INFOGRAPHIC: Greenest U.S. States

by 01/19/12 16 Comments

Have you ever wondered how your home state measures up when it comes to sustainability? Well, green building consulting firm Buildings Guide may have your answer.

This year, the firm assessed all 50 U.S. states on three criteria – toxic waste production, alternative energy moves and carbon footprint – and compiled a list of the top 10 “greenest” states in the nation.

Vermont came out on top, with a carbon footprint of 6.4 million metric tons – less than half that of its closest competitor, South Dakota, with 13.7 million metric tons.

Idaho made marks for meeting a whopping 84.5 percent of its energy needs with alternative sources, while Nevada and Hawaii tied for the least toxic waste produced – 987 tons.

READ: San Fran Named Greenest City in North America

Check out the infographic below to learn more about American recycling and see how your state stacked up.

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Infographic by Buildings Guide

Mary Mazzoni

Mary Mazzoni

Staff Writer


  1. Scott Bramhall

    posted on January 19th, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Maine is almost there thanks scot bramhall

  2. Kelly L. Jackson

    posted on January 19th, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Interesting

  3. Justin Lloyd-Miller

    posted on January 19th, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    Vermont is first with 6.4 million metric tons of carbon emissions, and South Dakota is in second with double that at 13.7? Holy shit!

  4. Justin Lloyd-Miller

    posted on January 19th, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    I want to know who's in #50...

  5. Jennie Kristel

    posted on January 19th, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    This is really cool! Go Vermont!

  6. Joanne Boyle

    posted on January 19th, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    Let's move up on the "Alternative Energy" scale.

  7. Claudia Blanton

    posted on January 20th, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    not surprised that Florida was not on the list.

  8. Mike Bennett

    posted on January 23rd, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    South Carolina is working on it.

  9. Daysi Briones

    posted on January 25th, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    New York is not in the list either, however lets work to make it "Green"....remember, our responsibility is to work now in the future of our generations, we have to care the planet where we live "EARTH".

  10. Crystal Fisher

    posted on January 27th, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Do you know a lot about recycling in NYC? I work with a production company and would love to talk about it if you do.

  11. Daysi Briones

    posted on January 27th, 2012 at 11:54 pm

    Please sent me informaiton about it @ iqcontracting@gmail.com

  12. Jessica Chisom

    posted on January 26th, 2012 at 2:55 am

    Would be nice to see the rest of the country on this list!

  13. Georgia Luckett Champion

    posted on April 8th, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    I wonder where Georgia stacks up?

  14. Carole Paradis Gentry

    posted on April 13th, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Where can we find a complete list of all 50 states?

  15. Gail Bolton

    posted on April 16th, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    Tn. we need to start working harder on going green. We're not even close to being listed as green! Lets prove them wrong!

  16. Albert R Gabriele

    posted on April 19th, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    I feel like I did something wrong if I didn't put stuff in the recycle can. It's great to see places like Wawa with recycle cans out in front of their stores! Everyone on my block puts out a full recycle bin every week!

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