Taking care of the earth isn’t all fun and games, but it can be sometimes. This eco-quiz is equal parts entertaining and educational. So test your knowledge and see just how much you know — scroll past the photos to get each answer, and if a particular topic piques your interest, read more by following the “get more information” link after each question. Good luck!
1. According NASA, what percent of Planet Earth is water?
Answer: 71 percent
2. True or false: It’s acceptable to toss used automotive oil in with regular residential trash.
Answer: False
3. Unplugging your printer when not in use reduces energy waste and potentially saves about how much annually: $12, $60 or $130?
Answer: $130. Woo-hoo!
4. What pointy plant with a reptilian name is valuable for improving indoor air quality and adding oxygen while reducing formaldehyde, smog and trichloroethylene?
Answer: Snake plant
5. IKEA announced in October 2017 a national recycling program for what product?
Answer: Mattresses
6. If Bubble Wrap isn’t accepted in your residential recycling program, what is an easily accessible possible drop-off point?
Answer: Supermarkets or other stores with recycling bins for plastic bags
7. What date is recognized as Earth Day in the United States and other parts of the world?
Answer: April 22
8. Another annual event in April, also popular with eco-enthusiasts, focuses on the role trees play in the environment. What is the name of that day?
Answer: Arbor Day
9. Patagonia produces some of its apparel using a polyester fabric that includes what upcycled items?
Answer: Plastic bottles
10. While different rules apply based on where you live, which of the following are usually not appropriate for residential recycling pickup: hoses, beverage cans, food boxes, boxes with food residue, bowling balls or cardboard?
Answer: Hoses, boxes with food residue, bowling balls
11. How many trees does recycling a ton of paper save: 6, 17 or 100?
Answer: 17
12. True or false: These items are often accepted with regular paper recycling: envelopes with windows, books, paper bags.
Answer: True
13. In a pinch, what square plastic item from food packaging sometimes works as quick fix for a torn flip-flop?
Answer: Bread-bag clip
14. Within 10, what is the number of National Forests in the United States?
Answer: 154 (144 to 164 accepted)
15. Kerala, an ecotourism destination with palm-tree-lined beaches, forest, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, is in what Asian nation?
Answer: India
16. According to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association, which of these Fortune 500 firms was the top solar user based on its 2016 report: Target, IKEA or Walmart?
Answer: Target
17. In standard recycling symbols, a number inside a triangle on a plastic object identifies the type of plastic. How many different numbers are used in this system?
Answer: 7
18. What is a water-efficient alternative to sprinklers for watering your yard?
Answer: Drip irrigation
19. To avoid wasting water from evaporation, what part of day is preferable for watering lawns and plants?
Answer: Early morning
20. For what product did Samsung Electronics America win the 2016 Design for Recycling Award issued by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries? A television, a telephone or a refrigerator?
Answer: A television
How Did You Do?
Score yourself, and savor the satisfaction of our eco-friendly, absolutely no-waste virtual recognition.
18 to 20: Eco-incredible
12 to 17: Eco-fabulous
8 to 11: Eco-enthusiastic
7 or fewer: Eco-fledgling