Lower Your Bills and Lower Your Impact with an Energy Audit!

Recently, our friends at Elysian Energy sent us some useful information about free and low-cost audits – see below.

In addition, you can find other certified auditors at the website of Maryland Home Performance or Virginia Energy Sense.  The District Department of the Environment also has a lot of useful information (including how to do a DIY audit).

********************

Elysian Energy, LLC  is an energy auditing company located in Silver Spring, Maryland.  They believe in a triple-bottom-line of people, planet, and profit.  Over the past five years, their experienced auditors have been conducting energy audits to help local homeowners save money on their bills, increase their comfort, and live more sustainably.

An energy audit is way to prioritize home improvements in terms of their energy efficiency.  It consists of a home visit from an certified energy auditor as well as a detailed report that contains energy efficient recommendations.  An audit is typically priced at $450.  However, for most homes located within Washington, DC or Maryland rebates are available to provide audits at no cost or a reduced price.

Jim Conlan of Elysian Energy performs an energy audit on the home of Hannah Schardt in Washington.
Photo from IIPDigital.

In Washington, DC, an energy audit can be completely free. The full cost of an energy audit is rebated through the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) as long as the home is under 4,000 sq. feet.  This audit includes a blower door test to find air leakage points in your home and a 2.5 hour home visit from an energy auditor.  This program may be ending in July, so hurry and sign up if you are interested.  You can sign up by contacting ElysianEnergy at 202-455-0644.

In Maryland, all BGE and PEPCO customers with central air and/or electric heat are now eligible for $100 energy audits as long as the home is under 4,000 sq. feet.  This audit includes a blower door test to find air leakage, infrared scans to expose insulation gaps, combustion testing of mechanical equipment to find safety concerns, and a 4 hour home visit from an energy auditor.  An $100 energy audit in Maryland is also required to be eligible for up to 50% off of the total cost of insulation and air sealing home improvements.  You can sign up by contacting ElysianEnergy at 202-455-0644, or by visiting BGE’swebsite or Pepco’swebsite.

Additionally, there is a free visual check in Maryland through BGE and PEPCO. This includes a visual inspection of your home, compact fluorescent light bulbs, efficient flow showerheads and aerators, pipe insulation, and a 2 hour home visit from an auditor.  You can sign up for this program by contacting ElysianEnergy at 202-455-0644, or by visiting BGE’swebsite or Pepco’swebsite.

“Buy the Building” Dance, Sat. June 2nd

Hot Dance/Cool Planet and Community Forklift present: 

Buy The Building Dance Party

 

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Social hour at 7:30pm, Dancing starts 8:30pm

$15 for adults, $5 for kids

 Wine, beer, soft drinks, lots of snacks, and a night of fun are all included.  Everything above direct expenses will support the Community Forklift Building Purchase Fund.

Who’s invited?  People of all ages who love to dance!  You, your family, your friends, your neighbors!

 

At The Pathways Offices

9339 Fraser Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 – Find directions at: http://www.PathwaysMagazineOnline.com/PathwaysOnline/Directions.html

Plenty of easy parking!  Entrance is at the back door, not the front – look for the Community Forklift sign at the parking lot entrance.

Please RSVP To:  lowrycath(at)comcast.net

 

 

Why hold a fundraiser?

Since 2005, Community Forklift has:

• kept thousands of tons of materials from going to waste;
• created 20 green jobs;
• made repairs affordable for 1000’s of local homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofit groups; and
• been voted “Best Home Goods Store” and “Best Hardware Store”  in the DC area in the City Paper and the Washington Post Express.

We have come a long way together, but there is still work to be done.  Proceeds from this dance will support Community Forklift’s building fund.  Purchasing and repairing our warehouse will reduce our occupancy costs, provide long-term financial stability for our organization, and guarantee that continue serving the DC area for years to come.
 

Special Thanks to:

Pathways Publisher Lou deSabla for donating the space for the dance, and to Catherine Lowry and Susan Eisendrath for hosting the gathering for those who love to dance and support projects to improve our community.

 

 

Now hiring! We’re looking for a Reuse Associate who is friendly, attentive to detail, and enjoys physical work

We’re growing again and we need more help – please spread the word!  People from all backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to apply.

