SALT LAKE CITY — Brad Mertz wants to talk trash, and no it doesn't have anything to do with the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.
Instead, Mertz wants to point out that Utah residents throw out enough garbage each year to fill Vivint Smart Home Arena — not once, twice or even 10 times. Try 22 times.
"We hope people are beginning to learn the importance of recycling in Utah," he said, "so they can do the right thing and learn about the options of items that can be recycled, not just landfilled."
U.S. waste disposal costs $100 billion each year, a price tag compounded by ever limited space to put the refuse.
On Tuesday, the Recycling Coalition of Utah is hosting "Recycles Day" at the South Towne Exposition Center, an all-day event designed to educate, inspire and even entertain.
Residents can watch a throng of high school percussion students pound out tunes with their drumsticks by hitting "drums" that are actually various recyclable materials.
"The purpose of our event is to increase public consciousness," said Mertz, the coalition's executive director. "I think every year people are doing more and more. … People are participating and want to do the right thing."
The coalition wants to spread the word about various recycling initiatives underway in Utah and what frontline industries are doing about the problem. The event, which runs from noon to 7 p.m., will also have a display of "green" vehicles on site, including a new hybrid bus from the Utah Transit Authority.
Those with a competitive streak can participate in a 12:30 p.m. sorting line contest where teams will test their skills at sorting material on a recycling line.
Residents may also bring their U.S. flags for a proper retirement ceremony carried out by Boy Scouts and local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The coalition's event is a chance to recognize businesses and individuals who have carved out notable successes in the arena of recycling.
Red Barn Collections and Eco Flower, for example, are receiving awards for innovative recycled products of the year.
Red Barn Collections takes discarded books, and rebinds the cover and pages to create journals by inserting new pages inside the book.
Eco Flower creates bouquets out of recyclable materials such as music sheets and book pages.
Other award recipients include Wasatch Premier Communities, Hogle Zoo and Less Prall, who is being given a lifetime achievement recognition as one of the founding members of the coalition.
More information on the event is available online at utahrecycles.org