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 here was a time that "trash it" was an acceptable
term. What someone did with their trash was never a topic of
concern, let alone conversation. However, in today's world of
resource conservation, recycling and reuse, "trash it"
should no longer work! If you manage, supervise or are otherwise
responsible for materials previously discarded, and you are eager
to be environmentally and politically correct, the question then
becomes: what do you do? For example, what about those ongoing
truckloads of tree trimmings, excess lumber, sign posts, fencing,
etc. that you no longer need? Or, what about the concrete that
was recently broken up and resides in the corner of the Public
Works yard, or back parking lot? These and many more materials
in today's marketplace are valuable and wanted materials.
 But where
do you turn? Who do you contact? The answer is a close as your
fingertips: CalMAX. You can access CalMAX via their internet
website, or call to order their quarterly catalog.
So, what
is CalMAX? The California Materials Exchange (CalMAX) is a free
service sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management
Board (CIWMB). It is designed to assist local jurisdictions and
businesses with an effective method of diverting discards, surplus,
and excess materials previously sent to the landfill.
CalMAX
publishes a quarterly catalog and website featuring "Waste-Not
Want Ads." The catalog is primarily composed of these classified
listings. Listings are divided into "available" and
"wanted" categories. With the CalMAX database at your
fingertips, you can maximize your time by listing materials,
and specify if you want to donate them to a school or nonprofit.
Or, you can set a price and negotiate the fee with interested
parties. All in all, the goal is to divert materials from local
landfills by encouraging and participating in the exchange of
materials in your community.
The CalMAX
catalog also includes feature articles, special pullout inserts
on various types of materials, a directory of reuse organizations
and other useful reuse-specific information. CalMAX online services
include the electronic database and interactive website at: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/calmax/.
Listings can be entered online, and are posted to the website
within 24 hours. Information and articles available in the quarterly
catalog are also available online. CalMAX also provides assistance
for local jurisdictions interested in setting up regional materials
exchange programs.
So how
do you place a listing on CalMAX? Go to the web site and click
on "Search," if you are looking for materials, or "Create,"
if you want to list available materials. The ad will include
your name and phone number, email address (if you have one) and
a description of the materials you have available, or are in
search of. In most instances, materials are listed for free or
have a minimal charge. CalMAX suggests that before you place
a listing, you may want to review some of the listings, or request
a catalog, to get an idea of how the listings are structured.
If you
don't have web access, you can submit your request over the phone
or by facsimile.
CalMAX
follows up postings to determine if you have made a successful
exchange, and attempt to quantify the exchange on a quarterly
basis. By documenting the successful exchange, CalMAX is able
to justify its free services.
So, don't
wait a moment longer. Look around the loading dock, warehouse
and back parking lot, determine what materials you want to "relocate"
and contact CalMAX. The solution is easier than you can imagine.
CalMAX - California Materials Exchange, 8800 Cal Center Drive, MS 23, Sacramento, CA 95826. Phone (916) 255-2488; fax (916) 255-4580; dorrill ciwmb.ca.gov; www.ciwmb.ca.gov/calmax/
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