September 30, 2005 was the deadline for submitting questions regarding the
Reuse Assistance Grants. Please note that
only the questions and answers listed below apply to this grant offering.
Q. What measures should I take to document that my application is
mailed on time?
A. A dated receipt showing the delivery address will be
required as proof of timely mailing in the event of an application is
lost or misdirected by the Post Office or delivery service.
Q. There are two nonprofits interested in partnering with our Agency
to submit applications for this grant. The application instructions say that
"If more than one application is submitted by a local public agency, it will
be the local public agency's responsibility to decide which application
should go forward." Does this mean that we can submit two proposals and if
both applications are selected for funding, our Agency then decides which
one should receive an award? Or did I misunderstand?
A. The instructions mean that an agency that inadvertently
submits more than one (1) application will be disqualified unless they
withdraw their additional application(s).
Q. Is there a limit to the number of Reuse Assistance Grants that can
be applied for at any given time?
A. As stated on page 3 of the application instructions,
"Receipt of a previous grant award(s) from the CIWMB will not affect an
applicant's eligibility." However, "Each local public agency may submit
only one (1) application. If more than one (1) application is submitted
by a local public agency, it will be the local public agency's
responsibility to decide which application should go forward. If the
additional applications are not withdrawn, all applications from that
local public agency will be disqualified."
Q. It has come to my attention that the City of Placerville has been
approached by an individual requesting a partnership for a Reuse Assistance
Grant. Would the City of Placerville be allowed to apply for a grant
separate from the County of El Dorado? Also, it is my understanding that
there are actually three entities within El Dorado County: City of South
Lake Tahoe, City of Placerville, and the County of El Dorado. Is each entity
allowed to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant separate from another entity
or does it all fall under El Dorado County?
A. Yes, the City of Placerville would be allowed to apply for
a Reuse Assistance Grant separate from the County of El Dorado. Each of
the three entities within El Dorado County (City of South Lake Tahoe,
City of Placerville, and County of El Dorado) is allowed to apply for a
Reuse Assistance Grant separate from the others.
Q. We have put together an application for the 2005-2006 Reuse
Assistance Grant. We are currently in the process of getting our letters of
recommendation and resolution. Would it be possible for us to submit the
application by October 27, 2005 without these documents if we are not able
to obtain them in the allotted time? We would send them as soon as we
receive them. This issue should not arise, but I wanted to make sure incase
extenuating circumstances arise.
A. As stated on page 23 of the application, the Resolution and
letters of support "may be submitted after October 27, 2005, if, in the
application, the applicant sets forth good cause as to why the
Resolution and/or supporting documents were not turned in on time (e.g.,
'The applicant’s City Council meets quarterly. Its next meeting will not
occur until November 1, 2005.'). Note: the Resolution and, if
applicable, all supporting documents must be received by November 10,
2005. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a disqualified
application."
Q. Can K-12 public schools apply?
A. Yes, schools and school districts are eligible to partner
with a California local public agency (e.g., a city, county, or regional
agency that has obligations to develop and implement waste reduction
programs pursuant to the requirements of the Public Resources Code §
40900 et seq.) for a Reuse Assistance Grant. The local public agency
will be the applicant for the grant, and therefore, if awarded the
grant, will be: (1) responsible for supervising and administering the
grant; (2) accountable for how the grant funds are expended; and, (3)
responsible for requesting and disbursing grant funds.
Q. It has come to my attention that the City of Placerville has been
approached by an individual requesting a partnership for a Reuse Assistance
Grant. Would the City of Placerville be allowed to apply for a grant
separate from the County of El Dorado? Also, it is my understanding that
there are actually three entities within El Dorado County: City of South
Lake Tahoe, City of Placerville, and the County of El Dorado. Is each entity
allowed to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant separate from another entity
or does it all fall under El Dorado County?
A. Yes, the City of Placerville would be allowed to apply for
a Reuse Assistance Grant separate from the County of El Dorado. Each of
the three entities within El Dorado County (City of South Lake Tahoe,
City of Placerville, and County of El Dorado) is allowed to apply for a
Reuse Assistance Grant separate from the others.
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Q. As a not-for-profit healthcare system of six buildings consisting
of one acute care hospital, one outpatient hospital, outpatient services and
clinics, we are looking into reusable sharps and reusable pharmaceutical
waste containers to reduce our landfill waste volume of this waste by 20 to 40
percent. Can the grant pay for the start-up costs of such an effort?
A. As described, purchasing reusable sharps and reusable
pharmaceutical waste containers to replace disposable sharps and
pharmaceutical waste containers could be considered an eligible project,
since the project proposes to reduce waste through the implementation of
a system that practices reuse in its operation and would ultimately
reduce the generation of solid waste via reuse.
However, it would need to be demonstrated how the successful operations
of the system/project put in place to replace disposables with reusables/durables
would remain under the control of the project proponent.
Please note that this offering's primary purpose is to address potential
waste material that is already in existence, and to encourage the
establishment of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure,
projects, and/or facilities that recover materials for reuse that are
otherwise destined for disposal.
Additionally, please note, as stated on page 7 of the
application
instructions, the Board's current priority wastes are Construction and
Demolition materials and food waste, and all proposals will be
competitively evaluated and scored according to the approved scoring
criteria within the application.
Also, please be advised that a non-profit organization is not eligible
for a reuse assistance grant on its own, but must apply in partnership
with a local public agency, with the local public agency being the
applicant.
