In 2019, Summit County had an opportunity that could have significantly altered our community’s approach to sustainability and waste management. An initiative to relocate and expand Recycle Utah’s facilities was on the table — an opportunity to enhance recycling and extend the lifespan of our rapidly filling landfill.
However, due to a decision by the then-chair of the Summit County Council, this plan was unexpectedly shelved.
As someone deeply involved in the efforts to find Recycle Utah a new home, I saw the potential benefits a new location would provide. The proposal was simple yet impactful: provide land for a new, expanded facility that could double Recycle Utah’s impact, reduce transportation costs, and make recycling more convenient for our community members. Like a similar facility in Jackson Hole, this public-private partnership would have been a beacon of community-driven environmental stewardship.
Recycle Utah and its board, alongside dedicated individuals from Park City and Summit County — including Sally Elliott, Pat Putt, Tom Fisher, Chris Cherniak, Andy Beerman, and myself — had worked for years to identify viable locations for this new facility. A site in Summit County was identified and fully supported by county staff. The plans were robust, backed by a commitment from Recycle Utah, which had set aside funds for construction pending land allocation by our local government.
However, at a pivotal meeting on Oct.21, 2019, at the Sheldon Richens Building, the then-chair of the Summit County Council dismissed the proposal. The decision was a blow to our environmental goals and the principle of forward-thinking leadership that balances growth with sustainability.
Fast-forward to today and the consequences of this decision are becoming increasingly apparent. Our main landfill, Three Mile Canyon, is nearing capacity much sooner than anticipated due to a spike in waste generation. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this situation, but we could have mitigated these effects significantly with the expanded waste diversion the new Recycle Utah facility would have provided.
We are now faced with the prospect of using an outdated, unlined cell for temporary waste disposal until a new cell is constructed — a stopgap solution that ultimately will cost taxpayers money and potentially contaminate our groundwater.
As we look to future opportunities to enhance our community’s sustainability, we must learn from the past and support initiatives that not only solve immediate problems but also pave the way for a sustainable future.
I understand a proposal for a new Recycle Utah location is again before our council, and thankfully the member who led the effort to reject the idea in 2019 no longer holds public office.
I feel sure that our current council will remember the costs of missed opportunities and choose a path that aligns with our community’s values of preservation, sustainability and collective well-being.
It is time for Summit County to embrace its potential as a leader in environmental stewardship and ensure that decisions reflect the immediate and long-term interests of all its residents.
Ari Ioannides, of Wanship, is a Republican candidate for the Summit County Council.