Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#recycling

Laundry

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Laundry is something we all do habitually. Our washers and dryers are two of our household’s highest energy-consuming appliances, consistently running in our homes. A dose of creativity and change can not only save electricity, but also gas, waste and money. Read on for tips!

  1. Wash on cold. Heating water is responsible for more than 70% of a washer’s energy consumption. Ironically, some stains like sweat or blood can actually ingrain further into fabric in hot water vs cold water. Cold water washing also reduces wrinkles, fading and shrinkage.
  2. Upgrade to Energy Star. You can also look into heat pump dual washer/dryer options or a heat pump dryer. Efficiency is affected by design, age, and settings used. Run machines during ‘off-peak’ hours if possible, after 10 pm or mid-day.
  3. Ditch fabric softeners. They are an extra expense and can leave residue in the wash. Try old, faithful, and inexpensive white vinegar instead. Similarly, ditch dryer sheets and replace them with natural wool dryer balls to reduce static and drying time. Don’t forget to regularly clean the lint filter to maximize dryer efficiency!
  4. Reduce plastic waste by transitioning from large plastic jugs (often laden with chemicals) to washing sheets, tablets, pods, or eggs. After experimentation, my family settled on an egg in combination with homemade powder detergent.
  5. Re-wear clothes if possible before filling the washer load and use drying racks or clotheslines! Utah air dries clothes in no time and preserves quality.

Finally, how do we reduce microplastics (often from nylon, polyester, and acrylic clothing) from entering our laundry? The best options are to wash less, use full loads and cold water, use less detergent in front-loading washers, hang dry, use a microplastic filter bag or attachment filter, and buy more clothing made from natural materials.

Change is challenging. But like seasons, relationships, technology, or weather, change surrounds us. The time has come to step out of our habitual boxes and shake things up to grow with the times, for our planet, pocketbook, and health. Good luck and have fun!

By Mary Closser

A Sustainable Back-to-School Season!

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As the back-to-school season approaches, it’s a great time to make mindful choices that benefit both kids and the environment! Back-to-school shopping is often a time when we over consume, buying items that aren’t needed or that we could easily buy used. Here are a few ideas for more sustainable shopping this back-to-school season!

Before heading to the store, take inventory of last year’s supplies. Many items, such as backpacks, lunch boxes, folders, binders, and scissors, can often be reused. With a little care, these items can serve your child well for another school year, reducing waste and saving money. When searching for replacements or back-to-school clothes, check out the Christian Center, Recycle Utah, or Habitat for Humanity’s thrift stores! You can even try having a kids’ clothing exchange with friends to freshen up your child’s closet and give clothes a new life.

When shopping for new school supplies, keep an eye out for supplies made from recycled or sustainable materials. Sprout World sells biodegradable pencils made from sustainably forested wood. Decomposition books are unique notebooks made from recycled paper that also happens to be compostable and non-toxic. Onyx + Green offers a variety of sustainable school supplies, most of which are made of recycled materials. They offer everything from backpacks to erasers to notebooks, so be sure to take a look at their website if you’re looking for more sustainable options for school supplies.

There’s also a lot of growth for more sustainability in how we pack school lunches. The first step is switching to a reusable lunch box. After this, you can switch to reusable, washable containers – check out fulFILLed in the Outlets for non-toxic, durable containers. If this isn’t an option for you, you can start switching out plastic bags, like Ziplocs, to paper or compostable sandwich and snack bags.

Finally, be smart about how you shop. Always buy the supplies you use most in bulk to avoid excess packaging. Try to buy products that use minimal or recycled packaging when possible. Buy high-quality products that you can rely on over cheaper alternatives that break easily. It’s worth the investment to buy longer-lasting products, both for your wallet and for the planet. This back-to-school season, shop smart. As always, the choices we make when shopping can make a lasting impact on the planet, and set good examples for future generations.

By Chelsea Hafer

What Happens to your Trash and Recycling?

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You’ve probably been told countless times that you must monitor your plastic consumption, recycle, and compost. It would be a lot more beneficial for America if people knew the reason why.

What happens to your trash and recycling after it gets picked up? Many Americans don’t know the answer. For people living along the Wasatch Back, when your recycling is picked up it is taken to a transfer station in which it will be sorted and recyclables such as plastic, cardboard, paper, and aluminum, are sent to processing plants and recycled. When your garbage is picked up, it is brought to a landfill where it is dumped into a cell, and hard soil is placed on top of it as a cap. Other safeguards such as liners and detention pools prevent harmful substances from polluting the soil and creating harmful run-off.

Waste has very negative effects on the environment. Per year, an estimated 14 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans one way or another. Massive landfills emit carbon dioxide and methane through the breaking down of waste. Overall, waste production and removal are a problematic situation worldwide. Individuals can help by recycling and composting, but the best thing to do is always monitor what and how much you are throwing away.

