Green Biz PC

Park City, Utah

Event Recap

Lunch and Learn Recap – Protecting worker health and well-being

by

On February 12th, the Green Business Program hosted a lunch and learn on the topic of protecting worker health and wellbeing. The discussion included strategies to engage hard-to-reach audiences and for workplaces to support employees navigating political and policy uncertainty at the federal level.

Our panel was moderated by Morgan Mingle, Director of Sustainable Tourism for the Park City Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

Bailey Quinn, Multicultural Communication and Outreach Specialist with the Summit County Health Department shared best practices for connecting our Spanish speaking community with health resources. She showcased the Spanish Facebook page Condado de Summit and a recently launched WhatsApp group. Leveraging NextDoor neighborhood groups has been another useful tool to reach Spanish speaking or rural audiences.

Another unique way to connect with community members is by riding the bus! Summit County and Recycle Utah pooled together resources for bilingual communication in January to connect with individuals on public transit in Spanish and English.

Maria Villar, Director of Charity & Social Services with St. Mary’s Catholic Church, shared the importance of employees feeling welcomed and valued in their workplace. She showcased a booklet of available community resources, many pro bono, for community members in need, which can be provided to employees. Last year she helped over 400 families with financial housing and basic needs assessments – many of whom are members of our local workforce. The current increase in scrutiny of Latinx workers’ immigration status is already having real impacts, with many people not showing up at work or school. Maria advised against publicizing events where large numbers of Latinx community members may congregate.

Sarah Myers, VP of Operations for the Park City Chamber, reiterated that things are changing quickly with the new federal administration, and that certain rights around discrimination based on gender, sexuality and race may go away. She encouraged everyone to understand their rights and explained the difference between judicial and administrative warrants. The Chamber has prepared many workforce resources on this topic and more.

The panelists all reiterated the importance of ensuring that employees are seen and valued, which is a form of workplace wellness and the foundation for employees feeling safe and motivated at work.

Lunch and Learn Recap – The Future of the Employee Commute

by

For our last Lunch and Learn of 2024, the Green Business Program focused on The Future of the Employee Commute. For presenters, we had Janna Young, Summit County Deputy County Manager, Hannah Pack, Park City Municipal’s Transportation Planner, and Heleena Sideris, Park City Lodging’s General Manager.

As transportation is a challenge for our entire community, here are some key takeaways from our speakers that can help your business reduce commuter burdens and address local traffic issues. 

Cultivating a flexible and productive culture in an ever-evolving remote work environment. By ensuring everyone is in the office together at least once a week, allowing more flexibility to employees who are unable to work remotely, and maintaining a strong line of day-to-day communication, your business can improve employee retention while also reducing vehicles on the road. Many businesses have seen an increase in productivity with transition to remote working, however overworking can become an issue.

Alternative transportation needs employer support. The PC Transportation Department found that that #1 determinant for commuters to choose alternative transportation was having an employer that supports sustainable commuting. Take Park City Lodging, which provides a $3 a day carpool incentive, made bike racks more accessible, and added a shower for those who choose active transportation.

Local resources for commuters continue to expand. Ride On Park City provides employer networks, incentives, and carpool matching for all employees in Summit County:

  • Look out for their annual Commuter Incentive Program from December 1st to March 31st with cash prizes, up to $1500 for first prizes.
  • A vanpool program for Park City businesses will also be available for Wasatch back employees through Park City Municipal. Note that there is a Council meeting to discuss this topic and more during the Transit Pilot Projects and App updates on November 21st at 4:40 PM. Tune in, use your voice, and let your Council members know this topic is important to you!
  • Guaranteed Ride Home for Park City employees ensures that if employees take transit in, they don’t get stranded after operating hours. Workers can get reimbursement for an Uber or Lyft ride home.
  • Review Hannah’s slides to learn more!

Have any follow up questions or want to learn more? Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Green Business Team!

Brunch n Learn Recap- Food Waste

by

Tackling Food Waste in Our Community

On August 14, 2024, the Green Business Program hosted a Brunch & Learn event focused on the critical issue of food waste. Local businesses, sustainability experts, and service providers gathered to share insights and strategies for reducing food waste, revealing both the surprising extent of the problem and practical solutions to address it.

Eye-Opening Discoveries in Food Waste

The panelists kicked off the event by shedding light on the alarming scale of food waste. Brittani White (Operations & Engagement Project Manager, Momentum Recycling) shared that up to 80% of waste in some businesses is food waste. Dana Williamson (Founder & CEO, Waste Less Solutions) highlighted that many people are unaware of the environmental damage caused by food waste in landfills, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and action.

Two other panelists shared their hopeful stories, demonstrating just how manageable the problem can be. Carissa Deveport (Owner, Este Pizza) revealed that since partnering with Momentum in 2021, they’ve successfully diverted 26,000 pounds of food waste. Jon Green, (Office Manager, Savoury Kitchen) underscored the simplicity of the solution—providing labeled bins and setting expectations around all employee behaviors can make a significant difference.

