Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

Sustainable Materials

How to Compost at Home

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With the snow melting, now is a great time to start thinking about starting your own backyard compost pile! While composting can seem daunting, it is actually a straightforward process that can help save landfill space, keep harmful methane emissions out of our climate, and help your soil by providing essential nutrients. Composting, at its essence, is the process of combining carbon-based materials with nitrogen-based materials, along with water and oxygen, to support microbial decomposition. This breakdown produces a nutrient-rich compost that strengthens soil and supports thriving gardens. The beauty of composting lies in its ability to provide natural recycling, converting kitchen scraps and yard waste into valuable resources for sustainable gardening.

To start composting, you’ll need a few supplies: a containment structure (such as wire fencing or pallets), a mix of carbon and nitrogen materials, water for moisture regulation, a compost thermometer for temperature monitoring, and basic tools like a shovel and pitchfork. With these tools, you’ll be ready to create a compost pile in your backyard, contributing to healthier soil and more abundant harvests. Your structure should be about 3 feet in diameter and height. Start by layering a brown carbon-rich layer – things like yard waste, newspaper, and grass clippings. Then you can start layering in green layers, nitrogen-rich materials like food waste. Avoid putting citrus, dairy, onions and garlic, meat, oil, and animal waste in your compost. You’ll want to maintain a ratio of about 2 parts brown material to one part green material. You can also add in a layer of existing compost when starting your pile to kickstart the microbial decomposition.

To maintain your compost pile, you’ll just need to make sure the compost has enough oxygen and moisture. Two to four days after starting your compost, it should reach the ideal temperature of 100-140 degrees Fahrenheit – you can check the temperature with a thermometer. You should turn your compost pile with a rake after a few days. The more often you turn your compost pile, the faster it will break down. Try to maintain that ideal temperature and moisture. You can squeeze a handful of compost to check the moisture content. It shouldn’t be soggy, but if it’s too dry, you can add a bit of water. Your pile can break down in as soon as 18 days if you maintain it regularly by turning it. Once you have a rich, dark brown, fully processed compost material, you can add it to your garden!

If you’re interested in learning more about composting and going zero waste, Recycle Utah and Summit Community Gardens/EATS are hosting a Zero Waste and Composting workshop on May 30 at 5:30 pm at Summit Community Gardens. The event is free and will cover how to compost, recycling education, and zero waste tips.

By Chelsea Hafer

Chemicals and Hazardous Waste

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Water quality should be a focus as much as water quantity in Utah and beyond. As we slowly plasticize our world, we need to have more concern about the chemicals that surround us. How can we better select our food, cleaners, body products, house décor, and clothing? Our society is immersed in chemicals; most of us carry microplastics in our blood.

One organization that enhances awareness around chemicals is The Environmental Working Group (EWG at ewg.org). This reputable organization researches the safety and efficacy of chemicals in our food and health products. EWG provides guides to healthy foods, body products, and cleaners, in addition to specific information on pesticides, bees, cancer, and more, are superb. Simply type in your product and see how it ranks!

  1. SUNSCREEN: Most conventional sunscreens have several chemicals of concern with Oxybenzone, a hormone disruptor, being the primary one. Know your sunscreen.
  • CLEANING MATERIALS: Comet, tub and tile cleaner, 409… the list goes on. Nix them all for vinegar and baking soda; research natural recipes online. What about Drano? Use a snake for the toilet and special device found at local hardware stores for smaller drains.
  • FOOD: EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” list ranks produce with the highest quantity of pesticides to the lowest. Not everybody can afford to buy everything organic. For example, strawberries and spinach should be organic, but avocadoes and onions are not as important. Learn the list.

When toxic materials like mercury, lead, and pesticides end up in the landfill they leach into the ground, our water supply and possibly into your drinking water. Hazardous Waste includes items like paints, solvents, chemicals, fertilizers, oil, herbicides and more. To protect our water and local environment, it’s very important that these items are properly disposed of. Do not pour hazardous items down the drain or into the toilet, and remember if you don’t want to drink it.. don’t dump it! Click here to learn more about proper disposal of Household Hazardous Waste.

Intrinsically, think about what you’d like to be in your drinking water. Can you eliminate chemical-laden products from your household? If not, then at least dispose of them properly, which does not mean in the trash, sink, or toilet. When household hazardous wastes, such as pesticides or paints, are disposed of in the landfill, they can leach into our precious ground water.

Protect our water system by thinking before you buy and before you toss. Together, we can sustain our water system for generations to come.

By Mary Closser

Textile Recycling for A Sustainable Future of Fashion

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The escalating issue of textile waste, with millions of pounds ending up in landfills annually, has sparked a significant movement towards recycling fabrics. In the United States alone, an individual averages 70 pounds of textile waste per year, yet only a small fraction is currently recycled. This calls for an urgent shift towards more sustainable practices, with the potential to yield substantial environmental, economic, and social benefits.

By recycling textiles, we conserve precious landfill space and significantly reduce the demand for new materials, which in turn saves water, cuts down petroleum use, and lowers the emission of harmful chemicals from traditional production processes. Economically, textile recycling diminishes disposal costs and bolsters the economy by retaining valuable materials within the supply chain through the repurposing of recycled fibers into new products. Socially, the initiative extends beyond environmental and economic gains, providing essential items to those in need and encouraging creativity and innovation through the upcycling of materials. This holistic approach to recycling not only addresses the urgent need for waste reduction but also fosters a more sustainable, inclusive, and creative society.

