On December 23, 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission, in collaboration with relevant departments, issued the "Action Plan for the Promotion of Recycled Materials Application", making comprehensive arrangements for the promotion of recycled materials application.
This is the first policy document in our country specifically dedicated to promoting the application of recycled materials. It focuses on key areas such as steel, non-ferrous metals, plastics, and paper, as well as key industries like automobiles, electrical and electronic products, batteries, textiles, and packaging, where the conditions for large-scale application of recycled materials are favorable. It clearly defines the main goals, key tasks, guarantee measures, and work requirements for the application and promotion of recycled materials.
Among them, the plan stipulates that by 2030, the annual output of recycled plastic will exceed 19.5 million tons. Enhance the production capacity of high-quality recycled plastic. Establish and improve the classification and grading supply system for recycled plastic, and accelerate the construction of a high-value recycling system for waste plastics. Support leading enterprises in the industry to actively carry out industrialized applications of chemical recycling of waste plastics, and expand the high-value utilization pathways for low-value plastic waste.
The National Development and Reform Commission and other departments have issued
Notice on the Action Plan for Promoting the Application of Recycled Materials
Reform and Development Department - Environmental and Resources Department [2025] No. 1681
Development and Reform Commissions, Industrial and Information Technology Authorities, Finance Departments (Bureaus), Environmental Protection Departments (Bureaus), Commerce Departments (Bureaus), Market Supervision Departments of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Customs General Administration Guangdong Branch, and all direct customs:
In order to fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the decisions and plans of the 20th National Congress and its successive sessions, and to earnestly implement the decisions and plans of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, to strengthen the promotion of the application of recycled materials, to improve the waste recycling and utilization system, and to promote the development of circular economy, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Administration for Market Regulation have formulated the "Action Plan for the Promotion of Recycled Materials Application". This plan is hereby issued and please implement it earnestly.
National Development and Reform Commission
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Ecology and Environment
Ministry of Commerce
General Administration of Customs
The State Administration for Market Regulation
December 23rd, 2025
Action Plan for Promoting the Application of Recycled Materials
The application and promotion of recycled materials is an important means for improving the waste recycling system and developing a circular economy. It is of great significance for ensuring China's resource security, enhancing the resilience of the industrial chain and supply chain, and promoting the achievement of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. To strengthen the application and promotion of recycled materials, this plan has been formulated.
I. General Requirements
By 2030, the waste recycling system will be further improved, and standards and certification systems for the promotion and application of recycled materials will be gradually established. The annual recycling and utilization volume of scrap steel and scrap paper will exceed 300 million tons and 80 million tons respectively. The annual production of recycled non-ferrous metals and recycled plastics will exceed 25 million tons and 19.5 million tons respectively. The proportion of recycled materials replacing raw materials in fields such as automobiles, electrical and electronic products, textiles, and packaging will steadily increase, and the role of recycled materials in ensuring resource security, promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction will be further enhanced.
II. Enhancing the Capacity for Supplying Recycled Materials
(1) Enhance the capacity for ensuring the supply of recycled steel. Encourage the construction of large-scale scrap steel processing and distribution centers in areas with concentrated electric furnace steel production capacity. Promote the integrated development of scrap steel recycling, dismantling, processing, and distribution, improve the classification and grading level of scrap steel, and promote the efficient recycling and utilization of scrap steel resources. Encourage qualified steel enterprises to carry out process renovations on their existing blast furnace - converter steelmaking facilities, orderly develop short-process steelmaking using all-recycled steel in electric arc furnaces, strengthen the production and supply of high-quality recycled steel, and explore the establishment of a full-process traceability system from recycling and processing to production and smelting. (The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology are responsible according to their respective duties)
(2) Enhance the supply level of recycled non-ferrous metals. Support enterprises engaged in the processing and utilization of recycled non-ferrous metals to carry out technological, process, and equipment upgrades, establish a specialized recycling and refined sorting processing system, and improve the ability to recycle and utilize non-ferrous metals at the same grade. Strengthen the research and development of technical equipment for the refined dismantling of key components, green and efficient separation and recovery of rare metals, etc., to enhance the ability to obtain recycled resources and the quality level of recycled non-ferrous metals. (Responsible for this task by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in accordance with their respective responsibilities)
