nhakhuc

[nhakhuc]

Environmental Intern at King County Solid Waste Division

Hello everyone, 

I hope you all are doing great and having fun doing your internship so far! 

I’m currently interning at King County Solid Waste Division, specifically under the King County GreenTools team. My work mostly focuses on green building, Construction & Demolition, and community outreach. During the internship, I’m going to be updating the C&D flyer on King County’s website with new information and translate the flyer into another language. Additionally, I’ve been trying to connect to MWBE firms in the construction industry to interview them and learn more about the accessibility and effectiveness of the King County’s resources regarding construction and demolition materials. Through this work, I also hope to help foster new relationships between King County and MWBE construction firms in the greater Seattle area.  

One interesting thing I have found while working for King County Solid Waste Division is learning about the different certifications that the Office of Minority and Women’s business Enterprises offers. Before diving deeper into the certifications, I only know about the term minority and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE). I found out about other types of certification when I went to the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises’ website to find the directory. For example, Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), Combination Business Enterprise (CBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MWBE), Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SEDBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE). I also researched what the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises consider as disadvantaged, socially and economically disadvantaged, and combination businesses. I had a lot of fun learning about the meanings of these certifications and qualifications a business should have to apply to them. 

One challenge that I have encountered is receiving responses from the businesses I reached out to. In order to complete my deliverables, I have to interview some MWBE construction and demolition businesses to learn about their current process of disposal, recycling, and reuse of C&D materials. I have sent out about 60 emails so far and have only received a handful of responses asking for additional information. After I provided my question list and asked for their availability, I have not heard back from them. This makes me feel a little worried, but I will overcome this by doing some follow-up on the people who expressed interest and conduct more research to find more MBWE firms to reach out to. I have also asked my supervisor for support in connecting me with those who might have a list of MBWE firms or existing relationships with them to help me in this process. 

Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos of me doing the work I just explained because they are all remote. However, I have a photo below showing my first tabling experience to promote the King County Green Building Handbook at The Southard affordable and sustainable housing development ribbon cutting event. I had an amazing time talking to experts and professionals in the affordable housing community. I also learned a lot about The Southard project and the professionals that made it happen. 

-Nha Khuc

As for my question, I’m curious: What do you know about construction and demolition materials? Have you heard of it? If not, what would you like to learn more about it?