Net Zero Cities Conference

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As the world tackles the challenges of climate change, energy supply and water security, communities are taking the lead in finding solutions.

The Net Zero Cities Conference (October 23-24, 2013) will bring together thought leaders from around the globe to share their systems-based approaches, processes and examples of success in working towards net zero at the community scale.

Salt Lake City’s own Vicki Bennett, director of Salt Lake City Green, will speak on the plenary panel on the second day of the conference. She plans to discuss Salt Lake City’s new net zero Public Safety Building and policies surrounding net zero energy.

You can learn more about the Net Zero Cities Conference on their website, Facebook and Twitter accounts. Look for the #NetZeroCities hashtag to join the conversation!

Fairpark Takes a Promenade

This is a guest blog written by Sara Rose Tannenbaum of Salt Lake City’s SmartTrips Program.

On Saturday September 21st, over 40 neighbors gathered on the corner of 300 North and 900 West. While adults mingled under the shade of the giant Coca-Cola billboard, kids chased chickens and discovered eggs in the maze of sunflowers.

The reason for their gathering was the Fairpark Promenade, a collaborative “Community Walk around the Block” hosted by the Fairpark Community Council, the Urban Growth Garden and SmartTrips Fairpark.

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Pesticides & Produce: The Dirty Dozen

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Fact: Eating healthy begins with fresh fruits and vegetables. 

But it is also important to understand how the use of pesticides in industrial farming impacts the very same produce you buy at your local grocery store.

Even though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricts the use of the most toxic pesticides, they can still be detected on some of your favorite foods.

[VIDEO] Watch our segment on KUTV 2News!

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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

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Designing a Future with Nature in Mind

Our friends at the University of Utah’s Office of Sustainability made us aware of this exciting event tomorrow.

Designing a Future with Nature in Mind
George Bandy, Jr., Interface Inc. Vice President for Sustainability

Sept. 19, 2013, 11:30 am to 1 pm
Saltair Room, Union (200 Central Campus Drive, SLC).
Lunch provided.

George Bandy, Jr. looks for opportunities to develop a better future through environmental, economic and socially responsible solutions in his role at Interface. His knowledge includes eco-friendly business practices, greening the supply chain and social sustainability. He is currently Chair-Elect of the U.S. Green Building Council Board of Directors and works with The Natural Step, Second Nature, Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and others. An Office of Sustainability event.

Fairpark Promenade: Not to be missed!

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Salt Lake City’s SmartTrips program, in collaboration with the Fairpark Community Council, will host one last community event this weekend to bring the community together for some good old-fashioned community appreciation!

Residents are invited to join their neighbors on a friendly ~1 mile exploration around a couple of local blocks. Kids, red flyers, wheelchairs, broad-brimmed hats and parasols welcome!

Ever wondered when that old building on the corner was built? Imagined what your neighborhood looked like 50 years ago? Or speculated who the green thumbs are behind those beautiful community garden vegetables?

The two block area of this first Fairpark Community Walk Around the Block is surprisingly rich in history, cultural centers and urban gardens—each with current and/or historical special meaning to residents old and new.

Don’t miss the Fairpark Promenade: A Community Walk Around the Block this Saturday, September 21st from 4-6 p.m. Fun!

Turn your key, be idle free

DSC_0122With fall upon us, and cooler weather in the forecast for Salt Lake City, it is the perfect time to recommit to making one small change that will have a positive impact on our air quality (and your pocketbook!) this season. Say it with us…

Turn your key, be idle free!

For over six years, Salt Lake City and its partners have promoted the voluntary Idle Free Utah campaign in schools across the valley and in every corner of the state. The campaign reminds parents to eliminate vehicle idling in school pick up zones to prevent the unhealthy buildup of air pollution in an area heavily trafficked by children.

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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!

Downtown Streetcar Open House

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Streetcars are returning to Salt Lake City!

With the Sugar House Streetcar (now called the S-Line) opening on December 8, Salt Lake City is exploring a vision for streetcars in the downtown core.

A public open house has been scheduled to share ideas and educate residents on the current proposed streetcar routes.

Downtown Streetcar Public Open House
Thursday, September 12 from 5-7 p.m.
Harmons City Creek (135 E 100 S) – Second floor

Learn more about the visioning project.

Wasatch Watershed: Snowflakes to Your Tap

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60% of the water used by residents of Salt Lake City and the Valley’s east bench comes from canyons in the Wasatch Mountains. The Utah Chapter of the Green Building Council is hosting what promises to be a fascinating exploration into the successes and challenges of protecting Salt Lake City’s water.

The Wasatch Front Watershed: Snowflakes to Your Tap
Thursday, September 26 from 4-6 p.m.
Salt Lake City Public Library
Register online or pay at the door.
Questions: programs@usgbcutah.org

In the 1950’s, access to City Creek Canyon, a source of Salt Lake City’s drinking water, was closed to public use for over 10 years due to bacterial contamination, public health concerns and damage to the City Creek Watershed. Lessons learned from this event and the ensuing restoration of City Creek Canyon, as well as other water sources across the nation have informed Salt Lake City’s watershed protection policies for the last several decades.

Join Laura Briefer, Water Resources Manager, for the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities to learn about Salt Lake City’s role, perspectives, successes, and challenges in protecting the main sources of Salt Lake City’s water supplies in the Central Wasatch Mountains – including recent scientific research and other work regarding climate change impacts on Salt Lake City’s water supply.

The Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) is a municipal water supplier responsible for the provision of drinking water to over 300,000 people in the Salt Lake Valley. Laura manages SLCDPU’s Water Resources Division, which includes watershed management, water conservation, hydrology, water rights, and land preservation functions.