EXHIBIT 23.1
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                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
reports included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed
Registration Statements on Form S-8:

File No. 333-43539 pertaining to the 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Casella
Waste Systems, Inc., File No. 333-43537 pertaining to the 1994 Nonstatutory
Stock Option Plan of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., File No. 333-43541 pertaining
to the 1996 Stock Option Plan of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., File No. 333-43635
pertaining to the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., File
No. 333-40267 pertaining to the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Casella
Waste Systems, Inc., File No. 333-43543 pertaining to the 1997 Non-Employee
Director Stock Option Plan of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and File No. 333-67487
pertaining to the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan of Casella
Waste Systems, Inc.


Arthur Andersen LLP

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
--------------------------------
Boston, Massachusetts
August 1, 2000