Nov 10, 2025

Janette KunzNovember 10, 2025 Sustainability isn’t just something companies have to do anymore; it’s becoming the basis of a new kind of economy. A wave of new businesses in the United States is showing that being environmentally responsible and growing a business can go hand in hand. These new businesses are using cutting-edge science, AI and creative design to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, like cutting down on carbon emissions, rethinking waste and making supply chains cleaner. The sustainability startup movement has become a strong force for change as worries about climate change grow. It’s changing industries like energy, construction and materials, as well as creating jobs, drawing in investment and encouraging people to make more environmentally friendly choices. The ten U.S.-based startups below are at the forefront of this change, each with a big idea for a future that is cleaner, smarter and more sustainable. The Rise Of The Sustainability Economy Sustainability startups in the U.S. are at the forefront of the fight against environmental problems by combining technology, science and business. These businesses are not only lowering emissions, but they are also opening up new markets. For example, they are working on biodegradable packaging and new ways to store energy. The new ideas they come up with are the building blocks of a strong, low-carbon economy that puts growth and the health of the planet on the same level. These startups are more than just new ideas; they are the future of sustainable business. Each one deals with an important part of the environmental problem, such as energy, waste, materials, building and how people act. They are the main parts of the sustainability economy, where growth and taking care of the environment go hand in hand. Their work together shows that being sustainable isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also good for business. These companies are making jobs, encouraging investment and building a greener, stronger economy through things like carbon capture and circular design. Here are ten sustainability startups in the U.S. that are making great progress towards a greener and more sustainable future. Form Energy, which is based in Somerville, Massachusetts, is changing the energy landscape with its groundbreaking iron-air battery technology. These batteries are different from regular lithium-ion batteries because they use iron and air to store energy for several days at a much lower cost. This new idea solves one of the biggest problems with renewable energy: it doesn’t always work. Form Energy makes it possible for grids to use more wind and solar energy by allowing them to store power for up to 100 hours. The company’s big factory in West Virginia and more than $1 billion in funding make it a clear leader in the future of clean energy. Arcadia Arcadia, which is based in Colorado, connects people and businesses directly to renewable energy sources like community solar. The company’s digital platform collects clean energy data, which helps customers cut down on emissions and keep an eye on their energy use. Arcadia is a key player in making clean energy more accessible to homes and small businesses that can’t install solar panels themselves because it manages over 2 GW of community solar capacity. It’s a great example of how technology can make renewable energy fair and based on facts. Pachama is based in San Francisco. Pachama keeps an eye on and checks forest carbon projects using satellite images, remote sensing and artificial intelligence. Pachama gives companies the confidence to invest in nature-based climate solutions by making sure that carbon offsets are real. Their work is very important for keeping the carbon market honest and bringing back important ecosystems. Pachama’s open and tech-driven approach makes sure that reforestation and conservation efforts get measurable results as more companies promise to reach net-zero goals. Footprint Footprint is an Arizona-based materials science company that is working to solve the world’s plastic problem. The company makes compostable, fiber-based alternatives to single-use plastics. These are eco-friendly packaging options for big brands. Footprint has worked with food producers, stores and even sports arenas to replace bad plastics with materials that break down naturally. Its goal is to get rid of single-use plastics, which shows how important new ideas are in making the circular economy work. Recycle Track Systems (RTS) in New York is changing the way cities and businesses deal with trash. RTS makes recycling and trash collection more efficient by using AI-powered tracking, data analysis and IoT sensors. By making waste visible, measurable and manageable, RTS helps organizations meet sustainability goals while diverting tons of waste from landfills. This is an important step in moving from a linear “take-make-dispose” economy to one that is more circular and uses resources more efficiently. Mighty Buildings California’s Mighty Buildings is changing the construction industry with homes that are carbon-neutral and made with 3D printing. The company builds things with 99% less waste and up to 60% less emissions than traditional methods by using advanced materials made from recycled materials. Building accounts for almost 40% of global emissions, so new ideas for building that are good for the environment are very important. Mighty Buildings shows that homes can be both cheap and good for the environment. This shows that sustainability and growth can go hand in hand. Utopia Plastix makes biodegradable polymers from plant-based feedstocks that can be used instead of plastics made from petroleum. Their resins can be used in current manufacturing systems, which makes it easier for businesses to switch to more eco-friendly materials. This kind of new idea is very important for cutting down on plastic waste and our reliance on fossil fuels. Utopia Plastix’s method combines being practical with caring for the environment. This makes it easier for businesses to “go green” without stopping production. Grove Collaborative has turned eco-friendly home and personal care products into a successful business. People can buy products that are cruelty-free, plastic-free and responsibly packaged through its online store. Grove Collaborative gives millions of families the power to make small, meaningful changes by making sustainable consumption a normal part of everyday life. It reminds us that sustainability starts at home and that companies can be responsible when customers ask for it. Brimstone Energy Brimstone Energy wants to change the cement industry, which is one of the dirtiest in the world. Brimstone’s process makes cement that absorbs CO₂ instead of releasing it. This is different from how most cement is made, which releases CO₂ into the air. This new idea could cut down on industrial emissions by a huge amount if it were used all over the world. It could also change what “green infrastructure” means. Brimstone is a great example of how new ideas in industry can really help the climate. EcoCart E-commerce is growing quickly, but so is its carbon footprint. EcoCart works with online stores to let customers offset their carbon emissions when they check out. Merchants can also keep an eye on sustainability metrics and make shipping better for the environment. EcoCart turns shopping into a way to help the environment by making it part of the experience. This is a model that connects profit with purpose in the digital age. Related Articles