| Tweet |
4th of July Celebrations in Salt Lake County
The 4th of July is coming up soon and there are lots of fun options in Salt Lake County for celebrating the holiday throughout the entire day.
Magna – Magna Cooper Park located at 8950 West 2600 South. Activities include a flag ceremony, breakfast, a 5K Fun Run/Walk, a parade, and music. The fireworks display will begin at 10:00 pm. Click on the link for the full schedule of activities.
Murray – Murray Fun Days is held at the Murray Park on 296 E Murray Park Avenue. Begin your day with breakfast in the park, watching a parade, a 5K race, a chalk art contest, a magician, a puppet show, children’s games, musicians, and much more. Beginning at 10 pm, watch the fireworks display in the park. (No personal fireworks permitted). Click on the link for the full schedule of activities.
Salt Lake Bees – The Smith’s Ballpark at 77 West 1300 South in Salt Lake City. Cheer on the Salt Lake Bees as they take on the El Paso Chihuahuas. A fireworks display will follow the baseball game.
Sandy – 10000 Centennial Parkway. Activities include a flag raising ceremony, a 5K race, spikeball competition, K9 demos, inflatables, crafts, games, food trucks, music and much more. The fireworks display begins at 10 pm. No personal fireworks or sparklers are permitted. This is a pet-free festival; however, service animals are welcome. Click on the link for the full schedule of activities.
South Salt Lake – Fitts Park located at 3050 South 500 East. Activities include a pancake breakfast, a 5K race, run or walk, a flag ceremony, a parade, live music, games and food. Click on the link for the full schedule of activities.
This is the Place Heritage Park – located at 2601 Sunnyside Ave in Salt Lake City. The Sons of the American Revolution will begin the day with a flag ceremony. In addition to the regularly scheduled activities at the park, guests will enjoy the candy cannon, the ringing of the anvil and other special activities planned for the 4th of July.
West Jordan – Veterans Memorial Park at 1985 West 7800 South. A full day of events is scheduled, including a parade, a carnival, a rodeo, music, and ending with a fireworks display. Personal fireworks are not permitted in city parks.
Whether you celebrate the 4th of July privately, or at a community event, please be careful with fireworks.
Fireworks Laws in Salt Lake County
Fireworks can be frightening to pets. Keep your pets safe, by leaving them inside at home. Be sure to have current contact information on microchip, in the event they do get loose and run away.
Farmers Markets in Salt Lake County
It is the season for fresh produce at your local farmers markets, some are already open and others are scheduled to be opened soon. It is a great way to support your local businesses.
Be sure to bring your reusable bags for your purchases.
Most merchants will accept debit and credit cards, but it is helpful to bring cash for those who don’t. Many of the markets will also accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as well as Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) so be sure to ask if applicable.
Markets Currently Open:
Fridays
Liberty Park Farmers Market – on 700 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City (North of the Duck Pond) on Fridays from 4 pm to dusk through October 4th.
Saturdays
Daybreak Farmers Market – on SoDa Row, 11274 Kestrel Rise Road in South Jordan, on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm through September 28th.
Downtown Farmers Market – Liberty Park at 350 West 300 South in Salt Lake City on Saturdays beginning on June 8th through October 19th from 8 am to 2 pm. They also offer a free bike valet, and an enclosed off-leash dog area.
Sundays
Park Silly Sunday Market – on Historic Main Street in Park City on Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, June through September. (No market on August 4th, 11th, or 18th) Although this market is not in Salt Lake County, it is well worth the drive to Park City for their open-air market and street festival with lots of food, arts, and live music
9th West Farmers Market (The People’s Market) – near The International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park at 1000 South 900 West in Salt Lake City on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm through October.
Wheeler Farm Sunday Market – 6351 South 900 East in Murray on Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm through October 27th. On the last Sunday of each month, they also feature young vendors at the Children’s Market.
Wednesdays
Sugar House Farmers Market – at the Fairmont Park on 1040 East Sugarmont Drive in Salt Lake City on Wednesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm through October.
Markets Starting Soon:
Fridays
Murray City Park Farmers Market – at 200 East 5200 South in Murray from 9 am to 2 pm from July 26th through October 26th. Will be open on Fridays and Saturdays
Saturdays
Market at Gardner Village – at 1100 West 7800 South in West Jordan from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays beginning July 13th through October 26th.
