Tips for Creating Ads in CalMAX 

First: Create Your WebPass. The first step in creating your CalMAX ads is to establish your Cal/EPA WebPass account if you do not already have one. To do this, access the CalMAX Sign-In page and select "Sign up." This takes less than five minutes and provides you with access to all the new features in CalMAX. Once you have your WebPass, select “Create an Ad” on the left navigation menu of a CalMAX page and sign in. (Note: To change features in your WebPass account, such as your password, visit the WebPass site.)

1.  Material Title and Description. For Title, enter a brief description of the available or wanted material, such as "Computer Equipment" or "Clean Organic Wastes." For Description, describe in detail the available or wanted material you are listing. You have four lines of 60 characters each for a total of 240 characters in which to describe your material. The material description may include such relevant information as:

• Physical properties.
• How much you are willing to pay for wanted items.
• The amount of available or wanted materials.
• Transportation issues, i.e. how far you are willing to deliver or pick up materials?
• How often material is available or wanted.
• Any other information you think might facilitate the exchange.

2.  Primary and Additional Categories. All CalMAX material listings are grouped into material categories (i.e., construction, containers, durable goods, etc.). To select a material category for your listing, click on the down arrow and select the most appropriate category. For example, if you are searching for computers, select the "electronic" material category. You can place a listing for only one material at a time. If there is an additional category that applies, select it from the Additional categories list.

Note: CalMAX can only accept nonhazardous materials. For more information on hazardous waste materials, contact the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) at P.O. Box 806, Sacramento, CA 95812-0806. You may also call (800) 72TOXIC (that's (800) 728-6942), or from outside California, (916) 255-3618. Or visit the DTSC website.

3. Quantity, Ad Type, and Price. Indicate the quantity of materials available for exchange or wanted and select the appropriate units using the down arrow. Note: Different material categories will have different units to choose from. Next, select whether your listing is advertising materials that are available for exchange or materials you are wanting to find. Under Price, indicate the cost (if any) for the materials you have for exchange or indicate the price you’d be willing to pay for wanted materials. Indicate whether the cost/price is for all materials or per unit.

4. Material Location. For “Available” listings, the CalMAX system will automatically pre-fill your location information based on your user profile. Check to make sure this is the correct location of the materials to be exchanged; change it if necessary. If your listing is a “Wanted” listing, enter your address information that best represents where you are located or where you’re looking to find wanted materials.

Note: CalMAX only accepts materials located inside California for “Available” ads. However, “Wanted” listings will be accepted for materials requested inside or outside of California.

5. Image. If you have an image you would like to be displayed with your ad listing, select the Browse button and navigate to your image file and select “Open.” The file path for the image file will be entered. If you change your mind or later want to delete or replace the current image, select the Remove button to start over. Currently the maximum image file size is 1 megabyte. The images display as thumbnails on an "Ad Search" page, but those interested in your ad will also be able to access the image in full size.

6. Start Date/End Date. Indicate the desired duration of your ad listing by selecting the date you want your ad to start and end. Enter the dates by either selecting the calendar icons and choosing the dates from the calendar feature, or manually entering the dates using the following format: MM/DD/YYYY. The start date can be a future date (up to 30 days from today). The maximum initial ad duration is 30 days, although your ad may be renewed, if desired, at the end of the initial duration period.

7. Status. Select the down arrow and chose whether you want to save your listing as "Draft" for future submission or if you’re ready to submit your ad now by selecting "Submitted." If you save your ad as Draft, you can come back to it at a future time by selecting "My CalMAX" on the left navigation menu of the CalMAX home page.

8. Submitted Date/Reviewed Date. Ignore these fields for now as the system will automatically complete them once your ad has been received and automatically reviewed/approved.

9. Exchanges For This Ad. Ignore these buttons for now. On creating a new ad, the buttons will be grayed-out and inoperable. You can use these buttons in the future to easily report your successful CalMAX exchanges for your listed material.

10. Submit Listing For Review. Select the "Save" button to submit your ad. Once submitted and approved by the system, your ad will become live on the CalMAX web site beginning on the start date you specified.

To edit the ad listing you just completed, select the Edit button, make any desired changes, and select "Save." To delete the ad listing, select the Delete button and then the Confirm button, and your ad will be deleted. To create another ad, select the Create an Ad link on the left navigation menu of the CalMAX home page and begin again.

Need Help? If you need assistance in placing a listing, contact CalMAX staff toll-free at (877) 520-9703 or email staff at calmax@ciwmb.ca.gov.

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