Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

Kern County Reuse Assistance Grant Project 
(Part 3: September 1, 2003 to March 1, 2004)

Project Description

Kern County used their grant funds to establish an electronics reuse program for commercial businesses and residents in Kern County. Businesses and residents participate by donating dated electronics to the local, nonprofit thrift store network, including Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Collected electronic waste is transported to and processed by the Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens (BARC). Material that is in good working order, refurbishable, or marketable is managed by BARC technical staff and eventually sold or donated through the thrift store network. Unmarketable material is demanufactured by BARC staff with component parts used for the refurbishing program or responsibly recycled.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Pay Consultant to Provide Expertise in Setting up the Electronics Area, Work with Nonprofits on Documentation, Transportation, Packaging, and Program Procedures, Market Development, Program Development, and Public Relations/Advertising.
BARC's consultant has completed all tasks associated with the establishment of the e-waste refurbishing program. Task 1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 2: BARC Staff Time in Converting a Wood Shop to an Electronics Refurbishing Area.
Excerpts from previous progress reports:
BARC staff has completed the conversion of a portion of the woodshop into an e-waste disassembly and sorting area and a computer refurbishing shop. Equipment and inventory previously in the disassembly area was removed, the room was cleaned and painted. Compressed air lines were installed to power the tools. A storage room was converted into a computer refurbishing shop. Equipment and inventory previously in the room was removed, the room was cleaned and painted. A small air conditioner and a rollup door were installed.

BARC is in the process of expanding the e-waste operational area to include space previously housing a wood shop. Task 2 is 100 percent complete.

Original Task 3: Pay Consultant Specializing in Computer Refurbishing to Train Technician, add Market Expertise, and Enhance Program. 
Did not include in the program.

Modified Task 3.
It has not been necessary to hire a consultant for this task due to the level of expertise of the computer technician hired. Certified technicians have proven to be adequate at this time.

Modified the work plan to budget setting up a website to market the program and to encompass accounting and recording data functions to increase productivity. Modified Task 3 is 100 percent complete.

Task 4: Pay Facility Costs (2,000 Square Feet, Utilities, and Insurance)
Facility costs from April 1 through April are $8,800 (matching funds). Task 4 is 100 percent complete.

Task 5: Purchase Supplies Including Software, Memory Chips, Modem Upgrades, and Other Supplies that are Needed to Standardize and/or Improve Machines.
Windows operating systems and other Microsoft applications are continuously purchased to standardize machines. Task 5 is 100 percent complete.

Task 6: Pay Technician.
The new computer technician has been very productive and is working well with BARC. Task 6 is 100 percent complete.

Task 7: Inventory, Store, Prepare, and Package Computers Targeted for Resale or Donation.
Workers in the disassembly area have been sorting whole units into streams to be: 1) disassembled and recycled for scrap; 2) disassembled to scavenge usable components; and 3) those units that will be refurbished. Units waiting to be refurbished and reusable components are stored in both the disassembly area and in the computer refurbishing shop.

The County did not receive complete records on the number of employees and hours worked, and will seek these records if necessary. Task 7 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8: Purchase Materials and Tools for the Electronics Refurbishing Workstation.
Task 8.1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.1: Purchase Cable Testers.
Task 8.1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.2: Purchase Digital Multimeter.
A multi-meter has been purchased. Task 8.2 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.3: Purchase Tool Kit.
A tool kit has been purchased. Task 8.3 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.4: Purchase Heavy Duty Shelf Trucks.
Shelf trucks have been purchased. Task 8.4 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.5: Purchase Shop Vacuum.
A shop vacuum has been purchased. Task 8.5 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.6: Purchase Swivel Seat Stools.
Stools have been purchased. Task 8.6 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.7: Air Hose Reel.
It was determined that air hose reels (complete with air hoses) would not be needed. Instead, BARC purchased air hoses without the reels. This also saved installation costs and allowed for a shorter run of fixed air lines. Task 8.7 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.8: Purchase Electronic Work Station.
A work station for the computer refurbishing shop has been purchased and installed. Task 8.8 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.9: Purchase Air Tools.
Air tools have been purchased. Task 8.9 is 100 percent complete.

Task 8.10: Purchase Bin Cabinets.
A large bin cabinet has been purchased and installed. Task 8.10 is 100 percent complete

Task 8.11: Purchase Miscellaneous Supplies.
Miscellaneous supplies have been purchased. Task 8.11 is 100 percent complete.

Task 9: Collect Information and Write Progress Reports.
Reports have been written and provided. Task 9 is 100 percent complete.

Task 10: Purchase Cordless Screwdrivers, Batteries, and Extensions.
Four cordless screw drivers and accessories were purchased. Task 10 is 100 percent complete.

Task 11: Incomplete
The purchase of RAM memory chips did not take place due to timing issues. The revised work plan was in place, but the person responsible for purchasing the memory chips waited too long for prices to reduced. The March 1st deadline for expenditures was reached before the memory chips could be purchased.

Task 12: Incomplete
The purchase of operating systems did not take place due to timing issues. The revised work plan was in place, but the person responsible for purchasing the software waited too long for prices to reduced. The March 1st deadline for expenditures was reached before the software could be purchased.

Task 13: Complete
A laptop computer for the e-waste program was purchased.

Task 14: Complete
A printer/fax machine and scanner was purchased for the e-waste program.

Accomplishments:
Computers:
Received: 3,500, Refurbished: 1,050

Computer Monitors:
Received: 6,000, Refurbished: 1,500

Printers:
Received: 5,000, Refurbished: 50

The Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens is entering into a partnership with the Alliance for Nonprofit Development to provide computer systems to non-profit agencies that serve local youth and senior organizations. This partnership will help control the outflow of refurbished material and provide the tools necessary to help persons in need become more efficient and competitive in the changing job market.

Sales through Goodwill are steady, however each store is independent, thus standardized marketing, services and sales are issues. The program continues to be a success and the County is very pleased with the results and prospects for the future.

The Kern County Waste Management Department would like to thank all of the staff at the California Integrated Waste Management Board for giving them the opportunity to create a market for electronic waste reuse in Kern County. This market must be in place to handle the onslaught of the electronic waste stream as more and more consumer electronic components are deemed Universal Wastes. Electronic repair stores have lost a large portion of the market for repairs on modest priced electronics. The County envisions "high end" repairs for plasma, LCD, and new technology televisions will be completed at manufactured sponsored repair outlets; however, repairs for modestly priced electronics such as VCRs, CRT televisions, printers, stereos, computers, etc. will take place at facilities similar to the BARC Electronics Refurbishing Facility.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008