Tag Archives: recycling

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.

Salt Lake City’s Mitch Davis Recognized for Innovative Waste & Recycling Work

Ever wonder how Salt Lake City successfully diverts over 32,000 tons of material annually from the landfill?

It’s a big undertaking– involving operations, education, outreach, and policy. And our amazing staff are at the heart of it!

Today we’re thrilled to announce that one of our own, Mitch Davis, is being recognized nationally for his efforts by Waste360, a recycling trade group serving 90,000 professionals.

The Waste360 “40 Under 40” awards program “recognizes inspiring and innovative professionals under the age of 40 whose work in waste, recycling and organics have made a significant contribution to the industry.“

“This award is a great honor in the waste & recycling industry,” said Lance Allen, Waste & Recycling Division Director. “We are very proud of Mitch and what he brings to our team and community.”

Mitch started his career with Salt Lake City as an intern in 2008 while finishing up his degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Utah. His passion for waste diversion and public service has been the driving force behind the success of many of our waste diversion strategies ever since.

When Mitch started with Salt Lake City he wanted to, “make a difference.” Because of his hard work and dedication, he most certainly has achieved that goal! Here’s how: Continue reading →

Earth Week Day 5: Common Recycling Mistakes

It’s Earth Week!

Each day this week SLCgreen will post different tips and activities to challenge you to reduce your impact on the Earth.

To build off our waste theme, today we are looking at some common recycling mistakes.

Below is a list of common recycling errors and how to fix them.

Continue reading →

Want an Inside Look at SLC’s Waste Management System? Master Recycler 2017 is Now Enrolling!

Are you interested in the nitty gritty of recycling?

In learning why plastic bags are so hard to deal with?

Or what happens when garbage gets sent to the landfill?

Would you like to become a greater champion for reducing, reusing, and recycling in our community?

Then consider joining Salt Lake City’s 2017 “Master Recycler program!”

The program has been providing in-depth education about recycling, composting, and solid waste management to Salt Lake community members since 2015. It gives participants a behind-the-scenes look at Salt Lake City’s waste management system from bin to recycling plant.

Our mission is “to create a network of champions who are trained in waste reduction strategies and are able to assist with outreach and engagement in the Salt Lake City community.”

By learning from outreach experts and visiting waste management facilities, Master Recyclers are empowered to educate their own communities about all aspects of waste reduction.

Everyone is welcome to participate! Registration is open until the class is full.

Continue reading →

The Sustainability Department is Hiring!

Are you passionate about recycling and helping Salt Lake City divert as much waste from the landfill as possible? Do you have management experience?

The Salt Lake City Sustainability Department is hiring a Program Director to head up our Waste & Recycling Division (formerly known as the Sanitation Division).

This position reports directly to the Sustainability Department Director, Vicki Bennett.

We are looking for candidates with operational experience and a broad vision to improve waste diversion including business and residential recycling, hard-to-recycle waste, recycling markets and green waste composting. Continue reading →

Renters in Salt Lake City: Tell your Property Manager about the New Recycling Ordinance

Do you live in an apartment in Salt Lake City that does not offer recycling?

We’re currently in an education-phase of bringing recycling to more properties and residents in Salt Lake City, based on a new business and multi-family recycling ordinance passed in December 2015 by the Salt Lake City Council.

Can you help us spread the word?

If you don’t have recycling at your complex, point your landlord toward to our list of online resources available at www.slcgreen.com/business-recycling

They can also attend an upcoming workshop on November 10 to learn more!

Continue reading →

Glass Recycling: Providing Possibility

by Tera Clausen

There is no such thing as away when it comes to waste. It is out of sight out of mind, but it is never truly gone. When things are thrown away, they go to a landfill to pile up in a heap. Some of the items will eventually break down, while many others will not. The reality of the trash heap can be summed up in a word: hopelessness. It is the end of the road, and the possibilities of re-creation and re-purposing are gone. However, recycling brings back possibility.

As the newest intern at SLC Green, my first official order of business was to tour some of the recycling facilities for Salt Lake City. This tour was a front row seat to possibility. One of the stops for the SLCgreen crew was Momentum Recycling. Momentum was founded in 2008, and in 2012 became the exclusive glass recycler for Salt Lake City.

In 2012, Momentum was bringing in about 200 tons of recycled glass. In the past four years, since expanding their curbside services, they now bring in approximately 1,000 tons per month! I will be honest, it was overwhelming to see how many glass bottles were waiting to be sorted and recycled, but the beauty of possibilities also struck me. Instead of hopelessly ending in a landfill, these items could become something new and useful.