Q. I am fairly new to this grant opportunity and have a question
regarding eligibility. I understand that we must partner with a public
agency in order to receive this grant. If we were to partner with Public
Health, which would apply for us to purchase a new refrigerated truck so we can
access more fresh produce and other perishable foods that would otherwise go
to landfills, does this qualify?
A. Yes, as a nonprofit, to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant,
you must partner with a local public agency, with the local public
agency as the applicant. As described, if your nonprofit organization
was to partner with a City or County's Department of Public Health (with
the Department of Public Health as the applicant), purchasing a new
refrigerated truck to enable you to access more fresh produce and other
perishable foods that would otherwise be disposed could qualify as an
eligible project. As stated in the application, the purchase of a
refrigerated truck is an eligible expense provided that (1) the vehicle
is critical to the grant project implementation, (2) the vehicle will be
used exclusively for the project, (3) the cost is reasonable, (4) the
type of vehicle is appropriate for the designated purpose, (5) the purchase is
pre-approved by the CIWMB' Grant Manager, and (6) the vehicle will be
used for the purposes of the project even when the Grantee is no longer
receiving grant funds.
Q. I am drafting a proposal that would partner the county with the
FoodShare program. At this point I am "penciling in" using approximately
half of the funds requested to purchase capital equipment to expand/enhance
the FoodShare program's operation and divert more food from the waste
stream. The remaining funds will be used to aggressively advertise various
reuse activities in the county including foodshare/restore/thrift
stores/consignment stores, the county's reuse webpage etc.
Q. (1) The most expensive item FoodShare needs is a large
commercial refrigeration cooler for its warehouse; the cost is between
$30,000 and $35,000. Half of the cost of this cooler can be paid for by
a community block grant and we would like to request in our budget and
work plan the expenditure of approximately $15,000 or $17,500 (depending
on the cost) to pay for the other half. Is this allowable?
A. (1) As described, such an expenditure could be considered
an eligible cost provided that (1) the refrigeration cooler is critical
to the grant project implementation; 2) the cooler will be used
exclusively for the project, (3) the cost is reasonable, (4) the purchase
is pre-approved by the CIWMB's Grant Manager, and (5) the cooler will be
used for the purposes of the project even when the Grantee is no longer
receiving grant funds.
Q. (2) If the cost described above isn't allowable, would the
CIWMB consider funding a grant with one huge expense up front (e.g., a
$30,000 to $35,000 refrigeration cooler unit)? The unit will be used to
extend the life of produce/foodstuffs donated prior to
sorting/packing/distribution so it is key to their program's goal of
keeping viable foodstuffs out of the landfill and preserving it so it
can be redistributed throughout the county. Are these viable
expenditures?
A. (2) As stated above, such an expenditure could be
considered an eligible cost provided that (1) the refrigeration cooler
is critical to the grant project implementation, (2) the cooler will be
used exclusively for the project, (3) the cost is reasonable, (4) the
purchase is pre-approved by the CIWMB's Grant Manager, and 5) the cooler
will be used for the purposes of the project even when the Grantee is no
longer receiving grant funds.
Q. I am still unclear—would the CIWMB allow grant funds to be used to
PAY FOR HALF the cost of a refrigeration cooler if a community block grant
can pay the rest? Foodshare has approval to expend approximately $15,000 in
community block grant funds for the refrigeration unit, but it isn't enough
money to purchase the piece of much-needed equipment.
A. Yes, grant funds could be used to pay for half the cost of
a refrigeration cooler provided: 1) the refrigeration cooler is critical
to the grant project implementation; 2) the cooler will be used
exclusively for a grant-eligible reuse project; 3) the cost is reasonable; 4) the purchase
is pre-approved by the CIWMB's Grant Manager; and 5) the cooler will be
used for the purposes of the project even when the Grantee is no longer
receiving grant funds.
Q. I am looking at expanding our recycling program within our county
offices. The various county offices are spread out so we need grant funds to
purchase an electric vehicle. This electric vehicle will be used to transport
recyclables (paper, beverage containers, cardboard, etc). Would the Reuse
Assistance Grants program would work for this? If not, are there any other
grant programs that could help us?
A. As described, this recycling project would be ineligible
for a Reuse Assistance Grant, as the Reuse Assistance Grants are for
projects that will reuse—not recycle—materials. You may wish to visit
the
Department of Conservation Division of Recycling's
grant website
as they administer funding programs to assist organizations in
establishing and promoting convenient beverage container recycling and
litter abatement projects, and to encourage market development and
expansion activities for recycling used beverage containers.
Q. I have been running a reusable dish program on our UC campus for
events and for festivals for a few years now and we are looking for support
to bring our program to the next level (i.e., moving the campus to a ZERO
waste campus). We currently have over 5,000 plates, cups, and utensils that
we have been reusing for years. These are NOT made of recycled materials.
Therefore, my question is, if I am looking for more funding through the
CIWMB grants, do previously purchased materials have to be comprised of post
consumer materials, or is it just materials that I would purchase with grant
money?
A. Grant funds and/or the matching contribution cannot be
applied to previously purchased materials, regardless of recycled
content. In the performance of the grant agreement, for purchases made
with grant funds, the Grantee shall purchase recycled-content products (RCP),
as defined by the State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC) minimum
recycled content requirements. If the Grantee cannot
purchase RCPs, the Grantee must document why it was unable to comply
with this requirement.
However, please note that this offering's primary purpose is to address
potential waste material that is already in existence, and to encourage
the establishment of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure,
projects, and/or facilities that recover materials for reuse that are
otherwise destined for disposal.
