• About
    ▼
    • Our Impact
    • Our Team
    • Job Opportunities
    • Financial Statements
  • Services
    ▼
    • Materials Accepted
    • Remote Glass Recycling Bins
    • Thrift Store
    • Moving Materials for Sale
    • Self Serve Paper Shredder
    • Recycling Bin Rentals
    • CSA Pick Up
    • Community Trash Clean Ups
    • Curbside Recycling
    • Household Hazardous Waste
      ▼
      • Medicine Disposal
  • Education
    ▼
    • Elementary & Adult Education
    • Green Business Program
    • Latinx Outreach
    • Blog
  • Support
    ▼
    • Donate Now
    • Sponsor a Bin
    • Volunteer
    • Shop and Donate
    • Donate Your Car
  • Events
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Recycle Utah

Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

  • About
    • Our Impact
    • Our Team
    • Job Opportunities
    • Financial Statements
  • Services
    • Materials Accepted
    • Remote Glass Recycling Bins
    • Thrift Store
    • Moving Materials for Sale
    • Self Serve Paper Shredder
    • Recycling Bin Rentals
    • CSA Pick Up
    • Community Trash Clean Ups
    • Curbside Recycling
    • Household Hazardous Waste
      • Medicine Disposal
  • Education
    • Elementary & Adult Education
    • Green Business Program
    • Latinx Outreach
    • Blog
  • Support
    • Donate Now
    • Sponsor a Bin
    • Volunteer
    • Shop and Donate
    • Donate Your Car
  • Events

Water

Functional Turfgrass and Water-wise Landscaping

May 24, 2023 by zerowaste@recycleutah.org

Turfgrass is not always the “bad guy”—thirsty, hungry, and costly. It is a favorite place where we play and generally hang out. And functional turfgrass is an important part of a water-wise landscape.

Kelly Kopp, Professor, Extension Water Conservation and Turfgrass Specialist at Utah State University, emphasizes several environmental benefits of functional turfgrass. Its dense root system absorbs water and almost eliminates runoff. Less runoff helps protect water quality. An area of turfgrass moderates wind erosion of soil, traps pollen and dust, and reduces environmental noise. It moderates temperature levels and reduces energy used for home cooling.

How do you make your turfgrass functional?

  • Only use it in areas where it provides clear benefits.
  • Water your turf grass less. USU Extension estimates that the typical homeowner uses twice as much water as their turfgrass requires.
  • Choose a grass mix that is best suited to your area. Professor Kopp notes 3 distinct grass type zones in Utah.
  • For non-functional areas, consider using non-irrigated turfgrass that withstands drought stress—it will go dormant, turn brown and green up again when conditions improve.
  • Don’t plant turf grass in narrow areas where it cannot be efficiently watered.
  • Irrigate turf grass in areas separate from other plants which have different water needs and can be irrigated differently, e.g., by drip line.
  • Support water efficient grass through proper mowing and fertilizing.
  • Contact Elizabeth Cohen at elizabeth.cohen@usu.edu from the Summit County Extension Department for excellent information about all things landscaping.

By Bev Harrison

Filed Under: Water Tagged With: #energy efficiency, #greentips, #home gardening, #sustainability, #zero waste, grass, landscaping, turfgrass, water efficiency, water wise

The Sustainability of Cooking

May 10, 2023 by zerowaste@recycleutah.org

Our daily lives consist of a lot of cooking, which can significantly impact the environment. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to saving the environment. These are some tips that can help you become eco-friendly when you are cooking:

Avoid single-use items: This includes disposable utensils, plates, and cups that end up in our landfills. If necessary, you can buy compostable and environmentally friendly substitutes or utilize reusable options.

Investing in an induction stove: These stoves are up to 10% more energy-efficient than electric stoves and three times more energy-efficient than standard gas stoves. Additionally, it is also better for your air quality. 

