The Ballard Tool Library at 7549B 15th Ave. NW has won $10,000 to expand its tool-lending and repair programs.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and WM announced Oct. 20 that the membership-based lending library is one of five organizations receiving a 2026 ReThink Waste Grant. The program, now in its eighth year, awards $10,000 each to local nonprofits and businesses working to reduce waste and advance reuse in Seattle.

The grant will fund expanded access to tool repair and reuse, hands-on education in tool maintenance and efforts to help community members keep tools in service longer, according to the SPU announcement.

Run by Sustainable Ballard, the Ballard Tool Library opened in 2018 and lets members borrow power drills, jigsaws, sanders, lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, pressure washers, sewing machines, juicers and bike repair stands, as first reported by My Ballard. The library also offers repair guides.

The library's website puts it plainly: "… why buy a tile saw you'll use twice when you can borrow it next door?"

A photo caption in the SPU announcement shows Jackie Lindsey of Sustainable Ballard and Anna Seweryniak of WM holding a grant check outside the tool library on Sept. 28 with volunteers Mike and Alex.

Andrew Lee, general manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities, said in the Oct. 20 announcement that the grants "… support local innovators who are expanding reuse, repair, and recycling opportunities."

The four other grant recipients span neighborhoods across Seattle. ReLove Lab will use its award for textile waste prevention in schools through community closets. Furniture Repair Bank in SoDo diverts furniture from landfills and has donated 2,000 pieces to people in need across King County.

The Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association will teach creative reuse and waste reduction skills. Switchback Repair will work with outdoor gear brands to increase repair and material recovery.

Sustainable Ballard, which has operated for more than 20 years, is also a finalist for a separate $40,000 BECU People's Choice Award. Executive director Jenny Heins told My Ballard on Oct. 7 that the organization's programs include food recovery, community gardens, resource sharing and waste reduction.

The Ballard Tool Library is open to members at 7549B 15th Ave. NW.