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68℉Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Program
Program Overview
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, known as CalRecycle, created the Recycling Market Development Zone program, or RMDZ, to reduce landfill waste. The program combines recycling with economic growth to encourage new businesses, expand existing ones, create jobs and keep waste out of landfills. It provides low-interest loans and technical help to businesses in designated zones (the City of San José is a designated zone) that use materials from the waste stream to manufacture products.
The RMDZ program is a partnership between the state (CalRecycle) and the City of San José. RMDZ’s incentives are available to businesses that support:
- Waste Prevention – Projects that reduce or prevent solid waste by changing how products are made or packaged. Examples include buying new equipment or modifying machinery to create less waste.
- Reuse – Projects that extend the life of a product through repair, reconditioning and washing or treatment. Examples include resurfacing reclaimed lumber and separating construction and demolition (C&D) materials and other salvageable items by material type for sale.
- Recycling, Composting and Anaerobic Digestion – Projects that use available feedstock. Examples include making mulch or compost from organic waste, creating recycled-content plastic pellets and making glassware from recycled glass.
The City’s Office of Economic Development (OED) Offerings and Services
City staff offer help in the following areas:
- Site selection
- Permitting
- Streamlining and facilitating development approvals
- Workforce development and staffing services
- Access to knowledge, networks and tools
- Businesses and offerings promotion
More RMDZ Program Benefits:
- Locate local recycled feedstock
- Free advertising
- Creating partnerships
- Expanding the recycling industry
- Business loans
Business Loans
Low interest business loans are available through the RMDZ program to private businesses and non-profit organizations in San José.
Loan benefits include:
- Below-market interest rates
- Fixed interest rates for the loan term, with a maximum loan amount of $2 million
- Loan terms of 15 years if secured by commercial real estate, and 10 years when not
- No prepayment penalties
- Low costs to obtain the loans
- For loan details, download the RMDZ Eligibility Criteria document or visit the Eligibility Criteria section on the CalRecycle RMDZ page.
Below are examples of how businesses may use the funds according to the eligibility criteria:
- Purchasing machinery and equipment
- Real estate purchase showcases
- Real estate improvements
- Refinancing debt
Please download the RMDZ Eligibility Criteria document for more details.
Locating Feedstock
The Recycled-Content Product Manufacturers (RCPM) directory contains innovative recycled-content products made by California manufacturers who use recycled waste as a feedstock. RCPM puts you in touch directly with the manufacturers who make earth-friendly products.
Whether you are a wholesale buyer, Procurement and Contracting Officer (PCO), or an individual consumer, use the listing to find recycled-content product manufacturers who make products, or intermediate products, designed with your needs in mind!
Some manufacturers can even personalize their products to your specifications. Buying from the listed manufacturers supports green jobs in California and the California economy.
Please note that you must use nonhazardous recycled materials generated in California to make products.