Proposed Acquisition of Waste Management Ned. BV

Shanks Group PLC
10 March 2000


                          SHANKS GROUP PLC ('SHANKS')
                          ---------------------------
                                       
             PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT NEDERLAND BV
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Shanks today announces that it has entered into a conditional agreement to
acquire Waste Management Nederland BV from Waste Management International BV.

Highlights

*         The consideration payable is approximately USD328.2 million
          (GBP207.7 million), subject to certain closing balance sheet
          adjustments.

*         The consideration will be financed through a vendor placing of
          21,134,000 shares underwritten by Hoare Govett Limited at a minimum
          price of 170 pence per share to raise a minimum of GBP35.9 million
          gross with the balance being funded from a new multi-tranche, multi-
          currency banking facility provided by ABN Amro Bank NV and The Royal
          Bank of Scotland plc.

*         Waste Management Nederland BV is the fourth largest waste operator
          in the Netherlands by turnover and the largest industry participant
          in the Randstad region, the principal economic region in the
          Netherlands.

*         Waste Management Nederland BV operates five solid waste businesses
          and two hazardous waste units, as well as a substantial industrial
          cleaning business and a leading electronic recycling business.

*         For the year ended 31st December, 1999, Waste Management Nederland
          BV had turnover of GBP124.4 million, operating profit of GBP18.7
          million and cash flow from operating activities of GBP28.8 million.

*         The board of Shanks expects that the acquisition of Waste Management
          Nederland BV will enhance earnings per share before goodwill
          amortisation in the first full year of ownership.

Commenting on the acquisition, GH Waddell, Chairman of Shanks, said:

'The acquisition of Waste Management Nederland BV is a further step in the
Shanks strategy of building an integrated business with number one or two
market positions in each geographic segment. Waste Management Nederland BV
will increase our ability to provide advanced waste solutions to customers
through the use of new technologies.  We look forward to working with Waste
Management Nederland BV's strong management team to grow their business.  We
are enthusiastic about the prospects for the enlarged group resulting from
this acquisition.'

Enquiries

Shanks Group plc                  Today: Hoare Govett Limited 020 7678 8000
----------------                  Later: 01628 524523

Michael Averill (Group Chief Executive)
David Downes (Group Finance Director)

Lazard Brothers & Co., Limited          Tel:  [phone]
------------------------------
Nicholas Jones
Julian Goodwin

Hoare Govett Limited                    Tel:  [phone]
--------------------
Garth James


There will be an analysts' presentation at 10.00 am to be held at the offices
of Hoare Govett Limited, 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA.

Each of Lazard Brothers & Co., Limited and Hoare Govett Limited, which are
regulated in the United Kingdom by The Securities and Futures Authority
Limited, is acting exclusively for Shanks Group plc in relation to the
proposed acquisition and is not advising any other person or treating any
other person as its customer in relation thereto.