In 2017, Vail Resorts announced “Commitment to Zero”, a goal across resorts to achieve a net-zero operating footprint by 2030. At Park City Mountain (PCM), efforts have been centered on reducing landfill waste, a particularly relevant focus given the community’s ongoing discussions about improving waste diversion. I chatted with Erin Fulmore, PCM’s Sustainability Coordinator, to learn more about what the mountain is doing to meet its sustainability goals.

PCM is taking steps to reduce landfill waste by expanding recycling efforts, cutting down on disposables, and improving waste sorting. Currently, 66% of the resort’s waste is diverted from landfills, thanks to a variety of initiatives aimed at reducing waste. Beyond traditional recycling streams like cardboard, mixed recyclables, and metals, PCM has introduced specialized recycling programs for rubber gloves, soft plastics, ski passes, employee uniforms, and my personal favorite, snack wrappers. Granola bar wrappers and chip bags are recycled into outdoor patio furniture which can be seen at the on-mountain dining facilities Summit House and Sun Lodge.A more recent addition to the resort’s waste diversion efforts is wood and pallet recycling, with scrap wood now being composted locally. PCM is also prioritizing food waste reduction, collecting food scraps from kitchens and lodges to be composted. Inside the lodges, a shift toward reusable cups, plates, and utensils has further minimized waste, while compostable Eco-Products cups are used for hot beverages.

With all these different waste streams, sorting waste can be confusing. That’s why PCM has back-of-house waste management. Employees sort waste into different streams to minimize contamination and ensure materials go into their proper bins. Many of the waste streams aren’t public-facing, because streams like snack wrappers and compost need virtually no contamination to be recycled. If you’re at PCM, the best thing you can do is bring your plates
and trays to the sorting stations to be sorted by trained staff. Make sure all beverage cups make it to a sorting station, because if your cup goes in the trash or recycling bins it can’t be composted. Last May, PCM transitioned to 100% renewable electricity through the Elektron Solar Project.With climate change threatening snowfall and winter sports, PCM is working to cut emissions and waste for the long-term sustainability of skiing. By prioritizing waste reduction, recycling, and renewable energy, the resort is working to minimize its footprint and preserve outdoor recreation for future generations.

By Chelsea Hafer