Saving Our Planet Trivia Quiz

Answer: Carpooling

Carpooling is great way to save money and gasoline, which releases fewer toxins and pollutants into the air. If everyone who was going to the same destination took separate vehicles, that could contribute more than five times as much smog into the atmosphere. If all involved take turns driving, everyone is saving money on gasoline because they are driving less often.

Answer: Every 60-90 days

If the filter is dirty and becomes too clogged, the furnace works harder, wasting energy, money and not functioning properly. Furnace filters are relatively inexpensive and some furnaces come with reusable filters that only require a quick clean and don't take up space in landfills.

Answer: Cold water

The Worldwatch Institute, an organization that advocates for a greener planet, estimates that over 85% of the energy used to do laundry comes from heating the water in the washing machine. By using cold water, consumers are skipping that energy-wasting step and saving on their bill.

Answer: Freecycling

There are many blogs and websites (the most popular of which is called Freecycle) worldwide that people can check out to see if anyone in their area is willing to trade. The idea is that people can save money by not having to buy an entirely new appliance when someone else would just throw a perfectly usable one away.

Some people will even be willing to give their items away in exchange for nothing. Common items people freecycle are small appliances, stoves, refrigerators, couches and even mobile homes.

Answer: False

The EPA estimates that each American household receives 69 pounds of junk mail each year and that most of it does not get recycled. It is possible, and recommended by the EPA, that Americans opt out of receiving mail they do not want. Anyone can call the Direct Marketing Association to opt out of receiving many of the flyers he or she does not want in the mail, while informing them of which ones they still want to receive.

Some people recycle their junk mail and make crafts out of it, such as stuffing for dolls or using it in paper-mache. Another good use for junk mail is to use it as packing material, once the recipient has removed his or her name from it.

Answer: Water bottles

It's not just water bottles polluting our water and land but also individual coffee containers, such as the ones used for Keurig machines and other coffee pots. John Sylvan, who invented the Keurig, admitted to "Atlantic" in 2015 that his product created too much waste and that he feels so guilty about it, he doesn't even own one.

A simple way to avoid plastic bottles is to purchase an inexpensive reusable bottle and drink filtered tap water.

Answer: Compact Fluorescent Lamp

CFL bulbs use up to 75% less electricity than the regular incandescent bulbs. "Better Homes and Gardens" estimates that by switching to CFL bulbs, consumers in the USA could save about $85 in energy costs per light bulb.

Answer: Turned the faucet off while brushing their teeth

Up to five gallons of water can be wasted every time someone lets the faucet run while brushing his or her teeth. The water that could be saved, the 1.5 billion gallons, would be enough to supply New York City for over one year.

Answer: San Francisco

Plastic bags, while recyclable in some jurisdictions, often wind up in trash heaps or waterways. The San Francisco Department of Environment conducted a study prior to the ban which showed that the city used over 180 million plastic bags each year and that it took over 430,000 gallons of petroleum to make 100 million bags. Residents of the city can now purchase reusable shopping bags for pennies.

For people who do not live in a locality with a ban on plastic bags, it is still possible for them to bring their own reusable bags to the store instead of using the plastic ones provided. Many stores even offer a discount to customers who bring their own bags.

Answer: Turn it off

Putting a computer in sleep mode does save some energy, but turning it off conserves more. Sleep mode is designed to save energy when a computer is not being used constantly but is being utilized occasionally, when it would be inconvenient to turn the computer on and off every hour or so.