Q. I would like to determine if our program would be eligible for
assistance. I am the Recycling Coordinator for a private hauler in the
County. We are contracted with five cities in the County and some County
unincorporated areas. The five cities that we have a contract with all have
recycling services for residents, businesses, and schools. As the Recycling
Coordinator, it is my job to implement programs to improve recycling efforts
for each city. I started an education program that is available for all
schools and organizations. The recycling program includes presentations
about Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. With the presentations, students
understand the concept and reason of why recycling is so important. The
presentations include videos, promotional items made from recycled
materials, art projects, and much more.
With the Reuse Assistance Grant, I will continue to promote and educate
students and adults about Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle by enhancing the
current education program. For example, one type of presentation that is
given is a Reuse art project. I provide each student with an item from home
(tin can, plastic bottles, cardboard cereal boxes, etc.) and the students
use their creative skills and create artwork or a new and improved item to
use over again. For example, we had one child that decorated a plastic
licorice container and now she uses it to keep her hair clips in. This is
just one example of how our education program has made recycling a fun way
to learn.
Would the Reuse Assistance Grant allow us to purchase art supplies, worm
composting bins, and presentation supplies? I have created educational
poster boards from old cardboard boxes, so I always make sure that I am
setting an example for my audience. Would this program fit the criteria for
the Reuse Assistance Grant? If so, I would choose one city to partner with
and assist with the application process.
A. Grant and/or matching funds cannot be used to purchase worm
composting bins or for items to promote recycling, as composting and
recycling projects are ineligible (as stated on page 4 of the
application instructions).
Please note that this offering's primary purpose is to address
potential waste material that is already in existence, and to encourage
the establishment of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure,
projects, and/or facilities that recover materials for reuse which are
otherwise destined for disposal. As such, the Reuse Assistance Grants
are intended to reuse materials currently being disposed, rather than
purchase new materials to indirectly increase reuse.
Q. I am working with a used building supply company on a grant
application aimed at improving their level of organization and increasing
material throughput. One of the pieces of equipment that they hope to
include in the grant application is beyond the financial scope of this
grant. Would a down payment toward the purchase of a piece of equipment be
an eligible expense?
A. As stated on page 4 of the application instructions,
"Materials, services, equipment, or facilities directly enhancing
opportunities for increasing reuse may be eligible costs. Costs must be
reasonable, cost-effective, and focused on local needs." Additionally,
the piece of equipment must be: 1) critical to the grant project
implementation; 2) used exclusively for the project; 3) appropriate for
the designated purpose; and 5) used for the purposes of the project even
when the Grantee is no longer receiving grant funds. Should the piece of
equipment meet all of these requirements, the down payment toward the
purchase of the piece of equipment could be considered an eligible
expense.
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Q. It appears that this grant offering would not cover the use of whole
scrap tires for fuel in a Portland Cement Kiln. We are modifying our current
system so we can increase the amount of scrap tires used. My assumption is
that this does not qualify as reuse. Is that assumption correct?
A. Correct. Using whole scrap tires for fuel would be
considered significant processing and would not qualify as reuse.
Q. Our company has done a lot of work over the past 10 years with the
CIWMB Used Oil program, as contractors to local governments and nonprofits
that are grant recipients. We have just been awarded a grant directly (one
of the Used Oil Research Demonstration and Testing grants) to expand a
project we have developed to incorporate a lesson on used oil recycling into
existing English as Second Language (ESL) programs. I am looking for
opportunities to create other lessons on environmental topics. We have found
that ESL students and teachers are very responsive to this approach, and it
efficiently reaches a critical audience for environmental information, new
immigrants.
We would like to create and teach a lesson on reuse, and I think it
would strike a responsive chord in people from many cultures (we have had as
many as six languages represented in one class). Would this be an
appropriate application for the RAGs? If so, we will seek a local
government with which to partner.
A. As described, such a project would not be eligible for a
Reuse Assistance Grant, as the grants are intended to address potential
waste material already in existence, and to encourage the establishment
of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure, projects, and/or
facilities that recover materials for reuse that are otherwise destined
for disposal.
Q. Would it be possible to get a Reuse Assistance Grant to provide
canvas bags to a grocery store as a pilot program for the purpose of
reducing the use of plastic bags, and to foster "reuse" bags as a sensible
way to keep plastic and paper bags out of the waste stream?
A. Pilot projects are ineligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant.
Additionally, please note that this offering's primary purpose is to
address potential waste material already in existence, and to encourage
the establishment of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure,
projects, and/or facilities that recover materials for reuse that are
otherwise destined for disposal.
Q. There is a nonprofit group in our community that has started a
reuse program of small building materials for use in the classroom for art
projects. They have two school locations, but need financial help to
expand. Would this small project even be considered for a Reuse Assistance
Grant application?
A. As described, such a project could be considered eligible
for a Reuse Assistance Grant, as building materials recovered from a
demolition or remodeling project which otherwise would be destined for
disposal are considered eligible materials for reuse. Please note the
nonprofit group would need to partner with a local public agency to
apply for a grant, with the local public agency as the applicant.
Q. I work for the City and I have a question about eligibility of
grant money for a recycled pavement project. The process is called a foamed
asphalt process. It includes grinding the existing worn out/cracked asphalt
back into the existing base material of the road, adding a hot asphalt foam
to the material, and placing it back into the roadway. The final layer of
asphalt is a two inch lift of asphalt rubber (recycled rubber tires in the
mix) to complete the reconstructed road.
