Previous estimates by the Chicago Department of Water Management suggest that the installation of new metres and replacement of aging water mains and pumping stations could result in up to 2 000 construction jobs (Schrock and Sundquist, 2009). To support this work, there would be demand for civil engineers, although whether this would result in sectoral growth or simply represent new project opportunities for existing firms is unclear. Reducing the share of solid waste that goes to landfill by increasing the recycling of municipal waste, constiuction and demolition (C&D) materials and composting could help reduce GHG emissions generated by waste.