Recycle Utah

Nonprofit Summit County, Utah Recycling Center

#zerowaste

The Plastic Crisis: Unseen Threats and Urgent Solutions

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We’ve all heard that plastics are bad for the environment, but do we truly understand why?

Every day, we unknowingly consume microplastics, while animals on land and in water are
ingesting, choking on, and becoming entangled in plastic waste. As a result, habitats are being
destroyed, and species are dying at alarming rates. While these issues are visible, there’s much more beneath the surface.


Virtually all plastic is made from petrochemicals derived from crude oil and natural gas. While
manufacturing plastics, enormous amounts of energy are spent, while unwelcome GHG
(greenhouse gas) is discharged into the air. If our plastic consumption continues unchecked and production expands as planned by the fossil fuel industry, the consequences for our planet and our health will be devastating. By 2030, emissions from plastic production could surpass 40 times the total emissions generated by all fossil fuel vehicles in the U.S. in 2022.

Beyond pollution and emissions, plastics expose us to toxic chemicals throughout their life
cycle—during production, use, and disposal. More than 2,000 chemicals used in plastic
manufacturing are now recognized as hazardous to human health. Even more alarming, nano-
plastics—microscopic particles from plastics—can enter our bodies through food, water, and
even the air we breathe. Researchers are only beginning to understand how much nano-plastics and toxic chemicals accumulate in our organs—and the damage they may cause to our health.

Although it will be hard, if not impossible, for humans to live without plastics, there is a class of plastics that we can absolutely live without. Single use plastics amplify the detriments caused by plastics while encouraging the use-once-then-toss culture.

Our climate is already experiencing the severe consequences of poor environmental
stewardship. The future of our children, and the life of the once plentiful and healthy planetary ecosystem we depend on, is at stake. But there’s good news: by changing our habits and demanding action from corporations, we can shift the trajectory away from environmental disaster and toward a sustainable future.

By Kathryn Kim

The Environmental Impact of AI

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AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to computer programs that can mimic human intelligence and reasoning, allowing them to “think independently” as a human would. The real-world applications of AI have increased substantially in the last 20 years as technology becomes
progressively more complex. AI excels at detecting patterns and trends in data, which is very
beneficial for analyzing different types of information for varying fields.


Researchers and environmentalists have identified several major environmental concerns with AI. AI server centers use billions of tons of water per day. The computers that run AI servers generate lots of heat, and to cool these servers, fresh water is pumped through tubes running around the service centers. Unsustainable use of this water can lead to large amounts of waste. Globally, AI-related infrastructures are estimated by the UN Environmental Programme to use 6 times the amount of water as the whole country of Denmark.

Secondly, server centers use huge amounts of electricity in the form of running computer
programming units. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2026, nearly 35% of
Ireland’s (a major technology hub) energy could be consumed by data centers. AI has also
prompted major development. AI data centers have more than tripled in the last 20 years,
requiring new space and materials, resulting in deforestation and the loss of wild spaces.
Lastly, these new data centers need new computers, which increases the demand for rare raw
materials (such as mercury and lead) to build motherboards and computers. These can be
costly to mine for and recycle.

AI can certainly be a great tool for scholars and the public alike; however, it must be used
responsibly as we work to solve the current environmental concerns. Keep in mind the
environmental costs of AI as you use it in your daily life, and when it might not be necessary to
use AI, think about switching to a less environmentally costly option, such as a simple internet
search.

By Mia Moore

Sustainable Coffee: Simple Steps for a Greener Morning

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Coffee – that special liquid that coaxes us from slumber through its aroma and taste every
morning. Have you ever thought about the associated waste with this daily ritual? While our
consumption differs, my general calculation reveals one 10-ounce bag of java per week for two coffee drinkers in a home.

Imagine 52 of these bags in the landfill, just from your household! Sadly, the packaging requires an aluminum barrier to protect the coffee properly, and that thin layer of aluminum is adhered to polyester film, making the packaging unrecyclable as a mixed material.

What can we do about this? Stop drinking coffee and switch to compostable tea bags, packaged in paper? Perhaps. The good news is that there are sustainable options, though they require some work, creativity, and new habits.

  1. Buy coffee beans in bulk and refill them in your own glass, tin, or plastic container. I use
    two tin cans and alternate refilling them with bulk coffee from The Market. Not all stores
    offer this, so you’ll need to call around. Check out Hello Bulk in SLC for many other bulk
    products. Or, you can directly purchase from a shop or manufacturer that roasts on-site.
    If they currently bag coffee, request a more environmental alternative.
  2. Find alternatives to using pods for single-use coffee machines, at home or work.
    Reusable coffee filters are available to wash and reuse instead of sending them to the
    landfill.
  3. Speak up to your favorite coffee manufacturer or local café. Consider changing to a
    different manufacturer that is more sustainable (and let the old one know why you
    changed). Make positive suggestions.

