Is Your Lifestyle Eco Friendly?

How Big Is Your Eco Footprint? ....

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So, just how "green" are you? Most people want to tread lightly on the planet, but they really aren't sure how big an impact they are making. If you are curious to see if you are a help or a hindrance to the planet, take this quiz and find out. Just pick the answer that best suits your lifestyle.

 

The Questions

  1. HOW OFTEN DO YOU RECYCLE?
    1. I am a recycling nut. I recycle everything I can: paper, aluminum, printer cartridges, you name it.
    2. I recycle when it's convenient as long as it doesn't require any excessive thought or effort on my part.
    3. I don't have the time or patience to recycle. I'm a busy person.

  2. DO YOU USE RECYCLED PRODUCTS?
    1. I try to reduce what I need, but when I do have to make purchases, I opt for recycled products whenever possible.
    2. If I remember to look for the recycle triangle logo, I will usually buy that product.
    3. So that's what they're doing with all the stuff other people recycle?

  3. HOW MANY OF YOUR APPLIANCES HAVE THE ENERGY STAR LABEL?
    1. Every single one of them that is available with the Energy Star label. I only buy products that are energy-efficient.
    2. When I'm out shopping I look for the Energy Star label. I try to purchase efficient appliances, but I won't sacrifice what I ultimately want.
    3. I buy the appliances I want and need regardless of whether they're efficient. If there's an Energy Star label on one of my appliances, it's pure coincidence.

  4. HOW MUCH OF YOUR HOUSE IS MADE OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS?
    1. My entire house is made of recycled or sustainable materials. In fact, it is LEED certified.
    2. My house wasn't built using sustainable materials, but everytime I renovate, I use sustainable and recycled materials.
    3. I leave all the purchasing decisions to the builders. If they want to use sustainable or recycled materials, they can. It doesn't matter to me.

  5. DO YOU USE ANY FORM OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN YOUR HOME?
    1. I purchase renewable energy from the local utility that's generated from landfill gas. Otherwise I'd have a windmill or solar cells.
    2. I'm evaluating different options. My local utility just started a renewable energy option. It costs a little more, but it's worth it. I'm also looking at adding solar cells to the house.
    3. I think I heard something about the local utility using renewable energy, but I think it costs more, so I don't think I'll sign up for it.

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  6. WHAT KIND OF GAS MILEAGE DOES YOUR CAR GET?
    1. I don't own a car.
    2. Fifty miles to the gallon, baby!
    3. I'm not really sure, but I'm guessing about 15.

  7. HOW OFTEN DO YOU ELIMINATE CAR TRIPS?
    1. I don't own a car. My primary means of transportation are my feet, my bike, and mass transit.
    2. I try to eliminate at least one car trip a day by riding my bike or walking. I also try to carpool when car trips are really necessary.
    3. My car is an extension of me. I wouldn't think of using any other kind of transportation.

  8. HOW OFTEN DO YOU EAT MEAT?
    1. I really don't eat meat. On rare occasions, I'll have a taste.
    2. I eat it regularly, but I try to buy local meat raised organically.
    3. I eat meat like Cookie Monster eats cookies.

  9. WHAT KIND OF SEAFOOD DO YOU EAT?
    1. I rarely eat seafood, but when I do it's usually clams and mussels.
    2. I eat seafood every couple of weeks, and it's usually shrimp that's been caught in the wild or farmed in the United States.
    3. I love Atlantic Halibut and flounder and eat it every chance I get.

  10. WHAT KIND OF PET DO YOU HAVE?
    1. I got my two dogs from the local animal shelter. I got my cat from a purebreed rescue group.
    2. My dog came from the animal shelter, but I really wanted a purebreed catwith papers, so I bought it from a breeder.
    3. I checked, but my local animal shelter didn't have Amazon parrots, so I went online. I had a boa constrictor, but it got big so I let it go.

Scoring:

For every A answer give yourself 2 points.
For every B answer give yourself 1 point.
For every C answer give yourself 0 points.

How Eco Friendly Are You?:

20 to 15 points: You have a petite and delicate footprint. Earth needs more inhabitants like you!
14 to 9 points: Your footprint shows potential. Just a few more eco-friendly acts and you'll be reducing your shoe size.
8 to 0 points: Your footprint rivals that of Sasquatch. You are hereby challenged to stop stomping around on the planet.