Tips & Tricks
The Blog
By providing weekly tips, our blog is a resource for helping you live your most sustainable life possible.
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Sustainability on the Slopes: Park City Mountain’s Waste Reduction Efforts
In 2017, Vail Resorts announced “Commitment to Zero”, a goal across resorts to achieve a net-zero operating footprint by 2030.…
READ MORE… Sustainability on the Slopes: Park City Mountain’s Waste Reduction Efforts
Plastic Recycling: What’s Really Happening?
Recycling plastic is a great way to reduce environmental impact. Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials, yet…
The Plastic Crisis: Unseen Threats and Urgent Solutions
We’ve all heard that plastics are bad for the environment, but do we truly understand why? Every day, we unknowingly…
READ MORE… The Plastic Crisis: Unseen Threats and Urgent Solutions
A Greener Way of Getting Around: The Impact of EVs
Transportation is a critical part of any American’s life, and thanks to the invention of the engine and fossil fuel…
READ MORE… A Greener Way of Getting Around: The Impact of EVs
The Environmental Impact of AI
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to computer programs that can mimic human intelligence and reasoning, allowing them to “think independently”…
Sustainable Coffee: Simple Steps for a Greener Morning
Coffee – that special liquid that coaxes us from slumber through its aroma and taste everymorning. Have you ever thought…
READ MORE… Sustainable Coffee: Simple Steps for a Greener Morning
Retailers Recycle Your Plastic Bags—IF You Do It Right
Ever wonder what happens to those plastic bags you stuff into the recycling containers at retailers? The ones you sometimes…
READ MORE… Retailers Recycle Your Plastic Bags—IF You Do It Right
Eco-Friendly Hot Tubbing
Hot tubs can be a great way to rest and relax outside during the winter, especially in Summit County’s colder…
Sustainable Ski Gear
Sustainable Ski Gear When we think about skiing or snowboarding, we often picture fun trips with friends or locals hitting the…
Every Drop Counts: Simple Water Conservation Tips to Protect Our Future
With a strong current emphasis on composting, recycling, and waste, it can be easy to overlook the simple habits of…
READ MORE… Every Drop Counts: Simple Water Conservation Tips to Protect Our Future
The Footprint of Fashion
Pollution from air, landfills, or water is often visible to our eye, but what about textiles? Clothing, jackets, bedding, and…
Recycle Utah’s Beloved Carolyn Wawra Steps Down from Executive Director Role
It is with sadness that Recycle Utah, long a cornerstone in Park City and Summit County for empowering the community…
READ MORE… Recycle Utah’s Beloved Carolyn Wawra Steps Down from Executive Director Role
Sustainable Countertop Cooking
Considering the environmental impact of your daily habits and the potential for utility savings, you may find it worthwhile to…
Green Banking
As the saying goes, “Money makes the world go ‘round.” And if you’re looking for a simple New Year’s resolution…
Towards a Greener Future: Recycle Utah’s Vision for Our Community
Over the past few years, Recycle Utah and its local partners have been discussing how toimprove waste management in Summit…
READ MORE… Towards a Greener Future: Recycle Utah’s Vision for Our Community
Unplug and Save: How to Reduce Standby Power
Standby power, often called “phantom load” or “vampire power,” refers to the electricity consumed by electronic devices and appliances even…
Why Switching to Electric Appliances is a Smart Choice
As more homeowners seek sustainable and cost-effective ways to improve their homes, switching from gas to electric appliances is becoming…
READ MORE… Why Switching to Electric Appliances is a Smart Choice
Local Dark Skies Ordinances Deadline Nears
Eighty percent of the world’s population, and 99 percent of Americans and Europeans, live with some amount of light pollution.…
Protecting Park City From Forever Chemicals This Ski Season
With ski season upon us and the holidays in full swing, Park City’s environmental impact is reaching its peak. While…
READ MORE… Protecting Park City From Forever Chemicals This Ski Season
Take an Eco-Friendly Vacation
My husband and I departed on August 24th for eight weeks of travel through a swath of the American-Canadian Rockies.…
Celebrate Sustainably by Reducing the Environmental Impact of Online Shopping
It’s almost that time of year again when friends and families come together to share in the joyful season, exchange…
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Lunch and Learn Recap
Lunch and Learn Recap: Transportation”The Future of the Employee Commute” was the topic of the November Lunch and Learn. Some takeaways from our…
Reducing Microplastics In Your Diet
Plastic has become a central part of our everyday lives, especially in our kitchens, fragmenting on a daily basis and…
Sustainable Coffee
We crave the flavor and aroma. The taste brings us joy and for some, relief. Yet, there’s a story behind…
Used Cooking Oils: Don’t Send Them Down the Drain, Recycle!
