Dozens of volunteers and Alta Ski Area employees spent their Saturday morning collecting trash from the slopes of Alta.
Recap of Alta Cleanup Day 2019
August 3rd, 2019 marked the annual Alta Cleanup Day and the delivery of two Microtrash Bins via a new partnership with 3Form Material Solutions. Alta Cleanup Day. Dozens of volunteers and Alta Ski Area employees spent their Saturday morning collecting trash from the slopes of Alta. This annual stewardship event organized by the Alta Environmental Center begins with a quick meeting, cleanup zone assignments and a chairlift ride to the top of Collins and Sunnyside lifts. From there, volunteers make their way down Collins Gulch and Albion Basin, scouring the slopes for leftover pieces of trash left behind following a busy ski season.
Almost two-thousand vertical feet, a brief rainstorm, and several trash bags later—filled with everything from hand warmers to lost powder skis—the volunteers arrive back at the Town Park for some well-earned sandwiches, drinks, and to swap stories about the unique articles of trash found that morning. Thanks to all of the incredible volunteers for the time and energy in keeping Alta beautiful.
Micro-Trash: Put It In Its Place
Saturday also marked the much-anticipated delivery of Alta’s new 3Form Micro-trash Bins. These clear receptacles are part of a new partnership with 3Form Material Solutions, Alta Environmental Center, Friends of Alta, and Cottonwood Canyons Foundationin order to educate visitors on the prevalence and hazards of micro-trash in our environment, while also encouraging mountain visitors to do their part in cleaning up our beautiful mountain community.
Keep an eye out for the new 3Form bins, learn a little more about micro-trash and take part in the 3Form Challenge.
Little Things Make A Big Impact
Micro-trash or small pieces of garbage can be harmful to wildlife and can break down into the soil and water over time. Animals may mistake these smaller pieces of trash as something edible or ingest them on accident, which can lead to blocked digestive systems. If not consumed by wildlife or picked up by visitors, the plastics that make up this trash stand to be found in our environment and drinking water. With Little Cottonwood Canyon providing 14% of Salt Lake City’s drinking water it’s important to help keep these chemicals out.
Alta on average sees 575,000 visitors each year, and when they leave behind small bits of trash it adds up to cause a large impact!
Clearly See The Change
3Form in collaboration with Alta Environmental Center, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, and Friends of Alta has made a commitment to help keep this beloved landscape clean. With 3Form’s donation of a clear micro-trash bin, we would like to pose a challenge to all.
The Challenge
Each visitor collects at least 10 pieces of micro-trash while they are exploring Alta, and drop it off here. Each time you bring back micro-trash, you can clearly see the positive change and the contribution you’re making. Together we can help keep our treasured places clean for all walks of life to use and enjoy!
Look out for the following micro-trash on trails:
- Food wrappers
- Cigarette butts
- Handwarmers
- Bottle caps
- Plastic bags (sandwich bags included)
- Fishing line
- Tissues or paper products
- Lost lift tickets
- Ski pole baskets
- Fruit peels
What should you save for regular waste bins?
- Food and drink containers
- Baby diapers
- Articles of clothing
By lending a helping hand in keeping Alta clean we can keep our drinking water and wildlife safe for generations to come!