Logistics Integration: A Comprehensive Guide

Lets cover the concepts related to reverse logistics along with thoughts on the ideas from multiple authors. The supply chain fundamental activities will be explained. In which, such reverse logistics concepts include facilitating the movement of products returning into the product cycle from the manufacture, to end consumer. Then returned for remanufacturing, recycling, and eventually starting a new product cycle to reach a new end of life cycle. However, many individuals believe delivery is the final phase of the entire process. It is not because the supply chain is a comprehensive product management practice; it also covers the industrial process of managing a product's return stage, which is called reverse logistics. Paula states that reverse logistics entails specific activities after selling products to recapture their values or end their lifecycle. In other words, it involves the control and planning process for the return of a product from the end-user or consumer back to the manufacturer or distributor. The main purpose of the activity is recovering, recycling, disposal, or repairing (Paula et al., 2019).

The products now entering the waste stream are more often light-weight mobile devices that are typically not covered by regulations or do not contain as high a concentration of valuable metals. (Ryen, 2018). This can make it challenging to make it worth the time and effort required to dismantle and gain value from electronic waste products. Hence, it may become difficult for companies to remain eco-friendly and maximize their environmental footprint due to their high use of material resources. On the other hand, companies that are service focused rely on less materialistic resources. Service economies generally require less resource use and environmental impact than industrial economies, and therefore a shift away from an economy of products to an economy of services is considered more sustainable (MacArthur, 2013; Stahel, 2016).

There are numerous types of reverse logistics. One of them is green reverse logistics, in which the returned product tends to undergo disposal, recycling, or repair. The process ensures the returned product does not return to be stored and sold. Furthermore, Plaza-Ubeda et al. believe the entire process is environmentally friendly and more cost-effective. Another type is returned reverse logistics, which Dutta states that it entails products that have the possibilities of returning to the stores to be sold once again. A common example of the items in this type of reverse logistics is clothing, where they are not of the right size for the customers who purchased them and must be repaired. E-Commerce has made all these processes possible without inconveniences or limitations (Dutta et al., 2020).

With the ever-dynamic business society, I believe many companies will turn to reverse logistics due to its effectiveness and significance in the supply chain, especially green reverse, which focuses more on the environment. The current buying and selling scenario is experiencing super personalized shopping, and offering quick and easy return policies to consumers is essential and meeting customers’ needs. Customers will feel more comfortable and secure engaging organizations that have integrated green and returned reverse logistics for sustainability.

References

Dutta, P., Mishra, A., and Khandelwal, S. (2020). A multi-objective optimization model for sustainable reverse logistics in the Indian E-commerce market. Journal of Cleaner Production. Vol. 249, 119348.

Paula, I., Ccampos, E., and Guarnieri, R. (2019). Are collaboration and trust sources for innovation in reverse logistics? Insights from a systematic literature review. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. Vol. 25(2), 176-222.

Plaza-Ubeda, J., Abad-Segura,E., Burgos-Jiminez, J. (2020). Trends and new challenges in the green supply chain: The reverse logistics. Sustainability. Vol. 13(1), 331.

Ryen, E. G., Gabrielle, G., Babbitt, C. W., & Babbbitt, G. (2018). Ecological foraging models as inspiration for optimized recycling systems in the circular economy. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 135, 48-57.

Gaustad Gabrielle, K., Mark, Bustamante, Michele, Badami, Kedar. (2018). Circular economy strategies for mitigating critical material supply issues. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 135, 24-33. 

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