Have you ever wondered what to do with leftover cooking oil after frying or sautéing? It’stempting to pour it down…
READ MORE… Used Cooking Oils: Don’t Send Them Down the Drain, Recycle!
Sustainable Chocolate
All food has an impact on the environment – some more than others. Have you ever thoughtabout our cherished chocolate?…
The 500-Year Problem We Can’t Ignore: The Lifespan of Plastics
Plastic is everywhere, revolutionizing our lives with its convenience and durability. Yet, itsenvironmental cost is steep. Most people don’t fully…
READ MORE… The 500-Year Problem We Can’t Ignore: The Lifespan of Plastics
Republic/Waste Management Curbside Recycling Clarifications
In July, we reviewed curbside recycling guidelines in a Green Tip. Everything in our curbsiderecycling bin gets trucked to a…
READ MORE… Republic/Waste Management Curbside Recycling Clarifications
The Spookiest Part of Halloween – How to be More Sustainable with Halloween Costumes
Halloween is such a fun and exciting time of the year for many! Halloween offers the chance to dress up…
READ MORE… The Spookiest Part of Halloween – How to be More Sustainable with Halloween Costumes
Turn the Key: Break the Habit of Idling!
Habits. Many are ingrained in our daily lives, from brushing our teeth to drinking coffee.Breaking habits is challenging, but sometimes…
Change Your Driving Habits as the Seasons Change
As the seasons are about to change, Utah’s mountains become a popular destination forresidents eager to witness the vibrant autumn…
What to Do With Hard-to-Recycle Items
Have you noticed a line-up of yellow buckets on a bench outside Recycle Utah’s office? They are there for us…
Summer Produce Preservation
Summer produce is magic: Corn, tomatoes, peaches! Greens, turnips, sugar snap peas! Summer squash, beans – and more tomatoes! Whether…
Stay Cool In The Summer Heat
When it heats up outside, Americans spend big bucks to cool off. Our love of the air conditioner costs us…
Laundry
Laundry is something we all do habitually. Our washers and dryers are two of our household’s highest energy-consuming appliances, consistently…
PFAS: The Forever Chemicals in Dental Flosses
Here in our ski community, we were alarmed when we learned that toxic chemicals called PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances)…
A Sustainable Back-to-School Season!
As the back-to-school season approaches, it’s a great time to make mindful choices that benefit both kids and the environment!…
Mastering Curbside Recycling
When Recycle Utah goes into schools to teach Summit County students, we always start with the same introduction. We review…
Living in Harmony: Responsibly Exploring Park City’s Open Space
Park City, and the mountains and meadows of the Wasatch Back, are home to a variety of flora and fauna…
READ MORE… Living in Harmony: Responsibly Exploring Park City’s Open Space
Perils of Plastic: Why Refusing Single-Use Plastics is Crucial for Our Future
Plastic was groundbreaking when it was invented a century ago. I remember my mother having Tupperware parties in the 1960s…
READ MORE… Perils of Plastic: Why Refusing Single-Use Plastics is Crucial for Our Future
Reducing Food Waste At Home
Food waste has a large impact on climate. In the US, about 40% of food goes uneaten. According to the…
Sustaining Environmental Excellence: The Costs Behind Recycle Utah
In the heart of Park City, nestled among the mountains, lies Recycle Utah, your local nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental…
READ MORE… Sustaining Environmental Excellence: The Costs Behind Recycle Utah
Heat Pumps
A recent U.S. Department of Energy report states that space heating (and cooling) is the number one use of energy…
The Environmental Burden of Balloons
When I was little, I remember stepping out of a birthday party with my balloon. It slipped out of my…
Return to Raking!
