Routeware named No. 200 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 List of fastest-growing software companies. Aug 11, 2026, 08:17 ET For The Fourth Consecutive Year, Routeware Has Been Recognized Among The Nation's Most Successful Independent Businesses For Exceptional Revenue Growth AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Routeware, a leading provider of integrated technology solutions for the waste and recycling industry, announced it has been ranked No. 2619 on the overall 2026 Inc. 5000 list and No. 200 in the Software category, one of the industry-specific rankings within the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The ranking recognizes Routeware's exceptional growth, earning it a place on the list of the nation's most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses that are driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of the economy. "We are honored to be named on the Inc. 5000's list of fastest-growing companies for the fourth year in a row, proving that we are building something that matters for our customers," said Jeremy Collins, CEO of Routeware. "We play a mission-critical role in helping waste and recycling organizations serve their communities through systems that can't afford disruption. This recognition reflects a team that shows up every day to protect that foundation while still finding new ways to make operations safer, simpler, and more efficient." This year's Inc. 5000 recognizes a new class of companies redefining what growth looks like. From AI and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, consumer products, and professional services, these businesses are expanding their impact, creating jobs and proving that entrepreneurial ambition continues to fuel the U.S. economy. Among the 5000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130%, and those companies have collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years. For the full Inc. 5000 list, honoree company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, please visit: www.inc.com/inc5000. "Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still," says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance-it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement." Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2026 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 14-16 in Dallas, Texas and the top 500 will be listed in the Fall issue of Inc. Magazine. Tickets are on sale now. Inc. 5000 List Methodology Companies on the 2026 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2022 to 2025. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2022. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent - not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies - as of December 31, 2025. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2022 is $100,000; the minimum for 2025 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Routeware: Routeware is a leading provider of waste, recycling, and heavy-duty fleet technology solutions. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, and serving municipalities and haulers across North America and the United Kingdom, Routeware's integrated platform provides route optimization, fleet dispatch software, in-cab technology, digital customer engagement, billing systems, and data-driven insights. The company's solutions help customers large and small increase operational efficiency, improve service delivery, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability goals. Founded over 25 years ago, Routeware is trusted by over 1500 customers to digitize operations and support resilient communities. The company has offices and customers throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. For more information, visit www.routeware.com. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com. SOURCE Routeware, Inc.

Routeware, a provider of technology solutions for the waste and recycling industry, has appointed Kristy McKnight as chief product officer. McKnight brings over 20 years of experience in vertical SaaS, having worked through two IPOs and two acquisitions. Most recently, McKnight held a GM-level role at Procore, where she scaled technology solutions for the construction industry. At Routeware, she will focus on strengthening foundational products and developing new growth products, with an emphasis on customer-driven strategy and AI applications. Founded 25 years ago and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Routeware serves 1,500 customers across North America and the United Kingdom. The company provides route optimisation, fleet dispatch software, in-cab technology and billing systems for municipalities and haulers.

Why customer education and sustainability reporting are critical for modern waste operations. by Routeware team - february 23, 2026. For too long, customer education and sustainability reporting in waste management have been siloed and often discussed separately as outreach and compliance, or education vs data reporting. But in 2026, leading waste and recycling organizations are recognizing that these two areas are deeply connected - and that when they're aligned, they unlock operational resilience, cost savings, service reliability, and long-term strategic planning. Routeware is helping shape this evolution, not just through technology but by engaging directly with the industry at events like the Plastic & Recycling Conference, the NCRA Annual Recycling Update, the Resource Recovery Conference, the SWANA NorCal Western Regional Symposium, and the IWHA Spring Conference (as well as other gatherings highlighted on its events page). Customer education: more than sustainability messaging. Customer education has traditionally been framed as a sustainability initiative (think recycling outreach, brochures, social campaigns, and community events). Those are important. But when Routeware, Inc. look closely at how education impacts everyday operations, a stronger truth emerges: When residents and customers clearly understand what goes where, when, and why, it reduces contamination, improves safety, lowers operational friction, and strengthens trust in waste services. Too often, contamination is treated as an environmental metric. But contamination is fundamentally an operational cost driver: * Manual labor to sort contaminated material * Increased tipping fees when loads are rejected * Equipment damage from hazardous or prohibited items * Increased safety risk for drivers and facility staff * Missed