Mini-Grant Program 
1999 Recipients

The following received inaugural CCCSWA Mini-grants in 1999 to help fund innovative projects that will increase individual and community involvement in waste prevention efforts, decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills, and encourage the development, marketing and use of recycled products. Congratulations!

1. Mr. Brett Greenbaum, a student at Orinda Intermediate School, was awarded $800 to produce a recycling video for his eagle scout project in cooperation with the school's Science Department. The completed video will be shown to all students and teachers in the school and may be used by other schools as well.

2. Contra Costa County Community Development Department, received $1,500 to implement the Environmental Action Program for Schools in unincorporated Central Contra Costa. The Schools are required to implement four of eight possible action areas: 1) Recycle, 2) Buy Recycled, 3)Reduce Toxins, 4) Waste Prevention, 5) Letter Campaign to Manufacturers, 6) Environmental Curriculum, 7) Become a CRV Drop-Off Site, and 8) School Composting.

3. Contra Costa Food Bank, received $5,000 to implement an outreach campaign to increase the number of donors to its Prepared and Perishable Food Recovery Program that collects leftover food from cafeterias, hospitals, caterers, and restaurants and delivers it to soup kitchens and other charities.

4. East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, Project Create, was awarded $4,643 for activities that include 1) identifying four teachers at Vista Grande or Wagner Ranch to participate in teacher training sessions, 2) a teacher field trip to East Bay Depot, 3) a student/teacher field trip to Davis St. Transfer Station, 4) Project Create curriculum demonstration, 5) a Family Creative Reuse Extravaganza, 6) a student "Contract to Reduce Waste" project, and 7) supporting youth groups in waste reduction projects.

5. Lindsay Wildlife Museum, received $3,754 to expand the Museum's Worm Composting Project by providing 1) a worm bin demonstration site and materials for presentations conducted by youth volunteers at the Museum and 2) vermacomposting education and equipment for a Las Lomas High School classroom.

6. Environmentally Concerned Kids Club (ECK Club), a student group responsible for the majority of recycling conducted at Northgate High School, received $2,000 to provide new recycling bins, purchase informational/educational posters, as well as bags and rubber gloves.

7. Project: Team Work, received grant funds for two separate projects. Project: Team Work is a non-profit organization which provides "hands-on" job training and employment development for needy residents and "at-risk" youth.
   
   
   1. Job Site Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Recovery - received $5,000 to offer local contractors profit-saving incentives to recycle and/or reuse C&D debris thereby educating local contractors regarding diversion options and initiating a recovery business that is anticipated to grow.

1. Generating Collaborative Markets - was awarded $5,000 to 1) create a database of charitable organizations and churches in central Contra Costa, 2) mail information to these agencies regarding Project: Team Work's services, 3) provide updates regarding materials available (or needed) via e-mail, 4) coordinate fulfillment of requests for reusable building materials, 5) provide salvaged materials to agencies/individuals, that they could otherwise not afford.
   
   
8. Wagner Ranch School Vegetable Garden, received $3,000 to purchase 1) three large compost bins for the Garden, 2) eighteen worm boxes to be placed near each classroom at the school, 3) soil conditioner and top soil, and 4) a shed for garden tools.