Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#greentips

Soft Plastics

by

In 1960, the average American generated about 1,000 pounds of trash per year.  Today, we create about 1,800 pounds each.  Sixty years ago, no one was dumb enough to pay for a plastic bottle of water.  If you went out for a cup of coffee, it was served in a ceramic mug that would be used 1,000’s of times.  The apples, lettuce and grapes at the grocery store were in a bin, not in plastic bags or rigid plastic containers.

If you are serious about reducing your impact on the planet, you must look at the amount of trash you produce.  Start out by doing a little audit and examine what is in your weekly trash.  Separate your trash into piles.  What could be recycled?  What could be composted?  There are certain things you can’t put in your curbside recycling.  But Recycle Utah will take a wide range of items like glass, Styrofoam, soft plastics, batteries, corks, metal lids, printer cartridges.

After doing my trash audit, I realized soft plastics, by volume, were my biggest source of waste.  I was surprised how much of our groceries came pre-packed in plastic bags. There were wrappers from bread, frozen vegetables, baby carrots, shredded cheese, walnuts, grapes, apples, box liners from cereal, crackers, frozen waffles and from the Mother’s Day flowers.   Then there were bigger plastic bags from dog food, lawn fertilizers and water softener salt, all of which can be put in the soft plastics bin at Recycle Utah.

Even though we are recycling soft plastics, it would be better if we could reduce the amount brought home from the store.  Next week our goal is to only purchase fruits and vegetables that are unpackaged.

Please join us, together we will make a healthier planet.

By Peter Murray, Stardust Sustainables

The Impact of Lawns on Climate Change

by

Over 40 million acres of the United States are covered by lawns with two percent of land occupied by turf grass and $30 billion spent on lawn care. Lawns are indicators of socio-economic status in America and the culture surrounding lawns has created a unique but extreme threat to climate change and our carbon footprint. From the water to the fertilizers and equipment needed to maintain a well-kept, Americanized lawn, the toll on the environment is serious.

Most lawn equipment uses gasoline and are two-stroke or four-stroke engines. Thirty percent of the fuel in two-stroke engines don’t combust completely releasing high levels of exhaust emissions. While four-stroke engines are less harmful than two-stroke, one study found that a four-stroke engine running for an hour released emissions equivalent to a vehicle traveling for 500 miles. Five percent of total emissions in the United States are from lawn equipment with an average of 800 million gallons of fuel used annually and 17 million gallons of that spilled.

Interested in having a more environmentally friendly lawn? Here are a couple tips:

  1. Switch to electric lawn equipment! While electric equipment can cost more up front, you will save overtime by not having to maintain fuel. Electric lawn equipment is powerful, compact, and easy to use.
  2. Rather than planting turf grass that creates an artificial environment and stunts biodiversity in the local ecosystem, grow native plants on your lawn. Native grasses, flowers, and ground-cover plants require little maintenance and allow the local ecosystem to thrive.

By Addison Marr

Hair

by

Sometimes it would be easier to be bald. Think of all the money saved, time and bad hair days. Then, there’s the carbon footprint from the salon – the waste from hair, plastic containers, packaging, foils, and paper towels. Then, the energy and water waste from blow dryers, hair washing and laundry. The chemical waste from dyes, bleach, peroxides, disinfectants, and associated air pollution from the odors are important, too. One study found that 20% of hairdressers in the United States leave the business due to allergies or dermatitis.

So, what to do about this carbon intensive commonality for many humans: hair? The first step is to ask questions as the business won’t survive without us. Is your salon a member of the Green Circle Salons, a certified sustainable salon organization? If not, why not? My research revealed there are a few Green Circle salons in Salt Lake City. Yes, salons need to pay to join but I know I’d be willing to add a few bucks to my cut to support the entry.

Green Circle Salons certify saving energy and water in various ways, but they also focus on the recovery, recycling and repurposing of beauty waste including hair clippings, color, metals, plastics, safety materials and more. Hair clippings, for example, can get made into hair mats for oil spills or storm water filtration. Foils, tubes, and aerosol cans get recycled into new metal materials. And, as the demand for eco-friendly products in our shampoos, conditioners and lotions has increased, prices are becoming more competitive. So, think twice before your next appointment. Do some research and if you’re ‘married’ to your stylist, start asking questions.

