The waste-to-energy industry in Illinois is truly dynamic, featuring companies that employ innovative technology to combat waste while creating sustainable energy alternatives. From transforming waste energy through crypto mining to capitalizing on carbon recycling technology and converting organic waste into valuable by-products, these companies are at the forefront of sustainable energy. Driven by the critical goal of reducing carbon footprint and the desire to make a tangible environmental impact, the companies in this roster offer unique solutions tailored to the needs of a rapidly evolving green energy landscape. As the industry continues to mature, it's expected to leverage advancements in technology and sustainability best practices to further mitigate environmental impacts.


Top 23 waste to energy companies in Illinois

1. LanzaTech

  • Website: lanzatech.com
  • Headquarters: Skokie, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2005
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

LanzaTech is a company that utilizes state-of-the-art carbon recycling technology to convert carbon emissions into valuable raw material commodities. By feeding carbon emissions to carbon-hungry microbes, LanzaTech offers a sustainable solution to transform pollution into fuels and chemicals. They provide CarbonSmartTM IP licensing services and have the potential to power planes with recycled greenhouse gas emissions.


2. EZ Blockchain

EZ Blockchain is a tech company that solves the global waste energy problem using crypto mining. They leverage renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to transform wasted energy into a new revenue stream in cryptocurrency. With their SmartGrid™ system, they reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70% while providing a profitable and sustainable solution for the oil and gas industry.


3. EcoloCap Solutions

  • Website: ecolocap.com
  • Headquarters: Morton Grove, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2007
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Series Unknown
  • LinkedIn

Ecolocap Solutions is a company dedicated to creating cost-effective ecological products that have a constructive and quantifiable impact on the environment. Their flagship product is the BioART system, which converts organic waste into valuable byproducts such as fertilizers and biomass.


4. PEAT Chemical, LLC

  • Website: peat.com
  • Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

PEAT International is a waste-to-energy company that specializes in waste treatment, recycling, and alternative resource production, using its proprietary Plasma Thermal Destruction Recovery (PTDR) technology.


5. Synata Bio

  • Website: synatabio.com
  • Headquarters: Warrenville, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Series Unknown
  • LinkedIn

Synata Bio Technology uses industrial biotechnology to produce sustainable commodities from low value carbon and renewable energy. Their carbon transformation platform leverages a single-step, feedstock-flexible fermentation process to convert synthesis gas from low-cost feedstocks into high-value products in an economical and scalable manner, making it the most efficient and scalable pathway for the conversion of synthesis gas to ethanol.


6. Besi Usa

  • Website: besiusa.com
  • Headquarters: University Park, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2007
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

BESI is a sustainability consultancy that provides solutions and practical development for waste, water, and energy. They offer applied research, engineering and development, sustainability consultation, commercial development support, prototype delivery, and active climate tech programs.


7. LanzaJet

  • Website: lanzajet.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Grant
  • LinkedIn

Lanzajet.com is a leading technology and process company focused on addressing climate change and helping countries, companies, and industries achieve carbon reduction goals. They offer renewable fuels, low carbon hydrogen, and GHG offsets to contribute to net-zero CO2 emissions.


8. Energy CX

  • Website: energycx.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2005
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Energy CX is a comprehensive energy solutions company that offers customized solutions for clients' energy needs. They provide services such as electricity and natural gas procurement, energy star benchmarking, demand response, and utility relief.


9. The Gaia Movement USA

Gaia Movement USA is an environmental organization that focuses on promoting sustainable living by offering recycling solutions and teaching sustainable farming methods. They also work towards combating climate change by promoting the use of renewable energy, halting deforestation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


10. REEthink

  • Website: reethink.net
  • Headquarters: Kildeer, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

REEthink is devoted to the areas of renewable energy and environmental restoration (hazardous site remediation).


11. Tauta

  • Website: ecoweb.us
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50

EcoWeb is a company focused on creating sustainable solutions for businesses, offering a range of products and services aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible practices.


12. Illinois Environmental Council

  • Website: ilenviro.org
  • Headquarters: Springfield, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1975
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

IEC Affiliates is an environmental organization in Illinois that brings together the environmental community to influence decision makers and ensure clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. They work on issues related to energy, water, waste reduction, conservation, and wildlife habitat.