Disposing of cooking oil: Wait until your cooking oil has totally cooled before putting it in a metal can or plastic container instead of discarding it directly in the sink or the trash. You can then properly dispose of it in the trash after that. 

Reduce food waste: Meal planning for the week helps reduce the amount of food that is wasted unnecessarily. Furthermore, you can freeze or use your leftovers to create a new dish. 

Buy from local farmers: In addition to supporting local farmers, we can lessen our influence on the environment by supporting local farmers that grow their food without the use of pesticides and fertilizers. 

Together, we can reduce the environmental impact of our time spent in the kitchen!

By Miriam Flores

Filed Under: Sustainable Materials, Water Tagged With: #greentips, #home gardening, #recycle utah, #sustainability, #zero waste, cooking, cookingoil, foodwaste, home

Water In, Water Out: Reclaiming Wastewater

April 26, 2023 by zerowaste@recycleutah.org


According to Mike Luers, general manager of the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation
District (SBWRD)
they treat 4,000,00 gallons of wastewater per day; 5,000,000 gallons
per day during peak season. In 2022 the two local wastewater reclamation plant
treated 1.44 billion gallons of used water!


Our water is sourced from wells, springs, creeks, mine tunnels and the Echo Reservoir.
It’s provided to us by various water companies. We never own it. SBWDB “reclaims” it—
treats it, then discharges it into local streams. It flows into reservoirs and eventually, into
the Great Salt Lake. It’s an efficient ecological system.


According to Mike, there are several “habits that can help our local environment.”

  • Never flush down the toilet: “flushable” wipes, dental floss, tampons, condoms, toothpaste caps or other personal care products. This stuff doesn’t break down and either gets wrapped around the plant’s powerful pumps, or needs to be screened out of huge pipes before the treatment process begins. Throw these items in the trash!
  • Don’t pour grease and cooking oil down the drain. In pipes, grease hardens and oils form a putty-like substance. These may block pipes in your home and even cause raw sewage to back up. They can clog up the wastewater plant’s pipes. Put used grease and oil in a container and throw it in the trash!
  • Even though urine contains most of the pharmaceuticals in wastewater, flushing them down the toilet adds more. Our district’s reclamation plants use advanced treatment methods but pharmaceuticals cannot be removed. Discharged into streams, they are absorbed by fish and can affect their development. Take unused medications to a drop-off box at the Sheriff or Police Office, the Redstone Clinic, or one of Recycle Utah’s Hazardous Waste Days.
  • Mike would love to give you or your group a tour of our reclamation facility. Call him at (435) 649 – 7993, or email him at mluers@sbwrd.org.

By Bev Harrison

Filed Under: Water Tagged With: #greentips, #recycle utah, #sustainability, #water conservation, flushable, sewer, water reclamation, wipes

All About Bees

April 19, 2023 by zerowaste@recycleutah.org

After a long period of hibernating throughout the winter, bees are slowly starting to emerge

as spring is now upon us. Spring is a crucial time for bees as colonies begin forming and

new colonies appear again. As we face the climate change crisis, we now see a decline in

pollinator species such as butterflies, flies, beetles, and, most importantly, our honey bees.

Research has shown that harmful pesticides such as carbaryl have been a factor in the

decline of bees. However, the most significant impact of the decline is climate change

caused by global warming.

Estimates have shown that around 75% of the crops we grow for food depend on pollinators

to a certain extent. They play a prominent role in producing our food supply, so their

protection needs to be a priority.

Listed below are ways you can help our bees this season:

  • Using natural or organic pest control solutions is a great way to stop using pesticides. Neem oil is an excellent option, or you can make a DIY insecticidal soap.
  • Don’t get rid of your dandelions, at least until they bloom. Dandelions are a food source for bees that provide pollen and nectar.
  • Planting native flowers that thrive in your region attracts bees to your garden. Creating a bee garden will attract not only bees but other pollinators as well.
  • Purchasing organic honey items from your local beekeepers. Local beekeepers ensure bees are well cared for and support bee population growth.