Position Title: Reuse Associate

Company: Community Forklift, Thrift Store for Home Improvement

Location: Inside the Washington Beltway, 5 minutes from DC in the Hyattsville area

Community Forklift is lifting up communities

At our home improvement thrift store, we accept donations of new, gently-used, and vintage building materials, and sell them at very low prices. We are a socially and environmentally responsible business with a nonprofit mission. Our goals are to encourage community revitalization by:
• making repairs more affordable for low-income individuals, homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofits;
• creating local jobs and economic growth;
• keeping reusable items out of the landfill; and
• reducing demand for virgin material
• fostering a sustainable and healthy community

We are located in Edmonston, Maryland, in the Hyattsville area (inside the Washington Beltway). For directions and more information, check out our website, www.CommunityForklift.com

About You

We are seeking an energetic, hardworking, and friendly person with excellent people skills. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We need a Reuse Associate who:

• has knowledge and/or experience and interest in building materials and/or construction
• has experience in a retail store or working directly with customers
• has strong English speaking skills (strong Spanish speaking and writing skills are a BIG plus)

• will be friendly, patient and courteous while assisting customers and donors
• Not only tolerates but *enjoys* being around a very diverse range of people (our staff, customers, and donors come from all walks of life)
• Is committed to our mission and values

• is interested in green building or environmentally sustainable business
• is able to work in a busy environment with attention to detail
• is able to do physical labor, and moderate to heavy lifting in all seasons (the warehouse is NOT temperature controlled)

About the Position

This is what we want you to do:

• Provide a high level of customer assistance and information
• Check customers out at the cash register and assist them with any related questions or needs
• Answer the phone and provide information on the store, store policy, directions, our products, and other recycling & reuse options
• Assist with unloading and moving building materials in our warehouse
• Accept donations at the loading dock :  identify acceptable and unacceptable materials, ensure that all donations have all parts and pieces labeled and attached, and fill out tax forms for donors
• A big plus: ability to gather information from donors and customers (for example, stories about where historic materials came from, or stories about how customers plan to re-use the items)

• Assist in labeling product and stocking shelves

• Assist in the cleaning and organization of product and store displays
• Depending on skill — help build displays, repair/disassemble product, provide carpentry assistance with various projects
• Work cooperatively with other staff to fulfill the mission of Community Forklift;
• Participate enthusiastically in organizational activities and meetings
• Provide clear and direct communication about challenges and concerns to supervisors and co-workers
• Have a clear commitment to the CF mission and be willing to go the extra mile.

We Offer:

• Starting hourly wage: $11

• 40% employee discount on CF store materials (consignment products not included)

• Free vision insurance and 50% paid health insurance

• Work shoe allowance

• Paid leave after probationary period

• Opportunity to contribute to improving the environment and the community

• Significant opportunity for growth

As a small start-up organization, we think this is a fun place to work! You will learn firsthand about the challenges of running a sustainable business / nonprofit, you can gain experience in a variety of areas, and you won’t be stuck behind a desk. As our business grows, we want you to grow with us!

We are seeking someone with weekend and weekday daytime availability who could work up to 40 hours a week.  We are open Tuesday through Sunday.  During the spring and summer season, the schedule for this position would likely be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 10am – 6pm.

We’re 5 minutes from the DC line – easily accessible from I-295, Kenilworth Ave, and Route 1 / Rhode Island Ave. It’s within walking distance of several bus lines and bike paths.

To Apply:

E-mail your resume and a cover letter to  CooCommunityForklift(at)gmail.com, fax to 301-985-5182, or mail to 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston MD 20781.

 

Spreading the Word About Reuse

Hi Forklift Fans -

Recently, we’ve been hearing from a lot of ya’ll who would like to tell your friends and neighbors to donate instead of dumping! To make it a little easier for you to spread the word, here are a few paragraphs you can use.

You are welcome to post a link on your facebook page, and send it out to any tradespeople and homeowners you know. We would be especially grateful if you post it on your neighborhood listserve!

(As part of our mission to promote reuse, we also give presentations about local donation & recycling options. Just contact me at Ruthie(at)CommunityForklift.com, and I’ll come talk to your networking or trade group, neighborhood association, environmental club, alumni society, house of worship, or social group).

Thanks so much, and happy reusing!

Ruthie Mundell, Outreach & Education Director

*************************

Dear neighbors – I thought you would like to know about this terrific resource…

Renovation leftovers? Don’t toss them out – fork ‘em over to a good cause!

You know that you can donate old clothing and couches to thrift stores – but did you know that some places accept renovation leftovers, like cabinets, lumber, and doors? Community Forklift is a nonprofit thrift store for home improvement & architectural salvage. Instead of couches or clothing, they accept building materials, tools, and renovation leftovers. Donations are tax deductible, and they have a free pickup service.

The unusual name refers to their mission: Community Forklift is “lifting up communities” in the DC area by reducing waste; creating green jobs; and making repairs affordable for low-income folks, homeowners, nonprofits, and small businesses.

