Recycling in Provo

The limited amount of recycling dumpsters in the city of Provo make it hard for many to recycle. Those living in apartments, condos, town homes, or other homes that do not offer recycling bins, are left to try to find ways to get their recycling to Kiwanis Park where there are only six dumpsters for the entire city. Four of those dumpsters are for cardboard and two for mixed recycling. There is also one glass dumpster located in the parking lot of the Smith's grocery store. The dumpsters are frequently overflowing and make it hard to add to when I go to drop off my recycling.

Provo city and its residents can benefit greatly from recycling as it impacts every one who lives inside our beautiful city limits. We can all do our part and help each of us benefit from the results together.

While I am aware that Provo city has a recycling program and already does a lot to accommodate those that wish to recycle, I have become aware of some challenges as I have tried to recycle myself and would like to point those out in this presentation.

As you can see from the graph on the left, the United States has some catching up to do when it comes to recycling. I have seen Provo change over the years and become more mindful of its citizens and surroundings. I have noticed many improvements to the city itself to see that we are well on our way to creating an amazing green city. The different green transportation systems operating in the city already set Provo above others. I know that we can do more and show other cities in Utah that Provo is doing everything it can to lower its footprint and help its citizens be more mindful of the wonderful earth we live on.

So what can we do to help everyone in Provo become mindful of recycling? How can we help spread the benefits the city and its citizens gain when we take the time to reduce, reuse, and recycle?

1. Access to recycling facilities in Provo

I live in a townhome complex that gives me access to regular garbage dumpsters but no recycling facilities. The closest (and only) recycling dumpsters for me to access are one glass dumpster in the Smith's grocery store parking lot, and four cardboard and two "SUPER 6" dumpsters at Kiwanis Park. I pack up my recyclables when my small containers at home are full and need to drive them to both of these locations for drop off. The dumpsters at Kiwanis Park are frequently full and overflowing making it hard for me to add to. Once I have all my recycling packed into my small car I really don't want to go home to try again on another day when the bins are full. Having more locations than just this one at Kiwanis Park can alleviate this issue.

Those who live in Provo without access to a vehicle will have a hard time getting to these locations to recycle. Provo has a very good public transportation system and so many residents and students of BYU live within its city limits without access to a vehicle to take them places. Those who use bikes, scooters, or alternate modes of transportation will also have a harder time dropping off recycling at Kiwanis Park as it is more on the outskirts of the city.

I propose looking at adding more recycling dumpsters around the city to accommodate those that would not be able to travel to Kiwanis Park. I have highlighted proposed parks on the map below ( blue squares) that could service a lot more people and hopefully get them excited to recycle with dumpsters closer by their homes. The 2 green locations on the map are the current glass dumpster and the recycling dumpsters at Kiwanis Park. The Red circle is where I live and my proximity to the recycling dumpsters.

Adding more locations around Provo for recycling will create more opportunity for everyone to recycle as they are able to get to the dumpsters easier and they will hopefully not be overflowing from everyone using the only ones at Kiwanis Park.

2. Making recycling a priority in each home.

I live in a small townhome and know how hard it is to make room for something like recycle bins. I have spent many years searching for the perfect bins that would not take up too much space and fit in my kitchen. I can relate to the frustrations of having bins that are large and bulky and putting them in your car to drive across town to the recycling dumpsters. In order for recycling to become a priority in every home in Provo we need to come up with an easy way to make it more appealing, fun, colorful, and accessibly for all.

I propose that Provo city offer a foldable recycling bag, similar to a reusable grocery bag but taller, that has handles for ease of transport, is small and compact, and shows off Provo pride. I think Provo needs to put these recycle bags in each home that does not have access to recycling on site to give them that extra push to make recycling a priority. These recycling bags can also be taken on public transportation for those that do not have cars so they can also drop their recycling off at designated locations while they are out running errands.

Holding a design competition for local Provo residents will spark interest in the recycling program and their designs could be featured on the recycling bags. Handing out these bags from places such as City Hall and the Rec Center will create excitement as people can proudly display they are doing their part for the city and the environment. The bags can have all the information printed on them to be used efficiently. A list of things that can and cannot be recycled, recycle locations, and a cool design created by local artists to show Provo pride!

3. Education around the city

Creating eye catching posters, billboards, and ads around town to get citizens excited about recycling in Provo will also be helpful. Making sure to remind them there are dumpsters in various locations for recycling purposes and promoting their use will help remind them that even one person can make a difference when they do something as simple as recycling.

I know Provo already has an amazing recycling program and I hope that my suggestions can build on what is already established. Provo is a growing city full of diversity with a younger, more hip and environmentally conscious population that will only grow as time goes by. Showing them that Provo is just as on board about tackling climate change as they are will show them they made the right decision in moving here and investing in their city.

Thank you for taking the time to read over my presentation as I love living in Provo and can see a bright future ahead for all its citizens. I believe Provo is well on its way to be different, diverse, and more "out of the box" than other cities in Utah County and I am proud to be one of its citizens.