Sustainable Materials

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 Some still contain outdated or harmful ingredients.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

Utah is the second driest state in the U.S., making water conservation critical to the sustainability of our communities. While most of our water goes to agriculture in Utah, there are still important ways you can help save water in your own homes, starting with your lawns and gardens!

One of the most effective methods is xeriscaping, a landscaping approach using drought-resistant, water-wise plants that thrive in dry climates. Xeriscaping is growing in popularity across the state, thanks in part to the Utah Landscape Conservation Incentive Program from the Utah Division of Natural Resources. This program offers financial incentives to residents who convert traditional lawns into water-efficient landscapes. To learn more or apply, visit conservewater.utah.gov/landscape-rebates.

If you’re unable to re-landscape, there are still effective ways to reduce water use in your yard. For one, water your lawn during the cooler parts of the day, ideally before 10 a.m. or after 7p.m., when less water is lost to evaporation. Many sprinkler systems can be set on a timer for convenience—just make sure they’re aimed at your lawn and not watering sidewalks or driveways.

Drip irrigation systems are another way to save on water consumption and avoid evaporation. These systems involve installing a small tube running up to an inch below the dirt to release water at a steady rate closer to the roots of the plants. Similarly, Olla’s are used to deliver water directly to the roots of plants in situations in which drip irrigation may not be ideal. This ancient technique involves burying a terracotta pot in the soil and filling it with water; the porous terracotta leaks the water to the roots of the plants at a steady rate and no water is lost to evaporation. Ollas can be purchased at many garden centers, or you can repurpose old terracotta pots on hand.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a casual lawn caretaker, there are many easy ways to help conserve water in Summit County. Every drop counts—do your part to make a difference!

By Mia Moore

In Summit and Wasatch counties, residents have several convenient options for recycling soft plastics—the stretchy, scrunchable materials often used for bags and packaging. These include grocery and produce bags, bread and frozen food bags, zip-locks, toilet paper and dry-cleaning bags, bubble wrap, mailers, and more. While all of these items are recyclable, they should not be placed in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, they require special handling.

One option is to drop your soft plastics at Walmart or Smith’s, both of which participate in nationwide Store Drop-off Recycling programs. Look for the green bins near the store entrances. Simply collect your clean and dry soft plastics, place them into a single plastic bag, tie it shut, and deposit it in the bin. Each bin lists acceptable items on the side. The collected plastics are baled by Walmart and Smith’s and sent off to be repurposed. Walmart partners with various shippers to transport the waste to recycling plants, where it’s processed and made into new products like composite lumber and plastic bags. Smith’s specifically collaborates with Trex, the country’s largest producer of wood-alternative decking made from recycled plastics. See plasticfilmrecycling.org for more information.

A third option for Summit County residents is Recycle Utah in Park City. Bring your soft plastics to the “Soft Plastics” bin located inside the plastics tent. The collected material is baled and sent to a materials recovery facility in Salt Lake City, then transported to a plant in Morgan, Utah, where it’s converted into fuel used in cement production.

All three options help divert soft plastics from our landfills and give them a second life in useful products. However, it’s essential to recycle correctly. Any contamination—like food residue or unaccepted items—can cause an entire load to be rejected and sent to the landfill instead. So make sure your items are clean, dry, and approved for recycling. Every small effort adds up to a big impact when it comes to protecting our environment.

By Bev Harrison

Next time you grab a coffee or a takeout meal, consider bringing your own cup, container, and utensils—this small commitment cuts waste, saves resources, and keeps your food fresher! Takeout packaging is wasteful and costly. Paper is always best (if it can tear in two directions, it can be recycled as paper). Hard plastic is second, and Styrofoam takes a lonely last place -landfill! The paper and hard plastic must be 90% clean of contamination to be recyclable. Yet, studies show many plastics leach into food and then stay in our bodies—another great
reason to go reusable. One Park City resident shared: “Ever since I started bringing my own cup and containers for takeout, I’ve noticed how much less waste I create. Plus, my coffee stays hotter longer, and my meals taste fresher without the chemicals from disposable packaging.”

There is no health issue involved with bringing your own to-go containers, as long as the food is transferred at the table (versus the restaurant kitchen). And, if you are eating at home, be sure to say “NO” to extra condiments, utensils, and items that become instant trash. If you order online or call it in, make your requests known!

Make it easy. Stash a clean container, cup, and utensils in your bag or car. Can you make this habit in the same way we do with our reusable bag at the grocery? Set the trend and others will follow – model it. You will:
● Reduce waste and pollution from single-use throwaway items
● Avoid flimsy, disposable landfill-bound cutlery
● Keep your food and drinks tasting fresh and free from PFAS and other toxins

Lead as a business: Park City restaurants and cafes can support customers who bring their own containers. Here are some easy ways businesses can encourage reusables:
● Offer discounts for BYO cups & containers
● Post fun reminder signs and offer incentives: “BYO & Save Some Dough!”
● Train staff to handle reusables while following food safety guidelines
Change is hard.

Habits are challenging to create, but our unified choices will start to add up!
Let’s keep Park City clean, green, and waste-free—one reusable at a time.

By Jill Donello

When we think about reducing waste, we often focus on recycling or buying new sustainable
products. But what if some of the most useful materials for sustainable living are already in your home? There are countless household items that can be reused in ways you might not have considered. Here are a few surprising items to consider reusing before you toss them in the trash.

• Toothbrushes: Old toothbrushes can become powerful cleaning tools! You can use them
  to scrub grout, clean jewelry, or detail hard-to-reach spots in your home. They can also
  be great for cleaning shoes or outdoor gear like gardening tools.
• Cereal Boxes: Next time you finish a box of cereal, don’t throw the box away. It can
  easily be repurposed into storage containers, homemade bookmarks, or even fun craft
  projects with kids. You can also cut and flatten the boxes to create sturdy dividers for
  organizing drawers and shelves.
• Wine Corks: Whether you drink wine regularly or occasionally, wine corks are often
  thrown out without a second thought. However, they can be upcycled into everything
  from bulletin boards to coasters, keychains, and even creative garden markers. If you
  have a lot, they can also be turned into decorative pieces like wreaths or picture frames.
• Egg Cartons: Egg cartons are one of the easiest items to reuse. Instead of tossing them,
  use them for organizing small items like screws, nails, and buttons, or for starting
  seedlings in your garden. They’re also handy for arts and crafts projects, such as
  creating puppets or making a homemade bird feeder.
• Old Towels: Old towels can easily be transformed into cleaning rags or used as padding
  in various storage solutions. You can even cut them up to make reusable cloth napkins
  or create a pet bed. Towels are versatile and, when reused properly, can last a long
  time.
• Glass Jars: Instead of tossing your empty glass jars, reuse them for food storage,
  crafting, or organizing small household items. Glass jars are perfect for storing spices,
  nuts, or even craft supplies like buttons, beads, and thread. They’re durable and can
  help reduce your need for plastic containers.

By rethinking these common household items, you’re reducing your waste and giving objects a new life instead of sending them to the landfill. Small changes like these add up and make a
significant impact on the environment, all while saving you money and sparking creativity in the process.

By Uliana Moshina