Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

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Perils of Plastic: Why Refusing Single-Use Plastics is Crucial for Our Future

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Plastic was groundbreaking when it was invented a century ago. I remember my mother having Tupperware parties in the 1960s to show off and sell the new cutting-edge reusable food storage system. Now, less than 100 years later, we are seeing the repercussions. Some of the following information comes from Eve Schaub’s book Year of No Garbage (www.eveschaub.com).

The recycling industry does not make money on plastics – we lose it. We recycle plastic because it’s the right thing to do, to keep the material that never biodegrades from filling our landfills and polluting our soil, water, and air. Five ocean garbage patches, or ‘gyres,’ exist in our seas. These patches are primarily composed of plastics that photodegrade into small pieces that appeal to fish and birds as food. When plastics end up in our landscape, their synthetic composition cannot be digested by nature, including wildlife. This includes our bodies. Many of us humans contain microplastics in our lungs, liver, tissue, urine, and more, which enter our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, and skin exposure. The plastics come from food and cosmetics, drinking water, air, beverage containers, toys and more.

The fossil fuel industry is making single-use plastics our primary option. 380 million tons of plastic are manufactured every year, and that number is increasing – plastic production is expected to double in the next 17 years. The plastics industry knows it’s a challenge to recycle the product. It’s easier and cheaper to make new material. Markets are limited for recycled plastics, while metals, glass, cardboard, and paper are consistent and occasionally even profitable. Corporations focus on ‘not littering’ and ‘recycling,’ trying to divert attention away from packaging being the central issue.

Countries and states are slowly banning bags, styrofoam, and single-use plastics. But more needs to occur globally. A mandatory cap on plastic production, restrictions on single-use plastics, and regulation of plastic chemicals are all critical steps. Companies need to be accountable for any waste they generate from cradle to grave, and we as individuals need to adjust our shopping habits to incorporate a “reduce, reuse54 and rethink” mentality. Let’s open our eyes to the myriad of plastics in our daily routine and get creative as to how we can avoid them or find an alternative. Humans can adapt quickly with a healthy dose of awareness.

By Mary Closser

Reducing Food Waste At Home

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Food waste has a large impact on climate. In the US, about 40% of food goes uneaten.  According to the Park City Community Foundation, “Roughly 80% of the solid waste that reaches our local landfill could be diverted, with up to 60% of that being food waste.”  At the current rate of use, the landfill in Park City has about 30 years left, making food waste reduction an important action for everyone.  Park City set a goal of having zero food waste in our landfill by 2030 – and it starts with you! Here are five ways you can reduce food waste at home.

  • Before grocery shopping, look through your fridge and have a plan.  Buy what is needed and keep it in mind when you plan to eat it.  Keep those quickly perishable items in a convenient spot in the fridge.
  • Store food strategically. Produce like tomatoes, bananas, apples, and avocados release ethylene gas that can cause other vegetables to spoil sooner, so they should be stored away from other produce. Treat herbs like flowers store them in a glass of water, and wash vegetables right before eating to avoid introducing moisture.
  • Purchase “ugly” food like a tomato with a soft spot or produce with a cosmetic imperfection. When food has blemishes, it will end up in the trash, but many are still perfectly good to eat. Cook “ugly” food right away, use it in smoothies, or freeze it to extend freshness.
  • Understand food dates. “Best by” dates indicate when the quality of the food starts to dip, but is likely still safe to eat.  Use your senses!  If it smells fine and looks fine, chances are it’s fine. 

Keep nutrients in the food cycle by composting. A worm bin is a great way to compost at home!  Vermicompost is a low-maintenance, mostly odorless option for recycling your vegetable waste.  Plus you get an extremely high-quality fertilizer for your garden.  If you live in Park City (84060 or 84098), you can sign up for curbside food waste pickup through Momentum Recycling, free for the first 1000 people who sign up through Park City Community Foundation’s Zero Waste program https://parkcitycf.org/zerofoodwaste/

By Brightie Huddleston, Summit Community Gardens – EATS

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

Heat Pumps

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A recent U.S. Department of Energy report states that space heating (and cooling) is the number one use of energy in our homes, resulting in high bills and consequential pollution. No doubt a ‘heat pump’ has entered your mind as an option to replace your fading furnace, but you’re worried about its cost and capacity to perform in cold weather. In reality, heat pumps are a cost-effective and energy efficient replacement for old heating and cooling systems.

Heat pumps use less energy to heat (or cool) homes and save money on bills (up to $1,000/year), in addition to reducing CO2 emissions from natural gas. They are dual functioning, meaning they heat in the winter and cool in the summer, so no need for a separate AC. They use electricity to transfer heat into and out of your home. Even if electricity is drawn from coal (still 60% of the U.S.A.), the emissions are less than a gas furnace, similar to an electric car being powered by coal instead of gas.

