Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#recycling

How Important is Organic?

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Is eating organically grown food actually beneficial? The answer is yes. In most cases, eating organic food is healthier, though not always the most economical. But what does organic really mean? In a farming sense, organically grown means food was not grown using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and was not genetically modified (GMO’s).

While these processes often make farming more efficient and inexpensive, the chemicals and radiation used can have harmful effects on consumers. It’s simply a trade-off between cost and quality when it comes to buying organic for most families in America. Some of the benefits of eating organic include:
● Avoiding the consumption of harmful synthetic pesticides and herbicides found in conventional farming. which can result in short- and long-term health problems.
● Buying organic helps the environment, because food grown with excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides can pollute the surrounding soil and water, even creating chemical run-off that implicates nearby residents.
● Avoiding greenhouse gas emissions from nitrous oxide, commonly found in conventional fertilizers.

Keep in mind, all conventionally grown foods that are sold in the US are grown with the necessary safety standards. Additionally, equal amounts of micronutrients are generally found in both types of produce.

However, to be extra cautious, it is always a good idea to wash your produce (no matter how it was grown) before you consume it to get rid of dirt and any pesticide residue. Check out the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen on Environmental Working Groups (ewg.org). A few of the ‘dirtier’, more important foods to buy as organic are strawberries, kale and cherries while some of the ‘cleaner’ foods are pineapples, avocados, and onions. If you’re looking to include more organic produce in your diet, now is a great time! The PC Farmer’s Market, every Wednesday at Park City Mountain, includes many local and organic options to choose from.

By Grayson Rae

The Magic of Electronics Recycling!

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A few weeks ago, we toured METech, the facility where Recycle Utah sends all collected electronics. METech is an R2v3-certified recycler, meaning it meets the highest standards in electronics recycling: maximizing material recovery and ensuring all data is securely wiped from devices.

Recycle Utah’s electronics are stored until there’s enough to haul to METech’s Salt Lake City facility. There, items are weighed and sorted—especially those containing data storage, which are securely wiped. Most materials are then baled and shipped to their central hub in Gilroy, California.

At the Gilroy facility, motherboards are carefully dismantled by machines that recover valuable metals like gold, palladium, and platinum, separating them for reuse in new electronics. Other devices are shredded and sorted using magnets and eddy currents to recover metal, plastic, and glass. These materials are then sent to manufacturers who use them in products like laptop covers, new electronics, and more.

What surprised me most was the sheer volume—and variety—of items they receive and dismantle for recyclable parts. I even picked up a leather cushion, assuming it was landfill-bound, only to learn it was headed to a leather recycler! That level of detail made it clear that METech is committed to recovering everything possible, beyond just items with a plug or battery. We’re lucky to have one of their facilities so close. Across the U.S., many electronics are trucked hundreds of miles to reach facilities like this.

The EPA estimates that almost 3 million tons of electronics go into U.S. landfills every year. Recycling electronics keeps hazardous materials out of the landfill, and arguably more importantly, lets us reuse valuable non-renewable resources like precious metals, whose extraction is damaging ecosystems, polluting air and water, and causing human rights crises across the globe. 

Seeing METech in action gave me real hope. When done right, electronics recycling truly can close the loop—and we all play a role by choosing to recycle responsibly.

By Chelsea Hafer

Don’t Let Sunburns or Harmful Chemicals Ruin Your Summer: Safe & Sustainable Sunscreen

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With so many sunscreen options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—but not all of them live up to their claims. Some still contain outdated or harmful ingredients. Luckily, growing awareness has pushed the industry toward safer, more effective ingredients. However, it’s still important to be fully informed when purchasing sunscreen and know what to look out for when shopping.

Mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are now top picks for broad-spectrum protection. They’re generally gentler, reef-safe, and FDA-recognized as effective. 

Meanwhile, ingredients like oxybenzone and Vitamin A are being phased out due to health and environmental concerns—both are worth avoiding. Avoid sunscreens containing “fragrance” as an ingredient; these undisclosed blends can include allergens or hormone-disrupting compounds, and without transparency, it’s hard to know what you’re putting on your skin.

Spray sunscreens remain a favorite for convenience, but they come with risks—like inhalation hazards and uneven coverage, especially in windy conditions. Some countries have even issued warnings against them, while the FDA continues to delay safety regulations for aerosol products. 

Don’t be fooled by ultra-high SPF numbers. Anything above SPF 50 adds minimal protection and can lead to overexposure if you’re not reapplying. Some high-SPF products even use “boosters” that may make skin look protected without actually blocking long-term damage. The safest option is to reapply regularly.

