Recycling Market Development Zone Program
The Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) program is a partnership between CalRecycle and local governments that works to bridge waste diversion with economic development, fuel new businesses, strengthen and expand existing ones, create jobs, and divert waste from landfills.
Our Business Assistance Team, alongside local and regional partners — Zone Administrators, works with you to understand where you are today, guide you to the next steps, and ultimately to where you want to be.
Whether you’re a start-up, expanding operations, or relocating to California, we support businesses big and small. From recycling innovators to companies simply looking to incorporate recycled content into their products, we are your resource in building a stronger, circular economy.
This program provides permitting and site assistance, feedstock sourcing, technical assistance, attractive loans, and free product marketing to California-based businesses that use materials from California’s waste stream.
The zones cover roughly 88,000 square miles of California from the Oregon border to San Diego. Plug your address into our interactive map to see if you fall within a zone and who to contact.
Zone Administrators provide a variety of services, including:
- Relaxed building codes and zoning laws
- Streamlined local permit processes
- Reduced taxes and licensing
- Increased and consistent secondary material feedstock supply
Local incentives vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Program News
Stay tuned for upcoming events.
Connecting Resource Recovery and Economic Development
Contact BZAssist@calrecycle.ca.gov to learn more.