Murray City Park Farmers Market – at 200 East 5200 South in Murray from 9 am to 2 pm from July 26th through October 26th. Will be open on Fridays and Saturdays
South Jordan Farmers Market – at the Jordan Towne Center, 1600 West Towne Center Drive (10600 South) in South Jordan on Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm beginning on August 3rd through October 19th.
Tuesdays
Tuesday Harvest Market – at Pioneer Park, 300 South 300 West in Salt Lake City from 4 pm to 8 pm beginning on August 6th through September 24th.
Wednesdays
Sugar House Farmers Market – at the Fairmont Park, 1040 East Sugarmont Drive in Salt Lake City on Wednesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm starting in July through September.
Thursdays
University of Utah Farmers Market – Tanner Plaza at 201 South 1460 East in Salt Lake City on Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm beginning August 22nd through October 3rd.
The Hunt for Easter Eggs & Other Festivities
The search is on for Easter eggs and hunting for them will be on land and under water, in the morning and after dark. While some events are free and do not require registration, other events do require advance tickets and will sell out in advance.
April 6th & 7th
Storybrook Play Cafe will hold their annual Woodland Bunny Brunch & Easter egg hunt on April 6th and 7th from 10 am – 11:30 am. Visit with the Easter bunny. Eggs are hidden throughout the play space. Tickets include egg hunt and waffle brunch. Tickets price range from $15 -$30 according to age. (see link for details)
April 11th,12th,13th,18th,19th,20th
Heber Valley Easter Bunny Train enjoy a 40 minute round-trip train ride with the Easter bunny on board. Each child will receive an Easter egg. Be sure to arrive early to enjoy baby animal petting zoo at the depot, and to watch the magician who will be performing 30 minutes before the train departure. Children 2 & under do not require a ticket. $5 for children 3 to 11, $15 for ages 12 & over. See website for tickets, and departure times.
April 13th
Help support the ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter at their ALS Spring FUNdraiser & Easter Egg Hunt to raise awareness and funds for Utah families impacted by ALS. Additional activities include games, prizes, face painting and cotton candy. Cost is $5 per child or $20 per family. April 13th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. It will be held at the Murray Park, 296 East Murray Park Avenue. – Pavilion 3.
Christmas Box Village Run a 5K race to raise awareness and funds to support teens in foster care. This family friendly event includes a free Kid’s 1 K, Carnival, Easter Egg Hunt and Silent Auction. Held on April 13th at Lakeridge Junior High School, 951 S 400 West in Orem, Utah.
The Utah Food Allergy Network (UFAN) will hold their annual Food Free Easter Egg Hunt for participants who have concerns about food allergies. Pre-registration is necessary due to a limit of 200 participants, for age 12 & under. Cost is $6 per person. It will be held at the Southwood Park, 296 East Murray Park Avenue in Murray at 10:00 am on April 13th.
April 19th & 20th
Riverton City Easter Egg Hunt for Kids & Teens Check the website for details. Night time hunt for teens ages 13 – 18 for candy and cash-filled eggs on April 19th at 9:00 pm. Be sure to bring your own flashlight and basket. At the Riverton City Rodeo Arena, 1300 West 12800 South.
On April 20th, children 12 & under will hunt for candy and toy-filled eggs at 10:00 am. The hunt will take place at the Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S.
West Valley City Parks & Recreation Family Fitness Center Easter Events The following events being either on the 19th or the 20th, see website for details: Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt, Adult Flashlight Egg Hunt, Outdoor Easter Egg Hunt, Indoor Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Egg Plunge and Breakfast with the Bunny. 5415 West 3100 South, West Valley City.
April 20th
Kearns Recreation Center Easter Egg Hunt Ages 2 -10, hunt begins promptly at 9:00 am on the Oquirrh Park Soccer Field at 5670 South Cougar Lane, Kearns. Call the front desk (385) 468-1715 for questions.
Northwest Recreation Center – Egg Hunt & Egg Dive Hunt for eggs on land or in the pool. April 20th, 9:00 am on the NWRC soccer fields for ages 3 -12. Cost is $3. From 6:00 – 7:00 pm, diving for eggs will take place at the Northwest Recreation Center Pool. For ages 3 -12, the egg dive is divided into 4 age groups, and includes a shallow water egg hunt, egg dive, log rolling, in water climbing rock. 1255 Clark Avenue, Salt Lake City. Call the front desk (385) 468-1305 for questions.
