[Policy Background] With State Council approval, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) officially issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for Circular Economy Development" on June 30, 2026. A key policy document for the start of the "15th Five-Year" period, it aims to ensure high-level institutional support for high-quality circular economy development.
[Key Targets] By 2030: a more complete circular economy system covering production, consumption, recycling, and utilization; primary resource output rate approximately 16% higher than 2025; annual comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste reaching approximately 4.5 billion tonnes; annual renewable resource recycling reaching 510 million tonnes; resource recycling industry output reaching 8 trillion yuan.
[Plastics Focus] The Plan lists plastic packaging waste among key sectors for regulatory revision and calls for deeper implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It emphasizes closing gaps in "new three" solid waste recycling (EV batteries, wind power, solar) and expanding recycled material use in production and green consumption in daily life. Overseas high-quality recycled feedstock imports will be promoted.
[Policy Impact] The Plan proposes revising the Circular Economy Promotion Law to strengthen legal binding force within the Ecological Environment Code framework. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce's SB/T10719—2026 "再生资源回收站点建设管理规范" (Management Specification for Renewable Resource Recycling Stations) took effect July 1, 2026.
