Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#energy efficiency

Laundry

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Laundry is something we all do habitually. Our washers and dryers are two of our household’s highest energy-consuming appliances, consistently running in our homes. A dose of creativity and change can not only save electricity, but also gas, waste and money. Read on for tips!

  1. Wash on cold. Heating water is responsible for more than 70% of a washer’s energy consumption. Ironically, some stains like sweat or blood can actually ingrain further into fabric in hot water vs cold water. Cold water washing also reduces wrinkles, fading and shrinkage.
  2. Upgrade to Energy Star. You can also look into heat pump dual washer/dryer options or a heat pump dryer. Efficiency is affected by design, age, and settings used. Run machines during ‘off-peak’ hours if possible, after 10 pm or mid-day.
  3. Ditch fabric softeners. They are an extra expense and can leave residue in the wash. Try old, faithful, and inexpensive white vinegar instead. Similarly, ditch dryer sheets and replace them with natural wool dryer balls to reduce static and drying time. Don’t forget to regularly clean the lint filter to maximize dryer efficiency!
  4. Reduce plastic waste by transitioning from large plastic jugs (often laden with chemicals) to washing sheets, tablets, pods, or eggs. After experimentation, my family settled on an egg in combination with homemade powder detergent.
  5. Re-wear clothes if possible before filling the washer load and use drying racks or clotheslines! Utah air dries clothes in no time and preserves quality.

Finally, how do we reduce microplastics (often from nylon, polyester, and acrylic clothing) from entering our laundry? The best options are to wash less, use full loads and cold water, use less detergent in front-loading washers, hang dry, use a microplastic filter bag or attachment filter, and buy more clothing made from natural materials.

Change is challenging. But like seasons, relationships, technology, or weather, change surrounds us. The time has come to step out of our habitual boxes and shake things up to grow with the times, for our planet, pocketbook, and health. Good luck and have fun!

By Mary Closser

Sustaining Environmental Excellence: The Costs Behind Recycle Utah

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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

Dark Skies

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Have you ever visited a major city where you’ve looked up and seen a murky sky without stars? What you’re seeing is light pollution, a serious problem in populated places, although experts claim that increased light pollution may impact even remote areas if initiatives to reduce it are not taken seriously.

Light pollution occurs when an excess of light is reflected into the atmosphere causing the sky to illuminate, potentially to the point that stars are invisible. It sadly has many consequences for ecosystems, climate, and human health. First, unnecessary light translates to wasted energy, and the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere will increase from creating this wasted energy. A study by the International Dark-Sky Association states, “The average house with poorly designed outdoor lighting wastes 0.5 kilowatt hours (kWh) per night… enough energy to power a 50-inch plasma TV for one hour or run one load in your dishwasher!”

Additionally, light pollution disrupts the Earth’s consistent shift from day to night, which all organisms rely on – nocturnal behavior is especially disrupted. Excessive light also causes extreme living conditions for plants to photosynthesize, threatening the foundation of entire ecosystems. Will organisms evolve like they always have? Or, has human impact potentially reached a point where our ecological changes are exceeding the rate of natural processes to adapt and evolve.

Finally, too much artificial light is unnatural for humans and can disrupt sleep and our health. While we can’t reverse what’s already been done, it is an easy fix to minimize human impact on light pollution moving forward. So, what’s the solution?

1.       Ensure that lighting products are “Dark Sky Approved.”
2.       Turn off lights when they’re not needed.
3.       Contain and shield outside lights to shine downwards in concentration.
4.       Use solid-state lighting, such as LED lights.
5.       Use dimmers, timers, and motion sensors for outdoor lights. 

Park City is taking the initiative to protect our dark skies. On January 1, 2021, Park City’s City Council adopted the No. 2021-05 Ordinance, requiring all existing outdoor lighting bulbs to be 3,000 degrees Kelvin by December 31, 2024, and new construction to produce less than 100,000 lumens (light) per acre. Additionally, the amendment states, “Low-lumen seasonal lights that do not cause light trespass or interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment of property are permitted from November 1 – March 1.”

So let there be light! Just make sure that it’s sustainable and efficient for your sake, wildlife, healthy ecosystems, and our skies.

By Grason Rae, Sophomore at Park City High School

Eco-Friendly Dishwashing by Machine and by Hand

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Is it necessary to rinse off dirty dishes before putting them in the dishwasher to assure they are clean and bacteria-free? Resoundingly, experts say, it is not. The practice wastes water and energy; it adds dollars to our utility bills.

