Public Viewing Room
Seattle Transfer Stations Code of Conduct in Effect
Seattle Public Utilities maintains safe, efficient, and respectful transfer stations. Please follow posted rules and staff direction during your visit. Certain behaviors and items are not allowed including; disruptive or unsafe actions, abusive language, or interference with operations. Smoking. vaping, and hazardous materials are not permitted. Children under 12 must remain in vehicles on the station floor and be accompanied by an adult at all times. Non-compliance may result in verbal warnings, exclusion from the premises, or citation under City law. If you need accommodations, speak with station staff—we will work with you to complete your visit safely. Learn more by reading the rule here: Director's Rule SW-310 Code of Conduct for Patrons of Transfer Stations.
Take a self-guided tour of the J.P. Patches Viewing Room on the third floor of the South Transfer Station to learn how our transfer stations process more than 320,000 tons of garbage, recycling and yard waste each year.
The Viewing Room overlooks the "tipping floor" so visitors can watch the station's daily operations. In addition, educational displays and videos explain Seattle's solid waste system, including recycling and waste reduction.
The Viewing Room is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is ADA-accessible, though due to space constraints, no seating is available. The viewing room is not staffed by employees, and no staff-led tours are provided To ensure the it remains open to all, please follow the below guidelines:
- All children must be supervised by an adult.
- Please be gentle with exhibits, do not break or damage.
- No food or drink allowed.
- No birthday parties, large groups, or events.
There are additional resources for teachers and students about School Recycling and Waste Reduction. These videos about recycling, composting, and Seattle’s solid waste system may also be useful for your classroom.