Compared to using native resources, using renewable resources can significantly save energy, water resources, and production materials, reduce production costs, and reduce environmental pollution. At the same time, many mineral resources have the characteristic of being non renewable, which determines the immeasurable value of recycling and utilizing renewable resources.

1、 There is great potential for industrial development. According to incomplete statistics, China has nearly 100 million tons of recyclable renewable resources each year, worth over 200 billion yuan, including over 40 million tons of scrap steel, over 30 million tons of waste paper, over 5 million tons of waste non-ferrous metals, 6 million tons of waste plastics, over 50 million pieces of waste tires, and over 10 million tons of other waste materials. In addition, in recent years, China has also imported over 20 million tons of various renewable resources annually. If we add the waste collected and used by industrial and mining enterprises, the annual recycling value of renewable resources in China can reach over 400 billion yuan.

2、 Provide many job opportunities. According to 2002 statistics, there are over 5000 renewable resource recycling enterprises in China, with 160000 recycling outlets (nearly 400000 unregistered or temporary recycling outlets), over 3000 recycling and processing factories, and 1.4 million employees. If we include migrant workers who come to cities to collect waste, there are currently nearly 10 million employees in the waste material recycling industry in China.

3、 Great contribution to social and economic development. Recycling and utilizing renewable resources not only has good economic value, but also considerable social and environmental benefits. During the five years of the Ninth Five Year Plan period alone, China has accumulated the recycling and utilization of 160 million tons of waste steel and 40 million tons of waste paper, equivalent to saving 320 million tons of finished iron ore, 64 million tons of standard coal, 120 million cubic meters of wood, 2.4 million kilowatts of electricity, and 24 billion cubic meters of water. More importantly, it saves valuable land resources occupied by large amounts of landfill waste and reduces air pollution.