text: **Risk Factors**
  
  *This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes ""forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of*
  *Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, in particular, certain statements*
  *about our plans, strategies and prospects. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations*
  *reÖected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such*
  *plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause our actual results to*
  *diÅer materially from our forward-looking statements include those set forth in this Risk Factors section. All*
  *forward-looking statements attributable to us or any persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualiÑed in*
  *their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth below. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references*
  *to the ""company,'' ""we,'' ""us'' or ""our'' include Republic Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.*
  
  *If any of the following risks, or other risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe to not be*
  *signiÑcant, develop into actual events, then our business, Ñnancial condition, results of operations, cash Öows*
  *or prospects could be materially adversely aÅected.*