Eco-Friendly Cities in the United States

Eco-Friendly Cities in the U.S. to Add to Your Bucket List

12/19/2019

Are you passionate about the environment and interested in visiting places with that same passion? Many cities across the United States have been increasing their "green" efforts to preserve the environment around them. Check out some of the most
eco-friendly cities in the US that you should definitely visit soon!

San Francisco, California

Across various studies and lists, San Francisco is consistently ranked #1 as the greenest city in the United States. The city’s solar panel usage average is higher than the entire county’s average. Also, AT&T Park was the first MLB stadium to use solar panels! No matter where you live in San Francisco, you will be within a 10-minute walk of a park. The San Francisco International Airport was the first airport in the U.S. to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles. Over half of their bus and light rails are zero emission, which is an eco-friendly choice.

Boston, Massachusetts

What makes the city of Boston so "green" is the accessible methods of transportation. It is one of the most walk-able cities, in fact, 15% of Boston’s population walks to work. Their transit line is also one of the nation's oldest, making Boston the birthplace of American mass transportation. The city has been establishing many green initiatives, such as their “think local, buy local” mindset, in an attempt to promote social, corporate, and environmental sustainability. The "Zero Waste Boston" initiative aims to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost at least 80 to 90 percent of the city's solid waste.

Denver, Colorado

This city strongly encourages the use of electric vehicles and alternate fuel sources. Denver is home to the largest city park system in America, and they have almost one hundred miles of hiking trails! In Denver, they collect about 26,000 tons of recyclables a year. Back in 2006, the city introduced a tree planting program, with a goal of adding one million new trees in the metropolitan Denver area by the year 2025. The program also puts in efforts to take care of the city's existing urban forest of 2.2 million trees. "Voluntourism" is popular in the Denver area, and the city encourages visitors to take time to volunteer with local organizations throughout the area.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu has many efforts in place to preserve the natural beauty that surrounds them. This tropical city has the highest rate of solar panels per capita in the United States.In Honolulu, many restaurants are ocean-friendly certified, which includes implementing policies like recycling, no styrofoam, no plastic bags given out, and using only reusable silverware. There is a rail transit system being put into place starting in 2020 that will become the first large-scale publicly run metro system in the United States to feature platform screen doors and will be driver-less.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is one of only five cities in which less than half of commuters drive to work. They also have a higher walking and biking rate than most of the country. The city is also passionate about recycling, as over half their waste is recycled or composted! Seattle residents love to support local farmers, the city was ranked fifth for most farmers' markets per capita. The city debuted the first carbon-neutral electric utility back in 2005 and has their own Climate Action Plan.