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 effort is a collaborative effort between Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Seattle Center, the Mayor’s Office, and the Office of Sustainability & Environment.
Our Vision: A Zero Waste Events Campus at Seattle Center
Seattle’s proposal is to transform Seattle Center into the nation’s first Zero Waste Events Campus, setting a national model for circular waste practices and sustainable public spaces. The concept includes:
- Piloting reusable dishware at major events
- Improving waste-sorting stations and infrastructure
- Composting landscape waste generated onsite
As a finalist, Seattle will receive $50,000 in funding and technical support to test and refine our idea. In July, our team will join other finalists at Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Ideas Camp—an intensive workshop designed to help cities stress-test and strengthen their ideas with feedback from global experts and peer cities. In January 2026, 25 of the 50 finalists will be awarded $1 million each, along with additional support to fully implement their solutions.
Prepping to Welcome the World Cup
Seattle Center is more than an iconic landmark—it’s a dynamic gathering place that welcomes 12 million visitors annually and will be a centerpiece of international activity during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a Soccer Fan Celebration expected to draw thousands of attendees. This initiative supports the City’s sustainability and climate goals while helping us prepare for world-class events with world-class zero waste practices.
This proposal builds on the ongoing efforts by SPU to prevent waste at public events across the city. Over the past year, SPU has piloted reusable dishware programs at 46 events across the city such as:
- Northwest Folklife Festival
- West Seattle Summer Fest
- Seattle-area Farmers Markets
Over 100,000 single-use bowls, cups, and utensils have been prevented from being discarded across these events. These initiatives not only reduce single-use items that end up in the landfill but also demonstrate how reuse can be scaled citywide. We invite community members, event organizers, and sustainability advocates to join us in building a future where large-scale events don’t generate large-scale waste. Learn more at ReuseSeattle. Together, we can lead by example—and show how a better future is possible, one reusable plate at a time.