As Seattleites, we don’t often have to think about our access to safe, drinkable water. Unfortunately, according to the World Health Organization, this is the reality that more than 785 million people worldwide have to face as they lack basic drinking-water services. According to the same source, by 2025, half the world’s population will be […]

It’s estimated that $2.1 billion will be spent on flowers alone in celebration of Valentine’s Day this year alone. It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day, like most holidays (aside from Earth Day!), can come with a significant amount of waste. Between candy, flowers, gifts, cards, and crafts, the waste surrounding this holiday can truly add […]

Seattle residents are encouraged to apply to the Master Composter and Sustainability Stewards course, a program offered through a partnership with SPU and Tilth Alliance. This five-week, nine-session volunteer training program will strengthen your knowledge and prepare you to provide community outreach with a lasting impact on our environment. The training course covers the following […]

You may have noticed, there are some changes taking place with your curbside garbage bins. SPU’s contracted haulers, Waste Management & Recology are working to replace the 20-gallon trash bins with new wheeled carts that include an insert. The new carts offer customers an easier ability to move them to and from the curb and […]

Due to winter weather, residential garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collections will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week. Solid waste contractors will run full operations today, picking up Tuesday customers. Tuesday customers will be serviced today, Wednesday, with Wednesday customers serviced on Thursday, Thursday customers on Friday, and Friday customers […]

UPDATE: Due to icy roads, most Tuesday residential customers in Central and NE Seattle will also experience delayed collections in addition to customers in NW and SW Seattle. Most customers in Queen Anne, Magnolia, Maple Leaf and Wedgewood areas are impacted, with approximately 20% of customers in those areas served. If your garbage, recycling and […]

Residential garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste pickups are continuing as normal today, January 13, 2020. Snow and ice on the road may have some impact in specific areas. SPU’s North and South transfer stations are operating as normal. Check back here for more updates and follow us on Twitter @SeattleSPU. If your materials are not picked […]

Garbage, recycling and yard/food waste collection is dependent on road and weather conditions for our drivers and public safety. With winter weather in the forecast for the upcoming week, we may experience some delays in service due to icy roads and other hazardous conditions. Rest assured that Seattle Public Utilities is watching the forecast closely. […]

Winter is coming… and you may not be too shocked by that fact as it tends to happen ever year. But for those of you who are looking for some tips on how to best prepare for the possibility of another winter storm, hopefully not to the extent that Seattle experienced in February, 2019, here […]

As of January 1, 2020, plastic bags and plastic wrap will no longer be accepted in curbside recycling bins. For more information, check out the Q&A below for details: Q: Why are plastic bags and plastic wrap not allowed in the recycling bin? A: Plastic bags and plastic wrap are the most problematic materials for […]