Analysis of efficiency of waste reverse logistics for recycling

Abstract

Brazil is an agricultural country with the highest pesticide consumption in the world. Historically, pesticide packaging has not been disposed of properly. A federal law requires the chemical industry to provide proper waste management for pesticide-related products. A reverse logistics program was implemented, which has been hailed a great success. This program was designed to target large rural communities, where economy of scale can take place. Over the last 10 years, the recovery rate has been very poor in most small rural communities. The objective of this study was to analyze the case of this compulsory reverse logistics program for pesticide packaging under the recent Brazilian Waste Management Policy, which enforces recycling as the main waste management solution. This results of this exploratory research indicate that despite its aggregate success, the reverse logistics program is not efficient for small rural communities. It is not possible to use the same logistic strategy for small and large communities. The results also indicate that recycling might not be the optimal solution, especially in developing countries with unsatisfactory recycling infrastructure and large transportation costs. Postponement and speculation strategies could be applied for improving reverse logistics performance. In most compulsory reverse logistics programs, there is no economical solution. Companies should comply with the law by ranking cost-effective alternatives.

Survey and analysis the critical success factors in the reverse flow inventory management process for returnable packaging

“…To sum up, this study is also relevant, since Veiga (2013) stated that in Brazil, for example, waste generation has grown at a level three times faster than the population, and most of their municipalities are unable to find suitable disposal sites such as landfills. In this sense, Farel et al (2013) argued that the capacity of landfills has become more expensive, which limits their use.…”

The use of reverse logistics for waste management in a Brazilian grocery retailer

“…Most products are used and then thrown away or incinerated causing considerable damage to the environment. Currently, more stringent laws and growing consumer awareness are driving companies to think about their responsibility for their products after use (Veiga, 2013). Parente and Gelman (2006) considered companies to be open systems that constantly interact with the environment where they are inserted and make terms of trade accordingly.…”

Global reverse supply chain redesign for household plastic waste under the emission trading scheme

“…Final processing activities are performed from central locations in the international supply chain to include customer and country specific characteristics in the finished product based on final manufacturing, frequently followed by direct shipment to retailers or customers [van Hoek, 2001]. Veiga [2013] discussed the postponement strategy in the reverse logistics context and stated that in reverse logistics channels, postponing transformation activities have a greater impact than postponing transfer activities. Re-processing is a transformation activity in the plastic reverse supply chain and transfer activities refer to transportation.…”