Local businesses drive waste reduction in Park City – Park Record

Report on Park City’s Sustainability Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Recognition of Commitment to Sustainable Urban Development

Park City, Utah, has been recognized as a winner in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards 2025 for its “Mountainback” campaign. This initiative, launched in 2024, encourages sustainable practices among visitors and local businesses to preserve the region’s mountain ecosystems. This award highlights the city’s dedication to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), specifically Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities through effective waste management.

Waste Management Strategies and Contribution to SDG 12

The city’s efforts are central to advancing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Local businesses have demonstrated a strong commitment to reducing their environmental footprint, contributing to Summit County’s current 12% waste diversion rate from landfills through recycling and composting.

The Green Business Program and Zero-Waste Models

Over 100 businesses in Summit County participate in Recycle Utah’s Green Business Program, which facilitates the adoption of sustainable and zero-waste practices. These actions directly support SDG 12.5 (Substantially reduce waste generation).

• fulFILLED Lifestyle Co.: A local zero-waste and refill store that enables consumers to reduce single-use plastic consumption by offering refillable containers for household products. The business also partners with local hotels to transition from single-use to refillable toiletries, supported by Sustainable Tourism grants.
• Abode Luxury Rentals: This company exemplifies corporate responsibility in the tourism sector. By switching to refillable toiletries in 75 bathrooms at its Black Bear Lodge, Abode prevents approximately 15,000 plastic bottles from entering landfills annually.

Partnerships for Global Goals: SDG 6 and SDG 17

Abode’s participation in the “Clean the World” program demonstrates a commitment to broader global challenges. This initiative aligns with:

1. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): By collecting and donating gently-used toiletries to communities with sanitation challenges.
2. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): By collaborating with a non-profit organization to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Addressing Electronic Waste in Line with SDG 12.4

A significant challenge in achieving responsible consumption is the management of electronic waste (e-waste). This issue is critical to SDG 12.4 (Environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes), as improperly disposed electronics release toxic heavy metals and chemicals into the environment.

The Scale of the E-Waste Problem

• E-waste is generated at a rate five times faster than it can be recycled.
• In 2023, over 1 million pounds of e-waste were collected in Utah alone.
• Laptops represent a major source of e-waste for businesses due to their short operational lifespan.

Solutions for E-Waste Management

Local businesses are encouraged to adopt sustainable approaches to mitigate the impact of e-waste:

1. Sustainable Laptop Management: Implementing policies for responsible disposal, recycling, or redeployment of old devices.
2. Recycle Utah Drop-Off Center: Providing a facility for businesses to dispose of a wide range of electronics, including computers, printers, and TVs, for a nominal fee.

Improving Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility

Mobile Recycling Services for Urban Businesses

To overcome logistical barriers to recycling for downtown businesses, Good Earth’s mobile drop-off service offers a practical solution. This service, available to merchants in Park City’s Business Improvement District, facilitates the collection of common recyclables like paper, glass, plastic, and cardboard. By simplifying the recycling process, this initiative makes it easier for businesses to participate in the circular economy, further supporting the objectives of SDG 11 and SDG 12.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article focuses on Park City’s initiatives to become a more sustainable urban area. It details efforts in waste management, recycling, and reducing the environmental impact of businesses and residents, which are central to creating sustainable communities. The “Mountainback campaign” and the Green Destinations award highlight the city’s commitment to this goal.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire piece discusses promoting sustainable practices, reducing waste generation, and encouraging recycling and reuse. Initiatives like the zero-waste store, the elimination of single-use plastics, and responsible e-waste management directly address the principles of responsible consumption and production.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article connects environmental issues to human health, particularly in the section on electronic waste. It states that e-waste in landfills “releases toxic heavy metals and chemicals that pollute the environment and harm human and animal health,” linking waste management directly to public health outcomes.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The success of Park City’s sustainability efforts is attributed to various partnerships. The article mentions collaborations between the city, local businesses, and non-profit organizations like Recycle Utah’s “Green Business Program” and the “Clean the World” program. These public-private and civil society partnerships are crucial for achieving sustainability goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities
   • The article details how Park City is working to reduce its adverse environmental impact by focusing on “municipal and other waste management.” The city-wide campaigns, business programs, and specific recycling services like the mobile drop-off are all aimed at managing waste more effectively and creating a “cleaner, healthier city.”
2. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation
   • This target is directly addressed through multiple examples. The article highlights efforts to reduce waste “through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” Specific examples include the zero-waste store (fulFILLED Lifestyle Co.), the switch to refillable toiletries by Abode Luxury Rentals (saving 15,000 plastic bottles annually), and the promotion of recycling for paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum.
3. Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes
   • The section on electronics recycling specifically relates to this target. The article discusses the problem of e-waste, which contains “toxic heavy metals and chemicals,” and promotes its “responsible disposal” to prevent pollution and minimize “adverse impacts on human health and the environment.”
4. Target 17.17: Encourage effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships
   • The article showcases several partnerships. The “Mountainback campaign” encourages visitors and businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Recycle Utah’s “Green Business Program” works with over 100 businesses. Abode Luxury Rentals partners with the “Clean the World” program. These examples illustrate the multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Recycling/Waste Diversion Rate
   • The article explicitly states that “Summit County manages to keep about 12% of its waste out of landfills through recycling and composting.” This percentage is a direct indicator for measuring progress on waste management (Targets 11.6 and 12.5).
2. Volume of Waste Reduced
   • A specific metric is provided for a single initiative: the switch to refillable toiletries at Black Bear Lodge “saves around 15,000 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills every year.” This quantifiable reduction serves as an indicator of successful waste prevention (Target 12.5).
3. Amount of Hazardous Waste Managed
   • The article mentions that “over 1 million pounds” of electronics waste was collected in Utah in 2023. This figure acts as an indicator for the management of hazardous waste (Target 12.4).
4. Number of Participating Entities in Sustainability Programs
   • The article states that “Over 100 businesses across Summit County… now belong to Recycle Utah’s Green Business Program.” The number of participating businesses is an indicator of the reach and success of partnerships for sustainability (Target 17.17).

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: parkrecord.com