 In June 2008, I gave a presentation to the California Association of Local Conservation Corps (CALCC) on deconstruction and building materials salvage. The CALCC represents the 12 private, nonprofit local conservation corps located in San Diego, Orange County, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Bakersfield, Fresno, Tulare County, San Jose, San Francisco, East Bay, Marin/Sonoma and Sacramento. These organizations operate local recycling centers and provide employment, education and training to over 2,000 young adults annually.
The CALCC wanted to learn how our industry might dovetail with their recycling efforts. I was interested, as usual, in educating people concerning deconstruction, building-materials salvage and distribution -- and was also on the lookout for potential retail-warehouse partnerships.
As it turned out, both of my objectives were met. Less than two months later, I received a call from Dwight Washabaugh, Executive Director of the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps (SRCC) asking about partnership opportunities. Subsequent meetings resulted in the decision to open and operate a retail warehouse in Sacramento.
In January, 2009, Dwight secured a warehouse (even more space than we have in Oakland) and obtained permits for necessary modifications. In April, the new warehouse received three shipments of materials from a project in Lake Tahoe completed by a TRP-certified deconstruction contractor.
TRP stands to benefit from this partnership in several ways. First, during the summer months, the Sacramento warehouse will take overflow from our Oakland facility. Second, the new retail outlet will create awareness and lead to more deconstruction and salvage opportunities. Third, the warehouse will extend our reach across the greater Sacramento area, stretching south into the Central Valley and east to Lake Tahoe.
 The mission of the SRCC is "to enrich the lives of young adults by providing a development program integrating education, job skills training and work experience on conservation projects and service opportunities that benefit the region and corps members." The partnership with TRP will enable SRCC to train corps members in customer service, inventory management, forklift operation, truck driving, sales and general business administration.
At this writing, SRCC is interviewing for a warehouse manager and a grand opening is planned for the summer months. On Friday, June 5, the SRCC will announce the grand opening at "Breakfast on the River," a celebration to mark the organization's 25th anniversary. For more information, visit www.saccorps.org. Featured at the breakfast will be a miniature house constructed entirely of used building materials from the TRP Oakland warehouse.
TRP is seeking a manager for the Denver Region. If you or someone you know is interested in being involved in a rewording field, please visit our Opportunities section in our website.
Reuse Contest
Our 2008 reuse contest was so successful that we've decided to sponsor the competition annually. Win TRP gift certificates redeemable for up to $225 worth of building materials at TRP and partner warehouses in Oakland, Pacoima, Chicago and Kansas City. All 2009 entries must be received by August 1. Click here for contest rules: thereusepeople.org/ReUse_Contest. |
