text: The Company also maintains the Republic Services 401(k) Plan (the ""Plan''), which is a deÑned 
  contribution plan covering all eligible employees. Under the provisions of the Plan, participants may direct the 
  Company to defer a portion of their compensation to the Plan, subject to a maximum of 15% of eligible 
  compensation, as deÑned. In general, the Company provides matching contributions of 50% of the amount 
  contributed by each participant up to 4% of the employee's salary. The employer match is generally made in 
  shares of the Company's common stock. Both employee and Company contributions vest immediately. During 
  2004, the Company contributed shares of its common stock valued at $3.5 million to the Plan. 