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Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

City of Los Angeles Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 1: May 1, 2001 to November 1, 2001)

Project Description

The City of Los Angeles used their Reuse Assistance Grant funds to establish a program to seek donations of reusable materials within the Los Angeles area. They targeted local businesses such as accounting firms, financial institutions, legal corporations, etc. who are willing to donate reusable functional office equipment and materials because they are upgrading their office equipment to keep up with modern technology. Also targeted electronic equipment manufacturers and wholesalers for their overages and discontinued office products. The City of Los Angeles performed outreach to the commercial sector to relieve local businesses of outdated office equipment, inventory surplus, and discontinued items, which are still functional, by directing them to Los Angeles' nonprofit reuse agencies who have a distribution network and infrastructure in place.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Research Types of Materials Donated. (5/1/01 to 8/3/01)
The purpose of this pilot program is to establish a network for local businesses to direct their unwanted office equipment/supplies for further reuse by nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, low-income families, and others in need.

Staff determined that it will be more advantageous to target office equipment, which is still functional, including but not limited to: computer systems, fax machines, calculators, telephones, video/cassette players, paper shredders, desks, chairs, file cabinets, and other office supplies. Staff chose to target local businesses such as: accounting firms, banks and financial institutions, legal corporations, hotel chains, airlines, movie production companies, local electronic manufacturers, wholesalers, retail businesses, and other commercial organizations, as they tend to upgrade their office equipment to keep up with modern technology or are often looking for ways to relieve themselves of inventory surplus and discontinued office products.

The reusable material will be directed by the local businesses to Reuse Agencies who have a distribution network and infrastructure in place and will assure that the donation is reused to its fullest potential. Task 1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 2: Compile Lists of Businesses, Manufacturers, and Wholesalers and Update as Necessary. (6/1/01 to 4/3/02) 
Staff is in the process of drafting a directory of donation opportunities for Los Angeles' businesses and residents. Over 500 names of reuse centers have been compiled. These reuse centers accept donations in all the categories described above. This directory will be used as a reference guide for the businesses and will also be incorporated on the City of Los Angeles' Web site.

Staff will be calling individual reuse centers to assure that all information is correct before the directory is placed on the City of Los Angeles' Web site or given to local businesses for reference and use. Task 2 is 50 percent complete and is anticipated to be completed by April 3, 2002.

Task 2.1: Develop Database for Direct Mail. (7/1/01 to 8/3/01)
A database of over 40,000 businesses has been compiled. The plan is to target 40,000 of the 40,000 registered active businesses in the City of Los Angeles, which are major sources of reusable office equipment and materials. Effort will be made to reach these businesses throughout the year by mailers, phone calls, and newspaper advertisements to make them aware of the reuse program. It is estimated that of the 40,000 businesses contacted, approximately ten percent (or 4,000 businesses) would participate in a reuse program during the course of the grant.

Once a link between businesses and reuse is established, it will continue on an ongoing bases, expanding the availability of reusable commodities. Task 2.1 is 100 percent complete. This list will be updated as necessary. 

Task 3: Design General Reuse Information Brochure. (6/1/01 to 4/3/02)
The proposed promotional materials include a three-fold, two-sided brochure that will advertise the program, credit the funding agency (CIWMB), and provide information on the reuse pilot program. This brochure will include a partial list of reuse agencies, a contact number for the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Los Angeles' Web site. These brochures will be mailed through the regular U.S. mailing system to targeted local businesses, manufacturers, wholesalers, and other commercial organizations. Task 3 is 75 percent complete and is anticipated to be completed by April 3, 2002.

Task 3.1: Print General Reuse Information Brochure. (7/18/01 to 8/17/01)
This task is anticipated to start April 3, 2002 and be completed by June 1, 2002.

Task 3.2: Mail General Reuse Information Brochure to Target Groups. (6/2/02 to 9/17/02)
This task is anticipated to start June 2, 2002 and be completed by September 17, 2002.

Task 4: Purchase Membership in City in Los Angeles Chambers of Commerce. (6/1/02 to 7/31/02)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by July 31, 2002.

Task 4.1: Identify and purchase mailing lists from City of Los Angeles Chambers of Commerce, LA Business Journal Book of Lists, and Additional Mailing Lists TBD. (6/1/02 to 1/31/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by January 31, 2003.

Task 5: Design Direct Mail Letter Packages and Direct Mail Postcards. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 5.1: Print Direct Mail Letter Packages and Direct Mail Postcards. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 5.2: Sort, Label, and Mail Direct Mail Letter Packages and Direct Mail Postcards. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 6: Design L.A. SHARES Promotional Reuse Information Brochure, L.A. SHARES Promotional Reuse Information Flyer, and General Promotional Reuse Information Flyer. (6/1/02 to 8/3/02)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by August 3, 2002.

Task 6.2: Mail L.A. SHARES Promotional Reuse Information Brochure. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 6.3: Insert L.A. SHARES and General Promotional Information Flyer into Newsletters of L.A. Chambers of Commerce. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03).
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 7: Organize Special Events with Local Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Council Districts, Schools, Special Shopping Days, Etc. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 8: Follow Up Phone Calls to Target Group. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 9: Make Presentations at Respective Trade and Manufacturers' Associations and Conduct Meetings with Potential Donor. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 10: Utilize Computer System to Compile Data of Donors and Specific Type, Weights, and Values of Items Donated. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 10.1: Utilize Computer System to Track Origin and Type of Donated Material. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 10.2: Utilize Computer System to Track Successes of Contact Made Via Direct Mail and if Donation Resulted. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 11: Produce and Distribute Public Service Announcements Using TV and Radio. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start August 3, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 12: Prepare Related Articles for Press Releases and Trade Journals (Newspaper Advertisements). (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 13: Outdoor Advertising. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 14: Contact Leading Newspapers, Business and Trade Magazines, and Other Services for Coverage. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
This task is anticipated to start June 1, 2002 and be completed by April 30, 2003.

Task 15: Prepare First Report. (5/1/01 to 12/1/01)
Task 15 is 100 percent complete.

Task 16: Prepare Second Report. (11/1/01 to 6/1/02)
This task is anticipated to start November 1, 2001 and be completed by June 1, 2002.

Task 17: Prepare Third Report. (5/1/02 to 12/1/02)
This task is anticipated to start May 1, 2002 and be completed by December 1, 2002.

Task 18: Prepare Fourth Report. (11/1/02 to 6/1/03)
This task is anticipated to start November 1, 2002 and be completed by June 1, 2003.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008