Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

El Dorado County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project 
(Part 3: September 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002)

Project Description

El Dorado County used their Reuse Assistance Grant funds to partner with Habitat for Humanity of El Dorado County to expand a successful, local reuse facility—the Habitat for Humanity ReStore—and jumpstarted a countywide construction and demolition (C&D) materials reuse education program. The project directly resulted in increased diversion from landfill disposal. 

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Hire a Restore Manager.
These tasks were completed during the March 1, 2002 through June 30, 2002 reporting. The energetic, full-time manager continues to keep ReStore open 35 hours per week. This is resulting in greater store patronage, sales, and diversion. The store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Habitat for Humanity conducted a special deconstruction and salvage project at Sam's Town in Cameron Park in September 2002. The salvaged materials were sold at the deconstruction site on October 3-5, 2002. The waste diversion from this special project is included in the record of ReStore volumes and sales for October 2002 (Task 2.4).

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.

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 are 25 percent complete. Although Habitat gained additional outdoor yard space in June 2002, Habitat has not paid the additional $100.00 per month charge for this space because of mud, ice, and lack of overhead protection. The inside of the building has also leaked with recent rain. Habitat is still negotiating with the landlord for additional space, but may ultimately decide to move to a new location. Habitat's existing lease is up for renewal in April 2003, so negotiation is vital to retain the existing location. If the situation with the landlord is not resolved during the next reporting period, Habitat will be moving to a new location.

Task 2.4: Maintain Records of ReStore Volumes and Sales. (3/1/02 to ongoing)
Task 2.4 is 30 percent complete. This task will be ongoing through the grant term. The ReStore manager continues to track diversion. For each donation made, he itemizes the materials and estimate weights. This information is 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.

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 are 85 percent complete. Habitat has revised its ReStore pamphlet. Approval from the CIWMB grant manager was obtained and 500 copies of the pamphlet were reproduced on recycled paper (40 percent post-consumer) using Habitat's copier. Volunteers folded the pamphlets by hand. Habitat will submit receipts for the paper and copy fee during the next reporting period.

Tasks 3.4 and 3.5: Design, Coordinate, and Conduct Newspaper Advertising for ReStore. (3/15/02 to 3/1/04)
These tasks are 20 percent complete. The Environmental Management Department (EMD) and Habitat were successful in placing four newspaper advertisements during this reporting period. Newspaper advertisements ran in the September 13 and September 20, 2002, Gold Panner. Another advertisement ran in the October 1, 2002 Fall Home Improvement Guide of The Clipper. Lastly, and advertisement ran on October 9, 2002, in the Mountain Democrat's Fall Home Improvement Tab. Approval was obtained from the CIWMB grant manager for the advertisements.

In the next reporting period, EMD and Habitat plan to run one newspaper advertisement. The advertisement will be aimed at home improvements as a New Year's resolution. In addition, Habitat had the opportunity to write an article about the Sam's Town demolition for the California Materials Exchange (CalMAX). The Restore article and listing will be published in the January 2003 CalMAX catalog.

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, 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. The C&D Ordinance should be in place by Spring 2003. EMD will begin work on the flyer during the next reporting period.

Tasks 3.8 and 3.9: Design and Duplicate a Reuse Survey. (4/1/02 to 5/30/02)
These tasks are 100 percent complete. Surveying is being conducted at community events to assess the public's knowledge and opinions about C&D reuse. Surveys were duplicated and surveying began at the Harvest Fair on September 14 and 15, 2002. The Harvest Fair is an old-fashioned fair held at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Approximately 50 surveys were collected at the Harvest Fair. Most of the respondents were do-it-yourselfers who would consider shopping at ReStore or donating materials to ReStore. Helping a worthy charity and location of reuse facilities were the top reasons the respondents would reuse or donate used or surplus construction materials.

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. EMD and Habitat will partner for future community events throughout the grant term. Harvest Fair outreach was accomplished on September 14-15, 2002. No community event outreach is scheduled for the next reporting period. December through February is a slow time for community events. The El Dorado County Home and Garden Show, scheduled for April 25-27, 2003, will be the next big community event.

Task 3.11: Prepare and Make Presentations to Business Groups. (6/1/02 to 3/1/04)
Task 3.11 is ten percent complete. The purpose of Task 3.11 is to promote C&D reuse and ReStore to the business community, particularly contractors. Although no presentations were completed during this reporting period, Habitat staff did handout brochures, pens, and business cards at the Cameron Park/Shingle Springs Chamber of Commerce Christmas mixer held at the Sports Club of El Dorado the evenings of December 19, 2002.

Two presentations will be made during the next reporting period. A presentation is scheduled for a Cameron Park Rotary luncheon on February 6, 2003, and an El Dorado Builders' Exchange members meeting at 5:30 p.m. on February 11, 2003. A formal presentation at a Cameron Park/Shingle Springs Chamber of Commerce meeting is tentatively planned for March 2003.

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 December 1, 2002 Through February 28, 2003
During the next reporting period, December 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003, the following work will be completed:

• Habitat will continue to track and quantify diversion, as well as operate ReStore 35 hours per week.
• Habitat will negotiate a mutually agreeable deal with the current landlord or make plans to move the ReStore to a new site.
• EMD and Habitat will work together to place at least one newspaper advertisement promoting ReStore.
• EMD and Habitat will make presentations to two business groups, Cameron Park Rotary and El Dorado Builders' Exchange.
• EMD will begin work on a reuse flyer to attach to building permits.
• A ReStore article and listing will be published in the CalMAX catalog.

Special Situations/Problems Encountered
Habitat continues to be unhappy with the space being leased for the ReStore. With the recent storms, the inside of the building is leaking. Mud, ice, and lack of overhead protection are a problem with the outdoor yard space. Habitat's existing lease is up for renewal in April 2003. Unless Habitat can negotiate a mutually agreeable deal with the current landlord, Habitat plans to move the ReStore to a new site. If this happens, EMD and Habitat may have to ask the CIWMB grant manager to revise Task 2 (ReStore Expansion) in the budget. The situation with the landlord should be resolved during the next reporting period.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008