Managing Pre-Consumer Food Waste in the Kitchen

Managing food waste before it even reaches the consumer was another critical topic. Panelists shared a variety of strategies employed in restaurant kitchens:

  • Occupancy Reports: Keeping a close eye on expected customer numbers allows for smarter purchasing decisions, particularly during quieter months.
  • Creative Recipes: Using scraps from one recipe as ingredients in another, such as in dressings or sauces, can significantly cut down on waste.
  • Animal Feed: Some businesses bring food scraps to chickens, turning waste into a resource.
  • Catering Industry Practices: Thoughtful menu planning and combining orders reduce waste in catering. Offering a “chef’s discretion” menu based on available ingredients also helps.
  • Donating Leftovers: Leftover food or last-minute canceled orders can be donated to organizations like Peace House, ensuring that prepared food doesn’t go to waste.
  • Customer Education: Educating customers about sustainable menu options can be an effective marketing strategy.

Addressing Post-Consumer Food Waste

Even with preventive measures, post-consumer food waste is inevitable. Momentum helps businesses by setting up diversion systems, collecting food waste, and delivering it to Wasatch Resource Recovery, where it’s converted into methane for energy and compost for farmers.

Dana from Waste Less Solutions emphasized that not all food waste is truly waste—edible surplus can be redirected to feed people. By partnering with organizations like Waste Less Solutions, businesses can ensure that surplus food is donated, while inedible waste is composted.

Making Food Waste Reduction the Norm

To make food waste reduction a standard practice, businesses need to embed it into their culture. Local governments can support this by implementing ordinances that encourage food waste diversion. Although there may be initial costs, the long-term savings and environmental benefits make these practices worthwhile. Partnerships with nonprofits and waste recovery services are crucial in ensuring that both edible and inedible food waste is effectively managed.

Didn’t Get to Ask Your Question?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch! As always, you can reach out to your Green Business coordinators!

Brittani White – Operations & Engagement Project Manager, Momentum Recycling

Dana Williamson – Founder & CEO, Waste Less Solutions

Carissa Deveport – Owner, Este Pizza

Jon Green – Office Manager, Savoury Kitchen

Lunch and Learn Recap- Water (5/15/24)

by

Here are some of the highlights from our recent Lunch and Learn on the topic of water.

QWEL Program

The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Certification is an essential program for anyone involved in irrigation:

  • Who Should Get Certified: Residential and commercial irrigation professionals.
  • Benefits: Reduce water usage by 20-30% (on average), gain recognition by being listed in the EPA and QWEL directory, access to free resources from the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL), and networking opportunities.
  • Cost & Commitment: $100 for a comprehensive 20-hour training, with a free annual renewal. For more information, check the CWEL Website.

Local Initiatives

Park City and Summit County are spearheading several initiatives to enhance water management and conservation:

  • Wastewater Innovations: Alternative septic systems allow you to use graywater to water your plants subsurface!
  • Rebates and Programs for Water Conservation:
    • Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers: Available with rebates to help manage water use efficiently. For more information click here.
    • WaterSmart Program: Assists in identifying leaks and water usage anomalies. To get started click here.
    • Turf Removal Rebate: Receive $3.00 per square foot of live turf removed through an agreement with Weber Basin. For more information click here.

For more detailed notes and slides, please see the attachment.

We hope to see you at future Green Business events!

5_15_2024-Water-Notes-combinedDownload

Lunch and Learn Recap- Energy (2/14/24)

by

Our second lunch and learn on the topic of energy was a great success. Missed it? No worries—we’ve distilled the key insights to help your business save money and boost sustainability.

1. Track Energy Use and Benchmarking: A great place to start is by monitoring your electricity and natural gas consumption. As Peter Nelson explained, this foundational step not only helps in understanding usage patterns but also sets the stage for cost and waste reduction and efficiency upgrades. The EPA’s EnergyStar Portfolio Manager is a great tool for benchmarking, allowing you to easily measure and improve your property’s performance. If you are ready to take the first step in reducing your energy costs (and associated carbon footprint), send us an email and we’ll help you get started! 

2. Tax Deductions and Incentives: Take advantage of tax deductions and incentives to fund your sustainability initiatives. From the Inflation Reduction Act to utility-sponsored programs like Rocky Mountain Power and Dominion’s energy efficiency incentives, there are an abundance of opportunities to offset project costs and accelerate ROI. Whether it’s upgrading lighting systems or implementing HVAC enhancements, these incentives can make sustainable investments even more financially attractive. Get in touch if you want to learn more! 

3. Renewable Energy in Utah: The landscape of renewable energy in Utah is rapidly evolving, with more renewables coming online than ever before. Soon, we’ll see the launch of the Community Renewable Energy Program (Utah Renewable Communities), opening up new avenues for businesses to access clean energy resources. These renewable options offer opportunities for businesses to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact. 

For more detailed notes and slides, please see the attachment.

We hope to see you at future Green Business events!

Energy-2_14_2024-Notes-merged-1Download