Industry Insight | Resource recycling industry has ushered in a period of opportunity, what more work to be done?
The 2025 government work report proposes to strengthen waste recycling, vigorously promote the use of recycled materials, and promote the development of circular economy. Resource recycling industry, as a key carrier for the vigorous development of circular economy, is stepping into an important development opportunity.
Policy documents such as ‘Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Waste Recycling System’ and ‘Action Programme for Promoting Large-Scale Equipment Renewal and Consumer Goods Replacement’ provide clear guidelines for the construction of the system, focus of the field, and innovation of the model of the resource recycling industry. Whether it is the official establishment of China Resource Recycling Group Limited, the first ‘national team’ in the resource recycling industry, the continuous expansion of the scale of the resource recycling industry, or the continuous force of the policies on equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-in, all of them have brought great opportunities for the development of the resource recycling industry. For the development of resource recycling industry has brought new opportunities.
At the same time, we should also see that China's resource recycling industry is still facing some real challenges, the degree of standardisation of resource recycling process is not high enough, the economic benefits of resource recycling industry are not fully realised, and the guarantee mechanism for industrial development is not sound enough. To promote the high-quality development of the resource recycling industry, we need to continue to make sufficient efforts and make the right efforts.
Firstly, we should implement the development orientation of standardisation and science, and release the potential of resource recycling industry to benefit the environment. As an effective means to reduce the consumption of natural resources and reduce pollution and carbon at source, resource recycling should be based on the premise of standard constraints, standardised operation, effective supervision and technological empowerment, so as to effectively bring into play the characteristics of positive environmental externalities.
Accelerate the improvement of national and industrial standards in the field of resource recycling, strengthen and optimise the standard implementation process, and establish and improve the green recycling-related services and product certification system. Focusing on the precise pollution control in the process of resource recycling, strengthening risk control, scientific prevention and comprehensive supervision in response to the high environmental pollution risk links and new pollutant treatment needs in the recycling of specific categories such as used batteries, decommissioned wind power components, end-of-life automobiles, home appliances and electronic products, and so on.
Relevant state-owned enterprises and central enterprises should set up benchmarks in terms of process standardisation, technological advancement and model effectiveness of resource recycling. Encourage the R&D and popularisation of key technologies such as separation of pollutants for resource recycling, eco-design and step-by-step utilisation of power batteries, high-efficiency extraction of valuable metals, and high-efficiency chemical recycling of waste plastics, and further improve the evaluation and testing system of decommissioned equipments such as batteries, wind power generators, and photovoltaic equipments, so as to smooth out and upgrade the technological chain of resource recycling.
Secondly, we will create an atmosphere that encourages innovation and give full play to the function of resource recycling industry in promoting economic development. Resource use reduction, recycling and reuse of new requirements on the prior technology and management costs also put forward certain requirements, to innovation as a means to continue to amplify the resource recycling to reduce other costs, enhance the industry chain supply chain security toughness and other aspects of the benefits of the industry, to enhance its economic viability and market attractiveness.
In terms of innovation path, promote the integration of multi-dimensional innovation in technology, business model, policy mechanism, etc., so as to realise the repair and extension of the value chain of resource recycling. Based on the new trend of the resource recycling market, further deepen the re-innovation of business models such as reverse logistics, product servicing, product sharing, and ‘Internet + Recycling’. Focus on key areas such as high-value utilisation of waste and recycling of low-value recyclables, and develop new recycling paths.
In terms of innovation carriers, traditional industries such as petrochemicals, textiles and building materials are encouraged to use resource recycling as an entry point to open up new business growth points, develop and expand the deep processing industry of recycled resources, recycled materials industry, remanufacturing industry, resource recycling service industry, etc., so as to actively expand the new kinetic energy of economic growth.
In terms of innovative elements, the introduction of big data, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and other technologies to achieve resource recycling ‘digital intelligence to improve efficiency’. We will continue to enhance the innovation and supply of green and transformational financial products, and provide diversified financial support for the innovative development of the resource recycling industry. Promote green consensus in the market, establish cross-industry and cross-field resource recycling action alliances, and promote resource recycling and sustainable development as an important component of corporate reputation.
Thirdly, deepen mechanism construction and open cooperation to promote the high-quality development of the resource recycling industry. The safeguard mechanism, policy environment and degree of openness profoundly affect the healthy development of the resource recycling industry.
Improve the support mechanism. Strengthen the synergy and continuity of the existing construction work of ‘urban minerals’, ‘waste-free city’, and demonstration of comprehensive utilisation of bulk solid waste. Accelerate the improvement of mechanisms for factor protection, scientific and technological innovation, and the promotion and application of recycled materials, and upgrade financial subsidies, tax incentives and other incentive policies.
Upgrade green infrastructure. Continuously improve the recycling network of waste materials, waste gas, sewage and solid waste treatment facilities, environmental monitoring and supervision, industrial parks, energy laddering and water recycling facilities and other infrastructure closely related to resource recycling, to create a resource recycling industry information sharing and public service platform, to achieve traceability and flow tracking of recycled products and recycled materials.
Cohesion of government and enterprises. Adhere to the government-led, market-led, based on the government's purchase of services and other forms of active exploration of the market and the government's synergistic efforts to promote the circular economy of the new space, a new model.
Strengthen open cooperation. Promote cross-industry, cross-regional and transnational dialogues in the field of resource recycling, and build mechanisms and platforms for exchanges and cooperation. Improve standards and policies for the import of renewable resources, participate in the formulation of international standards for resource recycling, and accelerate the construction of a world-class industrial system for resource recycling.