The process we use now is to remove all
the worn out asphalt and replace it with new asphalt, then add the two inch
lift of asphalt rubber. This creates many tons of asphalt that needs to be
disposed of or hauled to the landfill. The foamed asphalt process recycles
everything and places it back into the road. We are looking for funding to
do more recycling road projects.
A. As stated in the application,
recycling projects are not eligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant.
However, please review CIWMB's Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC) Grant
Program Web site. You may use the contact
information provided to reach the appropriate staff member(s) to discuss
possible eligibility of your project for a RAC grant.
Q. The City, in conjunction with a
demolition company, is working to implement a concrete reuse program. The
way the program would work is old concrete would be cleaned, crushed, and
reused as a base rock. In terms of the Reuse Assistance Grant program, will
this project be eligible?
A. Crushing the concrete would be
considered significant processing, and therefore would fall outside the
definition of reuse, and would not be eligible for a Reuse Assistance
Grant.
Q. We need to find funding for a dairy
project having to do with recycling animal waste in the interest of a
healthy environment and, perhaps, to create electricity; what we need to do
first of all is find funding for a consultant feasibility study and on from
there. Does the CIWMB deal with this topic? If not, which agency(s) would?
A. Such a project would not be
eligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant. The CIWMB offers
a variety of
grants and loans. A listing of all grants offered by State
agencies can be found at
www.getgrants.ca.gov.
Q. The City has in place a Local Material
Exchange Program. We send out applications to local businesses through our
Business License Renewal mailing on a quarterly basis. When we receive an
applicant interested in a material exchange, we enter the data into our data
base which is linked into the State's California Materials Exchange (CalMAX)
database. If we applied, would the City be considered eligible or ineligible
for the Reuse Assistance Grant funding to enhance our Program since we are
already hooked into the CalMAX Program?
A. As stated on page 4 of the
application instructions, "Web site development and Web-related
projects" as well as "projects proposing to provide a service and/or
product already provided free of charge by the State may be ineligible."
Q. Could a Reuse Assistance Grant be used
to apply to a project that would start a private not-for-profit with the
specific intent of computer reuse and redistribution? Would there be any
possible concerns associated with such a project?
A. Yes, a Reuse Assistance Grant
could be used to start a private not-for-profit organization with the
specific intent of computer reuse and redistribution. Please note that
the grant funds and matching contribution must be for the reuse (not
recycling) of the computers. Also, only a local public entity is
eligible to apply for the grant, but the local public agency may partner
with other types of entities.
Q. Our City is presently expanding its Household Hazardous Waste
Facility. We received a $200,000 HHW grant from the CIWMB to cover the HHW area.
The entire HHW Grant will be used solely to put a cover on the expanded
facility. The grant funds partially cover the costs related to the cover.
The City is providing matching funds to finish the job.
Are we eligible to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant to begin the
second stage of our plan for a complete Reuse Store at the facility? Our
goal is to have an area where all reusable items will be brought, prior to
the trip over the scale for disposal. Furniture, paint, Construction and
Demolition (C&D), and other
materials will be available to the public for reuse. The grant would be used
to establish a Reuse Store of C&D materials with the local Habitat for
Humanity.
A. A Reuse Assistance Grant could be used to create a Reuse
Store at the facility for the purpose of reusing non-hazardous
materials such as furniture and C&D. However, as paint is considered
a hazardous material, grant funds and/or matching funds could not be
used for the purpose of reusing paint or other hazardous materials.
Q. Given that we were partially funded from the last Reuse Assistance
Grant, would it be appropriate to resubmit the original grant application
with updated narrative, work plan and budget and request the remainder of
the funding, or write a new proposal altogether?
A. Yes, it would be appropriate to request the remainder of
the funding by submitting an updated narrative, work plan and budget.
However, this information must be provided using the current application
form, and any other information required by this year’s application must
be updated, as well.
Q. I need some clarification on the Reuse Assistance Grants. I am with
a public agency—a community college. The college is in the process of
planning and building a recycling center. This is going to be a long-term
facility. It will have the capabilities of recycling plastic, glass,
aluminum, paper, etc. It will have a compactor, bailer, and compost bins.
This type of facility is going to need equipment such as a forklift with
rotation forks, tractor with bucket and backhoe, and chipper for grinding
tree branches, etc.
Please clarify if this type of long-term facility would meet the criteria
for assistance from the Reuse Assistance Grants program, as our staff has a
difference of opinion regarding the eligibility of this project when reading
the eligibility requirements.
A. First, while community colleges may partner with a local
public agency to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant, community colleges
are not considered a local public agency for the purposes of this
particular grant program, and therefore, cannot apply by
themselves.
Second, such a project would be ineligible for a Reuse Assistance
Grant, as projects focusing on recycling, grinding, and/or composting
are not eligible for this grant.
Q. Due to age, drainage and safety issues, and non-ADA compliant
slopes/walks in one of our city's parks, we will be renovating the park. We
need to bring up the slope of the middle of the park to make it ADA
accessible, and improve drainage problems and safety issues. Would any of
the following items be eligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant?
Q. (1) Reusing existing playground equipment: We will need to hire
a contractor to carefully disassemble existing equipment and reassemble
it in a new location and at new ADA compliant grades.
A. (1) As described, provided the playground
equipment would otherwise be disposed, its relocation and reuse could be
considered an eligible project; however, please note that this grant
offering's primary purpose is to encourage the establishment of tangible
and long-term systems, infrastructure, projects, and/or facilities which
recover materials for reuse that are otherwise destined for disposal,
and the more closely a project aligns with the criteria, the better the
chance for grant funding.
