• Identification of any trade or regulatory barriers that would limit or inhibit the amount or types of recyclable materials from being transported across the border.
  
  
• Creation of a baseline of data on those materials that are currently crossing the border which will serve as a measurement for the success of the Project.
  
  
• Review of environmental regulations in Baja California governing recycling and solid waste management along with any local, state or federal permitting requirements.
  
  
• Examination of the potential for State and Local government in Mexico to grant incentives to entice environmental businesses to their RMDZ.
  
  
• Promotion of any new RMDZ developed through appropriate conferences and seminars such as the San Diego-Tijuana Border Waste Wi$e conference and the MEXPORT Buyer and Seller Trade Show.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The following Executive Summary provides a brief overview of the Binational Recycling Market Development Zone feasibility study referenced on the previous page. The aim of recycling market development is to increase the demand for recyclable materials within a given community in order to stimulate additional incentives. These additional incentives could include higher prices, job development, reduction in transportation costs, etc. The following information outlines the study's findings:

• An estimated $93 million (U.S.) worth of recyclables were imported or exported between the San Diego Customs District and Mexico in 1995.



• Foreign investment in waste management is spurring the development of a formal recycling infrastructure. There is also a developing demand for several types of raw materials particularly paper and ferrous metals.



• Both California and Baja California have strong waste management regulations which include recycling. California has the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939) and Baja California Norte has the Law of Ecology and Protection of the Environment.



• Tijuana recyclers report that most paper and a majority of the metals are either shipped to brokers in San Diego or the Los Angeles area or marketed directly to the Pacific Rim. Plastics and some metals are directly marketed to end-users within Mexico.



• Pepenadores who make up the largest component of informal recyclers may pose on problem to future formal recycling programs. There is also a possibility, however, that they could be the direct beneficiaries of recycling market development activities by serving as an available labor force.



• Based on the dollar value and tonnage amounts of materials passing through the San Diego Custom's District, it appears that increased recycling trade between San Diego and Tijuana is feasible. It also appears that there is an opportunity for regional recycling markets using cooperative efforts which would benefit both cities. The creation of a Recycling Market Development Zone in Tijuana could significantly improve joint recycling market development efforts, provide additional employment, stimulate greater collection efforts, increase the demand for and local prices for recyclable materials and retain these materials for local use.



• The RMDZ Study is now available. Contact the Webmaster or Adriana Howard at (858) 573-1261 or by e-mail alAHoward@sandiego.gov.