Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

El Dorado County's Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 8: November 30, 2003 to March 1, 2004)

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:

Introduction:
El Dorado County Environmental Management Department (EMD) was awarded a Reuse Assistance Grant to increase diversion of construction and demolition (C&D) debris in El Dorado County. The Grant was implemented in cooperation with El Dorado County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (Habitat). Specifically, grant and matching funds were expended to increase the diversion capacity of Habitat's ReStore, a reuse facility that accepts donations of used or surplus construction materials for resale to the public. In addition, grant and matching funds were utilized to conduct C&D reuse publicity and education in the community.

This progress report from EMD covers the period December 1, 2003 through February 29, 2004, and is organized in the manner specified in the CIWMB's Reuse Assistance Grant Administrative Procedures and Requirements. All objectives have been completed 100 percent for this grant project.

Task 1: Hire a Restore Manager.
The hired ReStore Manager helps to keep the ReStore open. In the winter months (October to March), the ReStore is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (total of 47 hours per week). In the summer months (March to October), the hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (total of 56 hours per week). The ability to increase and maintain consistent ReStore hours of operation have equated to greater store patronage, sales, and diversion. Prior to receipt of these funds, El Dorado County Habitat for Humanity ReStore was open only three days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a total of 15 hours per week and had no paid employees. This grant has enabled Habitat to employ one full-time position (ReStore Manager). In addition, Habitat has employed two part-time employees to assist with the day-to day operations of the ReStore and Habitat functions. Though the grant term has ended, these three positions will continue to be  part of the ReStore's operations. This task is 100 percent complete.

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 continues to operate at its new location at 180 Industrial Avenue, Building E, in Diamond Springs. The additional space has made it possible for Habitat to accept more donations.

Task 2.4: Maintain Records of ReStore Volumes and Sales. (3/1/02 to ongoing)
Task 2.4 is 100 percent complete. The ReStore staff has tracked the ReStore waste diversion from conception of this grant. For each donation made, staff itemizes the materials and estimates weights. This information is entered into a database so that diversion reports can be obtained whenever needed. In some cases, materials received are determined not to be suitable for sale because they are either 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. The table below shows the ReStore Waste Diversion collected by month throughout the grant period. The chart delineates a total and average value for pounds received and pounds suitable for sale. The actual number of donations per month have been tracked since September of 2003.

Donations from April 2002 through February 2004

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 100 percent complete. Instead of securing a professional printer, Habitat decided to duplicate the pamphlet themselves. By duplicating the pamphlet in-house, Habitat has been able to make changes to the pamphlet to reflect current hours of operation and any other updates necessary to keep the pamphlet as current as possible.

Tasks 3.4 and 3.5: Design, Coordinate, and Conduct Newspaper Advertising for ReStore. (3/15/02 to 3/1/04)
These tasks are 100 percent complete. No grant-funded advertisements were placed during this reporting period. All grant funds allocated to newspaper advertising placement in the local newspapers were expended in prior reporting periods.

Tasks 3.6 and 3.7: Create and Duplicate Reuse Flyer for Building Permits. (4/1/02 to 5/31/02)
These tasks are 100 percent complete. On September 30, 2003, the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado passed and adopted a construction and demolition debris-recycling ordinance. The Ordinance became effective on October 30, 2003. Since that date, EMD has distributed a list of reuse facilities to all permittees who must comply with the Ordinance.

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. The objective of Tasks 3.8 and 3.9 is to design and duplicate a reuse survey. The design of the reuse survey was completed during prior reporting periods. Duplication of the reuse survey was not done for this reporting period.

Task 3.10: Plan and Participate in Community Events. (4/1/02 to 9/30/03)
Task 3.10 is 100 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. There was no participation in community events during this reporting period due to the slow time of year for community events.

Task 3.11: Prepare and Make Presentations to Business Groups. (6/1/02 to 3/1/04)
Task 3.11 is 100 percent complete. The purpose of Task 3.11 is to promote C&D reuse and ReStore to the business community, particularly contractors. During this final reporting period, one presentation was made to DST (a billing services company) in El Dorado Hills. After hearing Habitat's presentation, DST expressed interest in becoming a partner with El Dorado County Habitat for Humanity. This partnership would result in a sizeable monetary donation from DST along with the help of DST employees to assist in the building of future Habitat homes.

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.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008