The Cleanest Cities In The World

All hail, Canada! Calgary takes the No. 1 spot as the cleanest city in the world. A hundred million liters of water are purified every day, and 75 percent of the city is powered by renewable energy. Plus, people risk $1,000 fines for flicking cigarette butts on the sidewalk.

Japan is pristine, people. Not a gum wrapper or soda can in sight. Tokyo wins for lowest CO2 emissions in Asia, but Kobe takes the cake for cleanest city in the country, thanks to separate storm drainage and sewage systems that keep rainfall from affecting wastewater treatment.

Stockholm’s goal is to be completely fossil fuel-free by 2050, and today the city generates 60 percent of its energy from hydroelectric power. Those Swedes…always innovating.

The land of red rocks and bolo ties also tops the American Lung Association’s list of cleanest U.S. cities, in terms of ozone, short-term and year-round particle pollution. (We’re breathing easier just thinking about it.)

Here you can be fined $100 for failing to flush the toilet in a public lavatory. Think there’s no way anybody’s checking up on your toilet flushing habits? Think again. Police officers do regular raids of public bathrooms. (Worst job.)

How does this city motivate its citizens to keep urban areas clean? Full bags of garbage can be exchanged for food, bus tokens and toys for kids.

Here in the Outback, 85 percent of trash is successfully recycled, all part of a plan to reduce landfill waste.