By Jenny Willden

When it comes to gear, green is the new black. Companies in the outdoor industry are following the trend and pushing to go green and help the planet by following sustainable practices and using recycled materials. Join the revolution by purchasing eco-friendly items when you get new gear. This guide is a small sampling of our favorite earth friendly finds, but check your favorite local sporting goods store to see more.

by Bill Novak

Utah has progressed in the past decade, when it comes to recycling. Gone are the days when everything is thrown in the trash. With curbside, residential recycling programs happening throughout the valley, Utahns have the opportunity to reduce the waste going into our landfills, while saving resources that are used in developing new products. However, some items are not included in these residential recycling programs, including glass, styrofoam, electronics and household chemicals.
Here is a quick guide to recycling products not included in the curbside pickups. All addresses are in Salt Lake City, unless otherwise noted.

Car Batteries
Standard Batteries: 1506 South Redwood Rd., 801‑973‑4614
Intermountain Batteries: 3662 South Main St., 801‑266‑7464
Custom Industries: 5400 West Old Bingham Hwy., 801‑280‑3502
Utah Metal Works: 805 West Everett
(1450 North), 801‑364‑5679

Tips & Products for Off-Road Running

By Jenny Willden

You may run at the gym, in the park or even in your neighborhood, but have you ever run on a trail? Anyone can do it and it’s easier on your joints than road running. All it takes is a pair of trail running shoes to get started and our tips on how to ditch the gym and get off-road this summer.

1. Wear the right gear. A good pair of trail running shoes will protect your feet and keep you from slipping on unstable terrain. Check out our picks of the best new trail shoes and gear on the next page.

2. Choose a trail based on your fitness level. Start on something easy and build to more difficult runs.

3. Map your routes. Use mapmyrun.com, a social networking site for runners to map runs through mountains or on roads. There are many Utah trail runs already mapped on the site. Just type in your location to find them. Find more local trails at trailrunner.com and sportsguidemag.com.