Q. (2) Will this grant pay for new playground surfacing if the new
material is made of recycled tires?
A. (2) No, paying for new playground
surfacing made of recycled tires would not be eligible for a Reuse
Assistance Grant. See the CIWMB's tire grants (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Tires/Grants/)
for tire grant opportunities.
Q. (3) Reuse existing boulders: We will need to remove the
boulders from the existing playground area. We can reuse about ten
percent of the boulders as landscape features in this park; the
remaining 90 percent will be reused in other parks and trails at a later
date. Can this grant help pay for the cost of having a contractor: a)
remove, move, and reset the boulders in this park; and b) remove, truck,
and stockpile the rest of the boulders at the other city sites for later
use by up coming projects?
A. (3) As described, provided the ten percent of the boulders
intended to be moved would otherwise be disposed, their relocation and
reuse could be considered an eligible project; however, please note that
this grant offering's primary purpose is to encourage the establishment
of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure, projects, and/or
facilities which recover materials for reuse that are otherwise destined
for disposal, and the more closely a project aligns with the criteria,
the better the chance for grant funding.
Grant funds cannot be used to relocate and stockpile boulders for
potential future use.
Q. (4) Could the grant be used to reuse existing sand? This park
has a lot of sand surrounding the play areas. A small portion of the
sand can be removed, sifted/cleaned and reused in a new, but smaller,
sand play area in this park. Another portion of the sand can be used as
part of grading operations and as soil amendment for new planting areas
in this park. The remainder of the sand can be relocated and stockpiled
in the city park maintenance yard for future use.
A. (4) As described, provided the sand intended to be moved
would otherwise be disposed, the relocation and reuse of the sand could
be considered an eligible project; however, please note that this grant
offering's primary purpose is to encourage the establishment of tangible
and long-term systems, infrastructure, projects, and/or facilities that
recover materials for reuse which are otherwise destined for disposal,
and the more closely a project aligns with the criteria, the better the
chance for grant funding.
Grant funds cannot be used to relocate and stockpile sand for
potential future use.
Q. (5) We will need to remove some existing concrete walkways. We
could reuse some of the broken concrete for new seat walls, and some of
it as "special paving" in portions of the new park design. Would this
qualify for a Reuse Assistance Grant?
A. (5) As described, such a project could be eligible for a
Reuse Assistance Grant. However, please note that this offering's
primary purpose is to address potential waste material that is already
in existence, and to encourage the establishment of tangible and
long-term systems, infrastructure, projects, and/or facilities that
recover materials for reuse which are otherwise destined for disposal.
Additionally, please note it is anticipated that this offering will
be highly competitive, and the more clearly a proposed project adheres
to the concept of reuse and aligns with preference criteria, the better
the chances of award. As such, a one-time project of reusing a small
amount of broken concrete may not be a competitive proposal.
Q. (6) Are site furnishings (benches, etc.) made of recycled
materials eligible?
A. (6) No, paying for site furnishings made of recycled
materials are not eligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant.
Q. I am the solid waste coordinator for the City and recently
initiated a plastic bag recycling program in my city. As part of the program
that serves all single family homes in the city, we provided all homes with
four gallon buckets, and a year's supply of blue plastic bags. On trash
day, residents tie the bag that they have filled and place it in their
curbside recycling containers. The solid waste hauler picks up the recycling
containers' contents, and takes the materials to their MRF facility. The
blue bags are easily spotted by the staff, separated, and bailed. Once bailed,
they are shipped to a facility where they will be washed and processed to
become plastic bags again. This program promotes reuse as all plastic bags
will become plastic bags again.
Following our lead, two neighboring cities signed up for the program,
and we are talking to two or three other cities nearby. Increasing
participation requires more public outreach and education; we just completed
a costly focus group to understand how we can increase participation, and we
will be doing a survey to understand what we are dealing with, as well. This
program is fairly unique, and we wanted to know if a Reuse Assistance Grant
could be used towards public education, outreach, and to purchase and
distribute the second year's supply of bags. If it helps to partner with the
two other neighboring cities, we can do that.
A. If the bags are actually only washed and reused, as
described, this project may be eligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant.
However, if the bags are actually processed, the
project would be ineligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant, as it would no
longer be considered reuse, but considered to be a recycling project,
which is ineligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant (see page 4 of the
application instructions). Please note
that this offering's primary purpose is to address potential waste
material that is already in existence, and to encourage the
establishment of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure,
projects, and/or facilities which recover materials for reuse that are
otherwise destined for disposal—not to purchase new materials for a
recycling project.
Q. Would a project that includes composting a material that is
normally discarded as trash qualify for a Reuse Assistance Grant?
Specifically, single serve food packaged items that are currently made with
plastics and layers of metal that can not be recycled and are thrown into
the trash. The goal would be to create a compostable package that is made
from a renewable resource (e.g., starch from corn). The package would then
be available to be collected at curbside pickup locations for composting.
A. As stated on page 4 of the
application instructions, composting projects are among the
ineligible projects: "Ineligible projects include, but are not limited
to, feasibility studies, Web site development and Web site-related
projects, composting, grasscycling, wood milling/grinding, and recycling
projects."
