Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

director@recycleutah.org

How Important is Organic?

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Is eating organically grown food actually beneficial? The answer is yes. In most cases, eating organic food is healthier, though not always the most economical. But what does organic really mean? In a farming sense, organically grown means food was not grown using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and was not genetically modified (GMO’s).

While these processes often make farming more efficient and inexpensive, the chemicals and radiation used can have harmful effects on consumers. It’s simply a trade-off between cost and quality when it comes to buying organic for most families in America. Some of the benefits of eating organic include:
● Avoiding the consumption of harmful synthetic pesticides and herbicides found in conventional farming. which can result in short- and long-term health problems.
● Buying organic helps the environment, because food grown with excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides can pollute the surrounding soil and water, even creating chemical run-off that implicates nearby residents.
● Avoiding greenhouse gas emissions from nitrous oxide, commonly found in conventional fertilizers.

Keep in mind, all conventionally grown foods that are sold in the US are grown with the necessary safety standards. Additionally, equal amounts of micronutrients are generally found in both types of produce.

However, to be extra cautious, it is always a good idea to wash your produce (no matter how it was grown) before you consume it to get rid of dirt and any pesticide residue. Check out the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen on Environmental Working Groups (ewg.org). A few of the ‘dirtier’, more important foods to buy as organic are strawberries, kale and cherries while some of the ‘cleaner’ foods are pineapples, avocados, and onions. If you’re looking to include more organic produce in your diet, now is a great time! The PC Farmer’s Market, every Wednesday at Park City Mountain, includes many local and organic options to choose from.

By Grayson Rae

Sustainable Milks

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Almonds require an abundance of water to grow. But what about almond milk? Oat, soy, coconut, pea, or… good old dairy? Which is most sustainable? Calculating the water and carbon footprint of milk is complicated, as multiple stages are considered. First, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with raising a cow or plant, turning the raw material into the final product, packaging it, and shipping it is considered.

Second is the water use. Other factors include where the food was produced, how much land was required to grow it, and the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics. The following results, through the World Resources Institute, considered the GHG and liters of water needed to produce one cup of milk:


● Plant-based milks typically have 1/3 the emissions of cow’s milk, and most use
significantly less water.
● Pea protein milk wins the prize for most sustainable milk, when considering GHG and water! Results revealed that its water footprint was 86% lower than cow’s milk.
● Soy milk wins second and oat and coconut trailed closely behind.
● Almond milk is good for our climate, but uses similar quantities of water as cow’s milk. This is important to consider if the almonds are being grown in a water-scarce region (eg. California).

Protein content was also measured, especially for Americans, known on average to consume more protein than is needed. Pea and soy milk were relatively high in protein content, like dairy, whereas oat and coconut milks were lower. Almond milk surprisingly contained very little protein.

Our food choices vary, including cost, taste, dietary restrictions, access, nutritional content, traditions, and more. Perhaps it’s time, however, to add environmental impact to this list? Next time at the market, consider trying a milk with a smaller footprint. If cow’s milk is your calling, consider buying it from a local, organic farm.

By Mary Closser

The Magic of Electronics Recycling!

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A few weeks ago, we toured METech, the facility where Recycle Utah sends all collected electronics. METech is an R2v3-certified recycler, meaning it meets the highest standards in electronics recycling: maximizing material recovery and ensuring all data is securely wiped from devices.

Recycle Utah’s electronics are stored until there’s enough to haul to METech’s Salt Lake City facility. There, items are weighed and sorted—especially those containing data storage, which are securely wiped. Most materials are then baled and shipped to their central hub in Gilroy, California.

At the Gilroy facility, motherboards are carefully dismantled by machines that recover valuable metals like gold, palladium, and platinum, separating them for reuse in new electronics. Other devices are shredded and sorted using magnets and eddy currents to recover metal, plastic, and glass. These materials are then sent to manufacturers who use them in products like laptop covers, new electronics, and more.

What surprised me most was the sheer volume—and variety—of items they receive and dismantle for recyclable parts. I even picked up a leather cushion, assuming it was landfill-bound, only to learn it was headed to a leather recycler! That level of detail made it clear that METech is committed to recovering everything possible, beyond just items with a plug or battery. We’re lucky to have one of their facilities so close. Across the U.S., many electronics are trucked hundreds of miles to reach facilities like this.

The EPA estimates that almost 3 million tons of electronics go into U.S. landfills every year. Recycling electronics keeps hazardous materials out of the landfill, and arguably more importantly, lets us reuse valuable non-renewable resources like precious metals, whose extraction is damaging ecosystems, polluting air and water, and causing human rights crises across the globe. 

