Reuse Products and Services

The City of Seattle (City) is seeking qualified vendors to provide comprehensive services to support the use of reusable food services ware at designated events. The Reusable Food Service Ware at Seattle Events (Reuse Seattle @ Events Program) is a program managed by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), intended to reduce single-use food service ware at public events and to model sustainable alternatives for event production. Event locations vary.

The Reuse Seattle @ Events Program provides alternatives to single-use items at special events by supporting the delivery, pick up, and sanitation of reusable dishware and associated service logistics for various types of events across Seattle. The intention of the Reuse Seattle @ Events Program is to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing reuse at public events, gather best practices, and evaluate implementation costs and other considerations to inform development of a sustainable approach and funding model for providing reusable dishware at all events citywide.

Through cross-department coordination led by the Office of Economic Development’s (OED) Special Events Office, the City of Seattle issues permits for various outdoor events and other public gatherings each year, including community festivals and fairs, concerts and performances, parades, farmers markets, and more. City departments also directly host several public events at City facilities and public places. These events bring visitors to our city, contribute to our economy, and celebrate our vibrant community. These events generate large amounts of waste, much of it from single-use food service ware. Reducing the volume of waste produced from these events helps minimize the potential for litter and reduces the climate pollution that is generated from wasted resources and single-use items.

The City anticipates spending $250,000 per year on Reuse Products and Services establishing the need for a blanket contract. In the past most orders averaged $3200 each. There were occasionally orders that are between $10,000 and $12,000 with a few orders as high as $15,000. The primary user of the contract is anticipated to be Seattle Public Utilities (SPU).