Q. The City would like to implement a program where residents will be
encouraged to divert at least 75 percent of construction and demolition
materials, and in return, the City (along with this grant — if awarded)
would give them up to five gallons of recycled paint for their project
(remodeling, addition, etc). Could we apply for funding to implement this
program? I read on page 4 of the application instructions that "eligible
projects must focus only on the reuse of non-hazardous materials"... would
the CIWMB consider recycled paint a hazardous material? We would like to
create an incentive to get people to divert as much as possible and in
return, be able to reward them with recycled paint for their project.
A. While construction and demolition materials are a preferred
material type for this grant offering, and a project that proposes to
reuse construction and demolition materials could be considered an
eligible project, paint is considered a hazardous material and would not
be an eligible material for a Reuse Assistance Grant project. If the
project proponent wishes to provide residents with recycled paint as a
component of their project, the CIWMB encourages the applicant to secure
necessary funding, such as other government, corporate, or business
sponsorship, separate from Reuse Assistance Grant funds, recognizing
that this would not be eligible as a matching contribution.
Q. We are attempting to partner with FoodShare and design a grant to
divert tons of currently disposed food stuffs (predominantly berries,
vegetables, and bread) from the landfill. Among the options we are
considering is the purchase of a transport vehicle (electric or bio fuel is
preferred) to shuttle three-yard bins of berries/bread/vegetables currently
sent to the landfill (they break down quickly) to a cattle farm where they
would be used as animal feed.
Would this practice — transporting vegetables, berries, bread for
use as cattle food — be considered reuse under the CIWMB's guidelines?
This material is currently going to the landfill because FoodShare has no
way to transport it to the cattle farm. The cattle farm does pick up
agriculture waste throughout the county but requires a ten ton minimum for a
pickup. With the rapid deterioration of vegetative matter, a ten ton
threshold for collection is not feasible.
A. A project that recovers food for timely human consumption
could be considered an eligible project. However, a project that
recovers food for ultimate use as animal feed would not be considered an
eligible project due to the degree of processing that is required by
Department of Food and Agriculture regulations. These requirements
(namely re-cooking to ensure feed safety) would be considered
significant processing of the material and would not fit within the
narrow definition of reuse that is applied to projects eligible through
this grant offering.
Q. Are computer triage (i.e., at the point of collection, the computer
is taken to a specific area and has a basic diagnosis done to determine if
it is salvageable) and reuse programs eligible?
A. A project that reuses (not recycles) the non-hazardous
components of computers could be considered an eligible Reuse Assistance
Grant project.
Q. Can a local public agency get a Reuse Assistance Grant for any
reuse of waste tires? It looks as if they can't be processed into
tire-derived aggregate or crumb rubber. Is this correct? Would retreading a
city's fleet be considered reuse?
A. Retreading tires would be considered significant processing
and would fall outside the program’s definition of reuse. As such,
retreading tires and/or processing tires into tire-derived aggregate or
crumb rubber are ineligible projects. For tire-related grant
opportunities, please see
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Tires/Grants/.
Q. Could a Reuse Assistance Grant be utilized to place a
reuse/repair/recycling guide in the local yellow pages phone book? If so,
could one city apply for this or shall all the cities in the directory
combine for the joint program?
A. A Reuse Assistance Grant could be utilized to place a
reuse/repair guide in the local yellow pages phone book, but not to
place a recycling guide. One city may apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant
for such a project, or all the cities represented in the directory may
combine for a joint project.
Q. We are thinking about applying for a Reuse Assistance Grant to
expand our city's municipal reuse program, where city departments post their
offerings of un-needed furniture and other office supplies on a "virtual"
warehouse, which other city departments may access.
Would expanding and streamlining this virtual warehouse Web site be
fundable under the Reuse Assistance Grants program?
A. As stated on page 4 of the application instructions,
"ineligible projects include, but are not limited to...Web site
development and Web site-related projects...".
Q. Would a "Citywide Garage Sale" event held on annually throughout
the city on a certain date be eligible for a Reuse Assistance Grant?
A. A "Citywide Garage Sale" event held on annually throughout
the city on a certain date could be eligible for a Reuse Assistance
Grant.
Q. Would a regional "Grocery Shopping Bag Reuse" program be eligible?
Specifically, where reusable grocery shopping bags are distributed to
residents at grocery stores on Saturdays through the month of April on a
regional county basis. The intent is to have residents use these reusable
bags in place of the paper or plastic bags usually offered at check out
time. (Of course, the reusable bags would be made from recycled content
materials.)
A. Please note that this offering's primary purpose is to
address potential waste material already in existence, and to encourage
the establishment of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure,
projects, and/or facilities that recover materials for reuse that are
otherwise destined for disposal. As such, the proposed project
(purchasing a new product with the intention of reuse) may not rank as
competitively as other projects that propose to reuse a material
currently being disposed.
Q. I am with a company and we are currently placing our ornamental
trash and recycling bins on city streets in the County. The bins promote
recycling on high pedestrian traffic areas. Our expansion model is to
present the concept to communities within individual cities in the county
and/or the chambers of commerce in smaller areas. Since we will be targeting
at least one dozen cities/communities within San Diego County would it be
appropriate to provide generic applications to the townships to apply for
the Reuse Assistance Grant? Does the project even have the potential to
qualify for a Reuse Assistance Grant?
A. The Reuse Assistance Grants are only for reuse projects—an
ornamental trash and recycling project would not qualify for Reuse
Assistance Grant funding.
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Q. We've never applied for this grant; are there examples available of
projects which other cities have completed using grant funds?
A. Yes, information on previous projects that have been funded
(as well as awarded amounts, project summaries, progress reports, and
contact information) are available in our
Reuse Assistance Grant archives.
