Category Archives: Recycling & Waste

#WhyWasteIt? An inside look at the recycling process

Guest blog from Katie McKeon of Momentum Recycling

In response to increasing community demand for better glass recycling options, Momentum Recycling built a state-of-the-art glass recycling plant in Salt Lake City in 2012.

Here’s an inside look at the glass recycling process!

Continue reading →

#WhyWasteIt? The Logistics of Glass Collection

Here’s the scoop on the logistics of curbside glass collection. For program details, including information on how to sign up, check out “The Basics of Curbside Glass.”

Guest blog by Katie McKeon of Momentum Recycling.

The curbside glass recycling is a once per month collection that does not occur on your standard garbage day.

We have divided up the City into 20 different service zones, each having their own glass pick up date. Check out the map below to find your neighborhood glass pick up date. Continue reading →

#WhyWasteIt? Glass Recycling in SLC

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Glass has a checkered past in Salt Lake City. It has been only recently that the City, through a close partnership with Momentum Recycling, has offered a voluntary curbside recycling service to residents.

One of the most common questions we are asked is “Why can’t I recycle my glass in the blue bin?” Many cities throughout the country offer glass recycling in the mixed recycling bin.

So why not Salt Lake City? Continue reading →

SLC Seeking Comments on Proposed Business Recycling Ordinance

Photo: IntelFreePress via Flickr.

Recycling stations at Moscone Convetion Center to help achieve 75% waste diversion, as mandated by city of San Francisco. Photo: IntelFreePress via Flickr.

Did you know? The waste diversion rate for Salt Lake City homes hovers around 38%. This means that roughly 38% of all waste collected through the City’s residential collection program is recycled or composted.

Now compare that to the estimated 10% diversion rate for Salt Lake City businesses.

In an effort to increase business and multi-family (i.e. apartment) recycling rates, Salt Lake City is proposing a new Business & Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance that would require property owners or managers where 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste are generated per week to:

  • Subscribe to a recycling collection service from an authorized waste hauler.
  • Designate area(s) for recycling containers.
  • Implement a recycling program for use by occupants, employees or residents that is as convenient as trash collection.
  • Distribute educational recycling information to occupants, employees or residents annually.

Continue reading →

Zero Waste Awards & Trashed Film Screening

Hosted by the Utah Recycling Alliance (URA)

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Brewvies Cinema Pub (677 South 200 West)

$5 admission includes one free drink ticket, two raffle tickets and an evening of entertainment! RSVP to the Facebook event.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UM73CEvwMY&w=560&h=315]

Continue reading →

Extra ‘Leaves Only’ Bins Now Available

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Crisp air, bright colors and falling leaves — fall is in full swing in Salt Lake City!

But what should you do with all of those extra leaves?

  1. Place them in your curbside compost bin (i.e. tan can) for weekly pick up. Raking weekly should keep your leaves from piling up.
  2. Try composting your leaves at home with a backyard compost bin, or by mulching them into your grass, flower beds or gardens. Gotta love free soil amendment!
  3. Request an extra ‘leaves only’ bin.

Starting today, Salt Lake City is offering special ‘leaves only’ bins by request. Here are some quick facts about the program:

  • Bins will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
  • ‘Leaves only’ bins are provided free of charge and are intended to supplement resident’s curbside compost bin in the event of excess leaves.
  • Bins will be collected weekly on your curbside collection day throughout the fall.

To request your ‘leaves only’ bin, call (801) 535-6999 or email SLCgreen@slcgov.com.  Please provide your name, address and phone number.

Questions? Let us know!

Glass recycling made easy – we can do better than 6%!

This is a guest blog post by Katie McKeon of Momentum Recycling, Salt Lake City’s contracted glass recycling services provider.

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How many of these items do you consume?

glassrecyclingratesHere at Momentum Recycling, we often hear people say they don’t use much glass. Most people think of glass bottles and immediately think of alcoholic beverages. While we receive a fair share of this type of glass, there is also quite a bit of glass out there that goes unnoticed.  Recycling just one of these glass containers saves enough energy to:

  • Light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours
  • Power a computer for 30 minutes
  • Power a television for 20 minutes

Continue reading →

What goes in your bin?

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Salt Lake City Green is asking residents one very important question — “What goes in your curbside bin?”

The survey is part of an effort to improve Salt Lake City’s curbside garbage, recycling and composting services.

In the coming months, residents will see a fresh, retooled #WhyWasteIt campaign roll out on Salt Lake City Sanitation trucks, social media and more. The campaign will be focus on optimizing the curbside programs and diverting as much waste as possible from the landfill.

