Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#greentips

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. 

Join the Cool Down’s weekly newsletter for the latest stories, coolest hacks and best products
that help you save money, time, and the planet.

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

Sustainable Holiday Planning

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The holidays are upon us and being green can require foresight. Americans throw away 25% more trash and 33% more food between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Read on for tips to keep your sustainability in check this holiday season:

  1. Gifts: Support our local economy, less packaging and a lower carbon footprint by buying local verses online. Buy local gift cards and experiences at favorite restaurants, movies or spas. Bake, knit, frame photos, make jewelry or fun playlists. Shop at thrift stores.
  2. Gift Wrap: Use old comics, maps or reusable fabrics for a fun twist. Save bows, ribbons and gift boxes for next year.
  3. Energy: Use only LED holiday lights inside and out for energy efficiency, financial savings and also to generate less heat on trees and garland. And, recycle old electronics.
  4. Transportation: Errands galore! Try to hit as many stops as possible in one trip rather than a few every day. Try the bus – make a NO CAR pledge day. Be smart and organized, and don’t forget the cloth reusable bags!
  5. Tree: Buy sensibly. Many lot-filled trees have been sprayed so ask questions. Obtain a permit to cut a tree or buy a new houseplant to decorate. Fake trees are okay if you can commit to storing and using it for 20+ years. Lastly, always compost your tree through the local program at a community drop-off. 

This holiday – and beyond – have a closer look at what you buy for yourself and others. Like dominoes, our day-to-day efforts will start to spiral towards a positive result if we all partake.

By Mary Closser

This Thanksgiving Be Thankful, Not Wasteful

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For many, Thanksgiving is a time filled with family gatherings, time-honored traditions, and, best of all, delicious food. However, did you know that in the U.S. during Thanksgiving week, according to NRDC, over 200 million pounds of food will be thrown out? Here are a few ways to reduce food waste, and your carbon footprint, while still enjoying the holiday:

  1. Ready-set-plan: Make a menu plan for the holiday meals you are serving and create a thorough grocery list. Stick to the list in the grocery store and buy only what you need. 
  2. Buy local: If possible, buy local or organic food. The closer the food, the lower the environmental impact thanks to fewer “food miles”.
  3. Toss the turkey: Traditionally, turkey is the star of the Thanksgiving meal, but raising one 16-pound turkey is the equivalent of driving your car over 180 miles! If your guests are feeling adventurous, many brands offer plant-based alternatives.
  4. Get festive for the feast: This is the time to break out the good dishes and linens. Not only will you create a beautiful setting for your meal, but you will also reduce the need for single-use items such as paper plates or plastic cups.
  5. Prepare to share: If you are hosting guests, ask them to bring reusable containers so everyone can share in the leftovers!

We have so many reasons to be thankful this year! Enjoy this special holiday–and maybe start a few new “green” traditions this Thanksgiving.

By Pearson Ehrich

Voting Green—How Important Is It?

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Many of us have made some positive green choices in how we live. However, according to polls, not many of us consider it a priority to vote for candidates who support reducing impacts of climate change—on environmental protections, renewable energy, land-wise development, and the sustainable production of food and goods. It takes time to find out who your national, state and district candidates are and what, if any pro-environment policies they support. If you want to vote what’s right for you and not vote because it’s a pillar of democracy and everyone who can vote should do so, make sure you are politically educated. Have you attended any candidate forums, watched debates, read and listened to news from trusted sources? If you don’t feel you’re well-enough informed, there’s time to “git on it.”

If you are a registered voter, you have received a mail-in ballot. You may not use it to vote but open it and study all “your” candidates. These are based on your address.

To learn more about your candidates and proposed state amendments, search on-line. One helpful site is the League of Women Voters’ VOTE411.org. There, a mock ballot has been created for you. Included, is a series of questions directed to each candidate who may or may not have chosen to answer them. Note this. You can “practice vote” through the entire ballot.

Other sites O2utah.org/ includes a list of candidates they endorse. https://vote.utah.gov/

By Bev Harrison