Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

Thriving Community & Equity

The Spookiest Part of Halloween – How to be More Sustainable with Halloween Costumes

by

Halloween is such a fun and exciting time of the year for many! Halloween offers the chance to dress up as your favorite characters, indulge in (too much) candy, enjoy seasonal activities, and decorate the house. But have you ever wondered where all the halloween costumes,
decorations, and candy wrappers end up? Some people may reuse their costumes, share them with friends, or donate them, but many people don’t. Most people just throw away their single- use costume where it ends up sitting in the landfill, adding to a concerning amount of waste.

In the United States, over 35 million costumes are discarded each year. That is roughly 2,000
tons of plastic waste, equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles. The majority of Halloween
costumes are made of plastic polymer or non-recyclable oil-based plastics, which means they
are destined to end up in landfills. Polyester can take anywhere between 20-200 years to
decompose. On top of all that, 4 out of 10 costumes are worn only once.
Despite all of these spooky statistics, there are many creative alternatives to help reduce
Halloween waste and still enjoy all the festivities! First, instead of buying a brand-new costume, check out any local thrift stores that sell costumes such as the Christian Center, Savers, and Deseret Industries. You may be able to find used costumes for a much cheaper price. You may also find unique pieces and materials to create your own DIY (do it yourself) costume! A costume I have made in the past was a jellyfish using an umbrella I already had at home, LED lights, and some ribbon I bought at a thrift store. This costume does not take long to create and I only used materials I already had at home or small items that I will use again in the future.

This idea was not only eco-friendly, but very creative and unique. Another idea of how to be more eco-friendly is by swapping costumes with friends and family. This way, you are reusing costumes instead of throwing them away. Or you can swap certain parts of a costume to create your own one-of-a-kind costume! Maybe you are done with a costume and don’t know where else to put it, you can donate it to a nearby school for them to
use in school plays, or at a local thrift store.

By Elly Swartz

Living in Harmony: Responsibly Exploring Park City’s Open Space

by

Park City, and the mountains and meadows of the Wasatch Back, are home to a variety of flora and fauna that are both unique to the Rocky Mountains and beautiful. With miles of trails and thousands of acres of open space, we can explore, experience, and enjoy these plants and creatures in their natural habitat. Wildflowers, trees, grasses, fungus, deer, elk, moose, mountain lions, bears, coyotes, bobcats, and eagles all lived here long before us. We must treat them with respect while recreating outdoors… or when they show up to our backyard BBQ.

Wildlife is wild. At the trailhead, always check the posted signs and warnings. Unusual wildlife activity is often noted with instructions or information about what to do and where the animal was last seen. As more recreationists hit our world-class trails, animals are experiencing an increased number of encounters and human (and dog) induced stressors. If you happen to come upon an animal, always keep your distance and give it a clear escape route (especially if offspring are present). Never crowd a wild animal; doing so could make the animal feel threatened, stressed, and become unpredictable. Always carry a leash, and when crossing paths with wildlife, be sure to keep your dog(s) close by and under control. If it’s impossible to go around and provide a wide berth, it may be time to head home and hike/bike another day.

As blooms, ‘shrooms, hops, and berries begin to pop up, we encourage people to always stay on marked trails to minimize impact. When foraging, abide by the principles of the Honorable Harvest, a practice discussed in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass:

Ask permission of the ones whose lives you seek. Abide by the answer.
Never take the first. Never take the last.
Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.
Take only what you need and leave some for others.
Use everything that you take.
Take only that which is given to you.
Share it, as the Earth has shared with you.
Be grateful.
Reciprocate the gift.
Sustain the ones who sustain you, and the Earth will last forever.

As responsible neighbors, stewards, and kin of plants and animals, we can peacefully coexist with nature and the beings that call the Wasatch Back home. If you’d like to learn more about our connection to the natural world, join Summit Land Conservancy this summer as we hunt for hops and “bathe” in open space. Visit wesaveland.org/happenings to learn more.