    Coffee is an industry riddled with single-use satisfaction, with the numerous to-go cups, lids, K-cups, and coffee bags landing in landfills. Don’t forget your reusable mug. Ditch the K-cups. Buy beans in bulk. Compost beans and compostable filters. Finally, buy light or medium roast to save energy and enhance caffeine intake!

By Mary Closser

Retailers Recycle Your Plastic Bags—IF You Do It Right

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Ever wonder what happens to those plastic bags you stuff into the recycling containers at retailers? The ones you sometimes have to hunt for near the store’s entryway? These bins aren’t just for shopping bags—they’re for all sorts of stretchy plastic film, like shopping and home shipping bags, bread bags, frozen food bags, zip-lock bags, sandwich bags, produce bags, kitchen wrap, dry cleaning bags, and bubble wrap. But not everything belongs here—leave out cellophane (it tears and isn’t stretchy) and snack wrappers (they’re often too small or made of mixed materials).

This “plastic film packaging”, made from stretchy polyethylene, is recyclable at many retailers and drop-off centers, including Recycle Utah in Park City. A local retailer explained that collected material is gathered into huge shipping bags, combined with the store’s own plastic packaging waste, and transported to facilities. There, it’s sorted, baled, and processed into plastic pellets. These pellets are used to make new products, including plastic bags and synthetic lumber for fencing, decking, and outdoor furniture.

To ensure your plastic film can be recycled, it must be clean, dry, and meet the location’s guidelines. Contaminants like food, liquids, or non-recyclable items can ruin a load, making it unusable and destined for the landfill. If you’re ever unsure, it’s better to throw it out than risk contamination.

One of the biggest players in recycling this material is Trex, a manufacturer of durable composite lumber. According to Trex, a 500-square-foot deck contains approximately 140,000 recycled plastic bags! Since its founding in 1996, the company has diverted more than 5 billion pounds of plastic bags and film from landfills.

Trex has partnered with retailers and businesses to make plastic film recycling more accessible. To find a nearby drop-off location, visit nextrex.com. Smith’s stores, for example, are Trex recycling partners, making it easy for you to recycle responsibly.

By Bev Harrison

Eco-Friendly Hot Tubbing

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Hot tubs can be a great way to rest and relax outside during the winter, especially in Summit County’s colder climate. Like with all recreational activities, there are ways to make your home hot tub less environmentally impactful and less expensive. If you are thinking of purchasing a standalone hot tub for your home or have one in place already, these are some of the most important things you can do to reduce the environmental impact of your hot tub!

First, if purchasing a new hot tub, look for one with an Energy Star rating. Energy Star ratings denote appliances with high energy-efficiency levels. They can be a great way to reduce energy use and prolong the life of your appliance. Furthermore, look for a location in your backyard shielded from high levels of direct wind. This will aid your hot tub in heat insulation and require less overall heating.

If you already have a hot tub in your backyard, there are other things you can do to ensure it is as energy-efficient as possible. Off-peak hours are the times of day when energy from the grid is the least expensive. In Summit County, those times are typically 6 AM-10 AM and 5 PM-9 PM. Reduce the time your heating and cleaning cycles are running on your hot tub by changing them to off-peak hours. Scheduling your hours of hot tub use around off-peak hours means you can reduce the energy consumption of your hot tub and save money on the energy you use.

 Additionally, you can turn down or off your hot tub’s heating and pumping cycles if you are planning on being away from home for a few days. Don’t forget to drain your hot tub if there is a chance it might freeze. Lastly, purchasing a hot tub floating blanket or insulated cover can make a huge difference in how your hot tub insulates when it is not in use, look for ones on the used market to reduce consumption and save money!

By Mia Moore

Sustainable Ski Gear 

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Sustainable Ski Gear When we think about skiing or snowboarding, we often picture fun trips with friends or locals hitting the slopes regularly. However, many people overlook the environmental impact of ski and snowboard gear. For example, jackets and pants are often made with “forever chemicals”, also known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals don’t break down easily and can persist in the environment and human bodies for decades, contaminating water, soil, air, and living organisms.

Although the ski and snowboard industry has taken steps toward eco-friendliness, navigating these options can sometimes be confusing. So, what can you do to help?

Start by supporting eco-conscious brands. Arc’teryx has made significant strides in sustainability, using more sustainable fabrics like “bluesign® certified” materials, which reduce harmful chemicals during production. Brands like K2, Salomon, and Lib Tech are also moving toward greener options.

K2 uses eco-friendly resins in many of its skis and snowboards, reducing the environmental impact compared to traditional petroleum-based resins. Salomon is minimizing waste by switching to 100% recycled paper and cardboard for packaging, reducing their footprint in shipping and retail processes.

Lib Tech is another leader in sustainability, known for using FSC-certified wood in their snowboard and ski cores. This ensures the wood is responsibly sourced without contributing to deforestation.

These brands, along with others, are actively working to reduce their environmental impact. By choosing gear from these eco-conscious companies, you can help support more sustainable practices in the winter sports industry. It’s important to do your research and support brands that prioritize sustainability!

By Uliana Moshina