The Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ or The Zone) three-way partnership is between the Chamber, local government and the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery. The Zone forms a nexus of local landfill diversion and economic development efforts. Essential to this partnership is the participation of recycling based businesses. Zone representatives search for competent, motivated processors and manufacturers willing to initiate or expand the use of recycled materials. The RMDZ programs is designed to give local recycling based businesses a competitive edge and offers low interest loans to eligible companies.
San Joaquin County municipalities offer different incentives to attract business development, including permit assistance and a one-stop permit process, no development fees, and flexible air quality and land use standards, allowing some businesses to operate outdoors. The RMDZ is limited to the boundaries of San Joaquin County.
Recycled materials are available to provide continuous feedstock, including paper, plastic, glass and organic. The RMDZ can help locate tires, inerts, construction, and demolition materials as well.
Land and buildings in this RMDZ are available at reasonable cost, including planned and existing industrial parks. The area offers excellent transportation advantages. San Joaquin County has two major highways that run north to south with Interstate 5 and Highway 99. There is also an east-west connection via Interstate 205 and Highway 120. Additionally, two rails systems are provided by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad.
San Joaquin County also hosts an inland port connecting to international waterways, warehouse storage and handling facilities for both dry and liquid bulk materials, facilities and equipment to handle break-bulk and containerized cargoes by land or sea. Stockton Metropolitan Airport provides air cargo services and is centrally located in the county.
The RMDZ works to divert significant quantities of recoverable resources from being thrown into San Joaquin County landfills. The Zone stimulates the usage of recycled materials by local manufacturers. Using recycled materials will help to create a local market for recyclables and products made from recycled materials.
The California Green Business Program is a network of local programs operated by counties and cities throughout California. Businesses that apply receive personal attention from the public agencies and utilities that serve them. The program is funded by grass-roots contributions from local government and utility partners to make it accessible to small and medium sized businesses in California. Certified Green Businesses exceed all environmental regulations, and implement specific practices to reduce pollution, save water and energy, and protect human health.
Being a Certified Green Business is the clearest way to show your community and customers that you care about sustainability. It shows them that you are committed to taking action to conserve resources and prevent pollution in both the facility and operations. It means that your business complies with environmental regulations in the areas of waste, energy, water, pollution prevention, and air quality.
For more information on The RMDZ program or becoming a Certified Green Business, please contact Frank Ferral at (209) 292-8428 or by email at fferral@stocktonchamber.org.