Do you live in a condo? Do you wish your condo would recycle?
Recycle Utah has developed resources for condominium complexes to use in developing 
cost-effective recycling programs. “HOAs need information about efficient workflows and attractive recycling bins,” said Lola Beatlebrox, Outreach Director. “Most importantly, they need to know how much a recycling program will cost.” Recycle Utah’s website contains a downloadable spreadsheet that allows hotels and Homeowner’s Associations to calculate the first year investment in recycling bins and pickup collection. With The “HOA Recycling Calculator,” managers can plug in their numbers and the see the per-unit operating cost for recycling pickup. Or Recycle Utah will develop a custom calculator for the condo. “You would be surprised at how little a recycling program costs when the charges are shared over multiple units,” said Beatlebrox. “But the gains in goodwill are huge. Recycling programs show guests and condominium owners that the property cares about our mountains and the global climate that produces such great snow. By offering an opportunity to recycle they meet guest expectations.”
Several property management companies and HOAs have already taken advantage of Recycle Utah’s resources including Snowcrest Condos, Trails End, and Deer Valley Club, Beatlebrox said. “These are guest-oriented condos, but year round owners should take advantage of this too.”
Recycle Utah commends Park City hotels and condominium complexes that have already established recycling programs. Treasure Mountain Inn, the Park City Peaks Hotel, Snowflower Condos and Black Diamond Condos actively recycle plastic, aluminum, paper, newspapers, cardboard and glass. “It’s not an easy decision for hotels and condominiums,” said Beatlebrox. “There are many issues. Lack of space is a challenge for some. So are rising insurance rates. Some managers and home owners object because they think the “government” should be collecting recyclables along with the trash.”
Despite the challenges, Recycle Utah hopes that at least 10 per cent of Park City’s hotels and condominiums will establish recycling programs in the next six months.
“Our target is July, 2007, when the new County waste management contract is expected to go into effect,” explained Beatlebrox. “At that time we anticipate that the cost of trash collection will triple, making recycling much more attractive. It will be cheaper to divert recyclables from the waste stream than to send it to the landfill. The condominiums and hotels that already have recycling programs will have the competitive edge.”
For more information go to www.recycleutah.org and click on Condo Hotel Recycling Resources or contact Lola Beatlebrox, Outreach Director at 649-9698 for a free consultation on a customized program.
