Simple behavior changes can save a lot of energy. In fact implementing a few energy efficiency measures can have a measurable impact on your carbon footprint. VCBO Architecture shows us what they did at their workplace in our latest blog collaboration with SLC’s Department of Economic Development!
Author Archives: slcgreen
Sustainability Saturday: Green Fleets – Save Money and Clear the Air
We’re excited to talk about “fleets” this week on the Economic Development blog. It’s a subject near and dear to our hearts. Why? Because the purchasing decisions a businesses or government makes on vehicles can have a big impact on air quality and climate. The same goes for individuals.
And one of the most exciting things is the wide range of options, resources, and discounts available! Read on for more ideas.
Halloween Decorating! SLCgreen Style
Halloween is right around the corner! Have you finished your decorations yet?
The City & County Building is having a door decorating competition between departments (never mind that the building itself might be haunted….!)
Of course, here at the Sustainability Department we know it’s important to “walk our talk” in terms of decorating with reused, compostable, and recyclable goods to keep material out of the landfill.
In the process, we had a fun time using our creativity (and Google) to come up with some cool ways to spookishly decorate. Here are some tips for your home or office: Continue reading
Sustainability Saturday: Take Advantage of SLC’s Sustainability Assets
Does SLC’s commitment to sustainability improve your quality of life? Does it make Salt Lake City a better place to live and work? We think so! Check out our latest blog with SLC Economic Development on how and why businesses should seek out and take advantage of our city’s “sustainability assets.”
#e2business #SustainableBusiness #SustainableCity #LiveWorkPlay
It’s Leaf Season!
Fall is here in Salt Lake City and leaves are beginning to drop.
This is a friendly reminder to please use your brown compost bin to dispose of leaves. The brown bins go to the compost facility at the Salt Lake Valley landfill, keeping this methane-producing organic material out of the traditional landfill.
Keep Leaves Out of Your Gutter and the Storm Drains
#UtahClimateWeek: What Can You Do?
We’re in the middle of Climate Week in Utah! Our events have been a great success so far and we are looking forward to the rest of the week’s activities.
Today we want to focus on what you can do to combat climate change. Of course, national and international policies make a huge difference in how many emissions global society ultimately cuts in the coming years.
But each of us can also play a role. Here’s how:
Calculate your carbon footprint
Measure your impact with this comprehensive carbon footprint calculator for individuals and households. It will show you how your consumption habits compare to national and global averages and give you suggestions on how to offset your carbon footprint. SLCgreen also has a handy list of household actions you can take to reduce your impact.
Knowledge is power
Misinformation on climate change is all-too-prevalent. Be informed. Check multiple sources focusing on articles which cite and list scientific studies. Here is a sample of some reputable sites, documentaries, and books:
Walk the talk
Transportation plays a big role in our carbon footprint. The western states have all been working to install more electric vehicle infrastructure, making it a viable and increasingly affordable option for Utahns. Consider an EV next time you are purchasing a car.
Don’t discount the big impact that walking, taking public transit (HIVE passes are great for this), or riding a Greenbike can have on your carbon footprint!
Back-to-Basics with Recycling and the City’s Business Recycling Ordinance
Check out a recent blog post from Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Department on the Business Recycling Ordinance!
And if you’re a business or multi-family property in Salt Lake City that has questions about the ordinance or starting a recycling program, mark your calendar for two upcoming workshops:
October 26
When: Thursday, October 26, 2017, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Salt Lake City Main Library, Room A (Level 1). See list of room locations here.
What: Salt Lake City Waste & Recycling staff will present the details of complying with the ordinance and answer any questions you may have.
November 30
When: Thursday, November 30, 2017, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Salt Lake City Main Library, Room A (Level 1). See list of room locations here.
What: Salt Lake City Waste & Recycling staff will present the details of complying with the ordinance and answer any questions you may have.
SLCgreen’s Tyler Poulson talks #UtahClimateWeek and Clean Energy with HEAL Utah
SLCgreen staff member Tyler Poulson on a tour of a large solar farm in Parowan, Utah, 2015.
Check out Tyler Poulson, Salt Lake City’s sustainability program manager, on the HEAL Utah podcast! He chats with HEAL’s Matt Pacenza about several key climate and energy issues including Utah Climate Week, coming up October 8-14. Tyler also offers his take on the recent rooftop solar settlement reached between Rocky Mountain Power and other stakeholders.
For more information about all of the interesting activities occurring during Utah Climate Week, visit the website of the Utah Climate Action Network.
Announcing Utah Climate Week– October 8-14!
We’re excited to announce Utah’s first Climate Week, with events from Ogden to Orem and here in the capital city!
Organized by the Utah Climate Action Network, Utah Clean Energy, and Salt Lake City, Climate Week will provide an inspiring opportunity for community members to learn of the risks and breakthrough solutions to climate change.
Click here for a full list of events, and take note of an interesting panel we’ll be part of on October 12: Utah’s Clean Energy Future.
Mayor Biskupski will offer opening remarks on our Climate Positive goals and SLCgreen team member Tyler Poulson will participate on the panel discussing what cities in Utah are doing to transition to clean energy. Other panelists include HEAL Utah, the Sierra Club, and Rocky Mountain Power. Utah Clean Energy will moderate the discussion.
What: Utah’s Clean Energy Future
When: Thursday, October 12, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Salt Lake City Main Library Auditorium (210 E 400 S)
Learn more in the press release below.
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Cider Pressing Day
This week, SLCgreen FruitShare partner The Green Urban Lunch Box and Mountain West Hard Cider are inviting volunteers to help press locally harvested apples into the second edition of The Green Urban Lunch Box Hard Cider.
The collaboration between the local non-profit and local business began last year and was a natural solution to the problem of what to do with fruit that’s not high enough quality for eating or donating, but is perfect for juice. What a creative way to minimize food waste!
Harvesting about 9,000 pounds of fruit from 50 various locations across the Salt Lake Valley and even a bit beyond, The Green Urban Lunch Box pressed approximately 350 gallons of juice in 2016. A crew of six staff members and two faithful volunteers spent two 12-hour days pressing apples, while almost 400 volunteers put in more than 1,500 hours to pick fruit that contributed to this juice.
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