WORCESTER—Worcester placed 122nd out of 500 U.S. cities in LawnStarter’s 2025 “Best Cities for Composting” rankings. The survey assessed composting infrastructure, local interest, policies, and space, giving Worcester an overall score of 33.13.
For the city rankings, LawnStarter compared the 500 biggest U.S. cities based on five categories.
“More specifically, we factored in access to municipal and private composting programs, zero-waste initiatives, yard size, and local interest in composting, among 11 total metrics,” said the report.
The rankings highlight the city’s position nationally, as well as relative to other Massachusetts municipalities. Boston excelled with a second-place finish nationally, reflecting its strong composting initiatives and widespread accessibility. Springfield, on the other hand, trailed Worcester, coming in at 154th.
First place for composting nationally, according to the survey? That would be San Diego, CA.
Worcester’s placement reflects room for growth as cities nationwide adopt more robust composting programs. LawnStarter’s report emphasized the increasing accessibility of food waste collection programs, with curbside and drop-off options now serving more than 14.9 million U.S. households.
With zero-waste targets approaching in 2025 for some cities, including Boston, Worcester may find opportunities to expand its own composting infrastructure and policies to meet growing interest in sustainable waste management practices.
For residents, composting could mean fewer waste trips and more nutrient-rich gardens. Cities such as Worcester may continue to refine their efforts as national attention on waste reduction intensifies.
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