Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

San Joaquin County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project
Part 2: June 1, 2001 to November 30, 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.
• Encourage reuse through community newsletters, articles, and advertising.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Identify and Audit Initial Pool of 20 Businesses (5 C&D, 3 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 (C&D) 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 were assessed between December 1, 2000, to June 30, 2001. During the past six months, three schools and 25 C&D businesses have undergone a waste assessment. Again, the assessment provides each facility with recommended 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. Task 1 is 100 percent complete.

Additional schools that have been assessed include :

Additional C&D companies that have been assessed include :

Businesses that underwent construction or demolition :

Task 2: Conduct On-Site Waste Assessments at 40 C&D Companies. (1/1/01 to 3/1/01)
San Joaquin County staff identified 36 C&D companies located in the unincorporated area. During the past six months, 11 additional companies and 14 businesses 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. A total of 21 C&D companies, and 14 businesses have been through the waste assessment program. Follow-up phone calls and appointments were completed by November 1, 2001.

Overall, the waste assessment program is proving to be beneficial for 90 percent of the businesses/schools that have participated. County staff was able to provide recommended measures for waste reduction, economic impacts of measures, and suggestions for buying recycled. The assessments provided details and data for each business/school regarding waste composition and reduction options. The goal of the program was to provide businesses/schools with procedures for waste reduction and an overview of the economic impacts it can provide. The program was successful; however, encouraging the purchase of recycled materials remains a challenge. Task 2 is 100 percent complete.

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. This task was not implemented during this grant period due to the changes in the regulatory structure for managing CRT's. The household hazardous waste staff will be implementing this program. Task 3 was not started.

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.

The first 20 schools were completed successfully; however, it was discovered that the district office for each unified school district determines the effectiveness of an individual school's source reduction program. Therefore, each school district was contacted and meetings were set up in an attempt to get management buy-in for this program. Three additional schools were assessed during the past six months and each received a summary of recommendations for reducing their waste stream; however, meeting with the district office is another challenge county staff has encountered. Task 4 is 90 percent complete with a targeted completion date for January 2002.

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. The County Planning and Resource Reduction Unit continues to meet with the Chamber of Commerce and industry group discussing new ideas for advertising source reduction programs. Currently, the CalMAX brochure is being reproduced and mailed to over 18,000 businesses throughout San Joaquin County. Task 5 is 100 percent complete.

Task 6: Identify Reuse Advisory Group. (12/1/00 to 1/1/01)
The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce and County Planning and Resource Reduction staff continue to meet with various industry groups throughout the year to discuss past and present resource reduction awareness campaigns. Task 6 is 100 percent complete.

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 reuse booklet lists the location and phone number of each facility, as well as the CalMAX Web site. Task 7 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8: Print and Distribute Reuse Manual. (2/1/01 to 3/1/01)
The reuse manual is complete, and 3,000 copies will be distributed to the public during community events.

Task 9: Develop Public Outreach Ads. (12/1/00 to 2/1/01)
A newspaper ad was designed specifically to introduce businesses to the CalMAX program. The ad was placed for six months in the Port O Call published by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. This newspaper reaches over 1,900 chamber members and over 400 newspapers are distributed to selected offices such as City Hall, Commercial Exchange, Agricultural Exchange, and other local organizations throughout the City of Stockton. The planning and source reduction staff participated in three community events and two business trade shows this year:

• Home and Garden Show
• Agricultural Exposition
• Lodi Grape Festival
• Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce Trade Show
• Building Industry Association of the Delta Trade Show

The majority of participants attending the community events are the general public; however, many teachers and business owners are attracted to the County's booth due to the excellent displays they provide. The Trade Shows are specifically attended by local businesses; once more, the county booth is very popular. The CalMAX catalogs and index cards were given away to over 300 businesses during the shows. Most businesses attending the trade shows were not familiar with CalMAX, giving the County Planning and Source Reduction staff the opportunity to introduce the program and the benefits it can provide, such as, buying recycled products may save their businesses money.

The proposed radio spots, and other newspaper advertising were not implemented during this grant period based on the information received during waste assessments. The majority of businesses' and teachers' responses to radio and news ads were negative. Even though most business people and teachers read the newspaper, waste reduction articles are not popular. Task 9 is 100 percent complete.

Task 10: Conduct Follow Up On-Site and Phone Calls. (8/1/01 to 12/1/01)
Follow up on-site visits and calls for each business were completed by November, 2001. Task 10 is 100 percent complete.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008