Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

business

Learning from Our Green Businesses

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In 2016, Recycle Utah initiated the Green Business Program providing free support to companies that are committed to undertaking specific sustainable operations actions. In 2022, they partnered with Park City Municipal, Summit County, and the Park City Chamber of Commerce enabling the program to become more rigorous with additional requirements, resources, and recognition for members. Currently 51 businesses participate and each has selected actions to undertake from 5 categories: energy efficiency, water conservation, materials management, transportation, and social equity. Depending on the number of actions businesses commit to, they move within the program from entry level green circle, to intermediate blue square, to the most aggressive black diamond level.

At January’s Green Drinks annual awards event, winning green businesses were recognized for their commitment to and success operating more sustainably. We can learn from their actions.

Park City Mountain Resort, performing at the highest black diamond level, is the 2023 Green Business of the Year. Perhaps the most noticeable of their sustainability initiatives is their waste diversion operation. Restaurant guests take their food trays to sorting stations and staff sort it into compostables, recyclables, soft plastic wraps and snack wrappers. This system keeps contamination from improper sorting to a minimum. There are trash, recycling, and snack wrapper cans for guests to use outside. Last year, Park City Mountain diverted a whopping 546 tons of waste from the landfill with 185 tons of it being food waste! To work, it takes our cooperation.

Abode Luxury Rentals won the Zest for Zero award which recognizes a company that has made fast progress entering the program. As they have done in their properties, their eco-friendly suggestions include reducing their heat to 55 degrees in unoccupied home; eliminating bottled water and liquid soap pump bottles; using timed aerated faucets; using dissolvable laundry detergent sheets; following local no-idling regulations; providing guests recycling bins and recycling guidelines; utilizing transit schedules and maps.

fulFILLed Lifestyle Co., another highest-level performer, won the People’s Choice Award. It is a zero waste and refill store located at the Outlets Park City. Their suggestions? Eliminate packaging by buying eco-friendly personal care and house cleaning products in containers you reuse and refill, and skip taking bags for your purchases!

By Bev Harrison

Reduce Waste in Your Everyday Life

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Since opening in 2009, Savoury Kitchen has endeavored to implement eco-friendly practices in all aspects of our business. These efforts are not only beneficial for our community and planet but also contribute to cost savings, a healthier lifestyle and record snowfall last season. (You’re welcome.)

Here are some practical tips we compiled for reducing waste in your own lives:

  • Embrace the Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Reduce unnecessary purchases, reuse items whenever possible, and properly recycle materials. Example: Our office is furnished almost exclusively with items reclaimed at Recycle Utah’s warehouse. Thanks guys!
  • Go Paperless: Minimize paper usage by transitioning to digital docs and comms. Utilize cloud-based storage and collaborative platforms for file sharing and opt for electronic invoices and receipts whenever possible. This not only reduces paper waste but also promotes a more organized and efficient work environment. It’s easy. You should just do it.
  • Cultivate Sustainable Habits: Incorporate sustainable practices into your daily routine, like stocking real (not paper) coffee cups in the office, composting food waste, bundling errands and turning off the lights. And for Pete’s sake, please stop buying single use bottled water!
  • Support Your Local Green Businesses: Show some love and appreciation to these Green Businesses by promoting their initiatives on social media, sharing positive reviews and emphasizing the importance of their eco-friendly practices.

By implementing these tips, individuals play an active role in creating a more sustainable and waste-conscious living and working environment, thereby contributing to a healthier and greener Park City for future generations.

By Jon Green, Savoury Kitchen