Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

El Dorado County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 4: December 1, 2002 to February 28, 2003)

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 35 percent complete. Habitat gained additional outdoor yard space at its existing location in June 2002; Habitat paid for the extra space with grant funds during this reporting period. Habitat's existing lease expires on April 30, 3004. Habitat has not been able to resolve problems with the landlord, so Habitat will be moving to a new location. The new location is planned for a warehouse at 108 Industrial Avenue, Building E, in Diamond Springs. The new location costs less per square foot and will provide much needed extra space. The move is very exciting because it will enable Habitat to expand the ReStore!

Task 2.4: Maintain Records of ReStore Volumes and Sales. (3/1/02 to ongoing)
Task 2.4 is 40 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 submitted the receipt for the recycled paper used to duplicate the ReStore pamphlet in its own office. A professional printer will duplicate the ReStore pamphlet once the move is completed and the address on the pamphlet can be updated.

Tasks 3.4 and 3.5: Design, Coordinate, and Conduct Newspaper Advertising for ReStore. (3/15/02 to 3/1/04)
These tasks are 30 percent complete. The Environmental Management Department (EMD) and Habitat were successful in placing a newspaper advertisement in the January 17, 2003 Gold Panner. Approval was obtained from the CIWMB grant manger for the advertisement. In addition, Habitat had the opportunity to write an article about the Sam's Town demolition for CalMAX. The ReStore article and listing was published in the January 2003 CalMAX. In the next reporting period, EMD and Habitat plan to run two newspaper advertisements. The advertisement will announce a moving sale and the new ReStore location. In addition, a press release will be submitted to the Mountain Democrat announcing the new ReStore location.

Tasks 3.6 and 3.7: Create and Duplicate Reuse Flyer for Building Permits. (4/1/02 to 5/31/02)
These tasks are ten percent complete. 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 was expected to be in place by Spring 2003; however, since a negative declaration will need to be filed to meet the CEQA requirements, the date may not be realistic. EMD had hoped that the reuse flyer would accompany the new ordinance. EMD will continue working 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. Surveying will continue at the Home and Garden Show in April 2003.

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. During the next reporting period, EMD and Habitat will partner for the El Dorado County Home and Garden Show, scheduled for April 25-27, 2003.

Task 3.11: Prepare and Make Presentations to Business Groups. (6/1/02 to 3/1/04)
Task 3.11 is 40 percent complete. The purpose of Task 3.11 is to promote C&D reuse and ReStore to the business community, particularly contractors. Two presentations were made during this reporting period: one at a Cameron Park Rotary luncheon on February 6, 2003, and the other to the El Dorado Builders' Exchange Board of Directors on February 11, 2003. One formal presentation will be completed during the next reporting period. Targeted business groups include the Cameron Park/Shingle Springs Chamber of Commerce and S.A.G.E.

Task 4: Grant Administration. (3/1/02 to 3/1/04)
EMD and Habitat staff continue to participate in planning, scheduling, contracting, and budgeting activities during this reporting period.

Work to be Completed March 1, 2003 Through May 31, 2003
During the next reporting period, March 1, 2003 through May 31, 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 move the ReStore to its new location.
• EMD and Habitat will work together to place at least two newspaper advertisements promoting the moving sale and the new ReStore location. 
• Habitat will submit a press release about the new ReStore location to the Mountain Democrat.
• EMD and Habitat will make one presentation to a business group, possible the Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce or S.A.G.E.
• EMD will continue working on a reuse flyer to attach to building permits.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008