Top 15 Most Environmentally Responsible States

Fact Checked by Thomas Leary

From the Berkshires out west to the sandy shores of Cape Cod in the east, few states have the natural wonders that Massachusetts has at its disposal, which naturally drives residents to take extra care of the land they live on.  

Based on a number of data points, it seems like Bay State residents are among the most environmentally conscious in America, especially when you factor in things like public transportation usage, recycling rates and electricity usage.  

According to a recent study, 80% of consumers in 2024 are very or somewhat concerned about the environmental impact of the products they buy. BetMassachusetts.com - the top source for MA betting apps -  wanted to see what states were putting in the most effort to be sustainable. We factored in public transportation per capita, recycling percentages, and electric use per capita to rank the top 15 most environmentally responsible states. 

Massachusetts bettors must be 21+ and present to place wagers in the state. Gambling problem in Massachusetts? Play it smart from the start! GamesenseMA.com or Call 1-800-327-5050 to speak with a trained specialist free and confidentially 24/7. Full Terms apply

Top 15 Most Environmentally Responsible States

Rank 

State 

Total Score 

New York 

171 

Massachusetts 

157 

Washington 

137 

New Jersey 

136 

California 

135 

Hawaii 

132 

Delaware 

123 

Vermont 

122 

Maryland 

116 

10 

Maine 

107 

11 

Minnesota 

101 

12 

Oregon 

99 

13 

Michigan 

97 

14 

Illinois 

96 

15 

Rhode Island 

94 

MORE: Best Massachusetts sportsbook promos

Where Massachusetts Ranks

Of the 50 states (and Washington D.C.) that were surveyed, only New York had a higher eco-friendly score than Massachusetts’ total of 157 points, with the Empire State finishing at 171 points in total.  

Massachusetts did manage to knock off Washington State (137 points), New Jersey (136 points) and California (135 points) as the second-most environmentally responsible state in the country, illustrating the Bay State’s commitment to keeping nature natural in 2024 and beyond.  

Rounding out the list of the most environmentally conscious states in 2024 were locales like Hawaii (132 points), Delaware (123 points), Vermont (122 points), Maryland (116 points) and Maine (107 points), showing how residents in the New England region respects the land beneath their collective feet.  

Stick with BetMassachusetts for occasional research items like this, plus all things related to Massachusetts sports betting.

USA Today photo by Frank Bowen IV.

21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in IA/KS/KY/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/TN/VA/VT/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA).

Author

Christopher Boan

Christopher Boan has been covering sports and sports betting for more than seven years, including stops at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.

Cited by leading media organizations, such as: