William Blair initiated coverage of three waste management stocks – WM (WM), Republic Services (RSG) Casella Waste (CWST) – with Outperform ratings. The firm expects healthy price growth amid disposal capacity scarcity. In addition, automation will drive increased margin gains for WM and Republic, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Blair believes Republic Services’ environmental solutions business will drive growth while Casella is well positioned in the Northeast to capitalize on the scale of landfill closures.