Circular Degree of Circular Economy and Relevant Problems
Circular economy is a new mode of economic development. However, there are a variety of deficiencies in the research and practice. As the enterprise is the basic unit of implementation of circular economy, they more concern economic benefits. This paper starts with discussing economic benefits of circular economy, and points out that economic benefits do not always lead to the right cyclic direction. The optimal level of the development of circular economy can be achieved under the condition of maximizing the comprehensive benefits of economy, ecology, as well as society. However, the cycle under this prerequisite is not necessarily a closed-loop behavior, but only a certain degree of the cycle. We then defined the degree of the cycle as the degree of the recycle or reuse, in other words, the degree of resources or wastes. At the same time, we discussed problems associated with measurement, influencing factors, and paths of circular economy. 1) The degree of cycle should be measured from the aspects of circulation intensity, circulation scale, circulation time and so on. The circulation intensity reflects comprehensive utilization of resources or wastes. The circulation scale includes horizontally-directed and vertically-directed circulation. The circulation time indicates the duration of material use. 2) Influencing factors are mainly referred to as the technical, political, logistic, and economic environment. It should be noted that the circulation is under their combined influences. 3) The cyclic path is the manifestation of the degree of recycling, and a reflection of cyclic patterns. Different paths may cause varying degrees of recycling, and may also change the way of measurement. Circular economy, in fact, is to maximize the comprehensive benefits. In a word, the system of circular economy is aimed at fulfilling the use of resources. The circulation behavior, which is the outcome of the influencing factors, may develop in different ways. Consequently, the comprehensive benefits may also show varying results. The optimal degree of circulation should be under the condition of maximizing the comprehensive benefits. In addition, the authors analyzed the relationship between the comprehensive benefits and the circulation degree, and defined a reasonable degree for the latter. This study is expected to be helpful to evade the blindness of the development of circular economy, improve the recycling economic efficiency and effectiveness of inputs and outputs, and eventually to promote regional economic, social, and environmental development.