CLIMATE RESILIENCE
RECYCLING MOUNTAINS … OF WASTE
PARK CITY, UTAH, UNITED STATES
When you travel, be aware of how packaging, food waste and single-use products can affect the place you visit. Park City, Utah, is a good place to learn how you can advocate for a reduced-waste future at home.
What's
changing
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected worldwide every year. Decaying organic matter in this garbage is likely responsible for 5% of greenhouse gas emissions. Circular economy principles can chip away at this massive amount of waste, and grassroots initiatives can divert waste from landfills.
What's already
possible
In 1991, Recycle Utah began operations in Park City with a group of residents working to bring recycling to their community. After 33 years, their efforts have been the impetus for the municipality’s goal of zero waste and for the surrounding Summit County’s goal of zero food waste by 2030. Recycle Utah is a showcase for how organizations can work with governments to pursue common goals.
Seizing
the opportunity
Recycle Utah operates a recycling center where more than 45 types of waste are accepted. The group also operates glass recycling bins, runs a thrift store stocked with recycled items, provides paper shredding services and sells packs of donated moving boxes. Recycle Utah provides information about composting to support the area’s goal of zero food waste by 2030 and their Green Business program helps businesses in Summit County achieve zero carbon and zero waste operations.
Standout
tactic
During winter months, Recycle Utah collects unwanted skis, snowboards and poles and sells them. Skis and snowboards cost 10 U.S. dollars and a set of poles is US$2. Any unsold gear goes to upcycle organizations that refurbish snowboards or help with making the outdoors accessible to all income groups.
How
it helps
In 2023, the center recycled 1,675 tons of waste. About 400 people go to the recycling center daily with most coming from Summit and Wasatch counties that are home to more than 77,000 people. The center has tracked how much waste they process each year, and numbers dropped slightly in 2023 from a peak in 2021. This could mean that people are either using the system less or that they are generating less waste.
Diving
deeper
In 2021, Beyond Plastics reported that 5% to 6% of plastics in the United States were made into new products. With a circular economy, how can you ensure the demand for recycled plastics is sufficient to absorb the volume of material available.
Increasing
impact
Some packaging is marked as recyclable, but it is not always possible. Recycle Utah has a list of what can and cannot be recycled. For example, Tetra Paks that include paper, plastic and aluminum have a recycle symbol, but only 30% can be. Many recycling centers cannot process packaging with multiple materials. Governments should take a leading role in forcing packaging and recycling processes to be compatible.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
