Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

El Dorado County Reuse Assistance Grant Project (Part 1: March 1, 2002 to June 30, 2002)

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Hire a Restore Manager.
The objective of Task 1 is to increase the operating hours of the ReStore by hiring a full time manager to oversee store operations. Currently, Habitat's ReStore is open to the public only 15 hours per week. Hiring a full time manger will allow Habitat to open the store 35 hours per week. This in turn will result in greater store patronage, sales, and diversion.

Tasks 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3: Place Job Announcement, Conduct Interview, and Hire a ReStore Manager. (3/1/02 to 5/15/02)
These tasks are 100 percent complete. During this reporting period, Habitat advertised and conducted interviews to select a ReStore Manager. A ReStore manager was hired and he began work on Tuesday, June 25, 2002. The new manager is extremely energetic and committed to this grant project. He will operate the ReStore 35 hours per week. In addition, the manager will spend an additional five hours per week quantifying diversion, scheduling volunteers, coordinating donations, and conducting publicity.

Task 1.4: Implement New Operating Hours. (5/31/02 to ongoing)
Task 1.4 is 100 percent complete. On June 25, 2002 ReStore began its new operating hours. The store is now open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The new manager operates the store with assistance from Habitat volunteers. On March 28 through 30, Habitat volunteers conducted a special deconstruction and salvage project. This special project involved salvaging useful construction materials, including masonry and wood, from a house being demolished in Placerville, California.

Task 2: Restore Expansion.
The objective of Task 2 is to increase the square footage of ReStore by leasing additional building space, as well as yard space. This new space will increase the capacity of ReStore to accept more donations and increase its waste diversion.

Tasks 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3: Sign Lease Agreement and Begin Use of Additional Outdoor and Indoor Store Space. (3/1/02 to ongoing)
These tasks have not yet been started. Habitat and its landlord have identified adjacent building space that will be available to rent in three months (October 2002). Unfortunately, Habitat and its landlord are still negotiating the exact location of the new outdoor yard space. Habitat wishes the new yard space to be adjacent to its existing yard, but the landlord wants to rent them a less desirable area further away from the yard.

Task 2.4: Maintain Records of ReStore Volumes and Sales. (3/1/02 to ongoing)
Task 2.4 is ten percent complete. This task will be ongoing through the grant term. The new ReStore manager has come up with an excellent system of tracking diversion. For each donation made, he will itemize the materials and estimate weights. This information will be entered into a database so that diversion reports can be run whenever needed. In some cases, materials received are determined not to be suitable for sale, either because they are in poor condition or do not sell after an extended period of time. Habitat makes an effort to recycle these materials as much as possible. Habitat will keep records of the quantity of materials that are either recycled or disposed.

Donations this Reporting Period

Task 3: Publicity and Education.
The objective of Task 3 is to publicize ReStore to increase donations and patronage, as well as initiate a countywide C&D reuse education program.

Tasks 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3: Revise and Duplicate Existing ReStore Pamphlet. (3/1/02 to 4/30/02)
These tasks have not yet been started. Habitat currently distributes a pamphlet to promote its ReStore. However, there is a need to update and duplicate the pamphlet. Habitat intends to begin reviewing and revising the pamphlet in August 2002, but anticipates duplication of the pamphlet will not occur until September 2002. Approval from the CIWMB grant manager will be obtained prior to publication of any print materials. In the meantime, the existing pamphlet remains in circulation.

Tasks 3.4 and 3.5: Design, Coordinate, and Conduct Newspaper Advertising for ReStore. (3/15/02 to 3/1/04)
These tasks have not yet been started. Newspaper advertising will also be used to promote ReStore to the public. It is anticipated that the first of several newspaper advertisements will run in August 2002. Approval from the CIWMB grant manager will be obtained prior to publication of any advertisements. Habitat also has an opportunity to place a small advertisement in the Pacific Bell Yellow Pages. Habitat will seek grant manager approval to utilize matching funds to place this advertisement.

Tasks 3.6 and 3.7: Create and Duplicate Reuse Flyer for Building Permits. (4/1/02 to 5/31/02)
These tasks have not yet been started. Flyers will be attached to building permits to promote C&D reuse and recycling to contractors and do-it-yourselfers. Since this Reuse Assistance Grant was awarded, Environmental Management Department (EMD) has decided to write and implement a countywide C&D ordinance. This ordinance will greatly complement this Reuse Assistance Grant project because the ordinance will require applicants for building projects of a certain size to divert 50 percent of their C&D debris through reuse or recycling. It is anticipated that the flyer, which will advertise ReStore as a reuse opportunity, will be created and circulated in the fall of 2002.

Tasks 3.8 and 3.9: Design and Duplicate a Reuse Survey. (4/1/02 to 5/30/02)
These tasks have not yet been started. Surveying will be conducted at community events to assess the public's knowledge and opinions about C&D reuse. The results will assists EMD in assessing the effectiveness of its project. The survey questions will be as follows:

It is anticipated that surveying will begin in September 2002.

Task 3.10: Plan and Participate in Community Events. (4/1/02 to 9/30/03)
Task 3.10 is 10 percent complete. The objective of Task 3.10 is to increase circulation of ReStore pamphlets and promote C&D reuse by participating in community events. The El Dorado County Fair was held June 13–16, 2002. During the fair, Environmental Management distributed Habitat's ReStore pamphlets, and spoke to people about C&D reuse. It is anticipated that Environmental Management and Habitat will partner for future community events throughout the grant term.

Task 3.11: Prepare and Make Presentations to Business Groups. (6/1/02 to 3/1/04)
Task 3.11 has not yet been started. The purpose of Task 3.11 is to promote C&D reuse and ReStore to the business community, particularly contractors. Habitat and EMD staff will jointly conduct presentations to such organizations as the chamber of commerce and builders exchange. It is anticipated that the first of several presentations to business groups in the community will be conducted in October or November 2002.

Task 4: Grant Administration. (3/1/02 to 3/1/04)
EMD and Habitat staff participated in planning, scheduling, contracting, and budgeting activities.

Work to be Completed July1, 2002 Through August 31, 2002
During the next reporting period, July 1 through August 31, 2002, the following work will be completed:

• Habitat will continue to track and quantify diversion, as well as operate ReStore 35 hours per week.
• EMD and Habitat will work together to place at least one newspaper advertisement promoting ReStore.
• Habitat will place an advertisement for ReStore in the Pacific Bell Yellow Pages.
• Habitat will begin to review and revise its existing ReStore pamphlet.

Special Situations/Problems Encountered
Implementation of this grant project was slower than anticipated because it took several months to finalize a contract between the county and Habitat for Humanity. The county board of supervisors finally approved the contract on June 4, 2002. EMD and Habitat are working hard to complete the tasks according to the schedule proposed in the grant application. EMD is confident that they will achieve the goals and objectives of this project.

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

Back to Top | Progress Report 2

FY 2001/2002 Grant Recipients | Reuse Home

Last updated: June 25, 2008