Petersen Family Farm Easter Egg Hunt Hunt for Easter eggs hidden throughout the farm. Pay $0.50 per egg, you decide how many you want to find. Be sure to open the eggs before leaving, as some will include passes for educational workshops, gift cards, and other fun prizes. April 20th, 9 am to 2 pm. 11887 South 4000 West, Riverton, Utah.
Redwood Recreation Center Easter Egg Hunt Bring your own basket, free candy, prizes and meet the Easter bunny, for ages 12 & under. April 20th the egg hunt begins at 9:00 am sharp on the west side of Redwood Recreation Center, 3060 S Lester Street, West Valley City.
South Jordan City Spring Spectacular Meet the Easter bunny at South City Park, 11000 S Redwood Road at 10:00 at the free Easter egg hunt. Festivities continue throughout the day at the Fitness & Aquatic Recreation Center, including magic shows, face painting, balloon artists, crafts, meet your favorite Mascot at the Mascot Alley, and Easter Pool plunge. See website for times and details.
Thanksgiving Point Easter Eggstreme Egg hunts take place every half hour between 10:30 to 1:00 pm on April 20th at Electric Park. The Easter bunny will be available to meet and take photos with the children. Additional activities include jumping on inflatables, face painting, and riding the cow train. Check website for prices, save by buying tickets in advance. Activities are scheduled from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. 3003 North Thanksgiving Way, Lehi.
Wheeler Farm Easter Egg Hunt Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt with an option to hunt for eggs on the lawn or in the woods. Pre-registration is required, and opens on March 20th. Visit with the Easter bunny and enjoy a wagon ride. April 20th, 9 am – 2:30 pm. Wheeler Historic Farm, 6352 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.
A Diversity of Vegan Dining in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City offers a diversity of vegan restaurants. If you ever wondered what a vegan eats, the SLC VegFest would give you some ideas. The 3rd annual SLC VegFest organized by the Utah Animal Rights Coalition (UARC) was held at Salt Lake City Main Library Plaza on Saturday, September 8. The event offered a kids’ area, live music, beer garden, cooking demonstration, a film showing, and expert speakers.
Vegan Panini’s, gyros, crepes, ice cream, pastries and much more was available to purchase from food trucks, bakeries and local restaurants. It was a great opportunity to try many different options all in one place.
The event is attended by thousands of people each year, and continues to grow. Many people are interested in learning more about vegan diets, whether for ethical reasons, environmental concerns, or for improving one’s health.
A Vegan Kids Panel featuring children ranging in age from 5 to 17 responded to questions about being vegan and how they handle different situations when eating at school, attending birthday parties, social events, and while traveling. They also shared their experiences when celebrating holidays, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. They offered tips about prepping food for the week, and easy food to take on the go. One of the panelists stated that a friend asked her if she just ate grass. Although none of the children ate grass, they did share what their favorite foods were, and several stated that they enjoyed preparing food at home themselves.
Whether you prefer American classics, Italian, Mexican, or Asian dishes, Salt Lake City has many vegan options for dining out. UARC has a free SLC Veg Dining Guide which can be found at many local businesses, or can be downloaded from their website. Their Dining Guide identifies restaurants that are entirely vegan, vegetarian and those are who UARC partners (providing special offers or discounts to UARC members).
Take a Seat on the Living Room Hiking Trail
Sandstone Furniture on the Living Room Trail makes a comfortable seat to relax and enjoy the panoramic views of Salt Lake City.
The Living Room Hiking Trail offers a short, but challenging hike for beautiful views overlooking Salt Lake City. The trail is approximately 2.5 miles roundtrip. The elevation at the start of the trailhead is 5,000 feet with an elevation gain of 967 feet. Dogs are permitted on this trail.
How to get there
From Foothill Drive, turn right onto Wakara Way and then right on to Colorow Road. The trailhead is on the east side of the street. Parking is available on both sides of the street.
Trailhead coordinates: 40.759301, – 111.8211300
Living Room coordinates: 40.763196, – 111.811905
The start of the trail offers some shade, but most of the trail does not. Be prepared to bring a hat, protection from the sun and plenty of water. I also recommend using hiking poles, not only because it is easier on your joints when you are walking; but they can also be used as a splint or crutches in an emergency.
There are multiple hiking and biking trails that split off which can be confusing for some people who are looking for the Living Room Trail. When you see the pipeline marker 174, you are heading towards George’s Hollow be sure to continue east (towards the mountain). When you reach the wooden post (photo is taken facing west) you will see two paths. Take the path on the right and continue heading east.
