Renovation improves recycling, safety; reduces noise, odors, and dust
The City of Seattle today dedicated a new state-of-the-art facility to better serve residents and businesses with recycling, composting, and garbage disposal over the next 50 years. The new South Recycling and Disposal Station, located in South Park, will replace the 1964 facility just across the street.
Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of the new $50 million station, which will open for business this summer.
The new facility has the capacity to transfer a much larger variety of materials for recycling or reuse than could have ever been achieved at the old station.
Customers will experience a new facility that offers:
- Expanded recycling areas and the ability to accept more types of recyclables.
- Reduced noise, dust and odor due to a misting system that removes dust from the air and can be used to reduce odors.
- A rainwater collection system that stores rain in a cistern to be used for washing.
- Automated weigh-and-pay station for increased efficiency.
- Shorter lines, a reduction in wait times, and enough space to prevent back-ups onto public streets.
- Increased safety inside the station for customers and employees.
- A separate entrance for commercial collection trucks for added safety and efficiency.
- Hydraulic compactors to optimize loads for efficiency.
- High-quality architecture that meets the gold standard in environmental design.
- Public art that features salvaged street signs and parts from the old South Park bridge. Other art at the facility includes works made from recycling plastic forks and niches for transfer station staff to display “interesting items” that are found in the trash.
- Crosswalk improvements, pedestrian amenities, and a second-floor viewing room for tour groups and individuals to safely see the activity on the sorting floor.
Click here to see a slideshow of the new facility.