Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority's Reuse Assistance Grant Project
(Part 3: June 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004)

Project Description

West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority used their grant funds to remove reusable computers, monitors, and select other electronics from the solid waste stream for reuse in the community in job training and education programs. The Authority, through its oversight of the West County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, provided a location for the drop-off of reusable computer equipment, and Street Tech provided the technical skills, job-training, and refurbishing of the electronics to be able to put this equipment back to good use in the local community. Street Tech is a nonprofit organization providing low-cost computer training, certification, and job placement for deserving adults (ages 18 and up) from disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1: Develop, Configure, and Operate the Computer Reuse Drop-Off Center.

Task 1.1: Coordinate Grant Project Kick-Off Meeting, and Follow-Up Meetings with Authority Staff, Street Tech Staff, WCRR Inc. Staff, other Relevant Parties Including an Invite to the CIWMB Grant Manager (Matching Services).
August 19, 2004: Meeting with Authority and Street Tech staff to discuss program progress and work plan.

October 14, 2004: Meeting with Authority and Street Tech staff to review budget and quarterly report.

Task 1.1 is 75 to 100 percent complete; ongoing meetings scheduled as needed.

Task 1.1: Coordinate Relocation of a Spare, Already Insulated and Hardwired, 40 Foot Shipping Container for Reuse as Receiving Station for Reusable Computers (Matching Services).
December 1, 2003 Report—Task 1.1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 1.1.1: Utilize Container (Matching Services).
December 1, 2003 Report—Task 1.11 is 100 percent complete.

Task 1.2: Utilizing Recycled Paint Generated Onsite from the HHW Program, Paint and Connect Electricity to Container (Matching Services).
December 1, 2003 Report—Task 1.2 is 100 percent complete.

Task 1.3: Procure and Install Multiple Five Foot, Computer Shelving Racks and Signage for Computer Receiving (Reimbursable Services Changed to Matching Services).
December 1, 2003 Report—Task 1.3 is 100 percent complete.

Task 1.4: Operate the Computer Drop-Off Refurbishment Center in Concert with Ongoing HHW and Recyclables Buyback Operations—Utilizing a Sale House Operator for an Estimated Two Hours per Week for the Two-Year Grant (Matching Services).
HHW operations are set up to accept computer monitors, CPUs, and peripherals on Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m. for lunch). The HHW technicians have been notified of the CAT program and provided with information on what computers to accept for donation for reuse. The HHW technicians have been furnished with a flyer notifying them what computers are being accepted for the program and providing residents with alternatives for disposal if their units do not meet the minimum criteria.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 1.4 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 1.4 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 1.4 is 75 percent complete.

Task 1.5: Street Tech's Technical Intern will Inspect and Transport Select Computers from the North Richmond Computer Drop-Off Site to Street Tech's San Pablo Facility (About Five Miles Round Trip) for Refurbishment and Reuse (Reimbursable Services).
Street Tech's technical intern has worked to pick up donations of computer monitors, CPUs, and peripherals from local businesses, including Chevron/Texaco and the National Cristina Foundation. He inspects shipments, selecting units that can be refurbished for reuse and delivers them to the North Richmond drop-off site for further testing. He also delivers units for refurbishing to Street Tech for use in the classroom.

Thirty-three central processing units (CPUs) were donated to Street Tech during this report period. There have been 249 complete computer systems and 299 monitors donated from Street Tech during this grant cycle.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 1.5 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 1.5 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 1.5 is 75 percent complete.

Task 2: Promote the Center.

Task 2.1: Coordinate Placement of Promotional Text on Garbage Bills (Matching Services).
The Authority worked with RSS to promote reuse of computers and peripherals at the e-waste collection event with placement of text on garbage bills, which read..."Free Electronic Waste Collection Event, Saturday, June 5, 2004, 9 am-4 pm, special one-time event for free recycling of electronic equipment, including TVs, VCRs, cell phones and other electronic devices. No appliances accepted. Call or email for an appointment: (800) 207-8222 or WestCountyEwaste@contactpsc.com." Street Tech collected 56 computer boxes at the events for refurbishment.

December 1, 2004 Report—Task 2.1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 2.2: Coordinate Bill Inserts (Matching Services).
Staff planned to promote the CAT program along with free e-waste collection events on June 5, 2004 and October 2, 2004 in garbage bill inserts. The garbage company was inundated with phone calls about e-waste collection with the placement of text on the garbage bills (see Task 2.1) and at this time the Authority has no plans to promote e-waste collection or the CAT program through bill inserts.