Many of us who continue to lightly rinse gunky dishes first may be living in the past. In the past, it was recommended to rinse excess food off dishes before loading them. I don’t think using a little more water and electricity was forefront in people’s minds.

Today energy-efficient machines use a mere four to six gallons of water to clean a load of dishes. Obviously, if we’re trying to live sustainably— to not waste ever-more limited natural resources—we need to “fill ‘er up.” What things make sense to run full loads with best results?

  • Reportedly, dishwashing detergent works best when it has some food particles to stick to. Without them, soap runs off dishes and ends up down the drain. Also, today’s machines are made to work hard—to power through soiled gunky dishes. We shouldn’t let them get lazy and work with less power than they have built in.
  • Getting a full load doesn’t always happen daily or even every other day. If necessary, soiled dishes can sit in the dishwasher for a few days—one source stated for a week—and come out sparkling. Here’s where a quick light rinse makes sense. Small households, rest assured. Your dishes can be cleaned after extended “sit” time.
  • To all dishwasher users, you are responsible for cleaning the drain filter regularly.

Hand-washing dishes? Try this eco-friendly method: Add a bit of dishwashing detergent to a clean sink. In a container, capture the water that runs while it gets hot and use it later to rinse dishes and water plants. Add a half an index finger of water and use it to clean a meal-full of dishes rinsing no more than 3 seconds per dish. When you’re done, measure the water in the sink. How much higher on your finger does it rise? With practice, I can see I am using less water. Maybe it’s that two second rinse!

By Bev Harrison

Got Energy? It’s Time to Economize

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Imagine this: your thermostat is at 67 rather than 70 during the day and 55 rather than 60 during the night– you throw on a sweater or an extra blanket. Simply decreasing the temperature of your thermostat, amongst many other changes, can save money and minimize the burning of fossil fuels during our winter months. Not everyone can afford solar panels, electric vehicles, and the latest appliances, but there are numerous low to no-cost energy actions we can implement to reduce our monthly bills and carbon footprint. Here are a few:

  • Transition all bulbs to LED, including Christmas lights.
  • Why heat or light the house when nobody is there? Purchase a smart thermostat, dimmers, motion sensors, and timers.
  • Turn off lights when not in use and install smart strips to avoid vampire power use.
  • Identify air leaks, then caulk, seal, and weather strip.
  • Open windows during warmer days and close them at night.
  • Make sure nothing is blocking heat vents and add rugs if the floors are cold.
  • Ditch the extra fridge or freezer hanging out in the garage or basement.
  • Maintain central heat ducts and service your furnace.
  • Decrease heat in parts of the house that are not used consistently.
  • Turn the water heater temperature down.
  • Ditch the dryer and use drying racks.
  • Close the fireplace flue when not in use and add chimney insulation if appropriate.
  • Close off spare bedrooms, including vents.
  • Consider transitioning to electric for the oven, furnace, and water heater (rebates are available).
  • Contact Dominion Energy’s ThermWise program for a $25 Home Energy Audit at 1-888-324-3221.

By Mary Closser

Winterizing Your Home the Green Way

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It’s October, which means winter is around the corner! Winterizing your home the green way not only safeguards the environment but also significantly reduces your energy bills. Embrace these tips and make sustainability a cozy affair!

  • Wrap your Pipes: Insulating pipes prevent freezing and energy wastage. Materials like newspaper and rags make for great options. 
  • Inspect the Roof and Gutters: Clean and clear gutters prevent ice dams, reducing energy costs. Checking your roof for damage and repairing them timely ensures better insulation and reduced heating needs.
  • Weatherproof Doors and Windows: Sealing gaps and installing weather stripping around doors and windows prevents cold drafts, making your heating system work more efficiently.
  • Thermostats: Consider installing a programmable thermostat. It helps in maintaining the desired temperature and cuts down on unnecessary heating, saving both energy and money.
  • Water Heaters: Insulate your water heater or opt for energy-efficient models to conserve energy.
  • Switch to LED Lights: Longer nights mean more artificial lighting. LEDs use significantly less energy compared to traditional bulbs. Opt for LED holiday lights too!
  • Natural Heating: Harness the sun’s power! Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight in, warming up your space naturally.
  • Insulated Curtains: They trap heat and prevent cold drafts, proving to be both an eco-friendly and aesthetic addition to your interiors.

Tori Sowul, The Drawdown Fund