“Internet +” recyclable resources: A new recycling mode in China

“Internet +” recyclable resources recycling is a new recycling program which developed quickly in China over the past three years. Indenting problems faced by internet recycling programs and summarizing typical modes are in need and necessary. To better realize and promote the new recycling way in China, we investigate related governmental departments and 10 represented enterprises that put “internet +” recycling into practice in China. From our investigation, we identify the problems faced by the enterprises and show four typical internet recycling modes. Based on the problems and cases analysis, the implications for sustainable “internet +” recycling are discussed. We suggest building a connection between online and offline, establishing a variety of profit models, educating older generations on the “internet +” recycling platform, and meeting the recycling requirements on low-value recyclable resources through the application of smart machines.