Projects range from community closets and restored furniture to tool reuse, outdoorgear repair and upcycled art
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEATTLE (Oct. 20 , 2026) — Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and WM are proud to name the recipients of the 2026 ReThink Waste Grants, funding community -driven projects that aimto reduce waste, expand recycling and advance a circular economy in Seattle. Marking its eighth year, the grant award s $10,000 to five local organizations championing waste prevention and sustainability efforts.
“Seattle’s communities continue to inspire us with their creativity and commitment to reducing waste,” said Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities. “Through the ReThink Waste Grants, SPU and WM are proud to support local innovators who are expanding reuse, repair, and recycling opportunities and helping build a circular and equitable waste system for everyone in our city.”
For Jason Rose, WM area vice president, this year’s grantees reflect the creativity already at work in Seattle neighborhoods. “Each project presents an actionable plan toward reduc ingwaste or open ing new pathways for sustainability ,” Rose said.
SPU and the WM team that serves the City of Seattle chose the 2026 ReThink Waste Grant recipients from businesses and nonprofits within WM’s service area. This year’s grantees include:
•ReLove Lab: to support textile waste prevention in schools and among youth populations through community closets.
•Furniture Repair Bank: to divert furniture from landfills, build community repair skills through hands-on volunteer training and provide free, restored furnishings to vulnerable households transitioning into stable housing.
•Ballard Tool Library: to expand access to tool repair and reuse, provide hands-on education in tool maintenance and help the community keep tools in service longer while reducing waste.
•Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association: to divert reusable materials from the waste stream and teach creative reuse and waste reduction skills.
•Switchback Repair: to expand collaboration with Seattle’s outdoor community, organizations and gear brands to increase repair, reuse and material recovery opportunities.
Grantee Spotlight
Two of the 2026 grantees show how reuse can restore materials and strengthencommunity.
ReLove Lab began three years ago with a clothing swap in a single room. Today, it hosts free swaps across the Seattle area, offers tailoring and upcycling, and brings community closets to schools, where students take what they need, building confidence and giving youth an alternative to fast fashion. “I want to share my joy and passion and what we are doing wherever I go, to drive impact and target the consumption problem at the root,” said May Erickson, ReLove Lab founder.
Furniture Repair Bank in SODO rescues furniture destined for landfills. The organization has donated 2,000 pieces to people in need across King County. Last year, nearly 2,000 volunteers learned restoration skills, most for the first time. “We want to provide comfort and dignity for those folks starting over, build a replicable model and continue teaching these valuable skills to people in our community,” said Sara Dandy, communications manager, Furniture Repair Bank.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Seattle Public Utilities:
Cody Bowman
206-446-8267
SPU_media@seattle.gov
WM:
Sean Marshall
206-637-0343
smarsha9@wm.com
About Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Public Utilities fosters healthy people, environment, and economies by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and for future generations. Every day, SPU delivers essential, life-sustaining water and waste services while protecting public health and our environment to ensure healthy, thriving communities. Learn more at the Seattle Public Utilities website.
About WM in Seattle
WM is a leading provider of comprehensive recycling and environmental services in the Pacific Northwest and North America. WM provides innovative sustainability solutions and award-winning public outreach to educate and engage businesses and communities to reduce waste and improve recycling. To reduce emissions, WM uses the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard Program to allocate renewable natural gas to WM trucks serving the City of Seattle. For more information, go to the WM Service website.
ReLove Lab
Cutline: Katie Lynd (Seattle Public Utilities), May Erickson (ReLove Lab) and Anna Seweryniak (WM) outside of North Seattle Transfer Station in Wallingford on Sept. 30 holding a ReThink Waste Grant check from SPU and WM.
Furniture Repair Bank
Cutline: Kevin Tsuchida (Seattle Public Utilities), Anna Seweryniak (WM) and Sara Dandy (Furniture Repair Bank) at FRB’s workshop in SODO on Sept. 29 holding a ReThink Waste Grant check from SPU and WM.
Ballard Tool Library
Cutline: Anna Seweryniak (WM) and Jackie Lindsey (Sustainable Ballard) with volunteers Mike and Alex outside of Ballard Tool Library on Sept. 28 holding a ReThink Waste Grant check from SPU and WM.
Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA)
Cutline: Shannon Woodard (Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association), Anna Seweryniak (WM), Claire DeBenon (DNDA) and Sally Hulsman (Seattle Public Utilities) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center on Sept. 29 holding a ReThink Waste Grant check from SPU and WM.
Switchback Repair
Cutline: Anna Seweryniak (WM), Kay Sadowitz (Switchback Repair) and Katie Lynd (Seattle Public Utilities) at North Seattle Transfer Station in Wallingford on Sept. 29 holding a ReThink Waste Grant check from SPU and WM.
