Resources
Background on Zero Food Waste, helpful resources for reducing and diverting food waste, and recent news.
Background on Zero Food Waste
Park City Community Foundation plays a vital role in solving our area’s biggest challenges. As a tight-knit community that is deeply rooted in our natural surroundings, climate is a critical issue to our area’s health and wellbeing.
The goal to divert and eliminate all food waste from the Summit County landfill by 2030 was announced in 2023. The decision to pursue this ambitious goal was molded over multiple years as Park City Community Foundation’s Climate Fund researched where our organization could be most effective, had the agency to drive change, and create a replicable model for other communities.
Food waste reduction and diversion was identified as a high impact and achievable way to slow climate change, and the Zero Food Waste 2030 goal was born. The Zero Food Waste 2030 Strategic Plan was released in January of 2024 and the first phase of the initiative was launched in June 2024, with residential curbside compost, the Zero Food Waste Compact, and Impact Dashboard. A few months later, a grant was made to expand Waste Less Solutions, a nonprofit organization focused on food rescue, to expand into Summit County.
How We Will Reach Zero Food Waste
A phased approach is in place. The first phase of this work is focused on getting homes signed up for food waste collectionand starting to track our progress through the Impact Dashboard. Since 2024, the Community Foundation and partners have:
- Launched and expanded curbside food waste collection across Summit County with Momentum Recycling
Over 1,500 homes are currently participating! Huge thanks to Summit County, Park City Mountain, and Vail Resorts Epic Promise Foundation for their help incentivizing sign ups.
Waste Less Solutions expanded into Summit County, bringing food rescue to the area.
Since launching, Waste Less has partnered with local businesses and organizations to launch community fridges and free Saturday markets.
Co-hosted the Zero Food Waste Restaurant Cohort with Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau and ReFED to discuss resource-saving tips and best practices with local restaurants and caterers.
This effort was recognized as the 2025 Climate Action Collaboration of the Year by Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030).
Launched Community Food Waste Bins at Recycle Utah.
Diverted more than 29 tons of pumpkins from the landfills over two years.
In partnership with Park City School District.
All the while, we will be collaborating across sectors and pushing for change on the city- and county-level. Eventually, we hope that Zero Food Waste efforts are so widespread that even visitors to our area will also be participating.
Why is Park City Community Foundation leading this movement?
Join The MovementWhile it is not typical for a Community Foundation to lead such an effort, our organization was well-positioned to convene, fund, and ultimately launch a grassroots movement. We are bringing together local nonprofits, businesses, government, and donors to drive progress forward, step-by-step, with the ultimate aim to create systematic change that ensures a healthy community and sustainable future for our area.
The movement has already begun. Be all in with us!
Resource Library
Why food waste?
Food Waste Collection from Momentum
Compost at Home
Businesses
- If your business is interested in signing up for food waste collection, please see Momentum Recycling’s business offerings in Summit County and sign up directly on their website.
- Green Business Program from Recycle Utah
Food Donations
- The Christian Center of Park City takes food donations.
- Waste Less Solutions takes edible food from events and businesses and connects it with nonprofits addressing food insecurity. They are in the process of expanding into Summit County. More info on that expansion here.
Local Resources and Events
- Check out classes and events at Summit Community Gardens
- Education, resources, and events at Recycle Utah
- Events by Summit Land Conservancy
- Sustainable Tourism Plan by Park City Chamber & Visitor Bureau
- Events and programs from Utah Recycling Alliance
In the Media
- The New York Times, ‘Garbage Lasagna’: Dumps Are a Big Driver of Warming, Study Says
- Reuters, US must act to slash landfill methane emissions, report say
- Smithsonian Magazine, More Than Half of U.S. Landfills May Be Methane ‘Super-Emitters,’ Study Finds
- The Guardian, Methane from landfills is detectable from space – and driving the climate crisis
Have a resource or news article to share? Send it to us at victoria@parkcitycf.org.
Stay up to date
The Shirken Family’s Strategic, Multigenerational Approach to Giving
For Brian and Kirsten Shirken, philanthropy isn’t just about generosity. It’s about solving problems. Their connection to Park City began, like many others, on the slopes.…
Read More
Small Actions, Big Impact This Earth Month
This winter felt different. A historically low snow season has been top of mind across Park City, from the trails we…
Read More
Our Local Landfill Is Filling Up and Summit County Wants to Hear from You
Summit County is updating its 2018 Solid Waste Master Plan with a clear goal: extend the lifespan of the Three…
Read More
Zero Food Waste in Action: Last Call for Free Food Waste Service and Launch of New Pilot in Prospector
Park City Community Foundation and Summit County are encouraging residents to take advantage of free food waste collection before year-end through the Zero Food…
Read More