American Ecology Landfill Signs New Disposal Agreements.

Business Editors

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2001

American Ecology Corporation (Nasdaq:ECOL) today announced a series of multi-year disposal contracts with new customers for disposal services at its El Centro municipal solid waste landfill in South Texas.

Contracts were recently inked with the City of Benavides, the City of San Diego, Brooks County and Frontier Waste Services. The latter company recently purchased a major solid waste hauling operation in the Corpus Christi market.

"These contracts are an important step forward for the El Centro landfill," stated American Ecology Chairman and CEO Jack Lemley, adding, "We are very pleased with the progress made since we opened this state-of-the-art disposal facility in July of 2000." The landfill is operated by Texas Ecologists, Inc. ("TECO"), a wholly owned subsidiary of US Ecology, Inc., a subsidiary of Boise-based American Ecology.

The El Centro Landfill also receives waste from the City of Bishop, the City of Driscoll, the City of Mathis, the City of Robstown and numerous commercial and industrial customers. Located 10 miles west of Corpus Christi, El Centro is planted at the center of an eight county market area with a population of approximately 500,000.

The new landfill is located near Texas Ecologists' hazardous waste disposal facility, which primarily serves the refining and chemical industries concentrated on the Texas Gulf Coast.

"These disposal agreements bolster El Centro's strategic position as the low cost provider of environmentally sound municipal waste landfill services in the South Texas Coastal Bend region," Lemley concluded.

American Ecology Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a variety of radioactive, PCB, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to commercial and government customers throughout the United States, such as medical and academic institutions, petro-chemical facilities, and utilities. The company provides scientific solutions that protect people and the environment. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the Company is one of the oldest and most experienced waste services companies in the United States.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions about the industry and markets in which American Ecology Corporation and its subsidiaries operate. Actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in these forward-looking statements and there can be no assurance given that the Company will receive disposal contracts for the solid waste services offered. American Ecology has no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statement made herein. Please refer to American Ecology Corporation's most recent quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.