Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#greentips

Reach Out for Sustainably-Produced Goods

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Demand for recycled materials fluctuates over time. Now, because demand for cardboard is
low, our local recyclers are paying to have it stored. However, cardboard continues to be
diverted from the landfill by our local recyclers and that is an important consideration. (Like food waste, cardboard is biodegradable, and as such, produces methane gas as it breaks down.)

One market trend that remains is consumers opting to purchase sustainably-produced goods.
Sustainable shopping feels good. It reflects our concerns about the environment at a time of
dramatic climate change, of visible increases in land, air and water pollution, of a growing
scarcity of natural resources, a decrease in animal populations, and increasing reports of the ill-effects of chemical additives to a wide range of products. Our buying more sustainably-
produced goods puts pressure on retailers to purchase a larger amount and variety of recycled material. It creates new and different jobs and fosters research and product development.

In order to bolster their authenticity, loyalty, and revenue, retailers are having to pay attention to consumers increased demand for sustainable products. It is happening. There are ever more rigorously-tested, high-quality sustainably made products for sale. Read their labels and make product comparisons. Choose to be in the growing group of Americans who are shopping sustainably and know by doing so, you are increasing the demand for recycled materials.

By Bev Harrison

Ocean Awareness

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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

The (Un)Sustainability of Tetra Paks

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“Is this recyclable?”, “Which bin does this go in?”, and “What is this even made of?” are
questions us recyclers are often asking ourselves while we examine a package searching for
the small recycling symbol and trying to determine the material it’s made of. Recently,
packaging has become more obscure with waxy-paper-like rectangular cartons that we find in
our local stores containing non-dairy milks, broths, juices, soups, and other foods.

Cartons are made primarily with paperboard and are either aseptic or non-aseptic. Aseptic
cartons, or shelf-stable cartons, include paperboard, an internal aluminum layer, and a plastic
seal. Non-aseptic cartons, or refrigerated cartons, don’t have the aluminum layer, and thus have a shorter shelf life and require refrigeration.


When compared to glass jars, tin cans, and retort pouches, the aseptic and non-aseptic cartons require less energy to produce and are drastically lighter, making their production and transportation carbon footprint smaller. However, aseptic and non-aseptic cartons are very difficult to recycle due to their mixed-material composition.


Here in Summit County, non-aseptic cartons can be recycled as plastic, but aseptic cartons
cannot be recycled due to their aluminum lining. Tetra Pak, the Swedish-Swiss conglomerate
producing aseptic cartons, stamp the recycling symbol on their cartons but only 30% of their
cartons are actually recycled. Without a machine specialized in separating each material in an
aseptic carton, it cannot be recycled. Recycle Utah’s recommendation is to purchase your
goods in glass jars and tin cans as those are materials that can be reused and recycled without losing quality.

By Addison Marr

Green Banking

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As the saying goes, “Money makes the world go ‘round.” And if you’re looking for a simple New Year’s resolution with outsized impact – take a look at your money. 
 
Even if you can’t afford an EV or don’t want to put solar panels on your roof, switching your
bank is something anyone can do. Where we bank and invest our money matters – and there
are a growing number of options that offer “climate positive” banking.
 
For example, Atmos Bank offers checking and savings accounts (and now, solar loans) with
100% of your money funding clean energy, electrification, and other climate-positive products.


In addition to mobile banking, free ATM withdrawals, a good savings rate, and up to 5% cash
back when you buy from climate-friendly companies, you get an impact report – $5,000 will save 5.85 tons of CO2 a year, the equivalent of not driving 13,169 miles.
 
Local credit unions are also a great option, in addition to more than 30 banks featured by “Bank For Good,” and Carbon Collective for your 401K. But if you bank with one of the big banks, your money is funding the fossil fuel industry. The biggest 60 banks in the world have invested $4.6 trillion in the fossil fuel industry since 2015. As climate activist Bill McKibben says, for any American with more than $125,000 in the mainstream banking system, it’s likely producing more carbon in a year than all the actions of their daily life. 

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By Anna Robertson, The Cool Down 
 

Fluorocarbon Ski Wax

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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

Ethical Cooking Oils

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Have you ever wondered how ethical your favorite cooking oil is? A daily amount of these fatty liquids is necessary for our body, skin and hair, yet it’s important to be aware of the type we consume. Avoid hydrogenated oils, high in trans fats, often found in corn, safflower, soy, corn and more. How the oil is processed is also important.

Most oils come from extracting and expressing parts of plant seeds or nuts and extraction often requires a cleaning agent which can be unhealthy for workers. Some oils have become so popular that industrial farming prevails which can involve pesticides, soil erosion, water scarcity, and more. It’s important to know who’s behind the scenes in your choice oil’s production.

Rapeseed or ‘Canola’ oil, widely popular in the 1970’s, is now mostly genetically modified and higher in trans fats. Olive and Coconut Oil, staples for many, are healthy and delicious but it’s important to purchase organic certification from independent producers invested in sustainable sourcing. Palm oil is mostly harvested in Malaysia and Indonesia where deforestation is threatening certain keystone species and ecosystems, not to mention workers’ rights.

Supermarket shelves are loaded with oil options – it’s up to us to know where and how to look. The more ethical oils will be organic, non-GMO, unrefined and cold-pressed. Those in glass are often higher quality and easier to recycle. Lastly, don’t put used or old oil down the drain – it’s not a friend to water! Bring it to Recycle Utah in the summer to be recycled into biofuel.

By Mary Closser