through a private placement.

The waste management company privately sold 5.4 million common shares at $13.25 per share, an increase of 2.4 million over an earlier announcement.

The move is one of a series to generate additional capital for the Atlanta-based company acquired in 1991 by Bermuda-based Canadian millionaire Mr. Michael DeGroote.

Mr. DeGroote, whose ownership of Republic is through his Bermuda holding company MGD Holdings, has resided in Bermuda since 1990 after selling Canadian waste management company Laidlaw.

Prior to the private placement, Republic had announced the sale of one million shares to WMX Technologies Inc. co-founder and head of Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. Mr. Wayne Huizenga and one million shares to Mr. John Melk generating about $26.5 million.

Mr. Melk, who has held various positions with WMX and has served as vice chairman and director of Blockbuster Entertainment, will join Republic's board of directors when the deal is completed.

On May 22, Republic announced Mr. Huizenga and associates would inject about $27 million in Republic.

The group could invest a total of $91.5 million if they exercise warrants included with the May 22 plan.

Under the May 22 plan, Mr. DeGroote purchased $6.75 million worth of shares and warrants for an additional three million shares.

If Mr. DeGroote exercises his warrants his total investment would be $21.9 million. The company anticipates closing the transactions with Mr. Huizenga after a special meeting of stockholders slated August 3. The private placement was arranged by Allen & Company Inc.