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By Soo Kim
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The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area is the cleanest metropolitan area in the United States, new research has shown.
A new study, conducted by Oxi Fresh, the carpet cleaning company, evaluated 35 major U.S. metro areas based on seven key indicators of cleanliness, assigning each city an overall grade from A+ to D.
The seven factors assessed include population density, rodent and cockroach prevalence, levels of vandalism and litter, air quality, and tap water quality, drawing from U.S. Census Bureau data and other government sources. Each city received a score across these criteria, which were then compiled into a final grade reflecting overall environmental cleanliness and public health standards to determine its ranking.
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Eric Roy, lead scientist of the consumer product division at Culligan, a water systems treatment company, told Newsweek that "cities in the top 10 [ranking of the study] generally reflect those with more pristine source water, newer infrastructure, and proactive efforts from the municipality to go beyond the federal standards."
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The Cleanest Metro Areas in the U.S.
According to the study, the top ranking of Portland and its surrounding area is no accident. The metro area's consistent investments in sustainable waste management practices and public maintenance have placed it ahead of every other U.S. metro region.
"The area has a decades-long history of investing in robust recycling and composting programs, which reduce landfill waste and keep streets free of excess trash," the study said.
Seattle, another high-ranking city, was similarly praised for its public investment in sanitation and green spaces. "Seattle, widely regarded as one of the best places to live in the country, is also one of the cleanest cities in the U.S., primarily due to the government's strict dedication to litter cleanup initiatives," the study reported. "Additionally, the city boasts many parks and green spaces, which it invests heavily in maintaining."
Minneapolis also earned accolades for its air quality, a key component in the study's evaluation, which was assessed based on the number of days in which the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained at safe levels in the area.
"Minneapolis is one of the cities with the cleanest air in the U.S.," the study noted. "In 2021, the city launched a project to monitor air quality throughout the area, aiming to identify problem areas and target those with higher pollution levels more effectively."
Meanwhile, cities such as Detroit in Michigan were acknowledged for their improvements despite persistent challenges. "Historically, Detroit, MI, a city with a reputation for high crime, has taken steps to improve its cleanliness by investing in community-led cleanup efforts," the study said. "Today, though it still struggles with some forms of vandalism, it also has some of the cleanest city water in the country."
The study reaffirmed the importance of effective urban policy and community engagement in shaping cleaner, healthier environments.
"Cities that offer economic opportunities and community engagement programs often have cleaner neighborhoods," the study said. "When public spaces are well-maintained and supported by local initiatives, residents take greater pride in their surroundings."
Top 10 Cleanest Metro Areas
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR-WA): Grade A+
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (WA): A
- Rochester (NY): A-
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn (MI): B+
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington (MN-WI): B+
- Pittsburgh (PA): B
- Richmond (VA): B
- Denver-Aurora-Centennial (CO): B
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler (AZ): B
- Kansas City (MO-KS): B-
Source: A study by Oxi Fresh, which ranked 35 major metro areas in the U.S. based on population density, rodent and cockroach prevalence, vandalism, litter, air quality, and tap water quality, assigning each area a cleanliness grade level ranging from A+ to D.
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