Hey Green Business subscribers! You may have noticed that this newsletter is now being sent by the Summit County Health Department. As a proud partner of the Green Business Program – and new host of the newsletter – we are excited to continue on Recycle Utah's commitment to providing sustainability insights and updates to the Green Business community. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to all that's ahead for the Green Business Program in 2026!

It’s officially wintertime in our mountain community which means more visitors, more time spent indoors, and with that, increased energy use.

Fortunately, there are many energy conservation and efficiency strategies that businesses can implement to reduce winter utility costs while also promoting a healthy indoor environment. Below are four actions your business can take to play a more active role in building management, whether you're a tenant or an owner.

Taking an active role in building management - whether as a tenant or an owner - provides financial and health benefits for your business and our community.

Want to learn more or need support on a specific energy efficiency effort? Reach out to the Green Business Team! Businesses in our community may be able to get financial assistance taking on these projects through programs like Wattsmart from Rocky Mountain Power and Thermwise from Enbridge Gas.

Our last Lunch and Learn of 2025 was hosted at the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, where we focused on how businesses can integrate sustainability into their buying practices. Discover how simple tweaks to our purchasing habits can support the local economy and reduce the environmental impact of what we buy by checking out the full event recap here.

Mark your calendars for the next Lunch and Learn on February 11th where we’ll focus on sustainable transportation! Learn more about event details here.

Join Recycle Utah on Tuesday, January 13th for the next Green Drinks on the topic of Green Finance! The event will be hosted at the Park City Gardens from 6-8 PM. Stay tuned for speakers and more event details here.

As a functional medicine and compounding pharmacy in the community since 2010, Alpine Apothecary’s core mission is to bring innovative ideas related to longevity and sustainable health to their patients.

Alpine Apothecary is constantly looking for ways to increase sustainability in their pharmacy practice and business. For example, they called on all of their vendors and suppliers to stop sending products in Styrofoam coolers. While some have successfully made the switch, others have at least started discussing the issue.

Another successful effort has been switching from plastic pill bottles to fully recyclable aluminum bottles – the first pharmacy in Utah to do so. As a Green Business, they are proud to continue pushing the community and the pharmaceutical industry to make sustainable change.

Before opening its doors earlier this year in the old Union Pacific Train Depot, Le Depot was tasked with renovating the historic building which required a lot of time and resources dedicated to energy efficiency improvements including new equipment, better insulation, and updated lighting.

As an operation, they do their best to recycle, including separating metal, plastic and cardboard as well as office supplies such as batteries, ink and electrical equipment. In an effort to continue reducing waste where possible, they recently began donating food on a weekly basis, with some great staff engagement. Their staff is proud to help divert food waste from the landfill while supporting community members who are in need. The program also encourages them to evaluate sources of waste, and seek new ways to reduce it.

Savoury Kitchen takes pride in making thoughtful, sustainable choices—like buying used instead of new. All the office furniture is gently used, and they have repurposed a walk-in freezer that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.

They have implemented an on-property recycling program that reduces trips to the Recycling Center while increasing recycling education and accessibility for the entire building community.

With a commitment to continuous improvement, their creative team constantly finds new ways to reduce waste—like candying leftover fruit skins for future use in cocktails, salads, or baked goods – a small but meaningful way to make the most of every ingredient. Savoury Kitchen is proud to contribute to a more sustainable future, one mindful choice at a time.

Park City’s Ride On program is back!

Get ready to move more sustainably this winter. Whether you’re walking to a cultural event in Old Town, biking to school, carpooling to work, or catching Park City Transit to the slopes, Ride On helps you skip the solo drive, ease congestion, and travel more sustainably. Hop on and be part of the movement towards a cleaner, greener Park City — and earn rewards while you do it! Let’s Ride On this winter! For more information, visit the Ride On Park City page here.

Does your business haul its own recycling?

We need your feedback! Park City is considering a waste reduction ordinance with new requirements for businesses. Please fill out this survey if you self-haul waste to the recycling center, landfill or otherwise! Other questions about the ordinance? Learn more here or contact Celia Peterson at [email protected].

Fluoro Ski Wax Take-Back

While an ordinance prohibiting the sale of fluoro ski wax only applies to Park City boundaries, watersheds know no zip codes! Anyone with fluoro ski wax can bring it to Recycle Utah for proper disposal, and in return, you’ll receive non-fluoro ski wax for free.

UCREW Energy Assessments

The University of Utah’s Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center is offering no-cost energy assessments for small and medium-sized businesses. Led by engineering students, these walkthroughs provide hands-on learning while helping you find ways to reduce energy use, cut costs, and lower emissions. Each assessment includes a custom report with energy-saving tips and estimated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, the Swaner Preserve and Ecocenter became the first Green Business to take advantage of this program. The Swaner team found the process very useful and is currently discussing how to move forward with the recommendations! Reach out to Celia Peterson ([email protected] for 84060) or Megan Nick ([email protected]) to get connected.

Protect our Dark Skies

It's officially holiday lights season. You can enjoy the charm while still being a good dark sky steward by turning out all seasonal lighting by 11 p.m. each night (a timer makes it easy). The only exception is for lights outlining buildings on Main Street and in the General Commercial Zoning District which must be off by 2:30 a.m. Learn more about Summit County’s ordinance here and Park City’s ordinance here.

Become a Wasteless Way Steward!

Ready to save money, reduce waste, and make a bigger impact at home or in your business? WasteLess Solutions, a local nonprofit dedicated to the education, prevention, and diversion of food waste in Utah, has online self-paced courses for individuals and businesses to learn what actions they can take to fight food waste. Sign up here to get started!