Classifieds divert items from landfills

The California Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento, has established a free classified listing service for businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies that want to buy, sell or donate reusable items that they might otherwise send to landfills. Ads placed with CalMAX, California Materials Exchange, are available online and in a quarterly print catalog.

CalMAX was created in response to a 1989 state bill that required cities and counties to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. The service provides a forum for organizations to exchange reusable items with other businesses, non-profits and government agencies. All prices and exchanges are handled directly between the interested parties.

Organizations can submit ads for wanted or available items including construction materials, electronics, containers, rubber products, textiles, wood and durable goods. The service excludes only ads for hazardous waste.

Ads submitted to the CalMAX web site are posted on the site the next business day. Web site visitors can search for specific items or browse by category or region of the state. The ads also are available in the quarterly print catalog, which also includes articles about reuse.

CalMAX is not restricted to California organizations, however shipping costs generally prohibit out-of-state groups from participating. Since 1992, CalMAX has diverted more than 650,000 tons of material from landfills.

For more information about the free classified service, call (877) 520-9703, or visit the web site, www.ciwmb.ca.gov/calmax/.