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Sweeping sidewalks and driveways rather than washing them with a hose can save about 10 gallons of water per minute. 1

U.S. commuters would need to bicycle to work once or twice a week to eliminate the need for Middle East oil. 11% of the oil consumed in the U.S. comes from the Middle East. 2

Every kilowatt-hour saved through conservation prevents two pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) from reaching the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon dioxide contributes to ozone depletion. 1

100 bicycles can be produced for the energy and resources it takes to build one medium-size automobile. Commute by bike! 2

An open conventional faucet lets about 5 gallons of water flow every 2 minutes. Conventional toilets use 3.5 to 5 gallons of water per flush. Install aerators or low-flush toilets to conserve water! 1

If everyone at the University of Oregon reused a refillable mug once a day, we'd save 20,000 disposable cups per day, 140,000 per week and 7.2 million disposable cups per year. 3

The EMU alone uses approx. 5200 paper cups per week! In landfills, paper in wet conditions degrades to produce a significant amount of methane, a greenhouse gas. Please think before you use a paper cup... every action helps! Refillable mugs save energy! 4

A typical computer uses 30 kWh of electricity per year, on average... The EMU Computing Center and the Knight Library combined use over 6000 kWh per year to run all 200 of their computers. Please use electricity wisely! 4

Turn off your computer when you leave the room or when it is not in use. Shut off your printer when you are finished printing. If you will be gone for a short time, turn off your monitor. Reduce your energy use!

TVs and VCRs alone cost Americans $1 billion a year in electric bills while not in use because they "leak" energy. The energy used creates so much greenhouse gas, it's as if we put an extra 2 million cars on the road and asked them to drive in circles. Look for the Energy Star symbol! 5

As much as 150 gallons of water can be saved when washing a car by turning off the hose between rinses. Be conscious of your water usage. Use wisely! 1

Recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing aluminum products from raw materials. 6

Just by using phosphate-free laundry detergent, you alone can reduce water pollution. Phosphates are crucial nutrients for bacteria and algae growth. When these microorganisms die, their decay uses up the oxygen in the water, suffocating fish and other wildlife. Some phosphate-free brands include Country Save, Planet, and Ecover. Just think about it! 4

According to the American Public Transit Association, commuting on mass transit in place of driving cuts hydrocarbon emissions that produce smog by 90%, carbon monoxide emissions by more than 75%, and nitrogen oxides emissions by up to 75%. Take the bus! Or better yet, ride your bike or walk to work! 7

Just by shutting off the water when you brush your teeth, you alone can save 8 gallons of water. 4

Sources:
1. Lake, A & K. Kaplan. Resource Conservation Team, 1998.
2. Bicycling Magazine. May 1991. p. 94.
3. Campus Recycling Brochure, 2000.
4. Gewecke, C. Resource & Energy Use at the UO, 1999.
5. Econews. Home Electricity Use. e-mail. August 2000.
6. Earth Day Resources. Recycling Fact Sheet, 1990.
7. Earth Day Resources. Automobile Fact Sheet, 1990.