The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) awarded $488,635 of California Climate Investment funds to Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, Inc. as part of the first cycle of the Reuse Grant Program. This project is diverting wood products from landfills to their ReStore retail stores for reuse by the community. Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, Inc. is a nonprofit, donation-based collection, and resale operation with three sites in Oakland, Concord, and San Jose, serving the San Francisco Bay Area.

This project extends the useful cycle of products such as furniture, doors, windows, lumber, and flooring, and makes these quality items available for reuse to local residents. Grant funds are used for outreach to businesses and residents to encourage donation and reuse. Grant funds are also used for increasing store visibility and traffic with directional signage and equipment to facilitate wood donation pick-ups and storage.

The grantee started off their grant term celebrating Earth Day 2021 virtually with online engagement to increase reuse. They posted educational social media content, which highlighted their waste diversion efforts to encourage people to donate used wood. Jean Bridges, Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer wrote, “We have been able through the CalRecycle program to educate and involve the community in the recycling of wood items, as well as to purchase equipment and grow our team – setting ourselves up for greater recycling not only now, but well into the future.” The grantee was able to celebrate Earth Day 2022 with in-person engagement, including education on ways to refinish wood furniture and home goods, extending their useful life.

The grantee continued their hard work through 2022, procuring bids to improve store visibility through directional signage. They have also ordered equipment and a navigation system to support increased collection and transportation of wood materials.