By Mary Closser

Functional Turfgrass and Water-wise Landscaping

by

Turfgrass is not always the “bad guy”—thirsty, hungry, and costly. It is a favorite place where we play and generally hang out. And functional turfgrass is an important part of a water-wise landscape.

Kelly Kopp, Professor, Extension Water Conservation and Turfgrass Specialist at Utah State University, emphasizes several environmental benefits of functional turfgrass. Its dense root system absorbs water and almost eliminates runoff. Less runoff helps protect water quality. An area of turfgrass moderates wind erosion of soil, traps pollen and dust, and reduces environmental noise. It moderates temperature levels and reduces energy used for home cooling.

How do you make your turfgrass functional?

  • Only use it in areas where it provides clear benefits.
  • Water your turf grass less. USU Extension estimates that the typical homeowner uses twice as much water as their turfgrass requires.
  • Choose a grass mix that is best suited to your area. Professor Kopp notes 3 distinct grass type zones in Utah.
  • For non-functional areas, consider using non-irrigated turfgrass that withstands drought stress—it will go dormant, turn brown and green up again when conditions improve.
  • Don’t plant turf grass in narrow areas where it cannot be efficiently watered.
  • Irrigate turf grass in areas separate from other plants which have different water needs and can be irrigated differently, e.g., by drip line.
  • Support water efficient grass through proper mowing and fertilizing.
  • Contact Elizabeth Cohen at elizabeth.cohen@usu.edu from the Summit County Extension Department for excellent information about all things landscaping.

By Bev Harrison

Composting

by

Landfills are filling up and at least 40% of the waste is from our food and yard. This organic waste, along with paper and cardboard, releases a dangerous and potent greenhouse gas, methane. Great news, there are multiple options to compost in Summit County! Recycle Utah holds summer compost workshops to and sells discounted compost bins and buckets. Here’s how to get started today:

  1. Do it yourself: Purchase a bin or make your own (containing tight mesh wire). Select a level, 3”x3” area, partly sunny, at least 6” from a structure or fence. It’s important to learn the correct nitrogen to oxygen ratio in addition to acceptable compostable materials. Check Recycle Utah’s website for summer workshop dates to learn more.
  2. Worm Composter: The key to worm composting is the temperature needs to be 40 degrees or higher to keep the wiggly creatures alive. Attached garages, pantries, or mud rooms are ideal.
  3. Lomi: This is the latest craze. A 16” x 20” device for your kitchen or pantry that turns food waste into soil within two days!
  4. Spoil to Soil:This wonderful new and local compost business supplies a small and large bucket and collects the goodies weekly for a small fee.

Not only is composting becoming more important for our environment, but it’s also scientific and fun for the family. Summit County is working hard to keep food waste out of our landfill – get started today!

By Mary Closser

The Sustainability of Cooking

by

Our daily lives consist of a lot of cooking, which can significantly impact the environment. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to saving the environment. These are some tips that can help you become eco-friendly when you are cooking:

Avoid single-use items: This includes disposable utensils, plates, and cups that end up in our landfills. If necessary, you can buy compostable and environmentally friendly substitutes or utilize reusable options.

Investing in an induction stove: These stoves are up to 10% more energy-efficient than electric stoves and three times more energy-efficient than standard gas stoves. Additionally, it is also better for your air quality. 

Disposing of cooking oil: Wait until your cooking oil has totally cooled before putting it in a metal can or plastic container instead of discarding it directly in the sink or the trash. You can then properly dispose of it in the trash after that. 

Reduce food waste: Meal planning for the week helps reduce the amount of food that is wasted unnecessarily. Furthermore, you can freeze or use your leftovers to create a new dish. 

Buy from local farmers: In addition to supporting local farmers, we can lessen our influence on the environment by supporting local farmers that grow their food without the use of pesticides and fertilizers. 

Together, we can reduce the environmental impact of our time spent in the kitchen!

By Miriam Flores