The concept of a "circular economy" took shape in the
1960s in the United States, and the term "circular
economy" appeared in China in the mid-1990s. Promoting the
circular economy is intended to raise energy efficiency and improve
the environment by promoting the careful use of resources according
to certain ecological and economic standards and the 3R principles:
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
In 2005, the State Council promulgated the Opinions on Issues
Concerning Acceleration of Development of the Circular Economy,
which provide a policy basis for the development of a circular
economy in China. Three years later, on 29 August 2008, the
Circular Economy Promotion Law of the PRC ("Circular Economy
Law") was adopted at the 4th session of the
Standing Committee of the 11th National People's
Congress. It came into force on 1 January 2009.
