Recyclable Processing Services

The City of Seattle (“the City”) through its Seattle Public Utilities (“SPU”) is requesting proposals for processing commingled recyclables received through the City’s solid waste curbside collection contracts. Processing includes accepting recyclable materials collected through the City’s contracted collection services and at the City’s two transfer stations and other City-authorized collection events or activities, responsibly sorting them into marketable commodities, and marketing them to responsible recycling end-markets.

The City’s current contracted recycling processor processes approximately 80,000 tons of the City’s Recycling each year. That volume and this RFP do not include commercial recyclables collected and processed through open-market services outside of City collection and processing contracts.

The City intends to award up to two contracts for processing recyclables, effective April 1, 2027, with an estimated combined gross contract value of $8,000,000, based on the 2024 processing costs. Proposals are being requested for two contract options: Processing Percentage and Contract Term. The City encourages proposers to submit competitive base proposals along with alternative proposals.

The City seeks partnerships that maintain Seattle's service excellence, affordable rates, and environmental leadership. This RFP is designed to provide specificity to reduce uncertainty for proposers while also advancing the City’s goals and supporting new and creative solutions and arrangements.

This RFP supports the following City Priorities that capture key outcomes and values and guide the procurement process:

1. High value end products with environmental benefits
2. Minimal loss of recyclables in the residual stream
3. Low net system costs
4. Safe and reliable operations with experienced staff
5. Minimal environmental, human health, and community impacts
6. Equitable opportunities in hiring and subcontracting
7. Successful City/Proposer partnership with ongoing transparency
8. Competitive vendor environment now and in the future
9. Opportunities for innovation
10. Maximum recyclables diversion to responsible end-market
11. Robust recyclables monitoring, tracking, and reporting mechanisms