South Transfer Station closing for almost a month later this summer

| Environment | South Park | West Seattle news

(Seattle Public Utilities photo)

Thanks for the tip! The transfer station (aka dump) closest to West Seattle will close for more than three weeks in August, and Seattle Public Utilities is trying to get the word out early. Here’s the announcement they’re circulating today:

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will temporarily close the South Transfer Station, located at 130 S. Kenyon Street, from August 4 through August 29, 2025, to complete essential safety upgrades and replace the commercial tipping floor used for waste handling. The closure will affect both public customers and account holders. However, contractors will not be impacted.

This critical project involves replacing 35,000 square feet of commercial tipping floor to maintain safe, efficient operations and protect the well-being of staff and the public. The station is expected to reopen Saturday, August 30, 2025, pending construction progress.

Skip a Trip, Plan Ahead, Know Where to Go

During the closure, SPU recommends that customers postpone trips to the transfer station if possible. A list of temporary alternative locations is listed on the website. These locations may have different hours, additional fees, or not accept certain items, so customers are advised to:

*Visit www.seattle.gov/south-transfer-station for a full list of alternative disposal locations by material type and load size.

*Visit the website of the alternative location to verify hours, fees, and items accepted

*Sort and secure loads properly before visiting any alternative facility.

*Bring smaller loads and be prepared for higher-than-usual traffic at other sites.

*Use the “Where Does It Go?” tool online to explore donation, recycling, and curbside collection options.

Additionally, select construction and demolition (C&D) materials must be recycled and cannot be disposed of in Seattle garbage. Materials such as asphalt, bricks, concrete, metal, untreated wood, and gypsum scrap must go to a recycling facility: DTG Hudson St., MCS Recycling, or DTG Renton. Non-recyclable C&D materials can go to WM Eastmont or Black River. Large trailer loads and hydraulic-lift vehicles should use North Transfer Station or WM Eastmont. King County stations at Bow Lake and Renton will accept only small residential loads from Seattle, and may have additional restrictions, such as fees for mattresses and limits on appliance drop-offs. View completed closure guidance and the most up-to-date information on the project timeline, alternative locations, and FAQs at www.seattle.gov/south-transfer-station.

Items Not Accepted at Seattle or King County Transfer Stations:

Radioactive and Hazardous Waste including Oil Paint (and Containers) and Household Chemicals
Ammo, Firearms, Fireworks, Flares, Explosives, Weapons
Sealed Drums, Fuel/Propane/Oil Tanks, Compressed Gas, Fire Extinguishers
Electronics, TVs or Monitors (CRTs)
Furnaces and parts, Wood stoves, Duct work
Asbestos, or material containing asbestos
Dead animals over 15 lbs (call animal control)
Sewage

Seattle Public Utilities appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation during this necessary closure and encourages everyone to plan ahead, travel light, and dispose smart.

If you haven’t used the transfer station, you might still know it as the huge building just south of the ramp from West Marginal/Holden onto the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. It was built in the early 2010s.

brandon June 25, 2025 (4:42 pm)

I can remember several years ago the City gave residents a one time (per year?) trip to the Transfer Station free of charge. Seems it would be a great idea again.

Peter June 25, 2025 (6:01 pm)

Reply

This is an excellent idea that would help to curb illegal dumping elsewhere.
- WS Person June 25, 2025 (11:51 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  No it won’t. People who dump illegally don’t care about taking trash to the dump, free or fee.

WS Neighbor June 25, 2025 (5:02 pm)

So, what does this mean for property owners in Seattle ? Do we need to do anything different or get charged a fee for waiting for the next SPU weekly pick up at our address in Seattle?

K June 25, 2025 (5:32 pm)

Reply

This doesn’t affect regular curbside pickups.

Question Authority June 25, 2025 (6:01 pm)

Here’s a little tidbit of building history if you don’t recall. After the enormous steel framework was installed, luckily prior to being enclosed it was found to be improperly coated and had to be all taken apart and redone. One wonders with that contractor track record if the floor was actually built to spec or if this is normal wear and tear. It was after all done using the City of Seattle process which is low bid wins and everybody knows that’s not always a smart decision.

Jay June 26, 2025 (1:42 pm)

Reply

If public projects switched from Design-Bid-Build (hard bidding out a design, contracting parts of the work out to low bidders) to Design-Build (integrated project delivery under a DBIA contract with a guaranteed maximum price) we’d avoid so many negative project outcomes. Bidding out work to people who don’t have a stake in the outcome of the project is the main reason projects go so poorly. WSDOT has adopted design-build, that’s how they built their new headquarters. The City of Seattle desperately needs to make this pivot. Projects get done faster, get built accurately to spec, cost less, and most importantly don’t get caught up in the quagmires of redesign, procurement limbo, or projects not being built accurately to spec. This is a topic I’m an expert in and it feels kind of depressing watching the Seattle process and how poorly and expensively projects are planned and executed, if they ever make it to execution. Especially making major decisions about the project before talking to the designer, project manager, subcontractors, etc. that will be working on it.