Purple Bag Program
Our Purple Bag Program expanded city-wide to support waste pickup at homeless encampments.
The City of Tacoma’s Purple Bag Project has expanded to provide regular waste pickup services at homeless encampments across the city. Initially launched as a pilot, the program has grown city-wide through partnerships with Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS). The initiative aims to reduce the negative health and environmental impacts of improperly disposed waste by providing tools and services for proper disposal. Currently, the program distributes an average of 10,000 purple bags annually.
What Are Purple Bags?
Purple bags are a temporary solution to help individuals experiencing homelessness maintain clean and safe living areas until they can connect with shelters or housing opportunities. The HEAL team continues to provide outreach to those in encampments. You can request outreach support online or call (253) 591-5000.
Program Services Include:
- Distribution of Purple Trash Bags: Along with sharps containers and personal protective equipment (PPE), these are provided to individuals experiencing homelessness living on City-owned open space restoration sites.
- Waste Pickup: Regular pickups are coordinated with a third-party cleanup contractor to manage waste removal.
- HEAL Team Outreach: The Homeless Engagement Alternatives Liaison (HEAL) team provides ongoing outreach and resources to unhoused individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The purple color distinguishes these bags from those used in other cleanup programs. This helps clarify what items should be disposed of versus those a person may want to keep, which can be stored in different colored bags. Other cities like Seattle and Austin, Texas, have also adopted this model.
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Purple bags are distributed in partnership with a third-party cleanup contractor. Collection services are not managed by the City’s Solid Waste Utility but operate as a distinct service. Volunteers interested in helping with distribution can email the program coordinator for more information.
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Improper disposal of garbage, human waste, and hazardous materials can harm the environment by damaging vegetation, causing erosion, and contributing to pollution. Hazardous waste can also contaminate surface waters, harming watersheds and marine ecosystems. A large portion of community members experiencing homelessness currently live on or near passive open space sites and stormwater facilities managed by the City. Providing regular waste pickup at encampments helps protect both human health and the environment.
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4 Expansion: Mobile Toilet Kit Pilot Program
Building on the success of the Purple Bag Program, the City added personal mobile toilet kits in partnership with Environmental Services and NCS.
Each kit includes:
- A small privacy tent
- Adjustable bucket with purple bag liners and kitty litter
- Toilet paper, sanitary wipes, and hygiene products
- Waste collected in the purple bags will be securely contained and picked up by the City’s contractor, similar to current waste pickup operations. For purple bag pickup requests, please call 311 or submit a request online.
Contact
For purple bag pickup requests, call 311 or submit a request online.