Task 2.2 is 100 percent complete.

Task 2.3: Coordinate Addition of Computer Reuse onto HHW Direct Mail and Newspaper (Matching Services).
The CAT program was promoted in the West County Times on Sunday, November 14, 2004. Staff has yet to receive the invoice for the advertisement, which will be included as matching funds on the next grant report.

June 1, 2004 Report—Task 2.3 is 25 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 2.3 is 100 percent complete.

Task 2.4: Contact Largest Local Business to Solicit Computer Donations (Reimbursable Services).
Street Tech staff continues to solicit computer donations from the largest local businesses, including PG&E, Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, Chevron/Texaco, Berlex, Kaiser Hospital, Bio-Rad, Microsoft, Hal Kinion, and Manpower.

Street Tech is also the regional contact and local partner and representative for the National Cristina Foundation, cristina.org. This status allows for Street Tech to have first stab at all corporate donations.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 2.4 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 2.4 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 2.4 is 75 percent complete.

Task 3: Develop Refurbishment Lab, Train Community Students, and Refurbish Computer for Reuse in the Local Community.

Task 3.1: Procure Repair Kits, Tools, Supplies Necessary for Computer Refurbishment and Training (Reimbursable Services).
No additional kits or supplies were purchased during this grant period.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.1 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.1 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.1 is 75 percent complete.

Task 3.1.1: Use of Advanced PC Repair Toolkits (Matching Services).
December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.1.1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 3.1.2: Use of Symantec Ghost Corporate Edition (Matching Services).
December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.1.2 is 100 percent complete.

Task 3.2: Telecommunications for Refurbishment Lab and for Internet Use/Testing of Refurbished Computers (Matching Services).
Street Tech is completely set up with telecommunications for the refurbishment lab, internet use/testing for refurbished computers, and a telephone line dedicated to the CAT program.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.2 is 100 percent complete.

Task 3.3: Procure Used Pickup Truck for Transporting Computers from HHW Center to Street Tech Refurbishment/Classroom Facility (Reimbursable Services).
Street Tech purchased a 1997 Chevy Astro Van, 85,000 miles to transport computers from the HHW facility to the Street Tech refurbishment/classroom facility.

Initial maintenance, including purchasing new tires and vehicle registration was originally going to be billed to the grant. At this time, Authority staff is requesting that these items be included as matching services as indicated in the Matching Funds summary.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.3 is 80 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.3 is 80 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.3 is 100 percent complete.

Task 3.4: Computer Lab Benches for Refurbishment Work (Matching Services).
December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.4 is 100 percent complete.

Task 3.5: Computer Education Books and Training Manuals (Reimbursable and Matching Services).
No additional books or manuals were purchased during this grant period.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.5 is 23 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.5 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.5 is 75 percent complete.

Task 3.5: Street Tech's Technical Program Manager will Oversee Development, Operations, and Success of the Computer Refurbishment Project (Reimbursable and Matching Services).
The Technical Program Manager has developed the technical curriculum for the program. Student training includes recycling program information, including outlining the toxic components found in computers, the hazards associated with dumping, and safe work practices. The importance of the CAT program closing the loop and giving back to the community refurbished computers is also covered.

The Technical Program Manager reviews the curriculum and training procedures with staff who in turn train the students. Technicians are trained on how to wipe out a computer hard drive, triage, perform diagnostic tests, note system specs, install share ware applications and document their procedures with a check-off system. This process is involved and requires staff to go through stations to complete the various tasks.

Street Tech buys Microsoft licenses at a discount for refurbished computers. The Technical Program Manager, using the Microsoft Authorized Refurbishing Database, must report all licenses purchased and installed on each refurbished computer.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.5 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.5 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.5 is 75 percent complete.

Task 3.6: Contra Costa College Community Instructor (Matching Services).
Abigail Bornstein is the new Computer Apprenticeship Training Technical Instructor at Street Tech. This teaching position is funded by Street Tech. The current CAT Class Schedule is Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Generation 3 classes started March 8, 2004 and ended July 10, 2004 and Generation 4 classes started July 18, 2004 and ended October 21, 2004.

