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"Innovations" Case Studies: Commercial Innovations and Challenges

Selected Government Programs for Commercial Waste Reduction

  

California Integrated Waste Management Board Program Elements

Recycling Business Assistance Team (R-Team)

This resource network offers a variety of services to help recycling-based businesses start and prosper in California. The R-Team works in partnership with other agencies and programs to provide comprehensive services, including the following:

Technical assistance

  • Information on sources of secondary materials and processes for tires, plastics, paper, C&D materials, and composting.
  • Information on laboratories that can provide specialized product quality testing related to recycled-content products.
  • Technical reports on materials and processes.
  • Fact sheets on material markets, technology, and organizations.
  • Referrals to other sources of technical information as well as to other State and federal programs.

Marketing assistance

  • In coordination with the CIWMB Buy Recycled program, the R-Team helps businesses find sources for recycled-content products. The CIWMB maintains a database of recycled-content products that can be searched by material type, geographical area, and other search capabilities.

Financial assistance

  • The R-Team assists businesses in recycling market development zones (RMDZ) with information on the low-interest loan program.
  • The R-Team provides permitting assistance through the Northern California Business Environmental Assistance Center (BEAC) and Cal/EPA permit assistance centers, linking businesses with appropriate State or local contacts.
  • The R-Team provides siting assistance through RMDZ points of contact and other local economic development offices.

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Recycling Market Development Revolving Loan Program

Provides low-interest loans to private businesses and local governments to increase diversion of solid waste from landfills and to promote market demand for secondary and postconsumer materials.

General eligibility

  • Project must be located in an RMDZ.
  • Funding at a maximum of 75 percent of costs up to a maximum of $2 million.
  • Project must result in diversion of solid waste from landfill.
  • Funds for businesses and nonprofits can be used for machinery and equipment, working capital, real estate, leasehold improvements, and refinancing of onerous debt.
  • Businesses and nonprofits can use funds for waste prevention, reuse, recycling, or transformation (for example, pyrolysis or combustion).

California Materials Exchange (CalMAX)

CalMAX is an informational forum fostering the lawful exchange, reuse, and recycling of materials traditionally discarded by business and industry. A free bimonthly catalog lists materials wanted and materials available categories. Information provided through CalMAX, its catalog, or its Web site is supplied by the listing party. (CalMAX is not responsible for problems arising from hazardous, potentially hazardous, or otherwise regulated material.)

Business Kits. Resource materials include fact sheets, a business waste reduction guide, sample policies, plans, outreach materials, etc. Kits can be customized to meet special needs. They are distributed through participating local recycling coordinators and the Waste Prevention Information Exchange.

Waste Reduction and Assessment Training. CIWMB staff assists local governments, nonprofits, and business organizations in setting up workshops to train waste reduction coordinators on how to develop and implement a comprehensive waste reduction program. Staff provides training, educational materials, lists of potential speakers, and trainers.

Shipping and Distribution Partnership. This voluntary effort encourages businesses to adopt more efficient packaging and distribution systems that prevent waste, increase recycling, and increase the manufacture and purchase of packaging with recycled content.

Creating An Office Paper Reduction Campaign. This collection of information, materials, and resources is available for offices to use in creating office paper waste reduction programs. Customized work kits are available.

Landscape Waste Reduction. Targets landscaping waste through assistance in grasscycling, on-site composting, and low-waste landscaping.

Waste Prevention Information Exchange. Facilitates the flow of news, ideas, fact sheets, business case studies, sample guidebooks, reports, and videos among governments, businesses, nonprofits, and other interested parties. Provides a resource center and has staff for limited research.

Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP). Provides an opportunity for California businesses to gain public recognition for their outstanding achievements to reduce waste. Winners receive a certificate and a camera-ready logo that can be used on products, advertising, and promotional materials. In addition, the winners are posted on the CIWMB Web site and recognized in media releases.

More information is available on CIWMB programs.

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Last updated: October 26, 2007

Local Government Central  http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/LGCentral/
Larry N. Stephens: lstephen@ciwmb.ca.gov  (916) 341-6241