TO DONATE: They accept donations of reusable building materials, appliances, tools, and lawn & garden supplies. If it’s sold at Home Depot or the hardware store, and it’s still in good condition, they are probably interested. (Note that there are a a few limitations; for example, they can’t take older water-wasting toilets, or particleboard doors that have been exposed to moisture). There is a lot of info at www.CommunityForklift.com/donation.cfm – just scroll to the bottom and click on each category for details.

You can drop off donation Tuesday through Sunday, at least 30 minutes before closing time. However, it you have a larger donation, just schedule a pickup at http://communityforklift.com/pickups.cfm

Even if they can’t accept your item, they may be able to help you figure out what to do with it. Lots of reuse and recycling options are listed at www.CommunityForklift.com/links.cfm.

TO SHOP: Want to green your home on a budget? Reclaimed materials are just the ticket! Choosing to reuse saves you money – Community Forklift’s prices are 30-90% below the big box stores. It is also gentler on the environment, because you aren’t using energy to extract, manufacture, and transport virgin materials.

Almost everything in the huge warehouse would have otherwise gone to the landfill, from surplus windows still in the package, to beautiful antique mantelpieces. Instead, the items are put to good use by local homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofits that repair substandard housing. They also offer sustainable products from a variety of partners, including Treeincarnation lumber, Alco Appliances, and Salvage Arts architectural items.

HOURS & DIRECTIONS: Their truck picks up donations throughout the DC metro region. The huge warehouse store is located inside the Beltway in the Hyattsville area, just outside the NE DC line in the Port Towns area. They are open Tuesday – Sunday. For hours and directions, visit www.CommunityForklift.com or call 301-985-5180.

Feb 18th: Only 11 days left to vote Community Forklift for Best Hardware Store

 

 

Dear Forklift Fans:

Please vote Community Forklift for Best Hardware Store

in the City Paper’s 2012 contest!

If you’re really feeling the love for the ‘Lift, please ask your friends to vote too!  Share this post on facebook/twitter/community listserves, etc.  The contest ends at the end of February. 

As a thrift store for home improvement supplies, one of our biggest challenges is that renovators don’t know they can donate instead of dumping.  But if we win the City Paper’s “Best of DC” contest, it means thousands of dollars worth of free publicity!!! 

If more folks learn about us, more materials will be donated.  This means more reusable items will be kept out of the landfill, more people will be able to afford repairs, more local green jobs will be created…and of course, you’ll find more good stuff here in the store!

Please vote now!

A few seconds of your time will make a big difference for for our nonprofit operation.

 

Thanks so much,

The Community Forklifters

(Nancy, Keith, Ruthie, Christine, Freddy, Doug, Matt, Katherine, Jimmy, Ricky, Curtis, Terry, Kitty, John, Alex, Bea, Matt, Anthony, Debby, Nick, Sean, and Jim)

Please nominate Community Forklift for Best Hardware Store

 

Dear Forklift Fans:

Please vote Community Forklift for Best Hardware Store

in the City Paper’s 2012 contest!

 

As a thrift store for home improvement supplies, one of our biggest challenges is that renovators don’t know they can donate instead of dumping.  But if we win the City Paper’s “Best of DC” contest, it means thousands of dollars worth of free publicity!!! 

If more folks learn about us, more materials will be donated.  This means more reusable items will be kept out of the landfill, more people will be able to afford repairs, more local green jobs will be created…and of course, you’ll find more good stuff here in the store!

Please vote now!

A few seconds of your time will make a big difference for Community Forklift  (We will be especially grateful if you share this with your friends, and ask them to vote too).

Thanks so much,

The Community Forklifters

(Nancy, Keith, Ruthie, Christine, Freddy, Doug, Matt, Katherine, Jimmy, Ricky, Curtis, Terry, Kitty, John, Alex, Bea, Matt, Anthony, Debby, Nick, Sean, and Jim)

Now Hiring Experienced Administrative Professional to work with our Chief Operating Officer

 

Operations Administrative Assistant

This is a part-time position working with the Chief Operating Officer of a growing green business in Prince George’s County. We are seeking a candidate who is entrepreneurial, highly organized, detail oriented, mission-driven, self-motivated and who welcomes challenges. The position will provide assistance and support with programming, planning, financial and administrative duties from simple to complex. We prefer to hire someone with experience and background in business or nonprofit management. This is not an entry level position. Opportunity for advancement.

