Earth Day quiz: Test your knowledge

planet-earth.JPG View full size How will you celebrate Earth Day on April 22?  

Earth Day is about a lot of things -- being green, not wasting, saving resources.

It all started with a politician, believe it or not. The late Gaylord Nelson -- a Democrat who was then a U.S. senator and, previously, governor of Wisconsin -- was the driving force behind Earth Day, which was started in 1970.

When you think about it, if we all leave our little place on the Earth a bit better off than when we found it, we're on the right track.

In honor of Earth Day today, here's a quiz (answers / sources below):

1. The three R's mean:

A. Raking, rocking, rejoicing.

B. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

C. Run, rabbit, run!

2. You can't make great beer without clean . . .

A. Water.

B. Mug, stein or pint glass.

C. Bar tops.

3. In January, Buckeye Industries shipped its first load of recyclable plastics, amounting to:

A. 1,300 pounds.

B. More than 13,000 pounds.

C. Two milk jugs and a juice carton.

4. In 2004, paper suppliers used around 5 percent recycled fiber for book materials. Today, that figure is around:

A. 6 percent.

B. 25 percent.

C. 75 percent.

5. Of more than 200 million tons of garbage a year in U.S. households, about this much is recycled:

A. 1 percent.

B. 15 percent.

C. 25 percent.

6. A proper compost bin requires a balance between these elements:

A. Equal amount of diet and regular soda.

B. Lots of oil and a little bit of water.

C. A little more carbon than nitrogen.

7. Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s "Fatty Wagon" is so named because:

A. Your doctor must have declared you overweight to ride in it.

B. It runs on vegetable oil.

C. All of its drivers are members of the Fatty Arbuckle Fan Club.

8. Times an aluminum can is able to be recycled:

A. Once.

B. 12 (one for each ounce of a typical can).

C. Infinitely.

9. According to the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, approximately what percentage "of our municipal water supply goes directly" to lawn watering?

A. 50.

B. 60.

C. 70.

10. One open faucet can let about this much water flow every two minutes:

A. 5 gallons.

B. 4 quarts.

C. 3 pints.


1. B -- A mantra of the Environmental Protection Agency, among others. Learn more about the R's at

2. A -- More than 20 breweries -- most are based in the Midwest -- have taken a pledge for clean water with the Natural Resources Defense Council. The partnership centers around policy and outreach. Go to One of only four main ingredients in beer, water accounts for about 90 percent of the frothy goodness.

3. B -- Buckeye Industries -- an enterprise of New Avenues to Independence -- opened in October. It focuses on medical recycling and has four area locations.

4. B -- The publishing industry is getting greener, according to a report from two environmental groups. A focus on conservation and an increase in the number of e-books are seen as catalysts.

5. C -- So says Ken Thompson's book "Compost," published in 2007.

6. C -- Thompson's book breaks down the importance of C:N ratios and what organic elements are necessary, like kitchen waste, grass clippings and certain leaves. If done right, a compost bin does not smell or attract pests.

7. B -- The Cleveland brewer, marking 25 years in business, has long been an advocate of sustainability efforts. The Fatty Wagon's Ohio City brewpub-to-Progressive Field round trip is $1. Call 216-771-4404.

8. C -- Amazing, isn't it? It also can take as few as 60 days for one can to be recycled into another. Go to for more facts.

9. B -- And that's where rain barrels help. The district offers how-to workshops. Go to

10. A -- This is according to the NBA Green project. Increasingly, sports leagues and teams have partnered with environmental groups for a variety of green initiatives, from positioning recyclable containers throughout stadiums (Progressive Field, for instance) to a lot more. Go to for details and tips.