Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

San Joaquin County Reuse Assistance Grant Project
Part 1: November 1, 2000 to June 1, 2001

Project Description

San Joaquin County used their Reuse Assistance Grant funds to:

• Develop an educational outreach program to encourage businesses and residents to reuse.
• Conduct waste audits for businesses generating targeted materials.
• Develop a reuse manual identifying locations that use targeted materials.
• Create an advertising campaign targeting the business community.
• Foster education through community newsletters, articles, and advertising encouraging reuse.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Identify and Audit Initial Pool of 20 Businesses (Five C&D, Three Electronic, and 12 Schools). (12/1/00 to 12/30/00)
During the first six months of the grant period, San Joaquin County Solid Waste staff has identified and contacted schools and construction and demolition contractors regarding waste assessments. A specific procedure for conducting waste assessments is required by the Integrated Waste Manager. The procedure includes the following steps:

• Develop a letter describing the program and AB 939, the purpose of the assessment, and how it may benefit a business or school.
• Mail a letter to each business and school targeted for assessment.
• Call each business and school targeted, requesting an appointment to provide an on-site waste assessment.
• Provide waste assessment for businesses and schools that are interested in the program.

The first 20 schools and ten construction and demolition businesses have undergone a waste assessment. The assessment provides each facility with recommendation measures for waste reduction, economic impacts of measures, and suggestions for buying recycled. Secondly, the assessment will provide details and data for each business/school regarding waste composition, reduction options, initial expenses, operating expenses, hauling savings, and waste reduction outcome.

Schools that have been assessed include:

Construction and demolition companies that have been assessed include:

Task 2: Conduct On-Site Waste Assessments at 40 C&D Companies. (1/1/01 to 3/1/01)
San Joaquin County staff has identified 36 construction and demolition companies located in the unincorporated area. Ten of these companies have been through the waste assessment process and methods for reducing collection costs by recycling office paper, cardboard, and food waste were recommended. Formal reports were sent to each site for consideration. Ten additional C&D companies have been sent letters within the past ten days. Follow-up phone calls and appointments are presently being completed.

Task 3: Conduct On-Site Waste Assessments at 25 Electronic Companies. (3/1/01 to 4/1/01)
Currently, staff is in the process of identifying electronics businesses located in the unincorporated area of San Joaquin County. However, recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) are considering changes in the current regulatory structure for managing cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Waste assessments for electronics businesses have been temporarily postponed until emergency regulations are established. The current regulations characterize CRTs as hazardous materials that require special permits for handling. Emergency regulations are expected within the next 90 days.

Task 4: Conduct On-Site Waste Assessments at 43 Schools. (4/1/01 to 7/1/01)
Originally, this task was written to provide 172 waste assessments for schools located in San Joaquin County. However, only 43 schools are eligible for waste audits because they are located in the unincorporated area of the county.

Currently 20 schools have received waste assessments and staff is preparing to implement at least ten additional school assessments. However, the results of the initial audits indicate that it is the operational decisions made at the district offices for each unified school district that determine the effectiveness of an individual school's source reduction program. Therefore, each school district is being contacted, and meetings are being set up in an attempt to get management buy-in for this program. Once these meetings have occurred, each school will receive an audit and be provided with a summary of recommendations for significantly reducing waste production.

Task 5: Identify Chamber of Commerce and Industry Groups. (1/2/01 to 1/9/01)
The planning and source reduction unit has joined the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Management staff will consult with Frank Ferral, Business Development Director, and Evenyl Roemmich, Advertising Coordinator for the Chamber to develop specific advertising and networking strategies for businesses and schools requiring assistance to reduce waste management costs.

Task 6: Identify Reuse Advisory Group. (12/1/00 to 1/1/01)
Management staff is currently working with the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce to develop a Reuse Advisory Group.

Task 7: Develop, Design, and Review Reuse Manual. (12/1/00 to 1/1/01)
A list of recycling facilities, thrift, consignment, second hand, and Goodwill stores has been developed. The manual and/or brochure will list the location and phone number of each facility including a map as well as the CalMAX Web site. The reuse manual is in the design stage and will be completed by September 2001.

Task 8: Print and Distribute Reuse Manual. (2/1/01 to 3/1/01)
The reuse manual will be developed and distributed to businesses and schools by December 3, 2001.

Task 9: Develop Public Outreach Ads. (12/1/00 to 2/1/01)
A newspaper ad has been developed by Solid Waste Source Reduction staff and placed in the business section of four local newspapers. The first ad was designed specifically to introduce businesses to the CalMAX program. Management staff plans to meet with Stockton Chamber staff on June 11, 2001 to discuss additional newspaper ads, Web site design, and at least one public outreach event targeting local contractors. The possibility of using Home Depot for the outreach location will be discussed.

Task 10: Conduct Follow Up On-Site and Phone Calls. (8/1/01 to 12/1/01)
On-site visits and calls will be provided for each business beginning September 2001.

Accomplishments for the Next Reporting Period Include:

• Complete all remaining waste assessments targeting reuse and CalMAX resources.
• Continue to develop new networking strategies with businesses.
• Complete and maintain the advisory group in order to expand effective reuse education and outreach programs throughout the county.
• Distribute the reuse information brochure.
• Implement a reuse campaign targeting construction and demolition companies.

*Permission was obtained from grant recipient to publish project profile.

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Last updated: June 25, 2008