The trail varies from dirt, gravel to rocky areas.
The Living Room is a great spot to relax, eat a snack and take in the view of the city.
At this point, most people make the return trip back. However, if you would like a longer adventure there are many other trails to explore.
You may want to consider beginning your hike an hour before sunset for a stunning view. Be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight if you will be hiking down after sunset. You may want to hike the trail during different seasons for a great display of wildflowers or fall colors.
Other interesting hikes:
Ogden’s Waterfall Canyon Trail
Moonshine Arch – Hidden in Plain Sight
Fall Foliage Makes the Wind Cave Trail a Colorful Hike
Cascade Springs – Accessible Nature Walk
The Maybird Gulch Trail – A Trail Less Travelled
Where to go for 4th of July Celebrations
From flag raisings, breakfasts, races, parades, games, entertainment and fireworks there are plenty of activities to celebrate from dawn through dark on the 4th of July in and around Salt Lake County. Here are some of them. If you know of any others, please add them in the comment section.
Jordan Park – 1060 South 900 West, Salt Lake City. Fireworks beginning at 10:00 pm at the North end of the park.
Magna Copper Park – 8950 W 2600 S, Magna, UT, Flag Ceremony at 7:00 am, Lions Club Breakfast from 7:00 am–11:00 am. 5K Fun Run at 7:30 am. Watch the parade at noon on Main Street and return to Magna Copper Park for games and inflatables from 2:30 to 10:00 pm. Music from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and fireworks beginning at 10:00 pm.
Riverton – 12830 South 1700 West, Riverton, Utah. July 4, Bike and running races, 10K, 5K, 1-Mile, and the Tour De Riverton bike race. Chuck Wagon Breakfast from 7 am to 10 am. Games, food and activities at the Riverton City Park throughout the day. Fireworks begin at 10:00 pm.
Sandy City Hall – 10000 S. Centennial Parkway, Sandy. Flag Raising and National Anthem at 6:50 am followed by a 5K. Games, inflatables, crafts, food, and entertainment from 10 am to 10 pm. Fireworks Sky Concert at 10:00 pm.
South Salt Lake Freedom Festival –Wednesday, July 4, the day kicks off with the 5K/Fun Run at 8 am. At 9:30 am the Parade will make its way to Fitts Park, 3050 South 500 East, South Salt Lake; where the Freedom Festival will run from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Thanksgiving Point’s Electric Park, Wednesday, July 4 from 4:00 pm to Midnight at 3003 Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, Utah. Music, games, prizes, concessions and vendors. Fireworks start at 10:00 pm.
West Jordan – 8000 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah. Watch the Grand Parade as it makes its way from City Hall to 7000 South from 10:30 am to noon. Carnival and park activities including entertainment stage at the Veterans Memorial Park at 8030 S 1825 W from noon to 11:00 pm. Fireworks start at 10:15 pm.
The noise from fireworks can be frightening to pets
If you have pets – it is best to plan to leave your pet at home. Fireworks can be very frightening to animals and cause them to run away. Be sure that their micro chip has been updated with current contact information in the event they do become lost. Be sure to check your yard and other areas where they walk or play for leftover fireworks debris, which can be dangerous if your pet plays or tries to eat it.
How to Have Fun in Salt Lake City without Busting your Budget
Whether the Wasatch Front is where you live or if you are planning a visit, there are plenty of activities going on in and around Salt Lake City that are fun and free or low cost to participate in.
This is the Place Heritage Park 2601 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. There are over 50 historic homes and buildings to visit. On Huntsman Day, (scheduled on June 15th this year) admission is free for everyone thanks to a grant from the Huntsman family. What could be better than free admission? How about a free ice cream cone?
Salt Lake Gallery Stroll Do you appreciate viewing Art? Would you enjoy speaking with the artists? The Gallery Stroll is scheduled on the 3rd Friday of every month; except for in December, when it is held on the 1st Friday of the month. Here is the list for June’s Gallery Stroll. It is a free event.
Cool Air Concert Series Plaza Deck, Snowbird Center 9385 S Snowbird Center Dr. Snowbird, Utah 84092. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers for a free concert every Saturday beginning June 16 through August 11 and enjoy a free concert with local and national bands.
Mondays in the Park in front of the Chase Home Museum in Liberty Park 600 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105. Listen to folk and ethnic music and dance on selected Monday evenings during July and August. Pack a picnic, blankets or lawnchairs to enjoy the free performances.
