The NYC Materials Exchange Development Program

MEDP Programs & Services

MEDP aims to help local materials exchanges and reuse centers become more sustainable in the long term by providing the following programs and services:

Research & Development

MEDP completed the first phase of its NYC Reuse Sector Assessment Project, a comprehensive assessment and analysis of materials exchange and reuse activities being carried out in New York City. This study captured a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data, and the analysis highlights trends, common constraints, and potential solutions. The resulting report was first shared at our first annual Materials Exchange Conference in 2007. To follow dynamic changes in the reuse field, MEDP plans to carry out small-scale assessments of local materials exchanges on an ongoing basis.

MEDP is also considering undertaking a variety of research projects in the future. Among them are studies that will evaluate the environmental impact of diverting materials from the waste stream through materials reuse and exchanges and assessing the feasibility of implementing an online materials exchange for the City University of New York.

Donation Referrals through NYC WasteMatch

MEDP operates NYC WasteMatch, a NYC Department of Sanitation-funded citywide materials exchange program targeting NYC businesses and nonprofit organizations. NYC WasteMatch offers solid-waste reduction and environmentally preferable purchasing assistance, and conducts informal research and development projects.

Onsite Resource Library

MEDP is developing a library of information resources about materials recovery and reuse. A sample of onsite resources currently available include books, trade magazines, guides, toolkits, local materials-exchange leaflets, event advertising, and newsletters. In the future, MEDP will offer a host of additional online resources to complement its onsite library. These resources will include electronic presentations and reports, as well as the results of MEDP’s ongoing materials exchange sector research and analysis. Additionally, MEDP will offer a searchable database of local reuse/materials-exchange options.

Annual Reuse Sector Conference

MEDP offers an annual Reuse Sector Conference to its members and other stakeholders (invitation only). During these events we discuss the challenges and successes shared by regional materials exchanges and reuse/donation programs. The first conference was held on Nov. 7, 2007 (click here for proceeding summary), and the second conference was held on Nov.5, 2008 (click here for proceeding summary).

The third annual conference will be held on Nov. 17th 2009. This year's conference will focus on reubuilding a tough economy through reuse. With connection between the commercial and industrial sectors and environmental issues (such as solid waste disposal, climate change, green jobs and resource conservation) more evident than ever, this makes materials reuse a critical component to a greener future. By providing opportunities to New York’s small businesses and non-profit organizations, the reuse industry enables collective contributions in the city efforts to reach and sustain its green goals, while at the same time, stimulating the economy. This year's speakers and panelists include representatives from the Mayors’ office of PlaNYC; NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC); Urban Agenda; Cause Effective; NYC Clothing Bank; Goodwill of Greater NY and NJ; Build it Green NYC!; Film Biz Recycling; NY Cares; NYC Service; Lower East Side Ecology Center and World Vision – Bronx Storehouse. For more information, contact info@nycmedp.org.

Technical Assistance

MEDP seves as a one-stop resource for reuse organizations in the NYC area—providing business support and training workshops. Past training workshops have included marketing, financial liabilities for nonprofits and warehouse managment and logistics. Upcoming 2010 programs include:

Workshop: Don’t Let The Donated Bed Bugs Bite!
Bed bugs have increasingly become a topic of concern throughout the reuse sector, yet very little is known about them.  While their name implies the habitat of these pests, the name may be misleading. These blood-feeding insects do not inhabit strictly mattresses.  Bed bugs are most commonly spread, unknowingly, by the transportation of clothing, luggage, furniture, and bedding; even inhabiting small cracks in walls and flooring. In addition, according to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, bed bugs can even live for several months without feeding. This educational workshop will focus on the NYC bedbug epidemic, as well as preventative practices and extermination methods, and what every Reuse Sector Member needs to know in order to protect themselves and their organization. For more information contact Kyle Shuman at info@nycmedp.org

Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act Workshop
As of August 14th 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) signed into effect the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in response to hazardous materials found in the making of toys. This piece of legislation specified the unlawfulness of selling recalled products.  Additionally, children’s products cannot be sold if they contain more than 300 parts per million (ppm) total lead, even if they were manufactured before August 2009.

How familiar are you and your organization with the CPSIA? Are you aware of what kinds of screening you need to ensure compliance? Because resellers that sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties, the effects of this law on the reuse sector can be potentially great.  This workshop is intended to educate Sector Members on the existing laws affecting materials donations and sale and the ways to protect their organizations from violations. For more information contact Kyle Shuman at info@nycmedp.org

 

Materials Exchange Certificate Program

MEDP developed the Reuse Sector Certificate Program, a series of seven interactive workshops that was designed specifically to support reuse organizations. MEDP has created this workshop as a training and retention tool that can help participants decrease staff and volunteer turnover. Workshops are hosted by MEDP and offer a professional facilitator and guest speakers from within and outside of the reuse sector. The first round of this successful program ran from December
2008 to June 2009. This program will be offered again in the spring of 2010. Participation in this program by application process ONLY. For more information please review the Program Overview, or contact info@nycmedp.org.