♻️ U.S. Cities Going Green: 2025’s Most Sustainable Cities 🌱

What innovative sustainability ideas will make the most impact in the next 10–20 years?

I think we’ll see the biggest impact from solutions that marry technology with behavior change. Things like AI-powered waste sorting, smart bins that track contamination, and apps that gamify recycling or food waste reduction could help cities and businesses cut tons of trash headed to landfills.

At the same time, regenerative design will be key. Whether it’s buildings that produce more energy than they consume or packaging made entirely from compostable, renewable materials, the real magic will come when innovation makes the sustainable choice the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient option.

What are your top three tips for green living?

1. Protect our pollinators. “Weeds” are vital to our ecosystem, as their blooms feed pollinators, such as butterflies and bees. These insects are critical to our food supplies, so mowing too early and spraying lawns with poisonous weed killer solutions, such as RoundUp, are detrimental to our pollinator populations.

2. Focus on food waste. Cutting back on wasted food saves money and slashes methane emissions from landfills. Purchase smaller quantities more times per week instead of massive bulk purchases 1-2 times per month. This will help you manage and rotate your foods responsibly before they have a chance to spoil. Compost any rotten foods if you can, or at least meal plan for the week and eat what you buy. You can always plug a couple of ingredients that you already have on hand into an AI generator, like ChatGPT, and it will develop a menu and recipe based on those very items. It will even build out a shopping list for you to identify where the recipe gaps are.

3. Buy less, buy better. Fast fashion and single-use goods eat up resources, especially water. Choose durable, repairable items—even if they cost a bit more upfront, they last longer. Check in your local community if there are “Fix-it Clinics” or “Repair Cafes” where people come together to fix broken items, such as jewelry, small electronics (think hair dryers and toasters), and zippers on clothing.

4. BONUS – Vote with your wallet and your ballot. Support businesses and policies that are serious about sustainability. Individual actions matter, but systemic change multiplies impact.

Why is the U.S. so far behind on sustainable transportation like mass transit and highspeed trains? What would it take to catch up?

Three big reasons:

1. Americans’ love affair with the car.
2. Our mentality of rugged individualism.
3. The political gridlock around infrastructure funding.

The U.S. built its economy around cheap gas, sprawling suburbs, and highways, while countries in Europe and Asia invested early in dense cities and public transit.

To catch up, we’d need massive federal and state investment in modern rail and transit systems, along with zoning reforms that make cities more walkable and bike-friendly. It’s less about technology because we already know how to build trains; it’s more about political will and long-term planning.

What’s one example of grassroots or community-driven sustainability that could be replicated nationwide?

Community composting hubs. I’ve seen neighborhoods pool resources to set up small-scale compost drop-offs that serve apartments and homes without very much yard space. Volunteers manage the bins, local gardens or farms use the finished compost, and suddenly you’ve got a circular system that keeps food scraps local and out of the landfill. It’s simple, affordable, and builds real community connection. It also helps build our connection to how our food is grown, harvested, and how it ends up on our plates.

With concerns of greenwashing, what red flags should consumers look out for?

Watch for vague claims like “eco-friendly” or “all natural” without the details. If a company doesn’t share data, such as an annual Corporate Sustainability Report (or CSR), the percent of recycled content in their products, carbon footprint reductions, third-party certifications, etc., then that’s a red flag.

Another is when a company launches a flashy green product line but does nothing to change its overall internal operations regarding its water and energy consumption and how much waste it generates. Real sustainability shows up in data and marketing transparency, measurable progress, and willingness to admit what still needs improvement./

What innovative sustainability ideas will make the most impact in the next 10–20 years?

The great news is that many of our most impactful solutions already exist. We don’t necessarily need brand-new technologies, but rather a reimagination of how our systems work. 

• Expanding public transit and building more walkable cities can drastically reduce emissions while improving the quality of life. 
• Shifting away from factory farms and supporting family farmers, particularly those employing regenerative and local food practices, can help restore ecosystems and enhance food security. 
• And perhaps most importantly, fostering community involvement and engagement can create the social shift we need to prioritize sustainability truly.

What are your top three tips for green living?

1. Get involved locally. Volunteering with environmental or community organizations is one of the most effective ways to create a lasting impact beyond individual choices. 
2. Consume less by being intentional about shopping, asking yourself if you really need something before bringing it home. 
3. Utilize your skills, whether it’s storytelling, organizing, or a technical expertise, to contribute to the broader movement for sustainability.

Why is the U.S. so far behind other countries on sustainable transportation advancements like mass transit, including high-speed trains? What would it take to catch up?

The U.S. is largely behind because our infrastructure was built around cars, highways, and suburban sprawl, while other countries continued to invest in mass transit. Political gridlock and the scale of investment required have also slowed progress. 

To catch up, we’d need federal and state-level commitments to prioritize rail and transit over highway expansion, strong funding mechanisms, and a cultural shift that views public transit not as a “last resort,” but as a modern, convenient, and climate-smart choice.

What’s one example of grassroots or community-driven sustainability that could be replicated nationwide?

Community composting programs are a powerful grassroots solution that could be scaled nationally. They not only divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions, but also create rich soil that can be used for local gardens and urban farms. 

These programs build awareness of waste reduction while fostering stronger connections within communities. Paired with education and local government support, they could become a cornerstone of sustainable living across the U.S.

With concerns of many companies greenwashing, what red flags should consumers look out for when evaluating whether a company’s “green” initiative is legitimate?

Consumers should be wary of vague marketing claims or packaging that merely label a product as “green” without substance. 

Fake eco-labels or certifications that are not third-party verified are another warning sign. When possible, shopping locally or supporting small businesses is a great way to avoid large-scale greenwashing, while also reinvesting in your community.

What are your top three tips for green living?

My top three tips for sustainable living are:

1. Use what you have. Find creative ways to repurpose items in your home and wear the clothes in your closet instead of buying new.
2. Don’t let perfectionism keep you from trying. Make the eco-friendly lifestyle adjustment even if it seems intimidating. It’s okay to be an imperfect sustainability advocate.
3. Just pick one area of your life if eco-conscious living feels overwhelming. If making sustainable swaps seems like a lot, start with one simple swap or pick a certain room in your home to focus on. This makes it seem more approachable.

What’s one example of grassroots or community-driven sustainability that could be replicated nationwide?

Curbside composting pickup is one thing that I think could be replicated nationwide. 

I live in Seattle, and the city makes it easy for residents to participate. Our compost is picked up with our trash every week. So, all we have to do is collect our food scraps throughout the week and set them out for pick up. Unfortunately, a lot of cities don’t have this. 

With concerns of many companies greenwashing, what red flags should consumers look out for when evaluating whether a company’s “green” initiative is legitimate?

I think when companies have goals that are set super far out that can be a red flag for greenwashing. A lot of large corporations will set goals for 2030 or 2050, and then when those years roll around, they often just push the goal back. 

Try focusing on what the company is doing now. Evaluate what materials they’re using, where their products are made, if they are offsetting their carbon footprint, and what packaging they are using. Companies that truly care about sustainability will have initiatives with this woven into their business model early on.

Emily Waddell is the Founder of The Honest Consumer.