The Port of Bellingham has been selected to receive technical assistance to build an industrial symbiosis hub as part of the Washington Department of Commerce’s Industrial Symbiosis Technical Assistance Program.
Industrial symbiosis is a waste management strategy in which different industries can collaborate to recycle and reuse energy, water and material waste.
“By connecting businesses and infrastructure in ways that turn waste streams into valuable resources, we can create new opportunities for investment, innovation and job creation,” Port Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone said in a news release. “We are encouraged by the leadership shown by ports and communities across Washington, including the Port of Pasco and Longview’s industrial symbiosis initiatives, and we look forward to applying those lessons locally.”
The technical assistance comes from the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, the contractor implementing the program. CSI has provided assistance for similar projects in other cities in both Washington and Oregon.
The goal of the technical assistance program is “for Whatcom County to emerge with a high-priority industrial symbiosis capital project that is ready to advance into preliminary design, environmental review and the pursuit of capital funding,” according to the Port’s website.
The project will be implemented in four phases from September 2026 to June 2027.
The Bellingham waterfront will be the main hub, and the project will help determine where additional resource sites may be implemented across the county.
For more information, visit portofbellingham.com/1173/Industrial-Symbiosis-Feasibility-Project.
