R-Team (Referral Team)

Companies located outside of the Recycling Market Development Zones can receive business assistance from the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The R-Team ("Referral Team") is a free service offered by the Board that provides business, technical, financial, and marketing assistance to recycling-based businesses.

The R-Team works in partnership with other agencies and programs to provide comprehensive services, acting as a "port of entry" for businesses that process secondary materials or produce recycled-content products. Additionally, inquiries by individuals involving the subject of recycling will be answered or referred to an entity that is able to assist them. The California Integrated Waste Management Board offers a wide array of information and assistance in its myriad recycling programs. The R-Team can steer you toward the specific contacts and programs that will provide the assistance your recycling-based business needs.

R-Team services include the following...

Business Assistance

• The R-Team provides permitting assistance, including permit, license, and registration requirements from all levels of government.
• The R-Team provides siting assistance through the Recycling Market Development Zones (RMDZ) and other local economic development offices.

Financial Assistance

• The R-Team assists businesses in Recycling Market Development Zones (RMDZ) with information on the low-interest loan program.
• The R-Team can help in identifying available sources of loans and grants.

Marketing Assistance

• The R-Team, in coordination with the Board's Buy Recycled Programs, helps businesses find sources for recycled-content products. The Buy Recycled Programs assist procurement officers in State and local agencies, as well as businesses, in establishing practices for purchasing recycled-content products.
• The Board maintains a directory of recycled-content products. Anyone can receive information regarding what products are available by material type, geographical area, or other search criteria.

Technical Assistance

• The R-Team provides information on sources of secondary materials and processes for tires, plastics, paper, construction and demolition (C&D) materials, and composting.
• The R-Team provides access to technical reports and fact sheets on materials and processes, markets, technology, and organizations.
• The R-Team provides referrals to other sources of technical information, as well as other State and federal programs.

The goal of the R-Team is to help recycling-based businesses start and prosper in California. For additional information, contact the R-Team at the number or e-mail address below.