(3) Enhance the production capacity of high-quality recycled plastics. Establish and improve a classified and graded supply system for recycled plastics, and accelerate the establishment of a high-value recycling system for waste plastics. Support leading enterprises in the industry to actively carry out industrialized applications of chemical recycling of waste plastics, and expand the pathways for high-value utilization of low-value plastic waste materials. (The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology are responsible according to their respective duties)
(4) Strengthen the supply of recycled paper and other recycled materials. Support the construction of waste paper sorting and processing centers, and enhance the supply of waste paper for boxboard, books, and newsprint. Encourage paper manufacturers to adopt efficient separation technologies and optimize the recycling process of waste paper to improve the quality of recycled paper. Support the construction of regional waste glass sorting and processing centers, and encourage the use of optical sorting equipment and "dry cleaning" technology for waste glass to improve the quality of recycled glass. Support enterprises in building processing and utilization centers for used textiles, and establish classification and grading utilization systems for chemical fibers, cotton, wool, and cashmere. (Responsible for this task by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Commerce, in accordance with their respective responsibilities)
(5) Improve the waste recycling system. Further promote the classification and refined dismantling of used vehicles, discarded electrical and electronic products, used batteries, used mechanical and electrical products, and used wind and photovoltaic equipment. Enhance the sorting accuracy of materials such as steel, non-ferrous metals, and plastics, and improve the separation and sorting capabilities and levels of mixed waste. Improve the recycling and processing systems for used vehicles and used batteries. Strengthen the construction of source classification recycling systems for waste plastics, waste paper, waste glass, and used textiles. Promote the revision of the "Regulations on the Management of Recycled Resources Collection". (Responsible departments: National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and Ministry of Commerce, according to their respective responsibilities)
III. Increase the application of recycled materials in key products
(6) Promote the use of more recycled materials in automotive manufacturing. Encourage automotive manufacturers to, while meeting requirements such as the control of harmful substances and the recyclability rate of materials, based on the performance requirements of components and the characteristics of products, focus on increasing the application proportion of recycled steel, recycled non-ferrous metals, recycled glass, etc. in components such as the frame, body, glass, and wheels, and achieve large-scale application of recycled plastics in interior and exterior parts first. Encourage automotive manufacturers to jointly build a closed-loop supply system for recycled materials with enterprises engaged in the dismantling of used vehicles, the processing of recycled materials, and the production of components. (The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Commerce are responsible according to their respective duties)
(7) Enhance the application level of recycled materials in electrical and electronic products. Support electrical and electronic product manufacturers to strengthen green design and supply chain management. While meeting the requirements for controlling harmful substances, focus on increasing the application of recycled plastics, recycled copper, recycled aluminum, recycled paper, etc. in non-moving parts, structural components, and product packaging. Strengthen the use of recycled rare metals and steadily increase the proportion of main recycled materials in electrical and electronic products. Encourage electrical and electronic product manufacturers to jointly build a recycling system for recycled materials with upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry. (Responsible for this task by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Commerce, in accordance with their respective responsibilities)
(8) Increase the application of recycled materials in battery production. Support battery and energy storage battery manufacturers in accelerating the establishment and improvement of a system for recycling and reusing used batteries. Focus on promoting lead-acid battery manufacturers to use a high proportion of recycled lead in the production of battery positive and negative electrodes, and encourage battery and energy storage battery manufacturers to use recycled metal raw materials that meet application requirements. Encourage battery manufacturers to use recycled metals and recycled plastics in the production of battery casings while ensuring performance and safety. (Responsible for this task: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology)
(IX) Encourage enterprises in the textile and packaging industries to adopt recycled materials. Encourage light textile enterprises to use recycled fibers in products with favorable application and promotion conditions, and encourage enterprises producing sound insulation and thermal insulation materials, as well as foam filling materials, to increase the use of recycled fibers in raw materials. Support enterprises producing non-food-contact typical packaging materials such as cartons, shrink films, packaging bags, and foam filling materials, as well as office paper enterprises to enhance product green design and increase the application proportion of recycled paper and recycled plastics, and encourage enterprises with the necessary conditions to explore the use of all recycled materials as raw materials. (The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology are responsible according to their respective duties)
IV. Establish a sound management system for the use of recycled materials
