Smelly, loud, and inconvenient may be some of the descriptors that come to mind when you think of a typical city dump. For Seattle residents, the new North Transfer Station is the opposite of those descriptors. Seattle Public Utilities is reshaping the idea of a “city dump” with innovative facility features and community engagement.
Give the new facility a visit and you’ll be surprised at how awesome a city dump can be.
Top reasons you should visit SPU’s new North Transfer Station (NTS):
No. 1: Award-winning architecture
She’s a beauty! The North Transfer Station is a winner of the American Institute of Steel Construction 2017 IDEAS² People’s Choice Award for “innovative design in engineering and architecture with structural steel.”
No. 2: Observation room
Capturing the interests of kids and adults alike, the NTS observation rooms gives visitors a chance to see exactly what happens to garbage and recycling after it gets taken away from the curbside.
No. 3: Green roof
OK, we know that roof doesn’t look very green, but it’s winter right now! Check back in the spring and you’ll see a lush roof designed to capture and filter rain fall—which can carry pollutants from hard surfaces into local waterways like Puget Sound.
No. 4: Solar panels
Contrary to popular belief, Seattle does get sunshine. When sun appears, the solar panels on the North Transfer Station’s roof top captures that energy. We wanted to make the new facility as environmentally friendly as possible, and these solar panels are one of the features that help us achieve our goal.
No. 5: Sound and stink protection
The new facility includes covered and enclosed spaces, a better ventilation system, automated rolling access doors, and entrance and exits designed to minimize noise and odor in the surrounding neighborhood.
No. 6: Sports court and fitness stations
Recreation…at the dump? Yes, you heard that right. The North Transfer Station isn’t simply a place to drop off your garbage. You can shoot some hoops, do some dynamic stretching, play four square, or have a picnic on the green lawn.
No. 7: Playground
Two play structures provide endless fun and entertainment for little ones. Need a new game to play? Try finding all of the hidden animals built into the playground, or test balance and coordination skills by touching the tip-top of the red play structure.
No. 8: Public Art installations
Orange you glad the new transfer station has awesome art installations? This structure, called Reclaimed, was created by Jean Shin using 10,000 linear feet of rebar saved from the old transfer station. A physical (and creative) demonstration of the “reuse” principle, if you will.
No. 9: A facility that promotes waste diversion
The new station features a food and yard waste disposal area and an entire building dedicated to recyclable and reusable materials.