The difference between circular economy and traditional economy lies in

After 1990s, developing knowledge economy and circular economy has become two major trends in the international community. Since 1990s, China has introduced the concept of circular economy, and since then, the theoretical research and practice of circular economy have been deepened. At present, the concept of circular economy has become people's knowledge to a certain extent. Exploring the difference between circular economy and traditional economic model is helpful for people to clarify their development ideas.

As far as the relationship between human beings and the environment is concerned, human society has experienced three modes in the economic process: traditional economic mode, "production process terminal management" mode and circular economy mode.

When dealing with the relationship between human beings and the environment, the traditional economic model refers to the one-way linear opening process of "resources-products-pollution discharge". With the development of industry, the expansion of production scale, the increase of population and the weakening of self-purification ability of the environment, environmental problems are becoming more and more serious and resources are in short supply. The mode of "end-of-production-process treatment" began to pay attention to environmental problems, emphasizing taking measures to control pollution at the end of the production process. However, it is unscientific to adopt the method of "pollution first and then treatment". The pollution treatment technology is difficult and costly, and it is difficult to curb the trend of ecological deterioration and achieve "three wins" in economic, social and ecological benefits. The circular economy model follows the ecological law, makes rational use of natural resources and environmental capacity, develops the economy on the basis of continuous material recycling, and harmoniously integrates the economic system into the material recycling process of the natural ecosystem, thus realizing the ecologicalization of economic activities.

As a Scientific Outlook on Development and a brand-new economic development model, circular economy is essentially different from the traditional economic model.

First, the system view is different. In the production and consumption of traditional economy, people are placed outside the big system composed of natural resources and science and technology. Circular economy requires people to put themselves in a big system when considering production and consumption, and to study the economic principles that conform to objective laws as a part of this big system. Ecological system construction such as "returning farmland to lakes", "returning farmland to forests" and "returning grazing to grassland" is regarded as the basic work to maintain the sustainable development of large-scale systems.

Second, the economic prospects are different. In the traditional economy, there is only the circulation of capital and labor, but there is no circulation of natural resources, which often leads to ecological deterioration and vicious circle. Circular economy requires that economic activities should be guided by ecological laws, and not only the engineering carrying capacity but also the ecological carrying capacity should be considered. The virtuous cycle of its economic activities and ecology can make the ecosystem develop in a balanced way.

Third, different values. When considering nature, the traditional economy regards it as "raw material field" and "waste house accumulation and discharge field", and regards it as available resources. Circular economy regards it as the foundation of human existence and an ecosystem that needs to maintain a virtuous circle.

Fourth, the production concept is different. The production concept of traditional economy is to maximize the development and utilization of natural resources, to maximize the creation of social wealth and to maximize profits. The concept of circular economy fully considers the carrying capacity of natural ecosystem, saves natural resources as much as possible, improves the utilization efficiency of natural resources, and recycles resources, thus creating as much social wealth as possible and achieving the effect of "best production, best consumption and least waste".

Fifth, the consumption concept is different. In fact, the traditional economic view advocates "desperate production and desperate consumption", while the circular economy view advocates moderate consumption and green consumption, taking into account the reuse and recycling of waste when consuming. It advocates that consumers choose green products that are pollution-free or conducive to public health when they consume; Advocate to pay attention to garbage disposal in the process of consumption to avoid environmental pollution; Advocate consumers to pay attention to environmental protection while pursuing comfort. Save resources and energy and realize sustainable consumption.

Circular economy is a brand-new economic development model. Building a well-off society in an all-round way proposed by the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is not only an economic goal, but also a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development goal. In order to achieve this goal, we must change the mode of economic growth and promote sustainable development. Developing circular economy is one of the fundamental ways out.