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The United States is the largest single producer of environmental technologies in the world, representing nearly 40 percent of the $782 billion global market. According to Environmental Business International, Inc., approximately 117,000 enterprises and 1.7 million workers make up the U.S. environmental technology industry. In 2008, the industry produced $278 billion in revenue, with 47 percent from services, 21 percent from equipment; and 32 percent from resources.

Small- and medium-sized businesses account for approximately 99 percent of the industry and generate approximately 20 percent of the total revenue. Large companies represent only 1 percent of private sector activity, yet account for 49 percent of revenue. Public-sector municipalities and similar entities make up the remaining 31 percent and dominate water utilities, wastewater treatment works and solid waste management.

 The U.S. environmental technology industry has undergone significant restructuring and consolidation but has experienced growth over the past 10 years. Change of ownership and structure within environmental technology businesses is expected to continue, particularly in the water sector.

Industry Subsectors

  Revenue ($bil) U.S.Companies Exports ($mil) U.S. Employment
Analytical Services XXX 1,000 143 19,700
Wastewater Treatment Works 44.1 26,300 238 169,000
Solid Waste Management 51.1 9,850 153 265,300
Hazardous Waste Management 8.6 530 86 42,100
Remediation/Industrial Svcs. 11.9 2,100 787 100,000
Consulting & Engineering 26.1 3,480 3,317 246,400
Water Equipment & Chemicals 26.6 2,030 9,929 157,300
Instruments & Info. Systems 5.2 690 2,451 36,100
Air Pollution Control Equipment 15.8 1,770 2,456 101,800
Waste Management Equipment 11.0 850 2,850 73,800
Process & Prevention Tech. 1.8 370 126 28,600
Water Utilities 40.6 61,800 81 162,000
Resource Recovery 24.5 4,650 14,811 169,100
TOTAL: 269.2 115,420 37,428 1,571,200


 Source: Environmental Business International, Inc., 2010 (San Diego, CA)

Industry Associations: 
Air & Waste Management Association
American Water Works Association
Institute of Clean Air Companies
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association
Water Quality Association

Industry Publications: 
Environmental Business International, Inc.
Climate Change Business Journal
Environmental Business Journal
Global Water Intelligence
Water Desalination Report
DesalData
Waste Age Magazine
Pollution Engineering
Pollution Engineering e-Newsletter
Today’s Environmental Consultant
PE Alert! Newsletter