Cost varies depending on heat pump type, house size and local climate. It could cost up to $14,000 including installation, though the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers rebates up to $8,000 and tax credits up to $2,000. New technologies have drastically improved allowing heat pumps to work in cold temperatures below -10 degrees F. Finally, if you decide a heat pump isn’t right for you, other systems are available, like mini heat pumps, mini-splits, or hybrid dual-fuel heat pump systems. Tax credits and rebates from the IRA bill are also available for certain systems.

Gas furnaces typically last 10-30 years, depending on quality and maintenance. If you’re within that range, it’s time to consider electric heating options. Summit County is on track to be powered by renewables by 2030 through the Utah Renewable Communities program established by HB 411 in 2019. As heat pump technologies change, users also should adapt. Now is a great time to start researching trained contractors and the appropriate electric heating and cooling system best suited for your home – next stop is your water heater! Utah Clean

Energy (utahcleanenergy.org) is a wonderful resource for the energy-curious consumer.

By Mary Closser

The Environmental Burden of Balloons

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When I was little, I remember stepping out of a birthday party with my balloon. It slipped out of my hand and floated away, never to return. I now know that this mistake could have deadly consequences for marine life and ecosystems. Balloons have become a prominent symbol of the culture of celebration. However, most people don’t think about the fact that any time a balloon escapes into the sky, it can lead to many unintended consequences for marine life.

Pollution from balloons actually accounts for some of the ocean’s deadliest trash. Balloons (including latex and mylar balloons) take a long time to break down in the ocean, contributing to plastic pollution. As balloons gradually break down they turn into smaller pieces of colorful plastic that resemble food for marine life; the digested plastic has detrimental effects on the digestive system. Statistics show that ingestion of soft plastics (for example: balloons) often does more bodily damage than hard plastics in marine animals, although both are a critical problem. Over many years, balloons can eventually break down into microplastics, which can build up in marine animals, some of which are eventually eaten by humans. Additionally, the strings of balloons are capable of entangling and suffocating or drowning marine animals. It is estimated that over 100,000 marine animals die annually because of plastic pollution.

So what can we do about this issue? The most straightforward and effective action is to stop using balloons and supplement them for other decorations and materials. Try using bubbles, biodegradable confetti, or even natural materials like rocks, shells, and leaves for creative crafts and decorations. While it may be fun to celebrate with balloons, the long-term environmental effects outweigh the benefits.

By Grayson Rae

Return to Raking!

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When thinking about climate change, it sometimes feels like many of the solutions are out of the hands of individuals and rest solely in the hands of governments and large corporations. However, many of the actions we must take to curb climate change start in our homes – and our yards. Gas-powered leaf blowers, for example, have emerged as a symbol of environmental degradation and public health risks, and some people have begun to speak up.

Each fall, Park City lights up with red, orange, and yellow as the leaves change on our oaks and aspens. And each fall, as these leaves float to the ground, people bring out their gas-powered leaf blowers. The noise from these dystopian gas guzzlers disrupt the tranquility of fall, but their impact extends far past noise pollution. Unlike modern cars, most leaf blowers still have two-stroke engines, which spew unburned fuel into the air. Some leaf blowers can emit more pollutants in half an hour than a cross-country trip in a gas-guzzling truck.

The noise pollution from leaf blowers is equally concerning. People and animals are disturbed by the low-frequency roar of leaf blowers. Prolonged exposure to the noise and emissions from these machines can lead to hearing loss, asthma, and heart disease. Not surprisingly, this disproportionately affects low-wage workers who spend more time operating leaf blowers.

Some progress is underway. Across the country, over 100 US cities have banned gas-powered leaf blowers. Salt Lake City is offering residents up to $500 for switching their gas-powered lawn equipment, including leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and weed whackers, to electric alternatives. This is a critical step in improving air quality in the valley. Winter Park commissioners have also proposed a voter referendum for a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.

Still, in Park City the action lies in the hands of residents and landscapers. Developments continue to be made in battery technologies, offering viable alternatives to gas-powered leaf blowers. The initial cost of these electric leaf blowers may be higher, but when considering the benefits to air quality and improved public health, these costs make the decision straightforward.

Gas-powered leaf blowers may seem trivial in the grand scheme of global climate change, but their impact is profound. By regulating and ultimately banning them from our neighborhoods, we can foster a quieter, healthier environment while making meaningful strides in the fight against climate change.

By Chelsea Hafer