Coordinator Update: Winter 2000

by Jeff Hunts, CalMAX Supervisor

Millennium Fever

Happy New Year from all of us at CalMAX to all of our subscribers and customers who are the real forces behind the success of this resource reuse program. We realize that the new millennium doesn’t really begin until 2001, but we didn't want to miss out on the hoopla so we are kicking off 2000 with a special Reuse in the New Millennium catalog. Besides, with the economy booming and many business sectors enjoying unprecedented growth and prosperity, now is a perfect time to remind those fortunate enough to have surplus materials that there are others that go wanting. Let’s set the stage for this extension of the economy now. Fortunately, in addition to "virtual" reuse programs like CalMAX, there are several "real" reuse programs that actually handle materials and give both institutions and individuals the opportunity to prolong the useful life of otherwise wasted resources. It is to the efforts of these operations that we dedicate the Winter 2000 catalog.

Focus on Reuse . . .

Readers will have probably noticed that every catalog in the past year has contained a special insert section featuring a unique or timely reuse topic. As long as we can come up with worthwhile topics, we will continue these special focus features. This Winter 2000 CalMAX catalog focuses on reuse facilities that differ from the classic thrift or consignment shops. As noted above, reuse facilities are emerging as a key link in the resource management chain, bridging the gap between the generator and the forager, the haves and the have nots.

Many of these facilities are the perfect places to handle certain Y2K discards. As noted in last catalog's special focus on electronics reuse and repair, there is an anticipated glut of outdated computer equipment that may result from upgrades conducted to stave off software bug problems. Please refer to that issue, or visit the CalMAX Web site (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/CalMAX/) for guidance on donating surplus electronics before sending materials to the dump.

CalMAX Welcomes New Staff!

CalMAX is pleased to announce the additions of Maggie Coulter and Jill Larner to the program, replacing long-time CalMAX Coordinator Kevin Taylor, who left this past fall in search of greener pastures in the Board's Organic Materials Management program. Maggie and Jill are currently half-time staffers and share a job. Maggie brings experience gained from her work with the Board’s Buy Recycled efforts, as well as from a spell at the California Conservation Corps. Jill most recently worked in the Board's Business Resource Efficiency program developing and disseminating fact sheets on business waste reduction. We expect that their eyes and ideas will keep the program both on track and ever improving. Look for their mark on the program in coming months.

Future for CalMAX . . .
New Web and E-mail Improvements

Speaking of improvements, CalMAX will implement several upgrades to its Web site in the coming months that will enhance the capabilities of users to find materials. Users will be able to conduct searches by county in addition to region and to search by keyword. We are also investigating the use of GIS (geographic information systems) to help users locate materials within actual distances—such as within a 50-mile radius of their ZIP code—nstead of simply by political boundaries.

CalMAX is also striving to improve our customer service and find ways of allowing users to manage their own listings in a timely and convenient fashion. With the growth of Internet usage, we may soon be offering automated listing renewal and retirement capabilities to those users with e-mail addresses. A perennial challenge is identifying successful exchanges, and here’s where we need your help. Please be sure to contact us, either by phone, fax, mail or e-mail whenever you have successfully released or received materials as a result of CalMAX use. This information is our lifeblood, proving that this service is of benefit and should be continued.

Coming Soon!
Reuse Grants and Assistance

And speaking of lifeblood, the Board recently acted to establish a reuse grants pilot project intended to provide assistance funding to local reuse programs throughout the state. While providing no guarantees for continued operation, this pilot will solicit competitive proposals from local governments and affiliated local partners to establish or enhance reuse efforts. These grants, anticipated to be allocated in $50,000 increments, could go a long way toward getting a local reuse program on the Web, establish improved inventory tracking, or conduct outreach to the community. Additionally, CalMAX anticipates spending about $100,000 throughout the next year to help local jurisdictions use CalMAX as their own materials exchange. The means and methods of distributing this assistance are still being formulated. For more information on these projects as they develop, contact Jeff Hunts at jhunts@ciwmb.ca.gov or (916) 341-6603.

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Last updated: August 01, 2008