By Caitlin Willard, Summit Land Conservancy

Perils of Plastic: Why Refusing Single-Use Plastics is Crucial for Our Future

by

Plastic was groundbreaking when it was invented a century ago. I remember my mother having Tupperware parties in the 1960s to show off and sell the new cutting-edge reusable food storage system. Now, less than 100 years later, we are seeing the repercussions. Some of the following information comes from Eve Schaub’s book Year of No Garbage (www.eveschaub.com).

The recycling industry does not make money on plastics – we lose it. We recycle plastic because it’s the right thing to do, to keep the material that never biodegrades from filling our landfills and polluting our soil, water, and air. Five ocean garbage patches, or ‘gyres,’ exist in our seas. These patches are primarily composed of plastics that photodegrade into small pieces that appeal to fish and birds as food. When plastics end up in our landscape, their synthetic composition cannot be digested by nature, including wildlife. This includes our bodies. Many of us humans contain microplastics in our lungs, liver, tissue, urine, and more, which enter our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, and skin exposure. The plastics come from food and cosmetics, drinking water, air, beverage containers, toys and more.

The fossil fuel industry is making single-use plastics our primary option. 380 million tons of plastic are manufactured every year, and that number is increasing – plastic production is expected to double in the next 17 years. The plastics industry knows it’s a challenge to recycle the product. It’s easier and cheaper to make new material. Markets are limited for recycled plastics, while metals, glass, cardboard, and paper are consistent and occasionally even profitable. Corporations focus on ‘not littering’ and ‘recycling,’ trying to divert attention away from packaging being the central issue.

Countries and states are slowly banning bags, styrofoam, and single-use plastics. But more needs to occur globally. A mandatory cap on plastic production, restrictions on single-use plastics, and regulation of plastic chemicals are all critical steps. Companies need to be accountable for any waste they generate from cradle to grave, and we as individuals need to adjust our shopping habits to incorporate a “reduce, reuse54 and rethink” mentality. Let’s open our eyes to the myriad of plastics in our daily routine and get creative as to how we can avoid them or find an alternative. Humans can adapt quickly with a healthy dose of awareness.

By Mary Closser

Reducing Food Waste At Home

by

Food waste has a large impact on climate. In the US, about 40% of food goes uneaten.  According to the Park City Community Foundation, “Roughly 80% of the solid waste that reaches our local landfill could be diverted, with up to 60% of that being food waste.”  At the current rate of use, the landfill in Park City has about 30 years left, making food waste reduction an important action for everyone.  Park City set a goal of having zero food waste in our landfill by 2030 – and it starts with you! Here are five ways you can reduce food waste at home.

  • Before grocery shopping, look through your fridge and have a plan.  Buy what is needed and keep it in mind when you plan to eat it.  Keep those quickly perishable items in a convenient spot in the fridge.
  • Store food strategically. Produce like tomatoes, bananas, apples, and avocados release ethylene gas that can cause other vegetables to spoil sooner, so they should be stored away from other produce. Treat herbs like flowers store them in a glass of water, and wash vegetables right before eating to avoid introducing moisture.
  • Purchase “ugly” food like a tomato with a soft spot or produce with a cosmetic imperfection. When food has blemishes, it will end up in the trash, but many are still perfectly good to eat. Cook “ugly” food right away, use it in smoothies, or freeze it to extend freshness.
  • Understand food dates. “Best by” dates indicate when the quality of the food starts to dip, but is likely still safe to eat.  Use your senses!  If it smells fine and looks fine, chances are it’s fine. 

Keep nutrients in the food cycle by composting. A worm bin is a great way to compost at home!  Vermicompost is a low-maintenance, mostly odorless option for recycling your vegetable waste.  Plus you get an extremely high-quality fertilizer for your garden.  If you live in Park City (84060 or 84098), you can sign up for curbside food waste pickup through Momentum Recycling, free for the first 1000 people who sign up through Park City Community Foundation’s Zero Waste program https://parkcitycf.org/zerofoodwaste/

By Brightie Huddleston, Summit Community Gardens – EATS

Sustaining Environmental Excellence: The Costs Behind Recycle Utah

by

In the heart of Park City, nestled among the mountains, lies Recycle Utah, your local nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental conservation through recycling and education. Recycle Utah accepts and processes over 45 different types of materials, from plastics and metals to electronics and hazardous waste. Behind the scenes of this important community resource lies a complex web of costs and financial challenges crucial for its continued operation.