By Grayson Rae, Sophomore at Park City High School

Unwrapping a Greener Holiday: Sustainable Tips for a Merry Christmas

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Watching the snow build on the mountains has many of us getting excited for ski season, as well as the holidays! However, it’s crucial to be mindful of the environmental impact that often accompanies the festivities. Household waste surges by 25% in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, contributing to a staggering 100 million tons of extra trash in landfills each week. This year let’s collectively celebrate an eco-friendlier holiday season.

Consider your Christmas tree source! An artificial tree produces less waste, but it takes about 10 Christmases for the carbon footprint of your fake tree to be lower than real trees due to the chemicals used in their manufacturing. If you’re buying a fresh tree, plan to compost it after the holidays. Trees can be dropped at the base of PC Hill through the end of January or in various locations around Summit County.

Minimize holiday waste by choosing recycled and recyclable Christmas cards or opting for e-cards to reduce paper waste. Get creative with sustainable wrapping alternatives like brown craft paper, old maps, scarves, or reusable cloth bags. Dispose of old electronic devices responsibly by bringing them to Recycle Utah. When making room for this year’s gifts, donate used items to the Christian Center or Recycle Utah to keep them out of the landfill.

When gifting, consider zero waste options like concert tickets, museum visits, or gift cards. Craft handmade gifts to add a personal touch and reduce reliance on mass-produced items. Prioritize fair trade products made with recycled or renewable materials, supporting ethical business practices. Shop locally to support community businesses, and if shopping online, choose retailers specializing in sustainable and handcrafted items to reduce the carbon footprint.

This holiday season let’s give our community the gift of sustainability and make choices that positively impact our environment. By adopting these tips, we can celebrate a joyous and eco-friendly Christmas, creating traditions that prioritize both the well-being of our planet and the happiness of our loved ones. Celebrate the season responsibly and leave a legacy of sustainable practices for future generations.

By Chelsea Hafer

Transportation and Climate Change

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How are you getting to where you need to go? In Park City, transportation is a commonly debated subject, and a great opportunity to be more sustainable. During the winter, thousands of skiers flock to the mountain resorts and, as locals know, this causes major inconveniences such as traffic and parking space. Ski transportation is not only a logistical problem, but also a catalyst in contributing to global warming.

Transportation is the largest contributor to carbon emissions compared to any other emitter in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Transportation says, “The average passenger car in the United States produces just under one pound of carbon dioxide per mile traveled.” Meanwhile, similar statistics show that per passenger mile, bus transit produces 33% less greenhouse gas emissions. It may be a slight inconvenience to drive to a Park-n-Ride, or to take Park City transit, but overall it can be a more convenient option, especially when the parking lots are all full within a mile radius of the ski resorts. Having a more open mindset about public transportation can make getting to the mountain a less stressful process and can decrease your carbon footprint. Carpooling is also an excellent option!

Additionally, mountain biking culture here in Park City offers wonderful opportunities to reduce your carbon footprint. Shoutout to all bikers (competitive or just recreational), who choose to bike to their destinations. Although it may not be as fast, biking is a great way to get exercise while getting to your destination. Depending on where you live in Park City, it can be an even quicker form of transportation while avoiding all the car traffic. 

So overall what can you do to travel more sustainably?

  • Carpool!
  • Use public transportation.
  • Bike or walk.
  • If you’re considering purchasing a new vehicle, try getting a low-emission one. Visit epa.gov/greenvehicles.

By Grayson Rae, Sophomore at Park City High School

Talking About Climate Change

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How often do you talk about climate change or hear someone else talk about it? If you responded, “not much,” you are not alone. Only 24% of Americans have heard Climate Change discussed in their social circle.

To stop the goliath that is climate change, we need to talk about the issue and solutions. We also need to get as many people on board with climate initiatives as possible, including people who are otherwise unmotivated or unconvinced of the need to act. The only way to do that is, you guessed it, to talk about it. So, how should we go about this?

  1. Have non-judgmental discussions. Open-minded discussions about emotional topics lead to lasting opinion changes and increased concern about an issue. They increase the chances that participants want to act.
  2. Focus on values and personal experiences. In climate discussions, this could mean talking about family, religion, community, recreation, patriotism, and how climate change affects them all.
  3. Rather than focusing on doom and gloom facts, be optimistic. Discuss the potential for solutions that benefit not just the planet, but also our economy, health, and equality.

Here is the best part about all of this: those who we talk to about climate change then discuss it with their social circle, creating a positive feedback loop. Only 22% of those who rarely discuss climate change talk about it with their family and friends, while 76% of those who discuss climate change at least once a month talk about it to their family and friends.

So, let’s all challenge ourselves to talk to someone about climate change and see where the action takes us.

Montana Burack, Senior at Park City High School