Category Archives: Recycling & Waste

Recycle Snapshot: Pharmaceutical Waste

Pharmaceutical Waste

Status: Use caution

Likes: Nurses, doctors, helping others

About: Honestly, my only real life goal is to help people feel better. The tricky part is getting rid of me; you can’t just throw me out like you would for anything else. I won’t stand for it!

When we’re through, drop me off at any Salt Lake City Police station and they will dispose of me from there. NEVER flush me down the drain, I’ll cause all kinds of problems. Just remember — when dealing with me, it’s best we work together: I’ll help you, you help me. Agreed?

Recycle Snapshot: Compost

Compost

Status: Brown Bin

Interested in: Soil amendment

Likes: Brown bins, the outdoors, food

About: Earth and I grew up as childhood sweethearts, and we’ve been together ever since. She provides for me, and I give back to her. From eggshells to tea bags, and leaves to coffee grounds, we’re basically the best green team around! You might be surprised by just how much we can actually handle.

Recycle Snapshot: Glass

Glass Bottles

Status: Curbside glass bin or drop off site

Interested in: Bottles

Likes: Windows, recycled glass art

About: I’m a little too individual to be tied down. I need to be separate from the crowds. It’s kind of a shame though, because I can get prettier and prettier over the years, so long as I get to be recycled! In my opinion, I think plastics get a little jealous…oh well. Besides, it’s better that I get reformed than to waste my time in a dump for at least one million years. I may seem a little high-maintenance to some, but trust me, I’m well worth it.

Your Trash is Beautiful – Why Waste It?

Have you spotted the new truck wraps on Salt Lake City’s Sanitation vehicles?

Yes, your trash is beautiful!

We’re asking Salt Lake City residents to take a second look at the things they are throwing in the trash. Did you know that 60% of your household garbage… isn’t?

Curbside Recycling

Let’s get real, we all know that cardboard and plastic bottles should be recycled. But what about that Styrofoam, plastic bag, plastic utensils and juice carton? Well, they ALL can go in your curbside recycling bin in Salt Lake City!

Once you explore all the items that should be recycled, you’ll realize just how little should be going into your curbside garbage bin.

Here’s a fun little rhyme about the big plastic question…

Plastic number make you wonder? Throw it in the big blue bin!

Seriously, if it is made out of plastic — recycle it.

Explore all the items that can be recycled in your blue bin.

Curbside Compost

Otherwise known as the yard waste bin, or the tan can, the brown bin accepts grass clippings, twigs, branches, raw fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells and tea bags.

Think of it as your friendly backyard compost bin, but picked up weekly!

Explore the items that can be composted in your brown bin.

The City is currently exploring our options to expand the materials excepted in the curbside compost bin, so stay tuned…

Bin Guides — Learn What Goes into Each Bin (w/pictures!)

Here are some handy flyers that outline what should go in each curbside bin. Any questions? Just ask us!

Spring Cleaning: Our Guide to Clearing Out Your Clutter!

Donate old toys to a local charity. Photo credit: David Zellaby via Flickr.

Donate old toys to a local charity. Photo credit: David Zellaby via Flickr.

[We stopped by KUTV 2News to share these tips. Watch the segment!]

Spring is in full swing in Salt Lake City. If you’ve caught the spring cleaning bug, we’ve got some tips on how to clean out your clutter without sending items to the landfill.

Books

Before tossing them, check to see if they are in relatively good condition. If so, donate them to a local charity for resale. If your books are beyond repair, put them in your curbside recycling bin.

Toys

If you have toys that are in good condition, considering posting them on KSL.com or Craigslist for some extra cash.

Or give them away to a family with young children — you might even be able to arrange a swap! And you can always donate them to a local charity so they can find new life.

Toys that have seen their last playtime can often be recycled. A great example — any toys made entirely of plastic.

Electronics

If your old TV, computer, mobile phone, etc. is still in working order, donate it!

If these items are no longer functional, recycle them responsibly at one of SLCgreen’s e-waste recycling events this summer. All events run from 8 a.m. to noon at the following Smith’s Food & Drug locations:

  • May 17: 455 S 500 East
  • June 21: 876 E 800 South
  • July 19: 1174 W 600 North
  • August 16: 455 S 500 East

More information, including a list of acceptable items.

Furniture

Furniture in good condition can be sold on KSL.com or Craiglist. Donation is another excellent option.

If your furniture is broken, it is an acceptable item to place on the curb during your Salt Lake City Neighborhood Cleanup Day.

Cleaning Supplies

After you clear out your clutter, it’s time to clean things up! We recommend using green cleaning alternatives. Check out this blog for more details, including recipes to make your own green cleaner.

Rx Safe Disposal Event Tomorrow!

pills

Do you have old, unwanted or expired medications cluttering up your cupboards?

Stop by the City & County Building (450 South 200 East) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26th. Drop offs will be accepted on the east side of the building.

This is part of the National Take Back Initiative. All Salt Lake County collection sites are below:

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH POLICE DEPARTMENT UNIVERSITY OF UTAH POLICE DEPARTMENT 1735 E. SOUTH CAMPUS DRIVE SALT LAKE CITY UT, 84112 6 mi. Map
SALT LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CITY AND COUNTY BUILDING
EAST SIDE OF BUILDING		 452 SOUTH STATE SALT LAKE CITY UT, 84114 9 mi. Map
BOUNTIFUL POLICE DEPARTMENT SMITH’S FOOD AND DRUG 555 SOUTH 200 WEST BOUNTIFUL UT, 84010 8 mi. Map
SOUTH SALT LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT RITE AID 3300 SOUTH 700 EAST SOUTH SALT LAKE UT, 84115 11 mi. Map
SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SMITHS FOOD AND DRUG 1725 WEST UINTA WAY PARK CITY UT, 84098 11 mi. Map
MURRAY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT MURRAY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
BACK PARKING LOT		 5025 SOUTH STATE STREET