What is a Sustainable Trade Zone?

A Sustainable Trade Zone (STZ) is an intentional group of co-located business entities in an eco-system. Collectively, they work to return materials and worn out products that were considered waste in the old economy, and produce new products for the current economy. The STZ shares local resources, uses renewable energy whenever possible, and provides services and products that facilitate the transition to the Circular Economy in the United States.

· The STZ is designed to support the needs of both the local community and the larger region

· The STZ has, at its core, an entity receiving and processing Municipal solid Waste (MSW) so that least 90% stays out of a land fill

· Mechanical and advanced recycling of plastics are both present

· Recovered heat-assisted agriculture are part of the design

· It includes entities that refurbish materials, products and components

· During the STZ design, initial member companies collaborate in planning how they will work on their own business, and on their intra-business sales and process.

· an STZ ecosystem emerges

· A life cycle assessment follows, developing a constantly improving plan for their individual and collective ESG practices and a reduction of their carbon footprint 

· Heat Capture is designed inside and among the entities as the STZ ecosystem matures

· These companies use their synergy to improve their profitability, and offer expertise and services to old economy customers working to enter the circular economy. 

· It is a natural and effective source for Educational partnerships, research, and workforce preparation studies of this new Way of doing business