Stericycle announces merger agreement with Healthcare Waste Solutions

Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL), today announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Healthcare Waste Solutions, Inc.

On September 24, 2010, we and our wholly-owned subsidiary, SAMW Acquisition Corp., entered into a merger agreement with Healthcare Waste Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HWS"). Pursuant to the merger agreement and upon completion of the merger, our subsidiary will be merged with and into HWS and HWS will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours.

HWS, a portfolio company of Altaris Capital Partners, LLC, provides a resource management assessment and consulting program for all waste streams to healthcare providers. It uses a customized process to help customers reduce the risk of environmental fines and penalties and helps them to meet their sustainability and cost management goals. HWS also is engaged in the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of medical waste, universal waste and other regulated wastes, sharps management services, safety and compliance training, and other related businesses.

The total merger consideration is $245,000,000 in cash, subject to various adjustments, including a reduction for HWS's indebtedness as of the closing date.

Concurrently with the parties' execution of the merger agreement, HWS stockholders holding a majority of its outstanding shares of common and preferred stock entered into a voting agreement with us to vote their shares in favor of the merger at the special meeting of stockholders that HWS will call to obtain stockholder approval of the merger.

The merger is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory reviews, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.