February Newsletter

Here in Park City, rain and melting snow do more than just signal a change in season – they set stormwater in motion. Unlike wastewater, stormwater is not treated before entering local waterways. As runoff travels across roads, parking lots, and sidewalks, it picks up pollutants such as road salt, sediment, and other de-icing compounds and flows directly into our local creeks, which in turn flow into rivers and reservoirs, carrying these contaminants with it.

The impact of stormwater runoff can be significant. Excess salt and de-icing chemicals can alter water chemistry, making it difficult for fish, insects, and aquatic plants to survive, especially during periods of drought. Over time, these changes affect not only aquatic life, but also birds, mammals, and the overall health of the watershed, serving as an important reminder that clean water is essential to our local environment, recreation, and quality of life.  

Fortunately, preventing stormwater pollution can start with simple maintenance practices that also reduce waste and costs caused by oversalting. Responsible and effective winter practices include: 

Protecting the quality of our water is a shared responsibility. By using de-icing materials wisely and storing them correctly, residents and businesses can help safeguard local waterways. Small changes in everyday practices can make a lasting difference. Let’s all do our part to protect local water resources and preserve our way of life. 

Christine Williams, Park City Stormwater Coordinator

On February 11, 2026, local employees and business leaders gathered at the Park City Library for Driving Change: Sustainable Transportation in Action, to hear real-world examples of electric vehicle adoption and car-free commuting. Speakers shared practical insights on fleet electrification, operational planning, and local options to support a car-free workforce that can be implemented today. Check out the full event recap here.

Stay tuned for the topic and speakers of our next Green Business Lunch and Learn on May 13th!

Join Recycle Utah on Tuesday, March 10th from 6-8pm at Miner's Hospital to learn from local experts about developments in electronics and battery recycling. Appetizers and beverages will be served. This is a 21+ event. Please carpool or take transit (City Park stop) if possible. More details coming soon at the link here.

Are you interested in purchasing electric vehicles or establishing a fleet transition goal for your business but don’t know where to start? The Green Business Team recently added “Adopt an electric- or hybrid-first vehicle purchasing policy” as a new action that allows businesses to earn more than 10 points towards their certification. This requires a business to create a vehicle purchasing policy that prioritizes electric or hybrid models for company vehicle purchases when there is a suitable model available. Choosing electric and hybrid vehicles for your business can achieve cost savings on fuel and maintenance, support progress toward emission-reduction goals, and contribute to cleaner local air quality! To learn more and access resources, log in to your Green Business profile and search under your Transportation actions.

Park City Library is a community hub that prioritizes sustainability, recently earning Silver certification through the Green Business Program. This recognition reflects long-standing investments in energy and water efficiency, including a LEED Silver renovation in 2015, lighting efficiency upgrades, water sensors, and transportation-friendly design that supports biking, transit access, and walkability. Taking a fun approach to waste reduction, the Library has explored how to use reclaimed materials for craft classes such as coffee mug succulent gardens, glass jar lanterns, used t-shirt applique tote bags, and golf ball lady bugs.

For local businesses, the Library’s Sustainability Resource Center offers practical, cost-saving tools through the sharing economy. With a library card, businesses can borrow items like thermal energy cameras, Kill-A-Watts, or induction stove cooktops to try—also available through Summit County libraries—to identify energy loss from inefficient equipment or building envelopes.

Beyond tools, the Library provides equitable access to books, data, and resources that support  sustainable operations. By sharing resources instead of purchasing new, businesses can reduce costs, conserve materials, and align with Park City’s sustainability goals.

The 3rd Annual Zero Waste Forum will be held April 21–23, right here in Park City at the Jim Santy Auditorium. Grab your staff and join the dialogue shaping the future of waste reduction. With speakers from leading organizations including GAIA, Bioneers, Story of Stuff, and the United Nations, as well as local leaders and businesses, the forum is designed to deliver actionable ideas on cost-effective zero waste solutions. 

As a proud sponsor, Summit County extends a 20% discount to local businesses by using this link or the code SUMMITZWF26 at ZeroWasteForum.org

Park City Municipal is offering three scholarships to attend the Forum. Get in touch with Celia Peterson if you’re interested.

Is your business interested in an air quality improvement project and looking for support? Use this new DAQ resource to identify relevant grants, rebates, and tax credits available at the local, state, and federal level.

Summit County is developing a new Solid Waste Action Plan. This is a focused update to the 2018 Solid Waste Master Plan, that will identify practical strategies to improve recycling and reduce waste in an effort to extend the life of our landfill by 10 years, to 2063.

To reach this goal, we need to reduce waste going to the landfill by about one-third each year, with a strong emphasis on diverting food waste and cardboard, two materials where businesses like yours can have a big impact.

Solid waste management is a community-wide challenge that requires community-wide solutions. As a green business, you play a crucial role in shaping the future of waste in Summit County by promoting sustainability throughout our community. 

Please take a few minutes to complete the latest Solid Waste Survey to provide your input and help shape our future.

The RideOn Winter Rewards Program is over halfway, but there’s still time to win through March 31! Log your walks, bike rides, carpools, vanpools & transit trips for a chance to win grand prizes of up to $450 and monthly local gift card raffles. Every sustainable trip helps reduce traffic and emissions. Jump back in or learn more here!