Summit County residents can now drop off glass and mixed recyclables around the clock at four new sites placed along common commute routes, the first phase of a 13-strategy waste plan that could save taxpayers $50 million in future waste disposal costs.

The sites opened Monday, Aug. 3, at the Ledges Event Center, Kamas Park & Ride, Ecker Hill Park & Ride and Three Mile Landfill. All four accept residential glass and mixed recyclables 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The service is free.

The drop-off locations are the opening move in Summit County's draft Solid Waste Action Plan, which aims to stretch the landfill's lifespan by a decade. The full plan heads to the Summit County Council for a formal vote later in August, the Park Record reported.

Why these locations

Summit County Solid Waste Superintendent Tim Loveday said the sites were chosen based on public feedback gathered through a Flash Vote survey in January and open houses in February.

"Our residents made it clear during the Solid Waste Action Plan process that convenience drives their recycling habits," Loveday said. The county chose locations along everyday commute and errand routes to fill gaps for residents without curbside service and give households an overflow option when bins fill up between collections, he said.

Recycle Utah will partner with the county to maintain the glass bin at Ecker Hill Park & Ride.

What comes next

The program expands in phases:

  • Fall 2026: Cardboard bins arrive at the existing four sites.
  • Later: Select food waste drop-offs launch in partnership with the Park City Community Foundation's Zero Food Waste initiative.
  • By 2027: Two additional sites open in Park City and the Silver Summit/Silver Creek area.

Enforcement

Garbage and construction waste are prohibited. Residents who dump banned materials face a minimum $250 fine under the county's dumpster ordinance. The county plans to install perimeter fencing and video surveillance at all locations in the coming months.

Residents with items not accepted at the neighborhood sites can bring them to the Three Mile Landfill or to Recycle Utah on Woodbine Way, which accepts more than 50 recyclable and reusable materials year-round.

The bigger picture

The Solid Waste Action Plan is an addendum to the county's 2018 Solid Waste Master Plan, developed in partnership with Park City and Recycle Utah beginning in late 2025. The county's action plan website lists all 13 strategies and a map of current drop-off locations.

The plan did not appear on the Council's Wednesday, Aug. 5, agenda; a specific vote date has not been announced.