Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

City of Modesto Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 2: September 1, 2002 to March 1, 2003)

Project Description

The City of Modesto used their grant funds to develop a quarterly newsletter for all Modesto businesses to promote the reuse of various materials. Each newsletter highlighted reuse ideas about a particular material or product (e.g., food, office furnishings, etc.), as well as showcased businesses that are already successfully reusing their waste products. The newsletter also acted as a forum to further promote the City's Business Recycling Awards Program to encourage more businesses to think creatively about their waste reduction programs.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Tasks 1.1-1.7: Newsletter #1
The City of Modesto purposed to develop a quarterly business newsletter to promote the concept of reusing products and waste materials of local businesses and to develop a network exchange program to reduce the waste stream. Each newsletter is to highlight a different waste stream.

Each newsletter includes the following designated tasks: 1) research materials for newsletter, 2) develop newsletter, 3) print newsletter, 4) mass mail 11,000 newsletters, 5) arrange and distribute 1,000 newsletters, 6) follow-up with businesses and haulers, and 7) update mailing lists. Only Tasks 3 and 4 are reimbursable by the grant; all other tasks are matching funds.

The first newsletter's featured article was on electronic waste. It informed businesses about the hazardous aspects of cathode ray tubes (CRTs), explained the City of Modesto's CRT recycling program, and spelled out current State legislative proposals. It also provided information on other recycling and disposal options. The newsletter introduced the Network Modesto! column that links businesses together by providing a local buy/sell/trade network.

The newsletter was mass mailed to approximately 9,000 local businesses. The mailing list was developed from the local business license list and included businesses located within the city limits and those outside the limits that do business within the limits. It encompasses a 50-mile radius. The list was originally thought to contain 11,000 businesses. Additionally, 1,000 copies were made available at city counters throughout the community and it was published on the city's Web site. Also, the first edition of the Network Modesto! column was published on the Web site.

The immediate response was very positive. Staff received a swarm of calls from local businesses regarding the disposal of their CRTs and from businesses wanting to be published on the Network Modesto! column.

Due to some technical difficulties with software compatibility, the mailing address had to be manually entered into the database and therefore caused a significant delay from the original work statement timeframe. The first newsletter was mailed at the end of July 2002 instead of the end of June 2002. The existing mailing list only needs to be updated for subsequent newsletters. Tasks 1.1-1.7 are 100 percent complete.

Tasks 2.1-2.7: Newsletter #2
Due to the late mailing of Newsletter #1, Newsletter #2 was not sent out until mid September 2002. The featured article focused on office paper reuse and recycling, while giving various examples of paper reuse ideas.

The City received several calls from local businesses in response to this newsletter. Many of them were inspired to begin a recycling program where they had never considered it before. The garbage companies confirmed several new office paper recycling customers during this time.

Also due to the mailing difficulties with the first newsletter, the City included the "Return Service Requested" text on each newsletter for better tracking. No pieces are forwarded, but returned to the City with any new mailing addresses listed, etc. This allows the City to send the newsletters out under their bulk rate price, but they must pay full fare for all returned pieces. In order to be confident the newsletters are getting to their intended reader, and to keep their mailing list as current as possible, they will continue this practice with the remaining newsletters. Since the actual mailing list is under 9,000, they are using the cash savings from the reduced printing and mailing costs to cover the unexpected charges for the return service process. Newsletter #2 is 100 percent complete.

Tasks 3.1-3.7: Newsletter #3
The third newsletter, which went out in December 2002, highlighted the reuse and recycling of packaging materials. The newsletter offered several ideas for reusing a variety of such items and encouraged businesses to initiate a cardboard recycling program at their location.

Like many communities, Modesto has a plethora of strip malls and corner shopping centers that contain many small businesses with limited parking areas. These businesses and other small ones were encouraged to partner together to meet the limited space requirements for a "cardboard recycling bin". As always, they were also encouraged to seek alternative options for reusing their waste stream.

The garbage haulers have reported that during the period of July 2002 through December 2002, a total of 34 local businesses have either started or expanded their existing recycling programs. Most of the accounts are related to office paper and/or cardboard recycling. The recycling accounts range in size from 96-gallon carts serviced weekly up to six-yard bins collected three times per week.

In addition, the Network Modesto! column has generated several calls by many small businesses seeking others they can work with to meet their needs, especially in regards to packaging materials. Each newsletter generates approximately a dozen calls directly to the Solid Waste Office. Staff has successfully linked several businesses together for the reuse concept. They are thrilled to have the opportunity to work together for the common goal of waste reduction. In support of the newsletter, the Modesto Bee published an article in December 2002 highlighting the newsletter and its intended purpose. It is estimated that approximately 25 businesses are actively networking as a direct result of the Network Modesto! column.

Although the City recognizes that they are a long way from their initial goal of getting five percent (or 550 of the originally estimated 11,000) off their businesses to participate in waste reduction and reuse programs, they are pleased with the response and are hopeful the networking concept will continue to spread, especially among the smaller businesses. Newsletter #3 is 100 percent completed.

Tasks 4.1-4.7: Newsletter #4
Newsletter #4 has been completed and mailed to the local businesses. This newsletter focuses on hazardous waste and the small quantity generator program as defined by the Cal EPA. Many small businesses handle some degree of universal or hazardous waste and it is imperative they are aware of the reuse, recycling, and disposal options available to them in Stanislaus County. Much of what they handle is reusable or recyclable and can be dropped off at no charge at their local Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

This newsletter highlighted the City of Modesto's Businesses Recycling Awards. Applications from local businesses are currently being sought from small, medium, and large businesses that either started or enhanced waste reduction, reuse, or recycling programs during 2002. Commemorative plaques will be awarded at the City's annual Earth Day in the Park Festival, held on April 12, 2003.

The technical difficulties experienced with the first newsletter caused the first three newsletters to run behind schedule; however, this newsletter was distributed on time per the revised work statement.

Newsletter #4 is 80 percent completed. Tasks 4.5-4.7 associated with Newsletter #4 will be completed by the end of March 2003.

Tasks 5.1-5.7: Newsletter #5
These tasks will be completed between April and June 2003.

Tasks 6.1-6.7: Newsletter #6
These tasks will be completed between July and September 2003.

Tasks 7.1-7.7: Newsletter #7
These tasks will be completed between October and December 2003.

Task 8: Final Report and Payment Request
This task will be completed in February 2004.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008