Do you have 60 seconds to spare? Then let us know what goes in your curbside bin!

Tips to Green Your Lunchbox

Fall is in the air!

With kids heading back to school, Salt Lake City parents will once again be packing lunches for them. Which makes it the perfect time for SLCgreen to share our tips for a healthy and waste-free packed lunched!

[VIDEO: Check out our segment with KUTV 2News This Morning]

1. Food First

ChooseMyPlate.gov has a lot of helpful advice on food groups, including suggestions on variety and tips to help you (and your kids) eat more fruits and vegetables. Check out the fantastic 2013 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Cookbook containing 54 winning recipes from America’s junior chefs (PDF).

Did you know that the average meal travels 1500 miles to reach your plate? Local food travels shorter distances and therefore has a lower environmental impact. Consider sourcing your ingredients from local producers – Farmers Markets are a great place to start.

2. Ditch the Disposables & Save Money

Let’s compare the cost of a reusable lunch versus one that uses disposable goods. Learn more from WasteFreeLunches.org.

A Disposable Lunch

1 egg salad sandwich $1.25
1 yogurt .85
1 granola bar .45
1 apple .30
1 package of carrots and dip .65
3 plastic bags .12
1 juice pouch .35
1 plastic spoon .04
1 paper napkin .01
TOTAL $4.02
A Waste-free Lunch

1 egg salad sandwich $1.25
1 serving of yogurt .50
1 serving of granola .35
1 apple .30
1 serving of carrots and dip .25
water 0
cloth napkin 0
stainless steel spoon 0
packaging 0
TOTAL $2.65

With a waste free lunch, you can save $246.60 per person per year!

3. Get the Gear

Our friends at Earth Goods General Store have all the supplies you need to gear up for your reusable lunch. Their store has moved to a new location on 327 E 300 South in downtown Salt Lake City. You can also find them on Facebook. 

Here’s our suggested shopping list:

  • Lunch tote
  • Cloth napkins
  • Water bottle (we prefer stainless steel)
  • Glass, plastic or metal bento box-type containers in a variety of sizes for veggies, dips, etc.
  • Reusable sandwich bags
  • You can even pick up a book or two full of healthy lunch ideas!

Enjoy a Green 4th of July!

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The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and SLCgreen staff have a few tips for residents who want to make their celebrations a little greener.

  1. Use durable goods instead of disposable. Please, just say “no” to disposable plates, cups and utensils. Instead, bring out the readily available dishes from your very own kitchen! Sure, they require more cleanup, but you’ll be saving money and reducing waste. If you need to use disposables:
    • Consider reusing disposable goods for another summer get-together to reduce your impact.
    • Please note that compostable plates and utensils are currently not accepted through Salt Lake City’s Curbside Compost Program (i.e. your tan can), so steer clear.
  2. Provide drinks in large dispensers. It’s going to be a steamy Fourth of July this year, but instead of offering bottled water (and all of the plastic waste that comes along with it), put out drink dispensers that can be used to fill up your guests reusable water bottles or recyclable cups. This concept can also apply to any other beverages offered at your celebration – fewer bottles means less waste!
  3. Skip the personal fireworks. A controversial suggestion, we know. But the air pollution from fireworks can be tough on our valley’s air quality. Even sparklers have high concentrations of air pollution (read the scientific study). Consider air-friendly decorations that can be stored and reused next year instead. Need inspiration? The Daily Green has some great ideas.
  4. Choose air-friendly transportation. Can you bike or walk to your 4th of July celebration, or your yearly neighborhood fireworks show? Many homes in Salt Lake City offer a nice view from the convenience of your very own roof! We suggest that you skip the headache of parking and help reduce air pollution on a holiday that is especially prone to it. At the very least – carpool!
  5. Use a gas grill instead of charcoal. Propane gas grills heat up faster and have a whole lot less polluting emissions than charcoal grills. Read on to learn more at Earth911.com.
  6. Recycle, of course!  When the party is over, be sure to recycle plastics, cardboard, cans and glass in the appropriate containers. Salt Lake City residents can put most recyclable materials into their blue curbside bin, and residents that subscribe to curbside glass service have an easy way to get the job done. Glass dropoff sites are also located throughout Salt Lake City.

More Resources

The Daily Green has a very comprehensive Fourth of July Green Guide available on their website. We particularly love:

While you are there, also take a look at their Declare Your Independence piece.