Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

El Dorado County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project 
(Part 5: March 1, 2003 to June 30, 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.
Task 1 is 100 percent complete. ReStore is now open seven days a week! Shoppers can take advantage of the store for a total of 47 hours per week. The new hours of Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Increased hours equal greater store patronage, sales, and diversion.

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 100 percent complete. Habitat has moved to its new location at 180 Industrial Avenue, Building E, in Diamond Springs, California. The new location costs less per square foot and provides much needed extra space.

Task 2.4: Maintain Records of ReStore Volumes and Sales. (3/1/02 to ongoing)
Task 2.4 is 60 percent complete. 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

In May 2003, ReStore received 82 donations. Beginning with the next report, the number of donations will be included as a new column in the above data table.

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. Now that ReStore is operating in its new location, the address on the pamphlet can be updated and large quantities of the pamphlet can be duplicated. Instead of updating only the address, Habitat is in the process of further improving the ReStore pamphlet that was approved earlier in the grant term. The final draft will be submitted to the grant manager for approval prior to duplication. After the pamphlet is approved, a professional printer will be secured to duplicate the pamphlet. A final pamphlet and mass duplication will be completed 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 75 percent complete. Habitat was successful in placing several newspaper advertisements during this reporting period. The increased advertising highlighted the moving sale and new location. An advertisement was published in the April 22, 2003 Clipper, and invitations to the grand opening were mailed to select individuals. With the help of grant funds, advertisements were published in the April 23, 2003 Gold Panner and both the May 1, 2003 and May 4, 2003 Sacramento Bee regional "Neighbors" section. Additional advertisements ran in the Mountain Democrat during the last week of May 2003. Approval was obtained from the CIWMB grant manager for each grant-funded advertisement.

In addition, a press release announcing the new ReStore location was submitted to the Mountain Democrat. It was published on May 23, 2003. During this reporting period, Habitat has updated and enhanced its Web site, www.eldoradocountyhabitat.org/. The Web site advertises the new ReStore location, outlining the new store hours and providing detailed directions to the store.

EMD and Habitat will place at least two newspaper advertisements during the next reporting period. Grant manager approval will be obtained prior to publication.

Tasks 3.6 and 3.7: Create and Duplicate Reuse Flyer for Building Permits. (4/1/02 to 5/31/02)
These tasks are 20 percent complete. Flyers will be attached to building permits to promote C&D reuse and recycling to contractors and do-it-yourselfers. EMD continues to work on a construction and demolition debris ordinance that will require permitees of certain projects to divert 50 percent of their C&D debris through reuse or recycling. EMD is actively working to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and facilitate the adoption of the ordinance by the Board of Supervisors as soon as possible. The ordinance is imperative for the County to meets its AB 939 mandate. The reuse flyer will accompany information about 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. Although Habitat had the survey available to the public at its Home and Garden Show booth in April 2003, no one completed it, apparently due to rainy weather. However, Habitat will be conducting and encouraging surveying at its El Dorado County Harvest Fair booth on September 14-15, 2003.

Task 3.10: Plan and Participate in Community Events. (4/1/02 to 9/30/03)
Task 3.10 is 25 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. Habitat hosted a booth at the El Dorado County Home and Garden Show on April 25-27, 2003. The next planned community event is the El Dorado County Harvest Fair on September 14-15, 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. During this reporting period, presentation offers were mailed to the following three local companies: Intel, Blue Shield, and DST Billing. Marilyn Orrick, Executive Director of Habitat, will follow up with the above-mentioned businesses via telephone during the next reporting period. Due to the time-intensive recent move, a formal business presentation was not completed during this reporting period as previously planned. One presentation will take place during the next reporting period.

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, June 1, 2003 through August 31, 2003, the following work will be completed:

• Habitat will continue to track and quantify diversion, as well as operate ReStore 47 hours per week. Habitat will begin reporting the number of donations made each month.
• Habitat will follow-up with local businesses regarding educational presentations. EMD and Habitat will make one presentation to a business—possibly Intel, Blue Shield, or DST Billing.
• EMD will continue working on a reuse flyer to attach to building permits.
• EMD and Habitat will reserve a booth at the El Dorado County Harvest Fair, to be held September 14-15, 2003.
• Habitat will finish updating the ReStore pamphlet, obtain approval from the grant manager for publication, and secure the services of a professional printer to duplicate the pamphlet.
• EMD and Habitat will place at least two newspaper advertisements that promote ReStore.

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

Progress Report 6

FY 2001/2002 Grant Recipients | Reuse Home

Last updated: June 25, 2008