Seattle’s sustainability advantage begins with electricity. According to Seattle City Light, more than 90% of the city’s power comes from hydropower, making it one of the cleanest urban grids in the United States.
The city was also an early adopter of plastic bans and curbside composting. EPA data shows Seattle diverts around 60% of its waste from landfills—roughly double the national average.
What Seattle Does Well
- Carbon-neutral municipal electricity
- High renewable energy penetration
- Strong composting and waste-reduction culture
Trade-Offs to Know
- Earthquake exposure
- Rapidly rising housing prices
- Infrastructure strain from growth
Bottom line: Seattle offers one of the cleanest urban energy profiles in the country, with growing affordability pressures.