Q. In reviewing an article on the last year's grant awards I only
noticed one "winning" application that was for a new facility (Riverside
County's), as opposed to an expansion to, or improvement of, an existing
reuse facility. I was hoping to get a copy of Riverside County's grant
application for last year, as well as any other "winning" applications for
new facilities from previous years.
I think our City's biggest challenge is to propose a scope of work
that is sufficient to demonstrate real progress towards a reused
facility/program, but not too large to be achievable considering current
budgetary and personnel limitations.
A. The following is a copy of Riverside County's application,
as well as copies of two other applications that have been previously
funded. Please note that the success of a given application is dependent
on the particular focus of that grant offering as reflected in the
program scoring criteria and how it compares to the other applications
in that grant offering. Therefore, do not assume that an application
that mirrors these sample applications will be successful in another
offering.
Riverside
County's application (PDF; 7,467 KB)
San Luis
Obispo County's application (PDF; 3,042 KB)
Sacramento
County's application (TIF; 1,083 KB)
Q. I was reading Page 13, Exhibit B: Proposal Narrative, and I want to
make sure that I am clear. Are we only allowed the space given or can we
recreate the form and expand on our answers?
A. As stated on page 8 of the application instructions, "there
is no application length requirement; however, the application must
follow the instructions for submittal and provide all of the information
requested, considering the importance of waste prevention." The Word
format enables users to expand the space given as necessary to complete
their answers.
Q. What is this program's funding source? Is it 100 percent
State-funded?
A. The Reuse Assistance Grants Program is funded by the
California Integrated Waste Management Board’s Integrated Waste
Management Account and is 100 percent State funded.
Q. Will funding be available again for the Reuse Assistance
Grants Program in the next year or two? If it is too early to tell, is there
an anticipated date or time frame for when the solicitation may become
available again?
A. The Reuse Assistance Grants program has been an
annually recurring grant program; the CIWMB anticipates funding for the
next offering (FY 2006/2007 offering) to be available in the summer of
2006.
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Q. My understanding is that the requirements for the Reuse Assistance
Grants program has changed in that northern California will be awarded fewer
grants. If this is correct, are there any criteria that I should know about?
For example, would it be more beneficial to apply for a grant in conjunction
with: 1) A current grantee; 2) An established business like a hospice; or 3)
An unknown company that does product recycling?
A. Historically, grants for the Reuse Assistance Grants
program have been awarded to applicants based solely on the
highest-ranking scores. However, the Board recently directed staff to
change this procedure and award grants based on geographic distribution,
where approximately sixty-one percent (61%) of available funding will be
awarded to applicants from southern California whose applications
receive passing scores, and thirty-nine percent (39%) to applicants from
northern California whose applications receive passing scores. The
geographic division of the is State based on the Census 2000 estimated
population of each county, provided by the Department of Finance.
Southern California counties are defined as those counties south of and
including San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San Bernardino. Northern California
counties are those north of and including Monterey, Kings, Tulare, and
Inyo. The distribution of grant funds according to population density
has been CIWMB policy for several years. However, prior to the current
grant cycle, the Reuse Assistance Grants program has been exempted from
this requirement.
Applications will be evaluated using the Scoring Criteria and
Evaluation Process on pages 6 and 7 of the application instructions.
Applicants must score at least 65 points within the General Review
Criteria (items 1 through 7) to qualify for funding and for Preference
Criteria consideration. If an application qualifies for Preference
Criteria consideration, an application must demonstrate how the project
(if applicable) will focus on reusing food and/or construction and
demolition materials to obtain the extra seven points for the Key
Priority Wastes criterion; and describe how the project (if applicable)
will provide vocational/job skill training and how this vocational
training will increase the amount of material(s) to be reused to obtain
the extra three points for the Vocational Training criterion.
Applications will be scored based solely on the information provided
in the application and ranked according to the total number of points
received. Staff's recommendation for funding will be based on the order
of ranking and geographic distribution (as described in the first
paragraph of this answer).
As stated on page 3 of the application instructions, "There is no
scoring advantage in submitting a partner-application as compared to an
individual application."
Q. Regarding the 50 percent of requested funds match requirement: is
there a preference as to whether it is met with cash over in-kind
contributions? Is providing more than required viewed favorably under the
"Budget" scoring criteria?
A. There is no preference to whether the 50 percent matching
contribution is met with cash as compared to in-kind contributions.
Providing more than the matching contribution requirement could be
viewed favorably under the "Budget" scoring criteria.
Q. I see that last year $250,000 was also available, and six awards
resulted—is a similar number of awards expected for the FY 2005/2006
offering?
A. As $250,000 is available, and applicants may request any
amount up to $50,000, a similar number of awards may be expected for the
FY 2005/2006 offering.
Q. How many groups and organizations apply for this grant, as I would
imagine it would be quite competitive?
A. While it is difficult to predict exactly how many
applications will be submitted for this offering, approximately 30+
applications have been received in past grant offerings.
Q. I own and operate a store that recycles and reuses safe juvenile
products so they do not end up in the landfill. Second hand profits and
non-profits will not take on the liability of resale of these items, and I
am qualified to do so properly. Which local public agency should I partner
up with? Please let me know so I can start preparing my presentation to see
if they think it is a good idea.
A. The CIWMB does not have a preference regarding which
eligible California local public agencies to partner with. You may wish
to contact the nearest potentially eligible applicant.
Q. I looked over the RAG application thoroughly and I have one
question about sponsorship. Can a bank, business, or I become a sponsor
towards my grant application?