When thinking about climate change, it sometimes feels like many of the solutions are out of the hands of individuals…
Pack and Act Green on Your Vacation
When planning a more sustainable vacation, your choices extend past your transportation options; there are things you can do throughout…
Blue Sky Blocks
The Blue Sky Energy program has been around for over 20 years. Participants in the Blue Sky program can invest…
The Environmental Toll of Tire Emissions
Alarm surrounding the air quality and climate effects of tailpipe emissions have led to a recent focus on electrifying our…
The Case for Home Gardening
You may have heard scary reports about large-scale farming and the negative impacts of mass food production. But don’t despair!…
How to Compost at Home
With the snow melting, now is a great time to start thinking about starting your own backyard compost pile! While…
Green Start Your Vacation
Are you vacation planning? Wherever you go, don’t forget to bring along the great eco-friendly behaviors you’ve incorporated into your…
Dark Skies
Have you ever visited a major city where you’ve looked up and seen a murky sky without stars? What you’re…
Chemicals and Hazardous Waste
Water quality should be a focus as much as water quantity in Utah and beyond. As we slowly plasticize our…
Empowering the Next Generation: How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change
As a kid, I don’t remember getting much of a formal environmental education. My “environmental education” came from my experiences…
READ MORE… Empowering the Next Generation: How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change
The Great Salt Lake
Utah is an other-worldly place. Our snow-covered mountains, our lush rolling hills, and our stunning red rocks are only some…
Eco-Friendly Dishwashing by Machine and by Hand
Is it necessary to rinse off dirty dishes before putting them in the dishwasher to assure they are clean and…
Textile Recycling for A Sustainable Future of Fashion
The escalating issue of textile waste, with millions of pounds ending up in landfills annually, has sparked a significant movement…
READ MORE… Textile Recycling for A Sustainable Future of Fashion
Regenerative Agriculture
Food – it’s said we can live three weeks without it. We rely on farmers to grow our grains, produce,…
What Happens to your Trash and Recycling?
You’ve probably been told countless times that you must monitor your plastic consumption, recycle, and compost. It would be a…
How Batteries Find a New Life at Recycle Utah
In an era heavily influenced by technological advancements, batteries have become an integral component of our daily lives, powering an…
The Footprint of Online Returns
Oh, the joy and convenience of typing a few keys in search of that perfect jacket, punching purchase, and having…
Learning from Our Green Businesses
In 2016, Recycle Utah initiated the Green Business Program providing free support to companies that are committed to undertaking specific…
Eating Locally and Seasonally
Nowadays, food items and goods are all easily accessible. Vast improvements in food preservation, transportation, and food production have helped…
Got Energy? It’s Time to Economize
Imagine this: your thermostat is at 67 rather than 70 during the day and 55 rather than 60 during the…
Remodeling Reclamation
Recycling is important– it keeps materials out of landfills and saves natural resources by creating new items from old. What’s…
The Better Choice: Garbage Disposal or Trashcan? NEITHER!
Are you making the best choice with your family’s food waste? Food scraps we grind up in the garbage disposal,…
READ MORE… The Better Choice: Garbage Disposal or Trashcan? NEITHER!
Decluttering with Purpose: A Post-Christmas Clean-out Guide
As the holiday season fades into fond memories, the arrival of new gifts often brings with it a bit of…
READ MORE… Decluttering with Purpose: A Post-Christmas Clean-out Guide
How to Drive and Maintain Roads Sustainably in the Winter
As temperatures are dropping and the roads start to get icy, Park City citizens are starting to prepare for winter…
READ MORE… How to Drive and Maintain Roads Sustainably in the Winter
Making Alternative Milk
Every holiday I buy myself a gift, practical or for pleasure. This year I got to thinking about the numerous…
Have an Earth-Giving Holiday
The season of “Peace on Earth Good Will to All” is upon us. This season is followed by the official…
Unwrapping a Greener Holiday: Sustainable Tips for a Merry Christmas
Watching the snow build on the mountains has many of us getting excited for ski season, as well as the…
READ MORE… Unwrapping a Greener Holiday: Sustainable Tips for a Merry Christmas
Transportation and Climate Change
How are you getting to where you need to go? In Park City, transportation is a commonly debated subject, and…
Reduce Waste in Your Everyday Life
Since opening in 2009, Savoury Kitchen has endeavored to implement eco-friendly practices in all aspects of our business. These efforts…
Savor the Flavor, Not the Waste: Reducing Food Waste This Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, we look forward to delicious meals with loved ones. Yet, this season also witnesses a sharp 25%…
READ MORE… Savor the Flavor, Not the Waste: Reducing Food Waste This Thanksgiving
Sewer Water Contaminants
Recycle Utah offers seasonal tours for our visual learners with the most recent one in October at Snyderville Basin Water…
Hang on to Your Fleece!
