Sustainability has become a central focus in the culture of American businesses, with companies increasingly highlighting their green initiatives and environmental commitments. In response to this growing trend, Newsweek has compiled a comprehensive ranking of America’s Greenest Companies, recognizing organizations that have dedicated themselves to environmental stewardship and a sustainable future.
Nancy Cooper, Newsweek’s global editor in chief, emphasizes that these companies are committed to safeguarding the environment for future generations. “We hope this ranking helps consumers identify the companies that try to live sustainably, just like many of us,” Cooper stated.
The ranking spotlights the top 300 companies in the United States, evaluating their environmental sustainability efforts. It was developed in collaboration with market data researcher Plant A and data and analytics firm GIST Impact. These companies were assessed based on over 25 parameters categorized into four key areas: greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation, and sustainability data disclosures and commitments.
To be included in this list, organizations had to meet specific criteria. They needed to have a market capitalization of at least $5 billion, pass the European Union’s minimum sustainability standards, and have publicly disclosed sustainability data by July 31.
To ensure fairness in evaluation, the ranking considered the scale of each company’s operations and used emission/consumption intensities to prevent larger corporations from being unduly penalized for their absolute impacts. Additionally, it accounted for variations in pollution levels across industries, scoring companies relative to their respective sectors.
The top ten companies in the ranking featured two electronics manufacturing giants, Dell Technologies and Apple, taking prominent positions:
- Advanced Micro Devices
- Hasbro
- Jones Lang LaSalle
- Nasdaq
- MetLife
- Dell Technologies
- Accenture
- Deckers Outdoor
- Ceridian HCM Holding
- Apple
Dell Technologies, ranked at number six, proudly reported that 94.5 percent of its packaging was made from recycled or renewable materials in FY23, with the goal of achieving 100 percent by 2030. The company also increased its use of renewable energy for electricity, reaching 59 percent in FY23, with a target of 100 percent renewable sources by 2040.
Apple, securing the tenth spot, has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The tech giant emphasizes its efforts in reducing emissions through innovative materials, clean energy adoption, and low-carbon shipping. It aims to utilize 100 percent recycled cobalt, tin, gold, and rare earth elements in its products’ key components by 2025, further aligning with its goal of ending reliance on mining.
Other notable mentions include Nasdaq, which claimed carbon neutrality for five consecutive years, and MetLife, committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. MetLife’s sustainability initiatives extend to planting trees and encouraging employee-driven projects promoting environmental conservation.
These companies represent the forefront of sustainable practices in American business, embodying a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.