Save The Waterfront

The shredder property is still a danger to the community

You helped clear the metal pile and stop the shredder.

Now, we must ensure permanent zoning reform in Alderwood to keep heavy industry from endangering Bellingham and Whatcom County residents.

Save the Waterfront is protecting our community from dangerous heavy industry.

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Current 2026 Priorities

The 18-acre industrial site

Making the Shredder Property Safe

The Heavy Industrial (Hii) zoning that allowed ABC to build the shredder remains. We are advocating for a rezone of the 18-acre Heavy Industrial property in Bellingham's Urban Growth Area.

ABC Recycling proved that Heavy Industrial activity within the Alderwood neighborhood is not compatible. It is not enough to trust that companies will follow laws that are still dangerous to residents. There are thousands of people within a mile of the ABC property.

As part of the Bellingham Urban Growth Area (UGA), this land is the future of our city. We cannot allow heavy industry to poison the ground we intend to grow on.

Zone It Right, Zone It Light yard signs will be here soon. Order your free sign today!

Economic development visual

A Local Economy for Everyone

Somehow industry sells the idea that:

  • Any employment is good employment, even if it makes hundreds of future jobs impossible.
  • Any new tax base is worth a huge health risk to neighbors, even if the money leaves the community while the waste stays.
  • Existing laws are enough to keep people safe.

Save the Waterfront is here to help the community say “NO!”. We deserve economic development that helps the many and not just the few. Whatcom County can have industry that helps all and hurts none.

Now What? Its in the hands of the Planning Commission, and the County Council -- and you!

As a fallow Heavy Industrial property with no company hindered by the rezone, the ABC Shredder property is best used as a light industrial location.

The rezone will support increased employment, additional tax dollars to fund county programs, keep the surrounding environment safer from pollution, and increase needed buffers between industry and close by neighborhoods.

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