Recycling is wonderful and is hugely beneficial to the community in both economic and environmental terms.  But it isn’t free.  Recycle Utah spends over $750,000 annually to run its facility, manage its recycling programs, and educate the community on sustainability. To cover these costs, it relies on several revenue streams. Annually, Recycle Utah receives approximately $185,000 in grants from local governments and foundations.  It also receives revenue from the sale of recyclable materials, which in 2023 generated revenue of about $55,000. Interestingly, although Recycle Utah can sell many of the materials it collects, in most cases the shipping costs it incurs are more than the revenue it receives from material sales. For instance, shipping costs exceeded revenue from glass recycling by $28,000 in 2023.   Recycle Utah also receives revenue from its Warehouse, which last year contributed an additional $90,000 through sales of used items.  The balance of its revenue, and the backbone of Recycle Utah’s financial sustainability, is the community itself.  Through donations and fundraising events, the organization secures approximately $420,000 annually. 

As Recycle Utah continues its mission to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility, the need for ongoing community support remains paramount. By donating, participating in fundraising events, or simply spreading awareness about the organization’s initiatives, individuals and businesses alike can contribute to the long-term viability of this community resource. Recycle Utah is an example of our community’s dedication to sustainability and the beauty of our natural environment. Through a blend of public support, community partnerships, and dedicated leadership, Recycle Utah not only facilitates recycling but also fosters a culture of sustainability that resonates deeply within Park City and beyond. Consider supporting Recycle Utah in its mission to create a cleaner, greener future for generations to come by donating next time you visit the center, or visit recycleutah.com/donate.

By Chelsea Hafer

Pack and Act Green on Your Vacation

by

When planning a more sustainable vacation, your choices extend past your transportation options; there are things you can do throughout every leg of your trip to make your vacation greener. Consider visiting more than one destination when traveling – combining trips saves fuel

and reduces carbon emissions. In their 2023 Sustainable Travel Report, Booking.com found that more than 75% of respondents want to make their vacations sustainable. However, almost 50% said barriers include the higher cost and perceived lack of sustainable options, and uncertainty of where to search for environmental and social equity stewardship opportunities. Sustainable travel doesn’t have to be hard! Here are a few tips to make your trip more green.

  • Bring a sturdy water bottle. At the airport, make sure it’s empty as you go through TSA, then fill it at a drinking fountain.
  • Bring wired headphones to use with airline entertainment systems so you won’t need to use new disposable ones.
  • Bring your reusable shopping bags.
  • Pack shampoo and soap bars in small reusable containers.
  • Purchase sunscreen that doesn’t contain chemicals that harm water and coral quality. Research shows regular commercial sunscreens can bleach coral.
  • Pack common reusable items like cutlery, small containers, cloth napkins, and snack bags.
  • Pack light—leave the extra weight at home and you’ll travel easier and with better fuel efficiency.

Your eco-friendly behaviors travel with you! Turn off lights, and turn down heat and air-conditioning when you leave your lodging. Refuse styrofoam cups and plates and use your own reusable ones instead. Find and use recycling bins to dispose of plastic and paper items. At restaurants, skip the glass of water that’s offered unless you want it, and be aware of your food waste. Ask if you can share a serving, or order a variety of items and you’ll get to try more local dishes.

When it comes to activities, consider renting bikes to travel locally and look for local walking tours instead of riding a tour bus. Public transit is also a great way to explore a new city! Visit protected lands and waterways. Stay on trails, and observe – not interact with – wildlife. If you think to carry a bag to pick up litter, visitors can enjoy cleaner and more beautiful sites and reduce pollution. Educate others about your top eco-friendly travel tips! This includes letting managers in resort businesses know what they can do to increase the sustainability of their operations. Let them know that doing so will increase customer satisfaction. Even when you’re out of town, you can have an impact spreading sustainable tourism wherever you are!

By Bev Harrison