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Green Living

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

A Household Hazardous Waste Collection event will be held on July 22nd from 7 to 10 am in Sugarhouse Park at the Big Field Pavilion 1300 East – 1700 East 2100 South.  Salt Lake City Police will be on hand to accept prescription Drugs. Electronics are also being accepted.

The next (and last) household hazardous waste collection event is scheduled for August 26th, so as you clean out your basements and garages, keep the date in mind.

This free event is sponsored by Salt Lake City Public Utilities and Salt Lake Valley Health and is only for Salt Lake Valley residents. If you have questions, call 801.313.6700.

Birds and the Bees (Raising them, that is!)

Salt Lake City has made changes to city ordinances to relax restrictions and allow residential chicken coops and beekeeping.

Residents who qualify are now permitted to raise chickens for the purpose of eggs and bees for the purpose of honey. Residential bees and chickens benefit our community in a variety of ways while providing a sustainable, healthy and fun source of food.

Over the past 50 years, domesticated bee populations have decreased by 50%. These animals are critical in our food production for the pollination services they provide. Pollination by bees alone is responsible for 15-30% of the food eaten in the United States. Concerns about “killer” bees led to a ban on beekeeping in Salt Lake City in the 1980s; however, domestic strains of honeybees have been selectively bred for their gentleness and can be safely kept in populated areas with proper maintenance.

Backyard chickens can improve the health of your yard and your family. The most obvious benefit of keeping chickens is the production of eggs. Eggs from well-maintained backyard chickens are not only cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but they are actually healthier and taste better too! Compared to factory-farmed eggs, backyard eggs contain significantly more Vitamins A and E, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids.

Chickens provide more than healthy food. They act as a natural pest control by eating insects and their droppings are rich in nitrogen, making it an excellent addition to your compost bin.

Finally, raising chickens and bees at home can help reconnect the divide that has been created between the American diet and food production. Playing a larger role in the production of the food on your table will help foster a greater understanding of and appreciation for the food you eat.

Learn more about the chicken ordinance.

Learn more about the bee-keeping ordinance.

Source: Salt Lake City Council District Seven

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Beverly (801) 680-4325

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