Red Butte Garden 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 has six scheduled days for free admission every year. Take a relaxing walk among the beautiful botanical garden.
International Peace Gardens 1060 S 900 W (Inside Jordan Park). The cultural diversity of 28 nations represented through native plantings and garden architecture. Open year round, free.
Natural History Museum of Utah 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 has four scheduled days every year for free admission.
Hogle Zoo 2600 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Military Appreciation Day is on July 4, 2018 free admission for service men and women, their spouses and their children under age 18.
Wheeler Historic Farm 6351 South 900 East, Murray, UT. Visit this 19th century working farm for free, year round. Walk through the 40 acres of woods. There are fees for wagon rides, milking the cows and special events.
See free screening of dramatic, documentary, and independent films at venues including the Salt Lake City Library, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and other locations throughout the state. See the Utah Film Center’s schedule for upcoming films.
Children can get a ZAP summer passport at the Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County or Murray city libraries for free and discounted destinations to enjoy throughout the summer.
The Jordan River Parkway – a network of trails
The Jordan River Parkway is an urban park with a network of non-motorized trails that runs along the Jordan River. The Jordan River flows north from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake wetlands, through Utah, Salt Lake and Davis counties. The concept for the Jordan River Parkway was developed in the 1970’s to address flood-control, but also included opportunities for recreational use.
Bicyclists, walkers and runners enjoy the trail.
The mixed-use trail is used by bicyclists, runners, skaters and walkers. There is also a separate equestrian trail. Dogs are permitted on-leash. Picnic areas as well as playgrounds can be found at various points along the trail. With the beautiful backdrop, it is not unusual to come across artists sketching or painting the scenery. Whether you prefer early morning, day time, or evening use, it is a perfect way to relax in nature without leaving the city. There is no charge for day use or parking.
Fishing at the Jordan River Parkway
For some people, the Jordan River Parkway is a perfect place to relax and catch dinner. If you are fishing in the Jordan River, be sure to follow the general statewide regulations.
Hundreds of species of plants and animals can be found along the Jordan River Parkway’s ecosystem. It is the perfect place for birding. These are some of the birds that can be commonly found at the Jordan River Parkway. In addition, you may see a variety of reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
The Jordan River Parkway Trail Bridge
In November, 2017 a 120-foot arch bridge over rail yards was completed to enable existing trails to be connected, providing more than 100 miles of continuous off-street paved trail for bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. It doesn’t matter at what point you enter the trail, or the path that you take, you are sure to find a fun time.
Owl About Tracy Aviary
The Owl Forest, Treasures of the Rainforest, King of the Andes, and Pelican Pond are among some of the exhibits you will encounter as you stroll through the eight acres of garden paths, groves of trees and streams inside of Tracy Aviary. Don’t be surprised if you see Andy, the Andean Condor, taking a walk around the grounds. Andy was born in 1959 and is the oldest bird at the aviary and is very popular with the guests. He even has his own Facebook page.
Tracy Aviary sits on the southwest corner of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tracy Aviary is celebrating its 80th birthday this year. In 1938, Russell Lord Tracy, a local banker, donated his collection of 200 birds for the children of Salt Lake City to enjoy. Currently, the aviary maintains a collection of approximately 400 birds representing 135 species. Several of the bird species participate in their Species Survival Plan; which is a breeding program to promote genetic diversity in captive animal populations. A portion of every admission or membership purchased is directed to their conservation fund which supports conservation projects throughout North and South America.
Open year round, and great to visit during any season, I particularly enjoy visiting during the winter when it is less crowded. There are opportunities for child and adult volunteers to participate in the bird shows. Also, at scheduled times, the bird keepers are available to share facts and stories about birds such as the Guam Kingfishers, Chilean Flamingos, King Vultures, Keas and others.
For an additional fee ($2 for members, $3 for non-members) visitors can feed Sun Conures or Pelicans. Tickets are limited for the feedings, so be sure to get yours in advance, if you would like to participate. I held a small container of chopped blueberries for the Sun Conures to eat. It isn’t unusual to have several perch on your arm to feed from the container.
When feeding the Pelicans, you will receive a small container of fish. The price of the ticket is for the container of fish—which you could share the experience with others. Some of the younger children were a little hesitant to touch the fish, while others were delighted to toss the fish gently underhand and watch the pelicans skillfully catch their meal.
