5 Tips for Going Green in Park City

There are many ways for each of us to reduce our impact on the environment—and the majority are remarkably easy. Here, we highlight five ways to go green. Your planet (and wallet) will thank you. 

SHOP AT LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKETS – A weekly trip to Park City’s local farmers’ markets supports regional farmers and helps cut the larger carbon footprint made by chain grocers who truck and ship in produce from around the country (and world). Check out our picks for the best markets around Park City and the surrounding cities here.

USE ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS – Invest in more efficient CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), they are better alternatives to older, incandescent bulbs. Not only do energy-efficient bulbs use less electricity, they last longer—which translates to more savings for you. 

MAKE A COMPOST BIN – Cut down on landfill waste by starting your own composting bin. Lots of items that typically fall into the trash can be used to fertilize your plants and lawn—like food waste, grass clippings, coffee grounds and filters. Food waste in landfills is one of the leading causes of methane, but composting prevents the food’s decomposition and subsequent release of greenhouse gases. To fashion your own compost bin, simply designate a bin in your kitchen (where most compostable items will come from). Outfit it with a lid, as the organic decomposition process can get a bit fragrant. If you aren’t interested in using compost in your own yard, check out the U.S. Composting Council’s map of the composting locations across the country.

COMMIT TO REUSABLE CONTAINERS – This means foregoing bottled water, Pyrex and traditional Tupperware and upgrading to glass food storage containers, bringing your coffee mug to your local cafe and toting your own food containers when you’re getting takeout or think you’ll have restaurant leftovers.

REUSE SHOPPING BAGS – Always bring a reusable bag to the store or farmers market—avoiding the paper or plastic bag they give out is key. Hang them on a hook by the door so you don’t forget them on the way to the store, or put them right back in the car after they are emptied from each shopping trip. If you’re in a pinch, opt for paper (it is less environmentally impactful than the plastic), but a canvas or cotton bag you can keep reusing is ideal.