By the Numbers

65

Number of businesses, farmers, or individuals producing local products in the new database compiled by the UW-Extension as of March 25

1.5

Million barrels of oil used to produce the plastic for the bottled water Americans drink each year

31.5

Pounds of garbage every American produces each week

40

Percent of drinking water supplied to homes that is flushed down the toilet

4.5

Gallons of water saved by flushing one fewer times per day

1.5

Billion, the estimated number of lighters that end up in landfills each year

20

Times more pollution emitted by an idling car than one going 32 miles per hour

18

Percent of all energy used in the U.S. that is consumed by commercial buildings (25 percent of which is used for lighting)

12

Pounds of poultry thrown away by the average American each year

Sources: The Green Book; treehugger.com; United States Department of Energy