If you enjoy an early morning walk, you can meet in front on the Aviary near the gift shop at 8am on Wednesdays to go on a free bird walk around Liberty Park. Binoculars are not necessary, but be sure to bring them, if you have them, and learn about the birds you might encounter in your own back yard.
Tracy Aviary also offers workshops, volunteer opportunities, Nature in the City programs for families, summer camps and much more.
Glass Recycling is Gaining Momentum in Utah
With the rattling and screeching sounds of the L train above, I pulled the red wagon behind me along the streets in my Chicago neighborhood. I was on a mission to find as many discarded bottles as possible. At five years old, I was already a seasoned trader. Trading bottles for cash was the way I funded my stamp collection. If I was lucky, and found enough bottles, after buying stamps, I would splurge and buy a bar of the finest chocolate from Pennsylvania for a nickel.
Before WWII, refillable glass bottles were expensive to make and beverage industries had incentive to have their bottles returned. As technology evolved and new containers became cheaper “No Deposit, No Return” was stamped on bottles, and consumers readily embraced the convenience of disposables.
Growing concerns about litter resulted in some states introducing bottle deposit bills, but they have been met by opposition by the beverage industry and grocers. Currently a handful of states have bottle bills, but most do not.
Utah does not have a bottle bill. However, there is a company that is diverting glass from the landfill. Recently I was able to ask a few questions to Rosemary Washington, Momentum Recycling Community Outreach and Master Recycler.
How long has Momentum been recycling glass?
Washington: Momentum has been recycling glass since 2012. We service the Wasatch Front from Logan to Provo and from West Jordan to Park City, even as far as Jackson Hole, WY.
How much glass is recycled by Momentum in a year?
Washington: We currently process about 1,200 TONS of glass per month, so that’s a whopping 14,400 TONS per year!
What kind of glass can be recycled? Are there any kinds that cannot?
Washington: Most of your household glass can be recycled: bottles, jars, broken windows. The few exceptions that cannot be recycled include light bulbs, mirrors, automotive windshields, Pyrex, ceramics and porcelain.
Does the glass need to be separated by color?
Washington: We take all colors of glass, and it does not need to be separated. Momentum has an Optic Scanner that does all that for you.
Is it necessary to remove labels or wash the glass before recycling?
Washington: Don’t waste water taking off labels or cleaning out jars. The recycling process takes care of that. However, you must remove lids and corks. Lids can go in your recycling can and Momentum collects corks, so you can bring those in every 6 months or so or as needed.
How do I find locations in the community where I can bring my glass to be recycled?
Washington: If you go to our website: momentumrecycling.com , you can find the nearest drop-off location to you. We have them all throughout the valley. Our newest drop-off is conveniently located at the Wine Store at 280 Harris Avenue in SLC.
What other options are there for recycling glass for homes, apartment complexes, or businesses?
Washington: We provide Curbside Pickup for those residential customers who enjoy that convenience. We currently serve all of SLC, and many areas in Salt Lake County. We are continually enlarging our service area for curbside pickup. We now have 6,000 curbside subscribers.
Why is it important to recycle glass rather than throw it away?
Washington: Besides the jobs that recycling creates, glass is the one recyclable that can be recycled over and over. It takes so much less energy to recycle a bottle than to make one from raw materials. It is estimated that recycling one bottle can save enough energy to power a tv set for 1.5 hours. Not only that, but CO2 is dramatically decreased by recycling. Given Utah’s notoriously bad air quality, this should be a motivating factor for everybody with lungs. ANYTHING we can do to increase Utah’s air quality is worthwhile. Worth noting is that glass does not break down in the landfill, so every glass jar that’s thrown in there is driving the landfill that much closer to capacity. And, let me tell you… a new landfill, plus all the gas to haul the trash even further west, will not be cheap. Let’s do what we can to extend the life of the landfill we do have.
Can you describe how you became interested in recycling?
Washington: I read a book several years ago called Garbology and I have been a recyclopath ever since! I was excited to get a job with Momentum 5 years ago when it was just getting off the ground. Partnering with Jason Utgaard, Momentum’s Marketing Manager (and owner of the website thespotteddoor.com which sells products made using recycled materials), we have worked very hard to get the curbside program going. Like I mentioned earlier, we are up to 6,000 now from the 200 we were at 5 years ago. I’m proud of the work we’ve done with the help of some dynamic college students.
To find a drop off location near you, or to sign up for the curbside service go to the Momentum Recycling website.
