1. Sarah Mason Mayor’s Office, Environmental Programming City of Houston
Case Study of Funding through TCEQ & COGs City of Houston Building Materials Reuse Warehouse
September 1, 2009
Sarah Mason
Mayor’s Office, Environmental Programming
City of Houston

2. Objectives Overview Background and History Funding Sources
Lessons Learned
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3. What is it?
The Reuse Warehouse accepts building materials that are in new or reusable condition from builders, remodelers, businesses and the general public.
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4. How does it work? Materials are accepted for FREE.
Materials are distributed for FREE to non-profit groups.
The facility has 11,000 sq ft. of covered space but is not climate controlled.
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5. What does the Warehouse take?
Bricks, Doors, Lighting Fixtures, Lumber, Plywood, Roofing Material, Sinks, Showers, Sheetrock, Shingles, Tile, Toilets (low flow only), Tools
What does the Warehouse not take?
Paint, Appliances, Upholstered Furniture, Broken Items, Rotten Wood, Previously Used Asphalt Shingles, Fluorescent Light Fixtures
*We are Reuse not a Recycling Center*
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6. Types of Materials Collected
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7. Why is the City doing this?
Mayor White tasked his Office of Environmental Programming to examine new ways to encourage recycling.
A 2004 – 2005 study completed by H-GAC and HARC, showed approximately 38% of the waste stream in the Houston area is construction and demolition (C&D) material. The City of Houston became determined to see what could be done to encourage the diversion of some of this material.
Nationally, C&D Warehouses/Re-Use Stores have proven a common model of providing needed storage. Many of these have shown success not only at diverting material but also at providing community development opportunities.
Locally, Dan Phillips of Huntsville, TX worked with the city of Huntsville to establish a warehouse at the local transfer station. Dan uses reclaimed material to build homes that are affordable both in acquisition and operation.
Background
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8. Environmental Stewardship: Reuse Warehouse
To create and nurture a culture wherein there is a demand for reclaimed housing materials because of the value they offer.
To provide a model of opportunity for using this material stream in housing through a pilot initiative which fosters partnership between community stakeholders.
To examine how the City of Houston may help support a community organization in addressing the storage of reclaimed material.
Guiding Objectives
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9. Other Reuse Centers Already in Operation
Model Warehouses
Materials for the Arts: NYC, NY
BRING Recycling: Glenwood, OR
TIP (Trash Into Plowshares) Warehouse: Huntsville, TX
Historic Houston: Houston, TX
Habitat Re-Store: Houston, TX
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10. How we got our start
Awarded $150,000 H-GAC Solid Waste Reduction Grant, 2008
Utilizing surplus City of Houston property
9003 N. Main Houston, TX 77022
Partnering with Living Paradigm
Officially opened for operation June 23rd, 2009
36 Tons Diverted as of September 1, 2009
Complementary site use will include an additional neighborhood depository, recycling drop-off, and office space
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11. Current and Future Initiatives
Pilot Residential and Building Site Pickup
Partnership with Living Paradigm
Monthly inventory newsletter
Drop-off boxes at Neighborhood Depositories
Saturday Hours
Building Workshops
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12. Keys to Success Project team Determination Funding Supportive Leaders
Reuse Warehouse Now Open!
Project team
Determination
Funding
Supportive Leaders
Reuse Warehouse Pre-opening
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13. Application Specifics
Identified a partner organization
Offered substantial matching funds
Provided an innovative idea based on previous H-GAC study
Learn from past recipients
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14. Stretching Grant Dollars
Kept costs low for office space by utilizing the City of Houston Surplus and Salvage
Avoided land acquisition costs and provided matching dollars by reusing city owned property
Worked closely with grant contractor at H-GAC to amend the budget with the project
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15. Budget Breakdown: $150,000 Supplies: $275 Equipment: $49,500
Construction: $38,700
Contractual: $26,000
Other: $35,500
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16. Supplies: $275
Office supplies
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17. Equipment: $49,500 Forklift and Floor scale
Pick-up Truck and Flatbed Trailer
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18. Construction: $38,700
Allotted $30,000 in grant budget to help renovate existing site
Paired grant funds with COH CIP funds
Matched the $30,000 from grant with over $200,000 from City of Houston CIP budget.
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19. Contractual: $26,000 Two full-time temporary employees
Power washing the site
Logo design
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20. Other: $35,500
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21. Other
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22. Grand Opening
June 23, 2009
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23. Publicity Change Magazine Houston City Savvy Channel 2 News
KPFT Eco-Ology
HTV Wasting No Time
Mention the upcoming booth at the Houston Home and Garden Show
Change Magazine, Houston June 2009
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24. Donor Benefits Greener Business Processes
Simplified process for getting materials into the hands of groups that can use them.
Donation Receipt
Tracking of loads by weight (useful for LEED projects)
Ton Club Recognition (1, 5, 10, 25 tons)
Potentially reduced disposal costs
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25. Community Impact Helped 13 not-for-profit organizations
Texas Adaptive Aquatics
UH Grad Design Build Program
Living Paradigm
Adopt A Cat
A New Life
Independence Heights
Redevelopment Council
Buddhist Congregational Church
Chapel of Excellence
Lending Helping Hands to Others
Workshop Houston
Lighthouse Animal Foundation
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26. Lessons Learned
Stay on top of the details: report requirements, budget amendments, purchasing deadlines
Know the procurement processes of your organization
Build a team to help manage grant
Be creative in your project idea
Go with the flow – stay flexible
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27. Contact Information
9003 N. Main St. Houston, TX 77022
City of Houston Building Materials Reuse Warehouse
9003 N. Main
Houston, TX 77022
Sarah Mason
Mayor’s Office, City of Houston
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28. Thank you!
Questions?
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