Steven Schilling, P.E.

“I have always been guided by the goal to provide clients with solid waste solutions that are practical, economical, and actionable; all while meeting current and future demands for environmental sustainability.”

Mr. Schilling is a seasoned solid waste management professional with 35 years of experience, including 14 years as a consultant leading diverse consulting and environmental engineering projects; more than 18 years in senior leadership positions at a governmental solid waste agency; and nearly two years with a leading regional recycling company.

Since joining GBB, he has led a wide range of projects for cities, counties, institutional clients, investment firms, project and facility developers, and law firms. He also authored multiple articles for Waste Today and represented GBB at regional and national industry conferences, frequently serving as a speaker and panelist.

Before joining GBB, he served as Environmental Engineer and Senior Project Manager for a Chicago-based waste diversion, recycling, and portable services provider operating in more than nine states. He also held Senior Engineer and Senior Project Manager roles for an environmental consulting firm serving public- and private-sector clients throughout the Midwest. For over 18 years, he advanced through leadership roles, including Acting Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, and Environmental Engineer, at the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, an intergovernmental agency providing solid waste management and disposal to 23 member communities representing approximately 700,000 residents in the northern Chicago suburbs. Early in his career, he worked as Environmental Engineer / Project Manager in the environmental permitting and planning division of an engineering consulting firm.

Presentations & Publications:

“Evaluating Commercial Composting Technologies,” published in Waste Today (September 2026)

“Catalysts of the Circular Material Future,” presented at the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (February 2026)

“Transfer Station Evolution,” published in Waste Today (December 2025)

“The Role of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in the Circular Economy,” presented at the Illinois Circularity Conference (October 2025)

“MRF Technology – Uncovering Opportunities with Waste Material Assessments,” published in Waste Today (May 2025)

“Maximizing the Potential of Data in Material Recovery Facilities,” presented at the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (February 2025)

“Landfill Post-Closure Care Release,” session moderated at the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association Conference (October 2024)

“Data, Data, Everywhere,” published in Waste Today (September 2024)

“Just Passing Through: The Life Cycle of PFAS,” published in Waste Today (April 2024)

“Trends in Waste Industry Organizations,” presented at the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association’s Annual Conference. (November 2022)

“Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Fees,” presented at the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association’s webinar. (February 2022)

“Food Waste and its Impact,” presented to Go Green Park Ridge. (November 2019)

“EREF Workshop Examines Elevated temperature Landfills,” published in the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association’s Solid Waste News. (November 2018)

“SWANCC’s 2014 Solid Waste Management Plan Update,” presented at the Illinois Recycling Association/Solid Waste Association of North America Land of Lincoln Chapter Joint Conference. (June 2014)

“Current Trends in Municipal Solid Waste Source Reduction, Reuse and Recycling,” presented to the Solid Waste Association of North America Land of Lincoln Chapter. (May 2008)

“Recyclables Collection in SWANCC Communities,” presented at the Solid Waste Association of Northern Cook County Land of Lincoln Chapter Annual Workshop. (October 2005)

“Curbside Recycling – Out with the Bins, In with the Carts,” published in MSW Management magazine. (July 2002)