The CAT classes prepare students to refurbish donated computers and pass the MOS Word XP exam. In addition to her work at Street Tech, Abigail teaches A+ courses at Contra Costa College and City College of San Francisco. She also teaches computer technology classes at Galileo and Lincoln high schools as part of a partnership between C.C.S.F and San Francisco Unified School District's School-to-Career I.T. Pathway program.

Prior to being an instructor, Abigail spent five years as a Market Research professional providing primary and secondary research to high-tech companies. Her last market research position was with Macromedia, a developer of Web design and development software.

Abigail is a Board member of the San Francisco American Marketing Association and is responsible for Internet Communications.

Abigail holds and A+ certification as well as four Microsoft Office Specialist certifications for Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word XP. She received her M.B.A. with a concentration in international business from California State University, Hayward and received her B.S. in marketing with a minor in psychology from Indiana University.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.6 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.6 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.6 is 75 percent complete.

Task 3.6: Street Tech's Technical Intern will Assist in the Development, Operation, and Success of the Computer Refurbishment Project (Reimbursable Services).
Street Tech's Technical Intern provides technical support to the Technical Program Manager to ensure the success of the CAT program. The Technical Intern assists with staff training and researches information to continue to expand and develop the program.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 3.6 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.6 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 3.6 is 75 percent complete.

Task 4: Promote the "Full Circle" of the Refurbished Computers Being Used in the Community.

Task 4.1: Create Press Release and Contact Local Press (Matching Services).
No press releases were created during this grant reporting period.

June 6, 2004—Street Tech was highlighted in the West County Times as the San Pablo based program helping with the collection and refurbishment of computers as part of West County's e-waste collection event.

June 15, 2004—The Street Tech program was featured in a CIO Magazine article "Crossing the Digital Divide, One Person at a Time" on June 15, 2004.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 4.1 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.1 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.1 is 75 percent complete.

Task 4.2: Seed Articles for Use in City Newsletters (Matching Services).
The CAT program was highlighted in the Fall/Winter 2004-05 City of El Cerrito brochure, direct mailed to residents. Task 4.2 is 75percent complete.

Task 4.3: Develop Article and Pictures Promoting the Success of the Program on the Authority's Web Site.
The Street Tech program computer reuse requirements are highlighted on the Authority's Web site, www.recyclemore.com. Street Tech's Web site, www.streettech.org, includes a subdirectory linking users to information about Street Tech's computer refurbishing program.

June 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.3 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.3 is 75 percent complete.

Task 4.4: Street Tech's Technical Program Manager will Promote this Innovative Program to their Students, Potential Clients, and Community and Business Partners.
Street Tech's Technical Program Manager promotes the CAT program to Street Tech students, potential clients, and community and business partners.

Street Tech staff and students were onsite at West County's Electronic Waste Collection Events on June 5, 2004 and October 2, 2005 to set aside computer components that would be reusable as part of their job training and education program, including promoting the CAT program to residents.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 4.4 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.4 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.4 is 75 percent complete.

Task 4.4.1: Miscellaneous Marketing Materials, Office Supplies, Mailing Costs, etc., Supporting Street Tech's Computer Refurbishment Program (Matching Services).
All miscellaneous marketing materials, office supplies, and mailing costs are included during this grant term as a matching contribution by both the Authority and Street Tech in support of the CAT program.

December 1, 2003 Report—Task 4.4.1 is 25 percent complete.
June 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.4.1 is 50 percent complete.
December 1, 2004 Report—Task 4.4.1 is 75 percent complete.

Task 5: Reporting.

Task 5.1: Submit Quarterly Reports to CIWMB (Matching Services).
December 1, 2003—Submitted progress report.
June 1, 2004—Submitted progress report.
December 1, 2004—Submitted progress report.

Task 5.1 is 100 percent complete.

Task 5.2: Submit Final Report to CIWMB (Matching Services).
July 1, 2005 (to be submitted). Task 5.2 has not yet been started.

Next Reporting Period

With the infrastructure for the CAT program set-up, the Authority will continue to promote the CAT program to the general public.

Large business donations will continue to be a primary target for this grant as the CAT program is looking to train a classroom of students refurbishing similar systems. Street Tech staff will continue to promote the computer refurbishment program to large businesses in West County and will work to solicit large computer donations. Street Tech will also continue to develop the program, train staff and students, and refurbish and donate computers. The CAT program is looking to accept computers for reuse that will be of value when refurbished and donated.

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

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Last updated: June 25, 2008