We need someone who:
• Is professional and takes an enterprising approach to position and tasks;
• Has positive and productive outlook, enthusiastic and high energy;
• Has excellent computer skills;
• Has strong written and oral communication skills;
• Is able to manage multiple and competing priorities in an effective and flexible manner;
• Has strong organizational skills and high attention to detail and accuracy;
• Is able to complete projects independently and as part of team;
• Has strong problem solving and research skills;
• Is a fast learner;
• Has good people skills and sense of humor.

Candidates must be committed to Community Forklift’s mission to:
• Reduce waste and conserve natural resources;
• Make home repairs and renovation more affordable and support community revitalization;
• Promote environmentally friendly building materials and methods through education and training;
• Provide local green jobs and support green economic development;
• Enhance community and environmental sustainability through supporting creativity, diversity and productive relations

Please send your resume and a cover letter to  CooCommunityForklift(at)gmail.com, fax to 301-985-5182, or mail to 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston MD 20781.

• Location: Hyattsville, MD
• Compensation: Approximately $15 per hour plus some benefits
• This is a part-time job.
• This is at a non-profit organization.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Now hiring! We’re looking for a Reuse Associate who is friendly, attentive to detail, and enjoys physical work

We’re growing again and we need more help – please spread the word!  People from all backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to apply.

 

Position Title: Reuse Associate

Company: Community Forklift, Thrift Store for Home Improvement

Location: Inside the Washington Beltway, 5 minutes from DC in the Hyattsville area

Community Forklift is lifting up communities

At our home improvement thrift store, we accept donations of new, gently-used, and vintage building materials, and sell them at very low prices. We are a socially and environmentally responsible business with a nonprofit mission. Our goals are to encourage community revitalization by:
• making repairs more affordable for low-income individuals, homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofits;
• creating local jobs and economic growth;
• keeping reusable items out of the landfill; and
• reducing demand for virgin material
• fostering a sustainable and healthy community

We are located in Edmonston, Maryland, in the Hyattsville area (inside the Washington Beltway). For directions and more information, check out our website, www.CommunityForklift.com

About You

We are seeking an energetic, hardworking, and friendly person with excellent people skills. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We need a Reuse Associate who:

• has knowledge and/or experience and interest in building materials and/or construction
• has experience in a retail store or working directly with customers
• has strong English speaking skills; strong Spanish speaking and writing skills are a BIG plus
• will be friendly, patient and courteous while assisting customers and donors
• Not only tolerates but *enjoys* being around a very diverse range of people (our staff, customers, and donors come from all walks of life)
• Is committed to our mission and values
• is interested in green building or environmentally sustainable business
• is able to work in a busy environment with attention to detail
• is able to do physical labor, and moderate to heavy lifting in all seasons (the warehouse is NOT temperature controlled)

About the Position

This is what we want you to do:

• Provide a high level of customer assistance and information
• Check customers out at the cash register and assist them with any related questions or needs
• Answer the phone and provide information on the store, store policy, directions, our products, and other recycling & reuse options
• Assist with unloading and moving building materials in our warehouse
• Accept donations at the loading dock :
o Identify acceptable and unacceptable materials
o Ensure that all donations have all parts and pieces labeled and attached
o Fill out tax forms for donors
• A big plus: ability to gather information from donors and customers (for example, stories about where historic materials came from, or stories about how customers plan to re-use the items)
• Assist in labeling product and stocking shelves
• Assist in the cleaning and organization of product and store displays
• Depending on skill — help build displays, repair/disassemble product, provide carpentry assistance with various projects
• Work cooperatively with other staff to fulfill the mission of Community Forklift;
• Participate enthusiastically in organizational activities and meetings
• Provide clear and direct communication about challenges and concerns to supervisors and co-workers
• Have a clear commitment to the CF mission and be willing to go the extra mile.

We Offer:

• Starting hourly wage: $11
• 40% employee discount on CF store materials (consignment products not included)
• Free vision insurance
• Work shoe allowance
• Paid leave after probationary period
• Opportunity to contribute to improving the environment and the community
• Significant opportunity for growth

As a small start-up organization, we think this is a fun place to work! You will learn firsthand about the challenges of running a sustainable business / nonprofit, you can gain experience in a variety of areas, and you won’t be stuck behind a desk. As our business grows, we want you to grow with us!

This is a part-time position approximately 15 — 20 hours per week. We are seeking someone with weekend and weekday daytime availability. The schedule for this position is likely to be Tuesday, Friday and Sunday hours. Our work week is currently Tuesday – Sunday.

We’re 5 minutes from the DC line – easily accessible from I-295, Kenilworth Ave, and Route 1 / Rhode Island Ave. It’s within walking distance of several bus lines and bike paths.

