Climate Action Quiz: Waste

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Quiz Questions

1.
Do you recycle your paper, plastic, and glass?
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Most of the time
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
2.
What do you prioritize when you go grocery shopping?
- A.
  Low cost
- B.
  Sustainability
- C.
  Quality
- D.
  Convenience
3.
What do you typically do with empty food containers?
- A.
  Throw them away
- B.
  Reuse them
- C.
  I rarely have empty containers
4.
How often do you buy new clothes compared to second hand items?
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Most of the time
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
5.
What do you do with your used clothes?
- A.
  Donate them to a used clothing store/charity
- B.
  Recycle them into rags
- C.
  Throw them away
6.
When you go to a restaurant/cafe do you...
- A.
  Dine in
- B.
  Get takeout
- C.
  I never go to a restaurant/cafe
7.
How much of your food do you waste?
- A.
  25%+
- B.
  15-25%
- C.
  5-15%
- D.
  0-5%
8.
How do you typically store leftover food?
- A.
  Single use plastic bags/wrap
- B.
  Styrofoam boxes
- C.
  Reusable plastic/ceramic bowls
9.
What kind of dishes do you use?
- A.
  Plastic/Paper plates
- B.
  Reusable plates
- C.
  Other
10.
What type of utensils and straws do you use?
- A.
  Plastic
- B.
  Paper
- C.
  Reusable
- D.
  Other
11.
How many of your bills, receipts, and magazine’s arrive in the mail?
- A.
  All
- B.
  Most
- C.
  Some
- D.
  None
12.
What kind of towels and napkins do you use?
- A.
  Reusable cloth
- B.
  Paper
- C.
  Other

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Use Reusable Shopping Bags
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According to the EPA, Americans collectively generated 140,000 tons of plastic bag waste in 2018. The NRDC reports that the average American family uses 1,500 plastic bags each year. Switching to reusable bags can prevent this major source of plastic waste.
2.
Use Plastic Shopping Bags as Trash Bags
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Reusing plastic bags eliminates the need to buy additional trash bags and reduces plastic waste in an easy and affordable way.
3.
Recycle
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If you are living in a location with recycling pickup all you have to do is fill up a recycling bin and leave it out for pickup on the proper day. If you do not have recycling pickup, check to see if there is a recycling center near you that accepts drop offs. Be sure to check what can be recycled in your area.
4.
Avoid Packaged Food
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According to the EPA, containers and packaging amounted to 82.2 million tons or 28.1% of municipal solid waste generation in 2018. To reduce packaging waste is to buy fresh produce at the grocery store, purchase items in bulk, shop at the farmers market, and buy less processed foods. Joining a CSA also helps reduce food packaging waste.
5.
Reuse Empty Food Containers
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Reuse peanut butter jars, takeout containers, yogurt containers, etc. Just be sure to check the number on the bottom of the container to make sure it’s safe for reuse with food products, since some plastics can leach toxins when they’re used for too long. (Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are generally safe; numbers 3, 6, and 7 aren’t.)
6.
Buy More Second Hand Clothing
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Local thrift stores and online retailers like Thred-Up and Poshmark are a great way to buy second hand clothing which helps reduce waste while being affordable. Many local thrift stores support charitable causes so buying second hand can make a positive impact on your community and the planet.
7.
Donate or Recycle Your Used Clothing
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You can donate your used clothes to a local thrift store or donation drive if they are in good condition. If your used clothes are in poor condition then they can be recycled for use as rags or they can be sewn into reusable cloth bags.
8.
Bring Reusable Straws and Containers When You Dine-in
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When you dine in at a restaurant bring your own reusable straw or request a paper straw. This is a great way to reduce waste from plastic straws. If you do not finish your food, bring a reusable container to save it for later.
9.
Bring a Reusable Container for Your Food or Drink Order
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When you get takeout say that you are bringing your own reusable container and cup when you place the order so that you are not given a non-reusable container, cup or disposable utensils. Your food can be prepared and placed on a reusable plate for you to transfer it into your container leading to reduced polystyrene, paper and plastic waste.
10.
Optimize Your Food Shopping and Consumption
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According to a study from the American Journal of Agricultural Economics the average US household wastes 31.9% of their food. Try to buy only as much as you will actually eat. Keep your produce fresh by placing it in reusable, sealed containers, eat things that will expire soon first, and check items that are past the expiration date because they may still be in good condition.
11.
Start a Compost Pile
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Composting is a great way to reduce landfill waste and produces nutrient rich organic matter that is ideal for gardening. For helpful guides on composting see the Addison County Waste Management District website or Earth Easy’s composting guide.
12.
Use Reusable Ceramic, Plastic, or Metal Plates and Dishes
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Paper and plastic plates create a large amount of non-recyclable waste. Reusable plates are convenient and sustainable while saving you trips to the store to buy more dishes. Reusable dishes are also useful in microwaves, ovens, and refrigerators unlike paper and plastic dishes.
13.
Avoid Plastic Wrap and Single-use Storage Bags
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Beeswax paper can be a great alternative to plastic wrap for food while linen and cloth covers are useful for covering bowls. Reusable silicone stretch lids, reusable plastic tubs, and reusable silicone storage bags are great replacements for single-use plastic storage options.
14.
Use Reusable Utensils and Reusable Metal or Bamboo Straws
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This is an easy change that can greatly reduce your personal plastic waste generation. Reusable straws and utensils are easy to carry, practical, and much better for the planet than plastic straws and utensils.
15.
Use Reusable Cloth Towels and Napkins
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Paper towels and napkins are not recyclable and take up space in landfills. Using cloth towels and napkins is just as convenient as using paper and does not require trips to the store to buy more.
16.
Convert Your Bills, Receipts, and Magazine Subscriptions to Electronic Delivery
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Most companies offer paperless billing and publications typically offer an online version of their product. Switching from paper mail to email can sharply reduce your personal paper waste and the carbon emissions produced by the delivery process.
17.
Avoid Single-use Plastic Water Bottles
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Only a small fraction of plastic put in recycling is actually recycled so the best way to prevent waste is to use a water filter to fill reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic water bottles. This will save you money and prevent waste.

Climate Action Quiz: Waste

Guiding you towards relevant actions with real impact.

Quiz Questions

Quiz Outcomes