CALGARY – THE CLEANEST CITY IN THE WORLD
Being clean has never been more important. Since the COVID-19 virus swept through the world, suddenly, those who used to think commercial cleaning services in Calgary were not so important are now putting cleanliness at the top of their list.
I write this as encouragement to Calgarians, that not only are we the cleanest city in the world, but cleanliness is steeped in our city’s culture, and extends to our offices, city facilities, schools, and homes. Calgary’s water cleanliness and availability, our sewage systems, traffic flow , waste and recycling programs, our well-maintained streets and lack of air pollution, are as good as it gets.
🌍 Why is Calgary Ranked Number One or in the Top Few Cleanest Cities Globally?
Calgary’s reputation is built on decades of consistent investment in cleanliness, environmental sustainability, and civic pride.
- High International Rankings: Calgary is regularly ranked in the top 3 cleanest cities worldwide, alongside Zurich and Helsinki, by publications like Mercer’s Quality of Living and environmental review indexes.
- Clean Streets and Public Spaces: The city runs a massive annual street-cleaning program, covering 15,000+ km of roads every spring to remove winter debris.
- Low Pollution Levels: With air quality indices (AQI) averaging between 30–40 and PM₂.₅ levels at just ~5 μg/m³, Calgary’s air is far cleaner than most major global cities.
Calgary’s combination of policy, infrastructure, and public behavior sets it apart, making it one of the most livable and environmentally responsible cities in the world.
🏛 What Environmental Policies Contribute to Calgary’s Exceptional Standards?
Calgary’s cleanliness is no accident—it’s the result of strict environmental policies and long-term city planning, including:
1️⃣ Strict Anti-Littering Laws
- Fines for littering can reach $1,000, ensuring strong deterrence.
- Dedicated bylaw officers enforce regulations across parks, roads, and commercial zones.
2️⃣ Advanced Water Treatment & Infrastructure
- The Calgary Water Centre, a LEED Gold-certified facility, reduces potable water use by 59% and wastewater generation by 72%.
- Calgary treats a higher percentage of stormwater than many cities treat sanitary water, preserving river and watershed integrity.
3️⃣ Sustainable Public Transit
- The CTrain light rail runs on 100% wind-generated energy, making Calgary a pioneer in renewable-powered transportation in North America.
4️⃣ High Recycling & Composting Rates
- City-wide blue, green, and black cart programs make recycling and composting easy, achieving a 70%+ waste diversion rate—one of the highest in North America.
These policies, combined with aggressive urban planning and infrastructure investments, have built a citywide ecosystem of cleanliness and sustainability.
👥 How Does Community Behavior Impact Calgary’s Cleanliness?
Policies alone don’t keep a city clean—Calgary’s residents play a crucial role.
- Civic Pride: Citizens actively participate in community clean-up events and volunteer programs.
- Public Education: Schools and local campaigns teach waste separation, water conservation, and environmental stewardship from a young age.
- Social Accountability: Calgary’s culture fosters social pressure against littering or neglecting shared spaces, which reinforces cleaner habits.
Compared to other major cities, Calgarians view cleanliness as a shared responsibility, not just a government task—this cultural mindset is key to the city’s exceptional standards.
📊 Recent Statistics: Air Quality, Recycling Rates & Watershed Protection (2025)
Here are the latest data-driven indicators proving Calgary’s cleanliness:
- Air Quality (PM₂.₅): Average annual concentration is ~5 μg/m³, well below WHO limits (10 μg/m³).
- Air Quality Index (AQI): Ranges between 30–40, considered “good” year-round.
- Recycling & Waste Diversion: Over 70% of waste is diverted from landfills via city programs.
- Watershed Protection: The Bow and Elbow River watersheds are rigorously protected, and Calgary maintains some of the strictest stormwater management standards in Canada.
These metrics not only meet but exceed global benchmarks for clean and sustainable cities.
✅ Final Thoughts: Why Calgary Leads the Way
Calgary isn’t just clean—it’s a model for how urban centers worldwide can integrate sustainability, civic behavior, and strong policy enforcement.
- World-leading air and water quality
- High recycling and waste diversion rates
- Strict environmental laws and fines
- Civic participation in keeping public spaces clean
This combination cements Calgary’s status as the cleanest city in the world in 2025—and a blueprint for the future of urban living.
Calgary is beautiful, clean and has incredible energy
When I moved to Calgary (25 years ago), I was amazed with the clean air, the new buildings, and the fresh feeling I got everywhere I went. Because I went to SAIT and lived on campus, I would jog along Crescent Road NW. I would stop around the bend and look over the city landscape to gaze in wonderment at Calgary’s downtown. I would see a beautiful, clean, and new downtown, that had incredible energy and entrepreneurial spirit. I would dream that I would, somehow, become an important player in Calgary. Little did I know, I would be cleaning Calgary’s toilets. Haha. But, in all honesty, I am so proud to do so!
I genuinely believe that there is something about Calgarians, that they love to be clean, love fresh air, love clean water and, now, ever so important, love a clean work environment.
Calgary has been recognized by many as the cleanest city in the world, and is almost always included in the top 10 cleanest cities in the world (often #1). If you simply do a Google search for cleanest cities in the world, you will see Calgary on almost every list.
We pride Ourselves in helping keep Calgary Clean with Our Janitorial Services
Picture Perfect Cleaning aims to extend Calgary’s cleanliness to every building that requires janitorial services in the city. Whether it is cleaning services for offices, schools, condos, stores, medical facilities or more, we at Picture Perfect Cleaning pride ourselves on helping to keep Calgary the cleanest city in the world, inside and out. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Janitorial Companies in Calgary & Edmonton (2025 Edition).
CALGARY – THE CLEANEST CITY IN THE WORLD | Picture Perfect Cleaning, Inc. — Calgary, Alberta
