares covered by this Registration Statement.

     (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee,
and based upon the exercise prices of outstanding options on the date of grant
in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act").

     (3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee,
and based on the average of the high and low prices as reported by Nasdaq on
December 7, 1999, in accordance with Securities Act Rule 457(c) and (h) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
EXPLANATORY NOTE

     This registration statement has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of the
Class A Common Stock of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Registrant") issuable to eligible employees, directors, consultants and
advisors under certain employee benefit plans and written compensation contracts
assumed by Registrant upon the merger of Registrant's wholly owned subsidiary,
Rutland Acquisition Sub, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, with and into KTI,
Inc., a New Jersey corporation. These plans and contracts were previously
obligations of KTI, Inc. and its subsidiaries. This registration statement also
registers shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Registrant issuable under
certain plans of the Registrant pursuant to amendments to those plans approved
by stockholders of the Registrant at the annual meeting held on December 8,
1999.
PART I.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

     The information required by Part I is included in documents sent or given
to participants in the plans specified on the cover page of this Registration
Statement, pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.

PART II.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
             -----------------------------------------------

     The Registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements
of Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). The following documents, which are filed with the
Commission, are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:

     (1) The Registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or either (1) the latest prospectus filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that contains audited financial
statements for the Registrant's latest fiscal year for which such statements
have been filed or (2) the Registrant's effective registration statement on Form
10 or 20-F filed under the Exchange Act containing audited financial statements
or the Registrant's latest fiscal year;

     (2) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document
referred to in (1) above.

     (3) The description of the Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
(the "Common Stock"), contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
8-A as filed with the Commission on October 15, 1997, including any amendment or
report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

     All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all shares of Common Stock offered
hereby have been sold, or which deregisters all shares of Common Stock then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
be part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.

                                     -2-
Item 4. Description of Securities.
             --------------------------

     Not applicable.

     Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
             ---------------------------------------

     Not applicable.

     Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
             ------------------------------------------

     The Registrant's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
contains certain provisions permitted under the General Corporation Law of
Delaware relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate a
director's personal liability for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary
duty, except in certain circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as the
breach of a director's duty of loyalty or acts or omissions which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law. The Registrant's
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation also contains
provisions obligating the Registrant to indemnify its directors and officers to
the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

     The Registrant maintains insurance coverage insuring directors and officers
of the Registrant against certain liabilities which they may incur as directors
and officers of the Registrant, which may include coverage for liabilities
arising under the Securities Act.

     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that a
corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the
corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and expenses incurred in
connection with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be
made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that, in
the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no
indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter as to which such person
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the adjudicating court determines that such indemnification is
proper under the circumstances.

     Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
             ------------------------------------

     Not applicable.

     Item 8. Exhibits.
             ---------

     The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein
by reference.

     Item 9. Undertakings.
             -------------

     1. The Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

        (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;

        (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
              the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
              recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
              in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
              information set forth in the registration statement; and

        (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
              distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
              statement or any material change to such information in the
              registration statement;

     provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
     registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information
     required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
     is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
     Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
     reference in the registration statement.

        (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
     a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
     and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     2. The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be in the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, executive officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, executive officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, executive officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Rutland, Vermont, on this 14th day of December, 1999.

                                      Casella Waste Systems, Inc.

                                      By:    /s/ John W. Casella
                                             -------------------
                                             John W. Casella
                                             President, Chief Executive
                                             Officer, Chairman of the
                                             Board of Directors and Secretary

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     We, the undersigned officers and directors of Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
hereby severally constitute and appoint John W. Casella, James W. Bohlig and
Jeffrey A. Stein, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our
names, in the capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-8
filed herewith and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement and
generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities
as officers and directors to enable Casella Waste Systems, Inc. to comply with
the provisions of the Securities Act and all requirements of the Commission,
hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them singly, to said Registration Statement and
any and all amendments thereto.

    WITNESS our hands and common seal on the date set forth below.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
as of December 14, 1999.

     Signature                         Title
     ---------                         -----

/s/ John W. Casella                President, Chief Executive
-------------------------------    Officer and Chairman
John W. Casella                    (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ James W. Bohlig                Senior Vice President and
-------------------------------    Chief Operating Officer,
James W. Bohlig                    Director

/s/ Jerry S. Cifor                 Senior Vice President and
-------------------------------    Chief Financial Officer
Jerry S. Cifor                     (Principal Accounting and
                                   Financial Officer)

/s/ Douglas R. Casella             Director
-------------------------------
Douglas R. Casella
/s/ John F. Chapple III             Director
-------------------------------
John F. Chapple III

/s/ Gregory B. Peters               Director
-------------------------------
Gregory B. Peters

                                      -7-
Exhibit Index
                                  -------------

Exhibit
Number
------

4.1(1)     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.

4.2(2)     Second Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant
4.3(3)     Specimen Certificate of Class A Common Stock of the Registrant
5.1        Opinion of Hale and Dorr LLP

23.1       Consent of Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent accountants
24.1       Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages of this
           Registration Statement)

-----------------------

(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registration
    statement on Form S-8 of Registrant as filed on November 18, 1998 (File
    No. 333-67487).

(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the registration
    statement on Form S-1 of Registrant as filed on September 24, 1997 (File
    No. 333-33135).

(3) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to Amendment No. 2 to the
    registration statement on Form S-1 of Registrant as filed on October 9,
    1997 (File No. 333-33135).