An Overview of Circular Economy in China: How the Current Challenges Shape the Plans for the Future

Since the Circular Economy Promotion Law of People’s Republic of China came into force in 2009, the concept of circular economy (CE) has gained a rising attention from governments and researchers. Policy makers, companies and researchers have started to establish different sets of principles and strategies for adoption. This paper introduces the CE within China’s economy background and reviews the drivers to adopt and facilitate its CE. It integrates several current CE practices in China and conducts an analysis on the recycling rate from the government official reports that show China has made some progress in recycling industrial tangible waste and major renewable resources such as iron and steel with remaining challenges and barriers. Further analysis suggests that China requires a more systematic approach to promote CE by individuals, organizations and the nation.