Continue reading →

Sustainable Living Solutions and Inspiration, Winter Market at Rio Grande

March is Sustainable Living Solutions and Inspiration month at the Winter Market. Meet with Utah business owners and organizations who inspire environmentally friendly living solutions. A handful of local agencies, including SLCgreen, will be in attendance at the Winter Market on March 12 and March 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to discuss what services are available to you and how you can reduce your ecological footprint.

Did you know that electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing waste stream in the United States? Valuable precious metals can be salvaged from recycling e-waste and toxic chemicals are prevented from entering the landfill and ground water. Good news — Recycle Solutions will be onsite at the March Winter Markets collecting electronic waste from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm! Below is a list of acceptable goods.

Please note CTR TVs (tube TVs) or refrigerators will NOT be accepted at this collection event.

Accepted Items:
Batteries
Cameras
Cell Phones
Communications Equipment
Computers Fax/Copy Machines Ink/Toner Cartridges
Keyboards & Accessories
Laptops
Office Machines Monitors
Network Devices
Hand Held Devices
Printers & Scanners
Returned or Unwanted Products
Servers Stereos and Audio Equipment
Telephones
Televisions (No CRT TVs)
VCR’s & DVD Players
Washers & Dryers
Paper
Plastic

For more information visit the SLC Downtown Farmers Market website or Facebook page.

Calling all Master Recyclers! Spring 2016 Now Enrolling

Salt Lake City Green is excited to announce the spring 2016 Salt Lake City Master Recycler program! Register at SLCMasterRecycler.com.

What is Master Recycler?

Salt Lake City Green is working to build out a network of residents who are trained and certified Master Recyclers who understand all aspects of waste reduction, city services and bin downsizing options.

Master Recyclers commit to attending eight weekly workshops running from May-June 2016. Classes are scheduled for Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. A full class schedule is below.

Workshops will cover a variety of topics and emphasize opportunities for hands-on learning. Every workshop includes a field trip for a behind-the-scenes look at the Salt Lake County Landfill, Salt Lake City Sanitation, Rocky Mountain Recycling, landfill composting operation and Momentum Glass Recycling. You’ll even “tag” along with Salt Lake City’s can inspection team!

What’s in it for you?

A tote bag full of Master Recycler swag, including t-shirt and stainless steel water bottle.
The knowledge to help your friends, neighbors and kids maximize your recycling & reduce your impact on the environment.

Sign up! Visit SLCMasterRecycler.com.

Program Schedule – Spring 2016

Date

Subject

Tuesday, May 3^rd 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Master Recycler Program Introduction

Tour: Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management

Tuesday, May 10^th

3:00-6:00 p.m.

Salt Lake City Sanitation and Waste Reduction

Tour: Salt Lake City Sanitation Department

Tuesday, May 17^th

3:00-6:00 p.m.

Recycling Process

Tour: Rocky Mountain Recycling

Tuesday, May 24^th

3:00-6:00 p.m.

Residential and Municipal Composting

Tour: Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management Municipal Compost Facility

Tuesday, June 7^th

3:00-6:00 p.m.

Residential Waste Reduction

Activity: Curbside Inspections and Outreach

Tuesday, June 14^th

3:00-6:00 p.m.

Commercial Waste Reduction

Tour: Momentum Recycling Glass Recycling Facility

Tuesday, June 21^st

3:00-6:00 p.m.

Effective Community Engagement

Activity: Waste Audit

Tuesday, June 28^th

3:00-6:00 p.m.

Climate Impacts of Waste

Guest Speaker: TBD

Photos from the first Master Recycler class

Waste Less, Save More! SLCgreen Encourages You To Downsize Your Garbage

Have you noticed the new truck wraps driving around Salt Lake City?

We’ve outfitted all of our Sanitation vehicles with bright new wrappers promoting downsizing options available to all city residents. So keep your eyes open on garbage day!

Every month, you pay one fee for your garbage can – that’s it. Your recycling and compost can service is included in that fee. There are three garbage can sizes, and if you downsize your can you also downsize your monthly waste fee!

Can Size	Monthly Fee per Can
90-gallon Garbage	$21.00
60-gallon Garbage	$17.75
40-gallon Garbage	$13.75

Call (801) 535-6999 to downsize your garbage can today.