To Apply:

E-mail your resume and a cover letter to  CooCommunityForklift(at)gmail.com, fax to 301-985-5182, or mail to 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston MD 20781.

• Location: Hyattsville, MD
• Compensation: Hourly: $11
• This is a part-time job – although you may have the option to become full-time eventually, as our business grows.
• This is at a non-profit organization.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

NARI honors Community Forklift with 2011 Image Award

 

Community Forklift Receives

DC Metro National Association of Remodeling Industries’ 2011 Image Award

Unusual Local Business Helps Remodeling Industry to Go Green

 

For Immediate Release – February 3, 2012 – Edmonston, MD – Community Forklift, the DC area’s largest nonprofit thrift store for home improvement, was presented with one of the local remodeling industries’ most prestigious awards:   the Image Award for service. Every year the National Association of Remodeling Industries (NARI) Metro DC Chapter honors its members for their service to the remodeling industry.

Designed to recognize members who have made significant contributions to the public image of NARI and the Metro DC Chapter,  Community Forklift received the 2011 Image Award because of the enormous contributions it has made helping the remodeling industry “go green”. Community Forklift’s mission to recover building materials that can be reused instead of thrown away has taken hold within the industry.

Community Forklift picks up donations free of charge from local businesses, contractors, and individual homeowners in the greater DC metropolitan region. Recovered items are resold in its 40,000 square-foot warehouse thrift store, and donated to local nonprofits and individuals in need. Materials include everything from kitchen sinks and cabinets to landscaping materials, tools, and architectural salvage.

Jonas Carnemark is founder of CARNEMARK Systems & Design, Inc., and winner of several of this year’s professional remodeling awards.  His company is one of the Forklift’s top corporate donors.  He says, “We work with Community Forklift on nearly all of our projects. As a result of this partnership we are able to promote our green building practices, donate valuable materials for resale, and reduce our overall project costs, making it a win-win for everyone involved.”

Nancy Meyer, Community Forklift’s Chief Operating Officer was on hand to accept the award. “We are excited to be recognized for our efforts to recover and reuse building materials generated by the remodeling industry. Much of what they generally throw away can be reused by others, particularly low-income households that might otherwise be unable to make repairs or improve their properties due to the high cost of new materials.”

The staff and volunteers of Community Forklift are honored to receive this year’s NARI Metro Chapter’s Image Award.  In 2012, they plan to establish more partnerships within the remodeling industry in order to expand reuse in the region.

About Community Forklift:  Community Forklift is a nonprofit reuse center for home improvement & architectural salvage.  It accepts donations of new, gently-used, and vintage building materials like cabinets, mantels, doors, and lumber.  The renovation supplies are then made available to the public at very low prices (40% to 90% below big-box stores), and donated to local nonprofits. To improve its financial stability, the organization has also brought in consignment partners to offer higher-end products:  unusual antiques & primitives, raw-edge hardwoods, & reconditioned appliances.  The program is owned & operated by local 501c3 nonprofit Sustainable Community Initiatives, so donations are tax-deductible.   Community Forklift’s name refers to the organization’s mission:  to lift up local communities. Since opening in 2005, Community Forklift has made it possible for thousands of local homeowners and nonprofits to repair substandard housing. Not only have 18 green jobs been created at the store, but hundreds of local contractors have been able to keep their estimates low, allowing them to attract clients and keep working despite the tough economy. Reuse of materials also means that fewer materials go into the landfill (reducing the financial burden on local governments); and that less energy is used to extract, manufacture, and transport new materials.  Community Forklift is better for our wallets and our world!

###

For more info, contact:

Ruthie Mundell, Director of Outreach and Education Director

301.904.7579 / Ruthie@CommunityForklift.com

www.CommunityForklift.com

 

 

Green Marketing is a Failure

For years now, many activists, community organizations, schools, government organizations, and even companies have been encouraging people to buy green products.  However, despite years of advertising and participation from many parties, people just refuse to buy green products.  According to Joel Makower of Greenbiz.com, “No environmentally preferable car, carpet, cosmetic, clothing, coffee, credit card, or cell phone has captured more than 2% of its respective market.  In most cases, sales of green products represent well under 1 percent of any given category.”

So, should we give up?  Should we stop shopping at Community Forklift?  Not necessarily…Joel Makower’s article explains the reality of how and why the consumer business has become greener over the years, consumers’ perceptives on how green the consumer marketplace is, and why we are wasting our time on green marketing: Green Marketing Is Over.  Let’s Move On.