13. Footprint Partners

  • Website: footprintgrp.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 51-200

Footprint Group is a corporate sustainability consultancy that offers innovative solutions to reduce environmental footprint and increase profitability.


14. Ironclad Energy Partners

Ironclad Energy provides cost-efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy including power, steam, chilling, water, compressed air, and other utilities to critical infrastructure projects.


15. Midland Paper, Packaging + Supplies

Midland Paper, Packaging + Supplies is a paper &a; forest products company that provides packaging supplies. We provide value added solutions for the efficient distribution of printing and publication paper, packaging supplies &a; equipment, and facility supplies.


16. Mahoney Environmental

  • Website: mahoneyes.com
  • Headquarters: Joliet, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1953
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Mahoney Environmental is a leader in used cooking oil recycling for over 65 years. They recycle used fryer oil, waste cooking oil, and grease trap material, turning them into raw materials for manufacturing new products. Additionally, they offer grease trap maintenance and installation, equipment design and installation, and fresh cooking oil delivery.


17. Dukane Precast Inc

Dukane Precast is a trusted leader in the precast concrete industry, offering innovative solutions for building projects. With a dedication to sustainability, the company has invested in renewable energy initiatives through the installation of solar panels. Their team of consultants, engineers, and designers work closely with clients to customize building solutions that meet their specific needs. As an ISO 9001-2015 certified plant, Dukane ensures the highest quality standards in their concrete production and manufacturing processes.


18. Ul

  • Website: ul.com
  • Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1894
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn

Around the globe, UL works to help customers, purchasers and policymakers navigate market risk and complexity. UL builds trust in the safety, security and sustainability of products, organizations and supply chains – enabling smarter choices and better lives. Our robust suite of offerings includes testing, inspection, auditing, certification, marketing claim verification, training, advisory services and software solutions. In all that we do, we apply science and expertise to enable the responsible development, production, marketing and purchase of the goods, solutions and innovations of today and tomorrow. To learn more about us, visit UL.com. (To find the page of Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and application of scientific knowledge, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/underwriters-laboratories/)


19. Corporate Eco Forum (CEF)

Corporate Eco Forum is a membership organization for large global companies that are committed to aligning sustainability with corporate objectives. They provide a platform for executives to stay updated on important corporate sustainability-related news, research, and tools.


20. USDI (Utility Safety & Design, Inc.)

  • Website: usdi.us
  • Headquarters: Olney, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1969
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

USDI is a leading provider of jurisdictional RNG pipeline design, operation, and maintenance services across the United States. They work with various RNG pipeline facilities, carrying unprocessed landfill gas as well as processed and compressed gas. USDI offers full-service RNG resources, including design, inspection, construction, and operation of pipelines. They also provide assistance on the production side of pipelines. With a team of registered engineers and technicians, they offer customized solutions for clients within their budget.


21. Yelloblu

  • Website: yelloblu.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2012
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn

Communicating the Science of Green. We're cleantech marketers, helping you build strong brands, introduce new technologies and grow your green business. Yelloblu is a Chempetitive Group company. Where Chempetitive Group supports life sciences and healthcare clients we support clients in renewable energy and sustainability. Get in touch and learn more by visiting http://yelloblu.com/, following us on Twitter (@Yelloblu) or checking out our Blog at: http://yelloblu.com/blog.


22. Sargent & Lundy

Sargent & Lundy is a global leader in power and energy with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. They offer comprehensive project services, including consulting, design, and implementation, as well as construction management, commissioning, and operations/maintenance.


23. Stuhlman Engineering

  • Website: stuhlman.com
  • Headquarters: Plainfield, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Since 1928, the Stuhlman family has represented quality machining through three generations of craftsmanship. From humble but always successful beginnings in Forest Park, Il., Stuhlman Engineering & Manufacturing moved to Plainfield's Main Street in 1952 and to our current facilities at 12435 E. Industrial Drive, Plainfield, IL. in 2000. Our precision machine shop produces the highest quality metal and plastic products utilizing the latest technologies in CNC Machining & Sheet Metal Fabrication for various industries with worldwide distribution.


Want to find more waste to energy companies?


If you want to find more companies that offer breakthrough solutions turning waste into renewable energy you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:


  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
  • Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
  • Financials: How do these companies perform financially? What are their revenues and profit margins?

...and a lot more!