If you’re interested in checking your sunscreen for all these variables, the Environmental Working Group’s annual sunscreen guide has assessed over 2,000 SPF products for safety and effectiveness. You can find a list of fully approved sunscreens and more information at ewg.org.

In summary, opt for mineral sunscreens, avoid fragrances, choose lotion over spray, and reapply often. Stay safe this summer by choosing a sunscreen you trust, use, and apply often!

By Chelsea Hafer

Utah’s Water Crisis

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Utah is the second driest state in the U.S., with a rare closed water system where northern Utah’s water recycles through the Great Salt Lake (GSL) instead of flowing to the ocean. This water cycle, along with our unique basin geography, is what gives Utah “The Greatest Snow on Earth”.

Much of Utah’s water comes from mountain snowmelt. In Salt Lake City, about 45% of snowmelt runoff is diverted into the water system—80% of which goes to agriculture, and almost half used solely for growing alfalfa. Alfalfa, a crop fed to cows and other livestock, grows quickly and has high yields, but it also uses a lot of water. This water diversion is the major contributor to the GSL shrinking more with each passing year.

As the lake dries, toxic metals like arsenic and mercury from the lakebed become airborne, threatening the health of people up to 500 miles away. If trends continue, the GSL could dry up within a decade.

In the past, the state government has offered few incentives for farmers to switch to water-saving farming methods. However, in 2020, the Department of Agriculture introduced the Water Optimization Program, which has distributed $65 million in grants for farmers to implement water-saving measures. The program is in its early stages, and most scientists agree that immediate, more drastic measures must be taken to stop the shrinking of the GSL and reduce Utah’s drought risk. However, with public support and increased funding, the program could make a huge difference.

To learn how to save water at home, visit the Utah DNR Water Conservation Website. For info on GSL advocacy, go to GrowTheFlowUtah.org or SaveOurGreatSaltLake.org.

Data sourced from the Utah Department of Natural Resources.

By Mia Moore

Water Conservation in the Yard

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Utah is the second driest state in the U.S., making water conservation critical to the sustainability of our communities. While most of our water goes to agriculture in Utah, there are still important ways you can help save water in your own homes, starting with your lawns and gardens!

One of the most effective methods is xeriscaping, a landscaping approach using drought-resistant, water-wise plants that thrive in dry climates. Xeriscaping is growing in popularity across the state, thanks in part to the Utah Landscape Conservation Incentive Program from the Utah Division of Natural Resources. This program offers financial incentives to residents who convert traditional lawns into water-efficient landscapes. To learn more or apply, visit conservewater.utah.gov/landscape-rebates.

If you’re unable to re-landscape, there are still effective ways to reduce water use in your yard. For one, water your lawn during the cooler parts of the day, ideally before 10 a.m. or after 7p.m., when less water is lost to evaporation. Many sprinkler systems can be set on a timer for convenience—just make sure they’re aimed at your lawn and not watering sidewalks or driveways.

Drip irrigation systems are another way to save on water consumption and avoid evaporation. These systems involve installing a small tube running up to an inch below the dirt to release water at a steady rate closer to the roots of the plants. Similarly, Olla’s are used to deliver water directly to the roots of plants in situations in which drip irrigation may not be ideal. This ancient technique involves burying a terracotta pot in the soil and filling it with water; the porous terracotta leaks the water to the roots of the plants at a steady rate and no water is lost to evaporation. Ollas can be purchased at many garden centers, or you can repurpose old terracotta pots on hand.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a casual lawn caretaker, there are many easy ways to help conserve water in Summit County. Every drop counts—do your part to make a difference!

By Mia Moore

Sustainable Summer Travel

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As the leaves start to bloom across Park City, we are all getting excited about summer fun! Whether you’re camping, going for a trip domestically or internationally, or even just relaxing at home, we all must maintain sustainable habits during the summer months. Summer is a time or travel, and while most of us will not take our overseas voyages by sailboat like Greta Thunberg, there are still plenty of ways to make our travel a little more eco-friendly.

These choices include (but are not limited to) the following:
● Walk and bike! In the warm parts of the year, walking and biking is an excellent method
of travel short distances, while providing much-needed endorphins!
● While camping or hiking, make sure you abide by the rules of the park or area by being
vigilant when making and extinguishing fires, and staying on the trails so you don’t tread
on growing vegetation.
● Use public transportation whenever possible.
● Carpool with friends and family to your destinations!
● If available, take the train! Trains, in most cases, are more sustainable than planes and
buses.
● If you’re traveling abroad, fly with airlines that are actively reducing their emissions through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Separately, we must also remember to maintain basic sustainable habits during the summer, such as sorting our trash into recycling and composting, limiting the use of single-use items (use reusable containers instead), thrift summer clothes, and reducing meat and water consumption.

By Grayson Rae