Efforts are underway to combat the challenges of textile recycling, such as the complexity of processing blended materials and the lack of advanced recycling technology. Massachusetts and the EU are leading initiatives to improve textile recycling infrastructure, aiming for a more sustainable future.

An estimated 95% of used textiles can be recycled, even if they are damaged. Consumers can play a crucial role by donating to charities, using take-back programs, and supporting retailers that offer recycling incentives. Brands like H&M, the North Face, and Levi Strauss are making it easier for consumers to recycle textiles, offering discounts or credits in return.

The journey towards effective textile recycling is filled with challenges, but the collective efforts of governments, businesses, and individuals can make a significant difference. By embracing sustainable practices, we can reduce the environmental impact of textile waste and pave the way for a greener future. 

By Chelsea Hafer

What Happens to your Trash and Recycling?

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You’ve probably been told countless times that you must monitor your plastic consumption, recycle, and compost. It would be a lot more beneficial for America if people knew the reason why.

What happens to your trash and recycling after it gets picked up? Many Americans don’t know the answer. For people living along the Wasatch Back, when your recycling is picked up it is taken to a transfer station in which it will be sorted and recyclables such as plastic, cardboard, paper, and aluminum, are sent to processing plants and recycled. When your garbage is picked up, it is brought to a landfill where it is dumped into a cell, and hard soil is placed on top of it as a cap. Other safeguards such as liners and detention pools prevent harmful substances from polluting the soil and creating harmful run-off.

Waste has very negative effects on the environment. Per year, an estimated 14 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans one way or another. Massive landfills emit carbon dioxide and methane through the breaking down of waste. Overall, waste production and removal are a problematic situation worldwide. Individuals can help by recycling and composting, but the best thing to do is always monitor what and how much you are throwing away.

By Grayson Rae, Sophomore at Park City High School

How Batteries Find a New Life at Recycle Utah

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In an era heavily influenced by technological advancements, batteries have become an integral component of our daily lives, powering an array of devices from remotes to sophisticated electric vehicles. However, the challenge arises when these batteries reach the end of their lifespan. Enter Recycle Utah, a reliable resource for the responsible disposal of any type of battery.

Recycle Utah streamlines the recycling process with drop-off bins outside our office, categorized for alkaline, rechargeable, and large batteries. Collaborating with industry leaders such as Battery Solutions and Interstate Batteries, Recycle Utah orchestrates the environmentally sound recycling journey of batteries, encompassing a wide range from alkaline to car batteries.

Within these recycling facilities, batteries undergo a systematic separation and disassembly process. Alkaline and zinc-based batteries are subjected to a specialized room temperature mechanical separation, yielding zinc and manganese concentrate, steel, and paper/plastic for reuse. Lithium-ion batteries, prominent in electronic devices, undergo a room temperature, oxygen-free mechanical process, producing cobalt and lithium salt concentrate, stainless steel, and aluminum. The intricate processes employed guarantee not only the recycling but the transformation of batteries into valuable materials to produce new items, contributing to a circular and sustainable battery economy.

In contemplating the repercussions of improper battery disposal, the potential release of toxic materials into the environment looms large, posing significant threats to both human health and ecosystems. Improper disposal, whether in landfills or through incineration, risks soil contamination and the emission of toxic fumes. Recycle Utah’s recycling processes serve as a safeguard against such environmental hazards, underscoring the importance of responsible battery recycling. Through partnerships, effective sorting, and advanced recycling technologies, Recycle Utah paves the way for a greener future where batteries find renewal without compromising environmental well-being.

By Chelsea Hafer

The Footprint of Online Returns

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Oh, the joy and convenience of typing a few keys in search of that perfect jacket, punching purchase, and having it arrive on your doorstep three days later. There are environmental pros and cons to both online and in-store purchases depending on one’s consumerism knowledge and awareness. The clencher is timing; our societal ‘now’ mindset wants items the next day after purchasing, which means the product could be transported by airplane or in a partially full truck. Can it wait? Also, can multiple items be purchased from the same supplier to minimize packaging and trips? Choosing slower shipping options not only saves money but also allows for retailers to have more time to plan and consolidate deliveries.

Then, there are the returns. Customers return at least 30% of clothing purchased online resulting in millions of tons of carbon emissions per year. Finally, the waste. About one in four returned goods is landfilled, possibly due to out of season styles. So, what is the best way to reduce returns from online shopping? So, how can you best reduce your returns when shopping online?

  1. Does the item have complete product information including customer reviews?
  2. Could retailers offer a discount on items that aren’t returned?
  3. Do retailers resell, donate, repurpose, or recycle returned clothes? Learn before you buy and find out how returns are handled.
  4. Are there local options for your desired online product?
  5. Do not purchase multiple sizes online knowing that a return is inevitable.
  6. Double check your ‘cart’ for size, color, etc. before purchasing.

In conclusion, knowing that we’re all drawn to online convenience, I’m still a fan of buying locally to support our businesses and save on packaging. Returns are less likely with in-store purchases. Research reveals only 9% of items are returned from in-store purchases versus 30% online. Let’s be mindful about how we buy things by consolidating errands and shopping to reduce car trips. The pandemic may have exacerbated online purchases, but there’s no reason we can’t tweak our buying behavior and reverse the trend.

By Mary Closser