Seeing METech in action gave me real hope. When done right, electronics recycling truly can close the loop—and we all play a role by choosing to recycle responsibly.

By Chelsea Hafer

Don’t Let Sunburns or Harmful Chemicals Ruin Your Summer: Safe & Sustainable Sunscreen

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With so many sunscreen options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—but not all of them live up to their claims. Some still contain outdated or harmful ingredients. Luckily, growing awareness has pushed the industry toward safer, more effective ingredients. However, it’s still important to be fully informed when purchasing sunscreen and know what to look out for when shopping.

Mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are now top picks for broad-spectrum protection. They’re generally gentler, reef-safe, and FDA-recognized as effective. 

Meanwhile, ingredients like oxybenzone and Vitamin A are being phased out due to health and environmental concerns—both are worth avoiding. Avoid sunscreens containing “fragrance” as an ingredient; these undisclosed blends can include allergens or hormone-disrupting compounds, and without transparency, it’s hard to know what you’re putting on your skin.

Spray sunscreens remain a favorite for convenience, but they come with risks—like inhalation hazards and uneven coverage, especially in windy conditions. Some countries have even issued warnings against them, while the FDA continues to delay safety regulations for aerosol products. 

Don’t be fooled by ultra-high SPF numbers. Anything above SPF 50 adds minimal protection and can lead to overexposure if you’re not reapplying. Some high-SPF products even use “boosters” that may make skin look protected without actually blocking long-term damage. The safest option is to reapply regularly.

If you’re interested in checking your sunscreen for all these variables, the Environmental Working Group’s annual sunscreen guide has assessed over 2,000 SPF products for safety and effectiveness. You can find a list of fully approved sunscreens and more information at ewg.org.

In summary, opt for mineral sunscreens, avoid fragrances, choose lotion over spray, and reapply often. Stay safe this summer by choosing a sunscreen you trust, use, and apply often!

By Chelsea Hafer

Leave No Trace: Sustainable Summer Camping

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One of Park City’s favorite summer activities is to camp out under the stars in the beautiful mountain ranges that surrounds us. But like all other activities, we must practice safe and sustainable camping in order to protect the beautiful wilderness that we live in. When going camping, always research the location first to be sure you are up-to-date with the rules of the campground, such as fire safety, trash disposal, and other important guidelines. Here are some specific ways to make sure your camping experience is sustainable and safe no matter where you go:

  • Use biodegradable products (such as soap and shampoo) if you’re bathing or washing dishes near a water source. FulFILLed in Junction Commons offers great options. 
  • Bring reusable tupperware, plates, utensils, and other household items instead of disposable Ziploc bags or plastics. 
  • When hiking, stay on designated trails to avoid trampling growing vegetation.
  • Leave with everything that you brought.
  • Rent or purchase used gear.
  • Use fire safety (build fires in an enclosed fire pit, monitor a fire closely for 45 minutes after extinguishing it, and keep fires at a controllable size). 
  • Conserve your water throughout the experience. 
  • LEAVE NO TRACE!

In all, for all you campers who are preparing to spend a summer under the stars, remember that minimizing your carbon footprint is just as imperative. So roll into your campsites and have fun! Just remember to roll out leaving the site better than you found it.

By Grayson Rae

Utah’s Water Crisis

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Utah is the second driest state in the U.S., with a rare closed water system where northern Utah’s water recycles through the Great Salt Lake (GSL) instead of flowing to the ocean. This water cycle, along with our unique basin geography, is what gives Utah “The Greatest Snow on Earth”.

Much of Utah’s water comes from mountain snowmelt. In Salt Lake City, about 45% of snowmelt runoff is diverted into the water system—80% of which goes to agriculture, and almost half used solely for growing alfalfa. Alfalfa, a crop fed to cows and other livestock, grows quickly and has high yields, but it also uses a lot of water. This water diversion is the major contributor to the GSL shrinking more with each passing year.

As the lake dries, toxic metals like arsenic and mercury from the lakebed become airborne, threatening the health of people up to 500 miles away. If trends continue, the GSL could dry up within a decade.

In the past, the state government has offered few incentives for farmers to switch to water-saving farming methods. However, in 2020, the Department of Agriculture introduced the Water Optimization Program, which has distributed $65 million in grants for farmers to implement water-saving measures. The program is in its early stages, and most scientists agree that immediate, more drastic measures must be taken to stop the shrinking of the GSL and reduce Utah’s drought risk. However, with public support and increased funding, the program could make a huge difference.

To learn how to save water at home, visit the Utah DNR Water Conservation Website. For info on GSL advocacy, go to GrowTheFlowUtah.org or SaveOurGreatSaltLake.org.

Data sourced from the Utah Department of Natural Resources.

By Mia Moore