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the commercial sector to relieve local businesses of outdated office equipment,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 has drafted 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 has contacted 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 100 percent complete.
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 promotional materials, as approved by the Waste Board, 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 100 percent complete.
Task 3.1: Print General Reuse Information Brochure. (7/18/01 to
8/17/01)
Over 10,000 copies of the promotional reuse brochure were printed. Task 3.1 is 100 percent complete.
Task 3.2: Mail General Reuse Information Brochure to Target Groups.
(6/2/02 to 9/17/02)
8,800 promotional reuse brochures were mailed to local businesses during the
reporting period. Over 1,200 promotional reuse brochures were offered to the business/citizens
at local public outreach events and community events that were held throughout
the City of Los Angeles. Task 3.2 is 100 percent complete.
Task 4: Purchase Membership in City in Los Angeles Chambers of Commerce.
(6/1/02 to 7/31/02)
L.A. SHARES has purchases memberships in the following 12 Chambers of
Commerce: Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce, West L.A. Chamber of Commerce, Encino Chamber of Commerce,
Westchester-LAX-Marina del Rey Chamber of Commerce, Mid Valley Chamber of
Commerce, Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, Woodland Hills Chamber of
Commerce, Valley Industry and Commerce Association, North Hollywood/Universal
City Chamber of Commerce, Century City Chamber of Commerce, and Studio City
Chamber of Commerce.
The San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce awarded L.A. SHARES a free
membership. L.A. SHARES is awaiting the membership application packages from both the
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of
Commerce. Its is expected to acquire membership of these Chambers during
November 2002.
The Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce does not share its mailing list
with anyone, including its members. Therefore, it was decided there was no
benefit in joining the membership of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. However,
the Executive Director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce will find a way to
promote the L.A. SHARES program to its membership and the businesses that they
represent. Task 4 is over 90 percent complete.
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)
A number of mailing lists including the LA Business Journal Book of Lists
were purchased. In addition, an up-to-date database of Chief Executive Officers,
Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, Purchasing Officers, Facilities Directors,
Public Affairs Officers, Office Managers, Community Affairs Managers, and
Environmental Affairs Directors of the Top 100 Public and 100 Top Private
Companies for Los Angeles County and for the City of Los Angeles was created. L.A. SHARES has not yet purchase all of the Chamber of Commerce mailing lists
as they would like to use the most up-to-date mailing list. Mailing lists will
be purchases as close as possible to the mailing date. Task 4.1 is about 75 percent complete.
Task 5: Design Direct Mail Letter Packages and Direct Mail Postcards.
(6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
Three 6" x 10" postcards ("Direct Mail Postcards") and
one four page 8 1/2" x 11" direct mail letter piece ("Direct Mail
Letter Package") has been drafted for management's review and approval. The
draft documents were reviewed and approved by the CIWMB. The postcards and the
direct mail letter packages will be distributed for final proof. Task 5 is about 90 percent complete.
Task 5.1: Print Direct Mail Letter Packages and Direct Mail Postcards.
(6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
L.A. SHARES will immediately begin to print the first series of Direct Mail
Postcards and the Direct Mail Letter Packages upon final approval. Task 5.1 is not yet completed.
Task 5.2: Sort, Label, and Mail Direct Mail Letter Packages and Direct
Mail Postcards. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
Once the Direct Mail Postcards and Direct Mail Letter Package have been
printed, mailing can begin within two or three days. Task 5.2 is not yet completed.
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)
Brochure is in its final stage of design and is expected to be ready for
CIWMB's review and approval by mid November 2002. Flyers are in their final stage of design and will be sent to the CIWMB for
its review and approval along with the brochure. Task 6 is about 50 percent complete.
Task 6.1: Mail L.A. SHARES Promotional Reuse Information Brochure.
Once the brochure and flyers are approved, they will be sent to the print
shop. Task 6.1 is not yet completed.
