Last week, Seattle hosted the international ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit, a gathering of leaders from government, business, and hunger‑relief organizations aiming to tackle one of the biggest challenges in our waste stream: food. Right here in our city, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is at the forefront of developing smart,… [ Keep reading ]
Our community programs recently hosted our inaugural Volunteer Appreciation Event, a celebration of the incredible individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to supporting our programs and serving the community. Volunteers are the backbone of many SPU programs. They don’t just show up; they show what it means to… [ Keep reading ]
Zero Waste Events at Seattle Center Could Soon Be a Reality We’re excited to share that Seattle has been named one of 50 finalists from 33 countries in the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, a global competition that supports bold and innovative urban solutions to major challenges cities face. This… [ Keep reading ]
The South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric (is one cool little) Project In the Seattle area, most of the drinking water we use has generated power on its way to our faucets. The very same water serves a third purpose, too. The reservoir behind the South Fork Tolt (SFT) Hydroelectric Project on the South… [ Keep reading ]
Are you ready to upgrade your water-guzzling and energy-intensive products? Choosing efficient fixtures for your home doesn’t require sacrificing performance or price and can help you save water, energy, and money. Efficient products have come a long way. Low-flow toilets got a bad reputation in the 1990s for poor performance… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is excited to share that glass placed in your residential blue bin is once again being recycled into new products, thanks to major improvements in regional infrastructure and new partnerships. What Happened to Glass Recycling? In 2024, Seattle had to pause regular glass recycling after the… [ Keep reading ]
llegal tire dumping isn’t just unsightly; it’s also dangerous. And it’s on the rise. Across Seattle, hundreds of used tires are being abandoned in greenbelts, public rights-of-way, and other community spaces. Since 2022, we have seen an 82% increase in large-scale illegal dumping, often involving dozens or even hundreds of… [ Keep reading ]
Recycling Reform Act and Right to Repair Pass, budget shortfall impacts, and more On April 27, the Washington State Legislature concluded its 2025 legislative session after passing the state’s two-year (2025-27) biennial budget. As anticipated, it was a tough budget year, as the state faces a $16 billion deficit over… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) leadership was instrumental in helping to pass a new state law that will make recycling easier, more consistent, and more effective—not just across the state, but right here in Seattle too. It’s called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The bill requires companies that make packaging and paper… [ Keep reading ]
Have you gone on a walk or drive around Seattle and spotted those bright yellow bags? We’re pretty sure you’ve seen them. Curious about what they’re for? We’ve got the answers. Those yellow bags come from our Adopt a Street (AAS) program! This program provides free supplies, like yellow trash… [ Keep reading ]
