This paper analyzes operational efficiency of recycling economy development in some experimental provinces and key cities in China by utilizing DEA. Under the orientation of scientific development perspectives, important input and output indicators evaluating recycling economy efficiency are carefully selected, some of which are results logically calculated from the original data of the DMUs in 2007. Efficiency summaries coming from calculations on the related DEA software are illustrated and analyzed concretely. After implementing Data Envelopment Analysis on the selected six provinces and cities, sufficient information are employed to demonstrate achievements of Beijing, Liaoning and Shanghai in the concerning field. Improvement suggestions are proposed to Chongqing city in west China which is argued DEA inefficient. Overall effect of the pilot program of recycling economy is satisfactory although the gap between west and east China is still apparent.