JTM

                       An INDUSTRIALSERVICESGROUP Company

                                February 6, 1998

Brett A. Hickman, Esquire
87 North Foxhill Road
North Salt Lake, Utah 84054

Dear Brett:

         This  letter is written to confirm  the  agreement  (this  "Agreement")
which we have  reached  wherein  you will be employed  by JTM  Industries,  Inc.
("JTM"  or the  "Company").  We at JTM are  happy to have you as a member of the
senior management team and look forward to working with you. In consideration of
your decision to leave your current  position and join JTM, JTM agrees that your
responsibilities, compensation and benefits will be as set forth herein.

1. The term of this  Agreement  shall begin on the date upon which you accept it
and shall expire on October 13, 2000.

2. You will be employed in the position of Sr. Vice  President,  General Counsel
and Secretary of JTM and its affiliated companies, including its parent company,
Industrial  Services  Group,  Inc. Your  responsibilities  will be to manage the
legal affairs of the Company and to report  directly to me. You will be provided
with such clerical,  paralegal and support staff and assistance as are necessary
to perform your duties.

3. You will receive an initial annual salary of $120,000.00  (paid twice monthly
in accordance with Company policy),  less statutory  deductions and withholding.
Your salary will be subject to annual review in accordance with Company policy.

4. You will receive all of the  benefits of all  executive  incentive,  savings,
retirement, vacation and stock option plans and programs currently maintained or
hereinafter  established by the Company for the benefit of its senior management
and/or officers.

5. You and your family will receive all benefits under each welfare benefit plan
of the Company  currently  maintained or hereinafter  established by the Company
for the benefit of its  employees.  Such  welfare  benefit  plans will  include,
without limitation,  medical, dental,  disability,  group life, accidental death
and travel accident insurance plans and programs.

6. Even though you are beginning  your  employment  during the fiscal year,  you
will be paid a bonus for this fiscal year, if one is earned by other  management
employees  of the  Company,  as if you were an  employee  of the Company for the
entire fiscal year.

7. You will receive a monthly automobile allowance in the amount of $750.00.

8. If your  employment  relationship  with  JTM is  terminated  for any  reason,
including  but not  limited to your death or  disability,  other than just cause
(defined as your  conviction for a felony or your wilful refusal to perform your
duties), at any time during the term of this Agreement, or any extension hereof,
or by the  expiration of this  Agreement,  then JTM will: (i) pay you (or in the
event of your death,  your beneficiary) a severance package equal to one year of
your salary at the time of termination  (in the form of a  continuation  of your
salary  for said one year  period),  along  with an  extension  of all  benefits
(insurance,  automobile  allowance,  etc.)  for the same  period  of time and an
amount  equal to the bonus  which  would be paid to you during the year in which
the  employment  relationship  is  terminated  had  the  relationship  not  been
terminated.

9. If, at any time  during the period  beginning  upon the  termination  of your
employment  with JTM and until two years  after such date (but in no event later
than five years from the date of this  Agreement),  you (or in the event of your
death,  your family)  desire to return to any State in the  Southeastern  United
States, JTM will: (i) pay your (or in the event of your death, your beneficiary)
all costs involved in relocating  you and your family (which shall include,  but
not be limited to, the payment of all closing costs  associated with the sale of
your  residence  and the  purchase of a new  residence  in the city to which you
relocate and the payment of any discount  points or costs  necessary  for you to
obtain a 30 year fixed rate  mortgage at 7.0% for the  purchase of the new home)
to a city of your choice in the  Southeastern  United  States;  and,  (iii) will
purchase your Salt Lake City home for market value or original  purchase  price,
whichever is higher.

10.  You will be allowed  to  continue  your  relationship  as General  Counsel,
Western Division, or some similar position, for Laidlaw Environmental  Services,
Inc.  ("Laidlaw") provided that you devote no more than one working day per week
(you may also devote such additional after work and week-end time as you desire)
toward these  responsibilities to Laidlaw. You may also devote time to any other
projects or matters which I request or direct you to manage.

         If this letter  accurately  sets forth our agreement,  please sign this
letter on the space indicated below, and return a copy to me.

                                   Sincerely,

                                   /s/ R Steve Creamer
                                   --------------------
                                   R Steve Creamer
                                   Chairman of the Board
                                   and Chief Executive Officer

RSC/bh

/s/ Brett A. Hickman
--------------------
Brett A. Hickman

Accepted:  February 10, 1998