Tis the season for wearing and covering up with (polyester) fleece— pullovers, jackets, vests, coats, hats, blankets. It’s warm, soft…
What To Do with Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns
With Halloween coming around the corner, you’re probably getting excited about decorating, making plans with friends, and stocking up on…
Winterizing Your Home the Green Way
It’s October, which means winter is around the corner! Winterizing your home the green way not only safeguards the environment…
The Carbon Footprint of Streaming
Many of our everyday activities have environmental consequences: how we dispose of waste, what we eat, how we move around.…
Have a Happy Green Halloween Season!
Have a Happy Green Halloween Season! There are lots of easy ways to make your Halloween green this year. The…
Talking About Climate Change
How often do you talk about climate change or hear someone else talk about it? If you responded, “not much,”…
From Summit County’s Solid Waste Superintendent, “Please recycle your cardboard!”
The increase in mail order and consumer packaging has dramatically increased the amount of old corrugated cardboard (OCC) being dumped…
READ MORE… From Summit County’s Solid Waste Superintendent, “Please recycle your cardboard!”
Fast Fashion
Are you tired of your clothes and in need of a shopping spree? Maybe a wedding is on the horizon…
Beetle Kill Pine Wood
Are you building a house? Perhaps remodeling your kitchen? If so, consider the most sustainable options for building materials before…
The Dangers of “Forever Chemicals” and the Water We Drink
How safe is the water we drink? Many people are unaware about the chemical PFAS. PFAS has been linked to…
READ MORE… The Dangers of “Forever Chemicals” and the Water We Drink
Why Does Recycling Matter?
Rumor has it that it’s not worth recycling any plastics as they end up in the landfill. Are what Republic…
Sustainable Travel and Lodging
There is a saying that experience is the best teacher, and the best experience is travel. There are so many…
Wishcycling
You just finished a cup of soda in a disposable container with a plastic lid and straw. You are late…
Green Burials
For millennia, humans wrapped their departed loved ones in a simple shroud and a plain wooden box and returned them…
Put a Little Bamboo in Your Life
Here are some stats on the incredible sustainability features of bamboo. A forest of it acts as a giant carbon…
Laundry Tips
Unless you have the laundry fairy on speed dial, chances are you or someone in your household does up to…
Recycling the Small Stuff
We at Recycle Utah often get questions about the small stuff. The caps? Lids? Corks? Small bath products? First, keep…
Food Expiration
What do food expiration dates really mean? ‘Food product dating,’ according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is voluntary for…
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Choosing plants that will thrive in your garden does not have to be difficult. Just look around in our meadows,…
Soft Plastics
In 1960, the average American generated about 1,000 pounds of trash per year. Today, we create about 1,800 pounds each. …
The Impact of Lawns on Climate Change
Over 40 million acres of the United States are covered by lawns with two percent of land occupied by turf…
Hair
Sometimes it would be easier to be bald. Think of all the money saved, time and bad hair days. Then,…
Functional Turfgrass and Water-wise Landscaping
Turfgrass is not always the “bad guy”—thirsty, hungry, and costly. It is a favorite place where we play and generally…
Composting
Landfills are filling up and at least 40% of the waste is from our food and yard. This organic waste,…
The Sustainability of Cooking
Our daily lives consist of a lot of cooking, which can significantly impact the environment. Fortunately, there are ways to…
