Salt Lake County Sanitation
We’ve all been told how important it is to recycle. But how many of us actually do it regularly? Salt Lake County Sanitation provides a multitude of ways for residents to properly dispose of and recycle materials, and they do this in cost-effective, convenient ways.
SL County Sanitation is the garbage and recycling provider for Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Herriman and portions of Murray. In addition to providing residents with garbage waste containers, it provides recycling containers that are picked up by sanitation workers every week.
“We offer a menu of services,” says Pam Roberts, SL County Sanitation division director.
The weekly recycling pickup was started in September, mostly due to residents’ demand. Pam says the weekly recycling pickup has significantly cut the rate of transfers to the landfill. Residents are allowed to place mixed paper, plastics, cardboard, aluminum and empty aerosol cans in the blue containers.
Items that aren’t allowed in the containers or that can’t be recycled include glass, motor oil, food, Styrofoam and yard waste, such as grass clippings.
Residents can, however, recycle glass at SL County Sanitation’s newly opened glass recycling sites. These sites are located at 3800 South Wasatch Blvd., 4580 South 2300 East and 4800 South Redwood Road. Pam says SL County Sanitation intends on opening three more sites in 2012.
Green and brown glasses are accepted at the sites; brown glass goes to Colorado to be recycled into beer bottles, while the green glass in made into carbon fibers that are used for insulation.
“When we recycle, we’re reusing materials instead of making new ones,” Pam says. “Recycling makes jobs and saves natural resources by not cutting down trees or digging up ore for metals. It benefits everyone. If it goes into the landfill, it’s wasted.”
SL County Sanitation also provides roll-off containers to be placed in neighborhoods for area cleanups. Other services are box collections for new residents, fall leaf pickup in October, Christmas tree pickup in January and container repair or replacement at the customer’s request. Additionally, residents may rent trailers for up to three days to dispose of green waste such as branches, trees and bushes for only $30.
Best of all, these SL County Sanitation services are available to residents for just $12.75 a month, or only $153 a year. The fees are collected as part of one’s annual property taxes so they’re paid for through the resident’s escrow account.
Pam says when residents use SL County Sanitation they are getting the best service possible, not just because of what is provided but because of the dedicated, capable staff.
“I’m proud of our team,” she says. “You know we’re doing our job when you pick up your garbage can it’s been back straight and nice that you don’t even think about it.”
For more information about SL County Sanitation, call 385-468-6342.