Task 6.2: Mail L.A. SHARES Promotional Reuse Information Brochure. (8/3/02
to 4/30/03)
Task 6.2 is not yet completed and is dependent upon Task 6.1
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)
Task 6.3 is not yet completed and is dependent upon Task 6.1
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)
Since June 1, 2002, L.A. SHARES has provided 445 warehouse
"shopping" appointments at their Wilmington and Griffith Park
facilities and conducted 92 Internet based lotteries. Through these methods,
they have served 498 nonprofit agencies and schools.
L.A. SHARES is setting up special "shopping" days for all 15
Council-members. Currently, they are working with the staff of Council-members
Galanter, Greuel, and LaBonge to set appointments for them in the near future. L.A. SHARES will attempt to schedule special "shopping" days for at
least one-third of the City Council by the end of the year. On Friday, September 20, 2002, L.A. SHARES was honored by the entire City
Council in City Council Chambers. This event was broadcast via City facilities
and resulted in L.A. SHARES' profile being further raised.
L.A. SHARES had planned to conduct a special event with the Los Angeles
Unified School District and the Teachers Union, UTLA, during the summer.
However, the thread of an impending strike by the teachers' union due to
contract negotiations has postponed this event until the first quarter of 2003.
The teachers' union and the school district should have a contract in place by
them. Task 7 is about 50 percent complete.
Task 8: Follow Up Phone Calls to Target Group. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
It is expected that the Direct Mail Postcards and the Direct Mail Letter
Package will begin to be mailed in mid November 2002, at which point the
telephone follow-up will begin. Task 8 is not yet completed.
Task 9: Make Presentations at Respective Trade and Manufacturers'
Associations and Conduct Meetings with Potential Donor. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
L.A. SHARES continues on a regular basis to make presentations to potential
donors. Task 9 is about 25 percent complete.
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)
L.A. SHARES continues on a regular basis to utilize computer systems to
compile data of donors and specific type, weights, and values of items donated. Task 10 is about 50 percent complete.
Task 10.1: Utilize Computer System to Track Origin and Type of Donated
Material. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
L.A. SHARES continues on a regular basis to utilize computer system to track
origin and type of donated material. Task 10.1 is about 50 percent complete.
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)
As soon as the Direct Mail Postcards and the Direct Mail Letter Package are
mailed, L.A. SHARES will begin to track the success of contact made. Task 10.2 is not yet completed.
Task 11: Produce and Distribute Public Service Announcements Using TV and
Radio. (8/3/02 to 4/30/03)
A 30-second TV commercial/PSA was drafted and needs the end title card to
reflect the participation of the City of Los Angeles and the CIWMB. Task 11 is about 50 percent completed.
Task 12: Prepare Related Articles for Press Releases and Trade Journals
(Newspaper Advertisements). (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
L.A. SHARES was featured in the summer issue of the UCLA Alumni Magazine.
This publication reaches 70,000 upscale individuals. Once the mailing of the Direct Mail Postcards and the Direct Mail Letter
Package begins, L.A. SHARES will then begin to send out press releases and other
collateral material highlighting the program and the partnership. L.A. SHARES has met with the staff of City's Public Affairs Office to
formulate and launch a press campaign sometime around end of the year. Task 12 is about 50 percent complete.
Task 13: Outdoor Advertising. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
L.A. SHARES is working with its Marketing Team to design a billboard. Task 13 is not yet completed.
Task 14: Contact Leading Newspapers, Business and Trade Magazines, and
Other Services for Coverage. (6/1/02 to 4/30/03)
L.A. SHARES is currently the subject of an article being written by Anne
Marie O'Connor of the Los Angeles Times. L.A. SHARES was also featured in the summer issue of UCLA Alumni Magazine.
This publication reaches 70,000 upscale individuals. L.A. SHARES has spent the time necessary to cultivate strong media contacts
and expects those contacts to bear fruit with the launch of the direct mail
campaign. In addition, L.A. SHARES has arranged for a tour by EPA Administrator
Christie Todd Whitman on Thursday, November 20, 2002. This tour/luncheon/media
event by a visiting high level Bush Administration official provides a strong
"hook" for the media to base numerous stories upon. Task 14 is about ten percent complete.
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)
Task 16 is 100 percent complete.
Task 17: Prepare Third Report. (5/1/02 to 12/1/02)
Task 17 is 100 percent complete.
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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