We can work together to help save the bees!

By Miriam Flores

Filed Under: Water Tagged With: #greentips, #recycle utah, #sustainability, #water conservation, bees, climate change, drought, pollen

Ocean Awareness

January 18, 2023 by zerowaste@recycleutah.org

One may ask, “Why should I care about the ocean since I live in Utah?”. While the blue horizon
may not be visible to us, our daily actions ultimately affect the air we breathe, partially derived from the ocean. Our 70% blue planet regulates climate and weather patterns, sequesters heaps of carbon dioxide, is an energy resource, and provides millions of jobs, food, medicine, recreation, and energy resources. Read on for ways to keep our oceans healthy:

  1. Buy Sustainable Seafood: Look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Blue Fish
    label that identifies overfishing, conservation of essential and depleting fish habitat,
    minimizing ‘bycatch’ and protected species and creation of prosperous fishing
    communities. Currently, only 1/5 of all marine catch is MSC certified. Ask about the Blue
    Fish label at restaurants and the grocery and download the Seafoodwatch.org guide.
  2. Support Ecological Farming Methods: Sadly, animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides can
    be washed into our waterways and eventually to sea through irresponsible farming
    methods. Buy organic, learn where your food comes from (or grow your own), and ask
    about ocean-friendly farming methods.
  3. Minimize Plastic Use: It’s estimated that by 2050 our oceans will contain more plastic
    than fish by weight mainly from plastic bags, bottles, food containers and synthetic
    fishing ropes. Microplastics affect the ability of marine microorganisms, including
    essential phytoplankton, to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. A plastic-clogged
    and warming ocean will hurt plant and animal life, and ultimately humans.
    Our ocean is a powerful carbon sink and an economic and recreational paradise. Our lack of awareness could limit future generations in numerous ways. Let’s change that.

By Mary Closser

Filed Under: Water Tagged With: #greentips, #oceans, #plastic, #recycle utah, #sustainability, #zerowaste

Fluorocarbon Ski Wax

December 28, 2022 by outreach@recycleutah.org

This past summer, Park City and Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District found Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) in our local groundwater and wastewater. PFAs are known as “forever chemicals” because of the amount of time it takes them to decompose and are found in various products including nonstick cookware, cleaning products, food wrappers and containers, clothing, and cosmetics. The PFAS polluting the local water systems are likely to be from fluorinated ski waxes also called fluorocarbon waxes used for Nordic skiing, Downhill racing, and recreational skiing.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned PFAS prior to the 2022 Winter Olympics and while local shops haven’t carried fluorocarbon ski waxes for several years, they continue to be sold online and are likely still in many skiers homes and garages. As an environmentally conscious community, the pollution from PFAs to our local water is a reminder that we live, work, and play on our local groundwater aquifer. 

As a skier and a community member, you can help keep PFAs out of our water system by identifying if your ski wax contains is fluorinated and properly disposing of it if it is. Fluorocarbon ski wax will state fluorocarbon, fluoro, high fluoro (HF), or low fluoro (LF) on the packaging. If you own fluorocarbon ski wax, stop using it and bring it to Recycle Utah to be disposed of properly. The next time you purchase ski wax, ensure that it’s fluoro-free and if you ever have any questions, you can always reach out to your local ski shops or Recycle Utah!

By Addison Marr

Filed Under: Sustainable Materials, Water Tagged With: #greentips, #recycle utah, #sustainability, pfas, skiwax

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

FOLLOW US

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

CONTACT US

(435) 649-9698
1951 Woodbine Way
PO Box 682998
Park City, UT 84068

HOURS

Mon-Sat: 8:00am – 5:30pm
Sun: 10:00am – 4:00pm (drop off only)


Closed on the Following Holidays

New Year’s Day
Easter Sunday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve
Copyright © 2023