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Did You Know?

1. Water and energy are closely linked. Did you know that running a hot water faucet for 5 minutes consumes as much energy as using a 60-watt light bulb for 14 hours? (EPA)
2. Used oil collected from one oil change could contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water - a year's supply for 50 people. (EPA)
3. In the U.S., buildings account for: (USGBC)
   • 36% of total energy use
   • 65% of electricity consumption
   • 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
   • 30% of raw materials use
   • 30% of waste output (=136 million tons annually)
   • 12% of potable water consumption
4. Cigarette filters account for the number one trash item found on beaches in the U.S.? From 1996-20000, debris collectors found over 6 million filters on beaches, and 3 million plastic bags. (EPA)
5. The U.S. recycles about 32% of its waste, doubled over the last 15 years. We recycle:
   • 50% of all paper
   • 34% of all plastic soft drink bottles
   • 45% of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans
   • 63% of all steel packaging
   • 67% of all major appliances (EPA)
6. You can improve your gas mileage by:
   • 10% by replacing a clogged air filter.
   • 4% if you keep your car engine properly tuned.
   • 3.5% by keeping tires properly inflated
   • 1.2% by using the recommended grade of motor oil. (EPA)
7. The Shady Grove Transfer station, in addition to the usual recycling materials, also accepts:
   • antifreeze
   • batteries (household & vehicle)
   • books
   • building materials
   • clothing and textiles
   • fire extinguishers
   • foam packaging (styrofoam)
   • mattresses
   • Televisions and computers (Montgomery County Recycling Program)
8. U.S. mayors unanimously support a green schools resolution. At the July 2007 anual meeting in L.A., the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resoultion that will make every school in America green, within a generation, as a may to make schools a healthier and more productive place of learning (USGBC).
9. You can calculate your carbon footprint at: www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.html Another more U.S.-based calculator. www.buildcarbonneutral.org. (Greensource, http://greensource.construction.com/)
10. A new international program, the Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, was established among the world's largest energy companies, banks, and cities designed to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings. (Greensource - http://greensource.construction.com/)
11. Urban areas are responsible for almost 75% of all energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the world? (EPA)
12. If every house in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with a compact flourescent, it would be the equivalent of taking 1 million cars off the road.