pickups due to confusion or incorrect set-outs In communities with high participation in recycling and organics collection, poor information only undermines progress and drives costs upward. This is why customer education must be understood as an operational advantage, not just a sustainability nicety. Sustainability reporting: mission-critical for planning and accountability. Meanwhile, cities, counties, and haulers are facing increasing demands for transparent sustainability reporting. Regulations in many states now require: * Reporting on diversion rates * Proof of performance for recycling programs * Emissions accounting from waste fleets * Organics diversion tracking * Circular economy impact reporting For municipal leaders and large haulers, sustainability reporting is no longer a checkbox activity. It's a strategic requirement tied into: * Budget justification * Regulatory compliance * Community trust * Environmental stewardship * Long-term infrastructure planning These requirements are becoming more common and more detailed as states and regions adopt extended producer responsibility (EPR), pay-as-you-throw incentives, and organics mandates. This dynamic was evident at these conferences last year, and will only be doubly so in 2026, where industry leaders are actively sharing insights on reporting practices and regulatory readiness for this year and beyond. Where customer education and reporting intersect. Education and reporting have traditionally lived in separate worlds: one focused on people, the other on data. But they're actually two sides of the same coin. When customers understand their service options and how to participate correctly: Contamination drops Diversion rates improve Fleet efficiency increases Safety risks decrease Outreach costs decrease Data integrity improves That last point, data integrity, is critical. Better resident behavior produces cleaner data, which in turn feeds more accurate sustainability reporting, performance dashboards, and compliance documents. This virtuous cycle is what waste leaders are beginning to optimize, and it's part of the reason Routeware's solutions integrate customer education tools with performance reporting and analytics. Field insights: what Routeware, Inc. has seen in the industry. From conversations at the SWANA NorCal Western Regional Symposium to sessions at the IWHA Spring Conference, several consistent themes are emerging: 1. Waste Operations Are Becoming Data-Driven Operators are moving away from intuition and manual logs toward platforms that provide real-time performance insight - not only for fleet efficiency but for community behavior as well. 2. Residents Expect Clear, Digital Engagement Communities increasingly want self-service information (i.e. something searchable and actionable), rather than generic brochures. At events like the Resource Recycling Conference, speakers highlighted how digital tools that answer "what goes where?" reduce confusion more effectively than broad messaging. 3. Reporting Requirements Are Expanding Cities are being asked to do more than just count tons. Additionally, they must demonstrate why trends changed year-over-year, how contamination is moving, and how programs deliver environmental value. Sustainability reporting is becoming an essential part of how public works departments secure funding and defend budget decisions. How tools support both education and reporting. Modern waste operations are increasingly leveraging platforms that serve both community engagement and performance measurement. Customer-Facing tools help residents. * Searchable disposal guides * Automated service reminders * Interactive education resources * Seasonal and special collection messaging * Self-service collection and billing options These tools reduce confusion and drive behavior that produces cleaner waste streams. Behind-the-Scenes reporting tools help operators. * Contamination trend tracking * Diversion and participation dashboards * Emissions and sustainability analytics * Custom performance scorecards These support regulatory reporting, internal planning, and strategic recommendations. A unified strategy: better education, better reporting, better operations. By blending customer education with transparent sustainability reporting, waste and recycling organizations unlock three major advantages: 1. Operational Resilience When residents participate correctly, crews encounter fewer obstacles, and operations run smoother. 2. Cost Control Reduced contamination and improved participation lead to lower processing, tipping, and corrective costs. 3. Strategic Planning Better data fuels smarter decisions around equipment purchases, route planning, staffing, and future program expansions. This unified perspective is what progressive organizations are presenting at industry events in 2026 and what thought leaders in the waste space should continue to explore. Where the industry is gathering in 2026. Routeware is participating in, and tracking trends from, several major events where these topics are being discussed in depth: * Plastic & Recycling Conference - For the first time ever, the Plastics Recycling Conference, Resource Recycling Conference, and Textile Recovery Summit unite under one roof. * NCRA Annual Recycling Update - Sharing insights on recycling trends, contamination challenges, and education strategies. * Resource Recovery Conference - A national forum on recycling data, policy shifts, and operational innovations. * SWANA NorCal Western Regional Symposium - Regional leadership exchanges on waste collection, technology adoption, and performance benchmarking. * IWHA Spring Conference - Conversations with private haulers on workforce, customer engagement, and service delivery. * And more - find full details on Routeware's events page. Across these gatherings, one message is clear: education + data = better operations. Final thoughts. Customer education and sustainability reporting aren't separate facets of waste management. They are interconnected strategies that help organizations meet operational expectations, community needs, and regulatory demands. When residents feel informed and data flows seamlessly from collection to analytics dashboards, organizations can operate with confidence, clarity, and accountability. That's the future of waste and recycling operations - and Routeware is helping the industry get there through solutions, partnerships, and ongoing engagement with thought leaders and operators alike. Fill out the form below, and let's discuss your operation.