Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#zerowaste

Reach Out for Sustainably-Produced Goods

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Demand for recycled materials fluctuates over time. Now, because demand for cardboard is
low, our local recyclers are paying to have it stored. However, cardboard continues to be
diverted from the landfill by our local recyclers and that is an important consideration. (Like food waste, cardboard is biodegradable, and as such, produces methane gas as it breaks down.)

One market trend that remains is consumers opting to purchase sustainably-produced goods.
Sustainable shopping feels good. It reflects our concerns about the environment at a time of
dramatic climate change, of visible increases in land, air and water pollution, of a growing
scarcity of natural resources, a decrease in animal populations, and increasing reports of the ill-effects of chemical additives to a wide range of products. Our buying more sustainably-
produced goods puts pressure on retailers to purchase a larger amount and variety of recycled material. It creates new and different jobs and fosters research and product development.

In order to bolster their authenticity, loyalty, and revenue, retailers are having to pay attention to consumers increased demand for sustainable products. It is happening. There are ever more rigorously-tested, high-quality sustainably made products for sale. Read their labels and make product comparisons. Choose to be in the growing group of Americans who are shopping sustainably and know by doing so, you are increasing the demand for recycled materials.

By Bev Harrison

Ocean Awareness

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One may ask, “Why should I care about the ocean since I live in Utah?”. While the blue horizon
may not be visible to us, our daily actions ultimately affect the air we breathe, partially derived from the ocean. Our 70% blue planet regulates climate and weather patterns, sequesters heaps of carbon dioxide, is an energy resource, and provides millions of jobs, food, medicine, recreation, and energy resources. Read on for ways to keep our oceans healthy:

  1. Buy Sustainable Seafood: Look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Blue Fish
    label that identifies overfishing, conservation of essential and depleting fish habitat,
    minimizing ‘bycatch’ and protected species and creation of prosperous fishing
    communities. Currently, only 1/5 of all marine catch is MSC certified. Ask about the Blue
    Fish label at restaurants and the grocery and download the Seafoodwatch.org guide.
  2. Support Ecological Farming Methods: Sadly, animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides can
    be washed into our waterways and eventually to sea through irresponsible farming
    methods. Buy organic, learn where your food comes from (or grow your own), and ask
    about ocean-friendly farming methods.
  3. Minimize Plastic Use: It’s estimated that by 2050 our oceans will contain more plastic
    than fish by weight mainly from plastic bags, bottles, food containers and synthetic
    fishing ropes. Microplastics affect the ability of marine microorganisms, including
    essential phytoplankton, to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. A plastic-clogged
    and warming ocean will hurt plant and animal life, and ultimately humans.
    Our ocean is a powerful carbon sink and an economic and recreational paradise. Our lack of awareness could limit future generations in numerous ways. Let’s change that.

By Mary Closser

The (Un)Sustainability of Tetra Paks

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“Is this recyclable?”, “Which bin does this go in?”, and “What is this even made of?” are
questions us recyclers are often asking ourselves while we examine a package searching for
the small recycling symbol and trying to determine the material it’s made of. Recently,
packaging has become more obscure with waxy-paper-like rectangular cartons that we find in
our local stores containing non-dairy milks, broths, juices, soups, and other foods.

Cartons are made primarily with paperboard and are either aseptic or non-aseptic. Aseptic
cartons, or shelf-stable cartons, include paperboard, an internal aluminum layer, and a plastic
seal. Non-aseptic cartons, or refrigerated cartons, don’t have the aluminum layer, and thus have a shorter shelf life and require refrigeration.


When compared to glass jars, tin cans, and retort pouches, the aseptic and non-aseptic cartons require less energy to produce and are drastically lighter, making their production and transportation carbon footprint smaller. However, aseptic and non-aseptic cartons are very difficult to recycle due to their mixed-material composition.


Here in Summit County, non-aseptic cartons can be recycled as plastic, but aseptic cartons
cannot be recycled due to their aluminum lining. Tetra Pak, the Swedish-Swiss conglomerate
producing aseptic cartons, stamp the recycling symbol on their cartons but only 30% of their
cartons are actually recycled. Without a machine specialized in separating each material in an
aseptic carton, it cannot be recycled. Recycle Utah’s recommendation is to purchase your
goods in glass jars and tin cans as those are materials that can be reused and recycled without losing quality.

By Addison Marr

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

Happy (Green) Halloween!

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It’s Halloween time! Unfortunately, this season is often marked by plastic-fibered, cheaply produced costumes, masks, and decorations that are made in highly polluting overseas factories and shipped to big box stores. Americans spend billions of dollars on this stuff. And after a year or two? They throw it in the trash.

“Trick or treat!” Halloween’s #1 fun-filled activity is about collecting individual plastic-wrapped sweets in large plastic bags. And what usually happens to the leftovers? They are thrown in the trash.

Pumpkins galore! Often trucked to us from faraway commercial farms. We carve them into Halloween faces. Fun! Most end up in landfills where, like all food waste, they produce methane gas.

Make Halloween a green holiday. Organize and participate in a costume swap. Use parts of costumes to create new looks. Hit thrift shops and put costumes together from reusable materials. Make festive decorations made out of organic material. Store everything for another year. Buy locally grown pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks. Use pumpkin flesh for baking and seeds for roasting a tasty snack. Leftover pieces are nutritious food for animals such as squirrels and deer. Compost pumpkins. Use small recyclable or reusable trick or treat bags and consider how many sweets you want your children and you to eat. Don’t end up throwing out sweets in their plastic wrappers!

Enjoy the season’s experiences without the waste – Fall Harvest Festivals, Corn Mazes, Halloween Yards, BooLights, WitchFests, Pumpkin Days, hayrides, Little Haunts, Halloween Trains, Haunted Hollows, films, fun runs. Happy Halloween!

By Bev Harrison