41. Arlington, TX

Looking at Arlington’s SustainLane stats in 2008, you’d never know that the state’s first European settlers were farmers, attracted to the land because of its rich soil. Today, the city—sometimes referred to as a suburb of Fort Worth—has no farmers markets or community gardens of record. It’s marked by sprawl and heavy road congestion and is currently the largest city in the country not served by a public transportation system, ranking it very last in our “city commuting” category. The city does have opportunities for improvement in several key categories, many of which are addressed in its Environmental Initiatives Strategic Plan. It’s looking to get an inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions, which is the precursor to reduction goals. And, it’s partnering with the University of Texas Arlington to create a Zero Green Waste Campus, complete with its own composting unit. Despite traffic issues, Arlington’s air quality is decent, as is its solid waste diversion rate of 29 percent.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Ladybugbkt)