City Departments
Mike McGinn, Mayor
5/30/2012 9:30:00 AM
SPU Customer Service (206) 684-3000
Seattle’s state-of-the-art South Transfer Station built for the future
Renovation improves recycling, safety; reduces noise, odors, and dust
SEATTLE — 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.
“This investment in a new station clearly puts the City in a great position to provide more reliable, efficient and safe solid-waste collection and disposal services now and well into the future,” said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.
McGinn was joined at the event by Seattle City Councilmembers Richard Conlin and Jean Godden.
“We’ve come a long way from the time when our old South Transfer Station was built in 1964. The city still had open garbage dumps and curbside recycling was more than two decades away,” said Councilmember Godden. “Today we celebrate the legacy we are leaving for our children and our grandchildren – a cleaner, greener Seattle.”
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.
“Between the new South Transfer Station and the new North Transfer Station – soon to be under construction – Seattle customers will have a solid waste system that supports the City’s efforts toward zero waste and will serve this generation and generations to come,” said Councilmember Conlin.
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.
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In addition to providing a reliable water supply to more than 1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area, Seattle Public Utilities provides essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.
—SPU—