(10) Improve the standard certification system for the promotion and application of recycled materials. Improve the quality standards for recycled plastics and other recycled materials, and strengthen the requirements for product quality, human health, and environmental safety and protection of recycled materials. Strengthen the formulation of metrological technical specifications for key areas of recycled materials. Research and formulate relevant standards for the application and promotion of recycled materials in key products such as automobiles, electrical and electronic products, and batteries. Encourage industry associations and enterprises to explore and formulate standards for the carbon footprint accounting of recycled materials. Encourage certification institutions with the necessary conditions to conduct product certification for recycled materials. (Responsible for this task by the National Development and Reform Commission, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in accordance with their respective responsibilities)
(11) Steadily promote the data traceability management of recycled materials. Encourage industry organizations, research institutions, and upstream and downstream enterprises to jointly build a data traceability platform for recycled materials, and strengthen the full-process information-based traceability management for the application and promotion of recycled materials. Guide recycled material production and usage enterprises and third-party institutions such as certification and evaluation to enhance the information-based management of the application and promotion of recycled materials. (Responsible for this task by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce according to their respective responsibilities)
V. Improve policies for promoting the application of recycled materials
(12) Improve the market-based mechanism for carbon reduction from recycled materials. Study the implementation path for including projects related to the supply and application of recycled materials such as recycled steel, recycled non-ferrous metals, recycled plastics, recycled paper, recycled fibers, and recycled glass in the national voluntary greenhouse gas emission trading market. Strengthen the connection with relevant certification rules for the application of recycled materials in foreign countries to enhance the international competitiveness of related products. (Responsible departments: National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and State Administration for Market Regulation, according to their respective responsibilities)
(13) Improve the incentive policies for the promotion and application of recycled materials. Coordinate existing funding channels to support the recycling and utilization of recycled resources. Timely study and promote the inclusion of certified recycled material application products in the green procurement scope of government and public institutions. Encourage enterprises to increase their purchases of products containing recycled materials. Encourage leading enterprises to play a leading role in the promotion of recycled material application, formulate and implement plans for the promotion of recycled material application, and clearly define the main recycled material application targets and specific measures. (Responsible departments: National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce)
(14) Promote the utilization of overseas recycled raw materials. Improve the import policies for recycled non-ferrous metals and recycled rare metals, study and improve the import quality standards and performance indicators systems for retired power batteries and other products, and standardize the supervision and management of imported recycled pulp. Actively encourage domestic recycled resource recovery and utilization enterprises to go global, and build an integrated resource recycling and utilization system both domestically and internationally. (Responsible departments: National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs, and State Administration for Market Regulation, according to their respective responsibilities)
VI. Strengthening Implementation and Organization
(15) Strengthening overall coordination. The National Development and Reform Commission has strengthened overall coordination and cooperation with relevant departments such as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, and the State Administration for Market Regulation. They have intensified tracking, scheduling, and progress assessment of the application and promotion of key recycled materials. The commission supports industry associations and social organizations in formulating specific plans for the application and promotion of recycled materials in their respective industries and fields. It incorporates the promotion of recycled materials into relevant special plans and promotes the adoption of leading practices in key industries. (The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, and the State Administration for Market Regulation are responsible for their respective duties)
(16) Strengthen quality management. Enhance the quality control of recycled materials, strictly implement the standards and requirements regarding the performance, safety, and environmental protection of recycled materials, and crack down on illegal activities such as counterfeiting, passing off inferior products as good ones, and endangering the lives and health of the public. Strengthen the management of the source of waste recycling and enhance joint law enforcement and supervision among different departments. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State Administration for Market Regulation are responsible according to their respective duties)
(17) Strengthen publicity and guidance. Carry out popular science and publicity activities on the safety of recycled material applications, encourage the use of various channels such as television, radio, and new media to promote the popularization of recycled material applications, popularize knowledge about the promotion of recycled material applications, vigorously promote green consumption, and increase the participation of enterprises in promoting recycled materials and the recognition of the public. (Responsible for this task by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Commerce according to their respective responsibilities)
【Notice on Issuing the "Action Plan for Promoting the Application of Recycled Materials" (Revised by the National Development and Reform Commission [2025] No. 1681)】 - National Development and Reform Commission
https://www.ndrc.gov.cn/xxgk/zcfb/tz/202512/t20251231_1402965_ext.html
