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Reverse Logistics

Impact of reverse logistics operations

Abstract

Being a green strategy, reverse logistics plays a critically vital role in environmental preservation. In correlation to solid waste management, reverse logistics incorporates recycling, reusing, remanufacturing, and refurbishment, which helps avoid the generation of new waste.

Introduction*

According to Prakash and Barua (2016), reverse logistics is a process that incorporates backward movement of materials from points of consumption to points of production. In correlation with the increased generation of waste, reverse logistics makes significant contributions towards protecting the environment through waste reduction. With this understanding, this research paper will focus on establishing the various effects of reverse logistics operations.

Background

Solid wastes have adverse effects on the environment (De Oliveira, Neto, Abreu, & Fernandes, 2021). Linked to the increased generation of waste and awareness of consumers concerning eco-friendly initiatives, organizations today are finding it necessary to support sustainable environment through reverse logistics.

Literature Review*

Various researchers have outlined the contributions of reverse logistics in promoting a sustainable environment through waste reduction (De Oliveira et al., 2021; Farrokhi-Asl, Makui, Ghousi, & Rabbani, 2019; Prakash & Barua, 2016). It incorporates recovery of different products and materials, which are then reused. In support of this, Farrokhi-Asl et al. (2019) document the significance of the concept of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) in developing sustainable Operations Management (OM) systems. Additionally, reverse logistics also protects the environment through the elimination of inefficient return processes, thus, reducing carbon emissions linked to transportation (De Oliveira et al., 2021).

Findings*

Reverse logistics has a massive impact on the environment. It not only contributes towards waste reduction, but also supports the reduction of carbon emissions, which are harmful to the environment. It also helps companies save revenue by minimizing production costs. The return of products back to the production point ascertains that unusable products are disposed in an eco-friendly manner.

Conclusion*

Reverse logistics helps protect the environment through return processes of used products, relevant for reducing waste generation. Its incorporation within organizations help minimalize the usage of energy and resources in the manufacturing process.

References

De Oliveira, U. R., Neto, L. A., Abreu, P. A. F., & Fernandes, V. A. (2021). Risk management applied to the reverse logistics of solid waste. Journal of Cleaner Production, 296, 126517.

Farrokhi-Asl, H., Makui, A., Ghousi, R., & Rabbani, M. (2019). Designing a sustainable integrated forward/reverse logistics network. Journal of Modelling in Management.

Prakash, C., & Barua, M. K. (2016). An analysis of integrated robust hybrid model for third-party reverse logistics partner selection under fuzzy environment. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 108, 63-81.