RENEW AND RECYCLE
Utah State Parks believes in protecting and conserving our natural resources. It is important for us to do our part to ensure resources are available for this and future generations.
Renew
Utah State Parks has several parks utilizing green technology. Most of this green technology comes in the form of photovoltaic (PV) or what is commonly known as solar cells, used to generate heat for domestic hot water or electricity for buildings.
Snow Canyon State Park: Solar panels are used to heat water in the restrooms
Dead Horse Point State Park: Solar cells are used in the new restroom to generate electricity for lighting and to run a pump for water pressure in the restroom. Lights are on a motion sensor so they only come on when needed. Restroom incorporates large skylights designed to gather larger amounts of sunlight without the heat so more natural light is available and reduces energy use.
Goblin Valley State Park: 99 percent of the electricity used at Goblin Valley comes from solar energy. In addition to providing electricity to three ranger residences, visitor center and restroom, a solar cell system also pumps water from an 800 foot well.
Recycle
Recycling programs are available at many state parks. Reduce your carbon footprint by recycling soda cans and other items instead of sending them to the landfill. Look for blue bins and canisters in many state parks. Do your part to reduce unnecessary waste.
Green Facts
Americans throw away 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year, and 2.5 million plastic beverage bottles every hour.
If every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save about 25 million trees a year.
Source: Whybegreen.com
Why Recycle Aluminum?
20 recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one can out of new material.
A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days.
If 54 billion cans are recycled we could save the energy equivalent of 15 million barrels of crude oil - America's entire gas consumption for one day.
Recycling Plastics
Five recycled 2-liter polyethylene terephthalate (PET- a member of the polyester family) bottles make enough fiberfill to stuff an adult ski jacket. 35 recycled PET bottles make enough fiberfill for one sleeping bag.
It takes 1,050 recycled milk jugs to make a six-foot plastic park bench.
About one-third of all carpeting made in the U.S. has recycled PET bottles in it.
It takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture a one year's supply of bottled water. That's enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars.