Sustainability is at the heart of today’s cleaning industry, powering stronger reputations, loyal clients, and compliance with evolving regulations. Earth Day on April 22 is the perfect platform for facility managers and building service contractors to showcase their sustainable practices while sharing practical tips to cut waste and save energy year-round.

Join Cleaning & Maintenance Management (CMM) on April 2 for a free webinar, Earth Day 2026: Highlighting Sustainable Practices and Green Cleaning. Discover how sustainable cleaning practices aren’t just good for people and the planet—they’re good for business. Learn essential strategies to create healthier spaces, differentiate your services in a competitive market, and keep your customers informed about your commitment to sustainability all year long.

During this fast-paced, one-hour interactive session, you will learn strategies from your peers to:

• Differentiate your business with measurable sustainability practices.
• Select certified green products and technology that build year-round trust.
• Improve indoor air quality while reducing chemical exposure and health risks.
• Align with LEED certification and corporate sustainability goals.
• Lower operational costs through smarter chemical, energy, and water use.

The expert panel for this webinar includes:

• Elizabeth Christenson (moderator), CMM Editor
• Jennifer Corbett-Shramo, CEO/Manager, Innovative Cleaning Services LLC
• Ashley Gladney, Sustainability Program Manager, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
• Tavis Pike, Director of Strategic Sourcing and Vendor Management, Marsden Services

Seize this chance to learn proven best practices from industry leaders and make sustainability your top priority every day of the year. In doing so you will promote Earth Day 2026’s global theme in support of clean air, water, and energy, along with protected natural resources and a stable climate—all of which are vital to health and economic welfare. Sign up now for CMM’s free Earth Day 2026 webinar.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) named the Top 10 States for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2025, recognizing the U.S. states with the most LEED-certified commercial space per capita in the last year.

For the second consecutive year, Massachusetts held onto the top spot while Illinois remained in second place in the annual ranking. Colorado climbed six spots to third place while Georgia cracked into the Top 10 States for LEED for the first time since 2023.

In 2025, LEED adoption continued to accelerate nationwide, with thousands of projects designed, built, and operated to save energy, reduce waste and improve occupant health. While office buildings and higher education projects remain strong sectors in LEED adoption, innovation-focused sectors—life sciences, data centers, and advanced manufacturing—are fueling notable growth in several top states. With the U.S. remaining the world’s leading market for LEED certification, recertifications are helping raise performance in existing buildings, signaling a market-wide commitment to continuous improvement and high performance in the built environment.

“LEED is helping states accelerate and scale their approaches to lower carbon, healthier spaces, and smarter operations across every sector of the economy,” said Peter Templeton, USGBC president and CEO. “This year’s Top 10 States demonstrate how innovation and performance come together to deliver measurable results. Their leadership shows that high-performing buildings are not the exception—they are the expectation.”

Innovation-led sectors are particularly expanding their LEED footprints. For example, data center growth is strong in Virginia and California, where owners are prioritizing energy efficiency, grid readiness, and operational resilience.

U.S. LEED adoption among office buildings also remains strong, driven by owners investing in healthier, more efficient spaces that support productivity and employee well-being. A growing share of activity is focused on recertification and performance upgrades. Across states such as New York, Illinois, and Georgia, owners are leveraging LEED to modernize existing buildings, validate performance for tenants, and demonstrate measurable progress toward corporate and environmental commitments.

High-performance building is also widening in scope, reaching large-scale projects such as airports and sports and entertainment venues. Prominent projects such as the Las Vegas Convention Center and Soldier Field in Chicago illustrate how major event destinations can advance energy, water, and waste performance while maintaining world-class visitor experiences.

Across the country, the U.S. saw several LEED v5 early adopter certifications. These projects demonstrate deeper carbon reductions, grid-interactive efficiency, and enhanced human health. LEED v5 provides a practical, outcomes-focused framework. Among the LEED v5 early adopter projects, the Empire State Building’s LEED v5 Platinum milestone anchors this shift and signals how iconic buildings can lead the way—pairing decarbonization strategies with strong indoor environmental quality and performance verification.

“The Empire State Building is the first in New York to achieve LEED v5 Platinum certification,” said Dana Robbins Schneider, senior vice president, director of energy and sustainability at Empire State Realty Trust. “This is an award that is recognized and respected by tenants and aligns with Empire State Realty Trust’s goal to stand out in our pursuit of environmental leadership with operational excellence, healthy spaces, and long-term value for our stakeholders,”

The Top 10 States for LEED are ranked based on newly certified space in 2025. While not officially part of the rankings, the District of Columbia is also recognized for its nation-leading concentration of LEED-certified space. The 2025 Top 10 States for LEED rankings are as follows: