Old liquor warehouse becomes recycling plant; Panattoni starts addition

Recology CleanScapes recently opened a 75,000-square-foot recycling plant in the existing warehouse at 4401 E. Marginal Way S. in Seattle.

The plant processes commercial and residential commingled recyclables. Its equipment was designed, manufactured and installed by Bulk Handling Systems of Eugene, Oregon. The machines can process more than 90,000 tons of recyclables annually.

Sierra Construction built out office space, poured concrete slabs and cut 4-foot-deep pits in the concrete for the machines. The contractor also removed three interior columns and added three large overhead doors and drive-in ramps.

Owen Richards Architects was the designer.

Recology occupies about 40 percent of the former Washington State Liquor Control warehouse. Owner Panattoni Development is building a 111,000-square-foot addition to the building and is talking with potential tenants for that space and the rest of the existing warehouse.

Sierra recently started the addition and expects to finish by year end. Craft Architects is the designer.

Recology CleanScapes collects solid waste and recyclables from businesses and households in the cities of Seattle, Shoreline, SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Issaquah and Carnation. It will add Maple Valley later this year.

Twenty-five people were hired to run the new plant.