A. A California local public agency must be the applicant for
an application. However, the local public agency can partner with any
entity, such as a bank, business, or individual.
Q. I am applying for the grant on behalf of the Associated Students of
the University, since this the governing body of our reusable dish program.
I noticed there was a partner letter of sorts on the Web. Is this something
I would need to do because I am applying on behalf of the Association?
A. As only local public agencies are eligible to apply for a
Reuse Assistance Grant, the University may partner with the local public
agency (with the local public agency as the applicant). The University
would need to complete the Non-Profit/Private
Entity Partner Letter of Commitment and the
Non-Profit/Private Entity Partner Agreement to be
Subject to Audit Requirements of Grant Agreement, and the local
public agency must submit the completed letters with the application.
Q. I've decided to ask M.o.r.e Material Handling to partner with us
for our reuse business. They currently employ, train, and work with people
with disabilities. I think it's a really good fit because they have the
storage space and the cleaning of items is something M.o.r.e's workers are
capable of doing.
A. Only California local public agencies are eligible to apply
for a Reuse Assistance Grant. If your business wishes to apply for a
Reuse Assistance Grant, you must partner with a California local public
agency, with the local public agency as the applicant. Partnering with
another business or nonprofit to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant
would render the application ineligible.
Q. Would we be able to partner with M.o.r.e, which is a non profit
agency that contracts with the government, in order to apply for a Reuse
Assistance Grant? We are a small business sole proprietorship.
A. No. If you are a small business sole proprietorship, you
must partner with a local public agency to apply for a Reuse Assistance
Grant, with the local public agency as the applicant. A nonprofit agency
that contracts with the government is not considered a local public
agency; therefore, an application submitted by such an entity would be
considered ineligible. To apply for a Reuse Assistance grant, you and
the nonprofit agency may partner with a local public agency, with the
local public agency as the applicant.
Q. Would it be more beneficial to apply for a grant in conjunction
with: 1) A current grantee; 2) An established business like a hospice; or 3)
An unknown company that does product recycling?
A. As stated on page 3 of the application instructions, "There is no
scoring advantage in submitting a partner-application as compared to an
individual application."
Q. It has come to my attention that the City of Placerville has been
approached by an individual requesting a partnership for a Reuse Assistance
Grant. Would the City of Placerville be allowed to apply for a grant
separate from the County of El Dorado? Also, it is my understanding that
there are actually three entities within El Dorado County: City of South
Lake Tahoe, City of Placerville, and the County of El Dorado. Is each entity
allowed to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant separate from another entity
or does it all fall under El Dorado County?
A. Yes, the City of Placerville would be allowed to apply for
a Reuse Assistance Grant separate from the County of El Dorado. Each of
the three entities within El Dorado County (City of South Lake Tahoe,
City of Placerville, and County of El Dorado) is allowed to apply for a
Reuse Assistance Grant separate from the others.
Q. Is this grant structured as a reimbursement grant? So for example,
we incur the cost and then we submit invoices for reimbursement? Or does the
CIWMB
make a single payment to the agency/entity for the grant award amount upon
grant award?
A. As stated on page 9 of the application
instructions, "Grant
funds are paid on a reimbursement basis for actual costs directly
related to the implementation of the project as approved—advances are
not available. Payment will be made only for eligible costs described in
the Grantee's approved Budget (Exhibit C). All Payment Requests must be
prepared as described in the Procedures and Requirements and
include an itemization with documentation of claimed expenses (e.g.,
receipts, invoices, Personnel Expenditure Summary Form,
Grant Payment Request Form, Travel Log Form,
Recycled-Content Certification Form, etc.). The forms are available
at
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/reuse/Grants."
Q. I met with City officials and they are uninterested in helping me
(a business) with this grant application — do you have any suggestions
for me?
A. As the CIWMB does not have a preference regarding which
eligible California local public agencies to partner with, you may wish
to contact another local, potentially eligible applicant. This includes
any California city, county, or regional agency of your choice. If one
local city in uninterested in partnering with you, you may wish to
contact another local city, or a nearby county.
Q. I need some clarification concerning the resolution requirement. Do
we need a board resolution from the California Integrated Waste Management
Board and one from our board of directors for our nonprofit organization, or
just one from the board of our nonprofit organization?
A. As a nonprofit organization, you must partner with a local
public agency to apply for a Reuse Assistance Grant, with the local
public agency as the applicant. The local public agency must submit with
the application a resolution signed by their board of directors, etc.
indicating the agency has approval to partner with your organization to
apply for the grant. (A sample resolution is provided on page 24 of the
application.) Additionally, the president,
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer, etc. of your
organization (the partnering nonprofit) must sign the
Non-Profit/Private Entity Partner Letter of
Commitment and the Non-Profit/Private
Entity Partner Agreement to be Subject to Audit Requirements of Grant
Agreement; these documents must also be submitted with the
application.
Q. Concerning the requirement for the resolution, the last resolution
we have was dated on April 10, 2001. Is this still valid or are we required
to have another one executed? Please advise.
A. As stated on page 23 of the application, "An approved
Resolution from the applicant's governing body, which authorizes
submittal of an application for the Reuse Assistance Grant for a period
not to exceed five (5) years, and identifies the title of the individual
authorized to execute the application, any agreements, amendments, and
payment requests" must be included with the application.
As the resolution described is dated April 10, 2001, as long as it
authorizes the submittal of an application for the Reuse Assistance
Grant and identifies the authorized individual, it should be considered
valid.
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