Pursuing Sustainability via Reverse Logistics: The Symbiosis Effect Between the Local Authorities and Householders

Abstract

This paper reveals how factors associated with household recycling systems affect household recycling behaviour, and how household recycling behaviour affects the provision of household recycling systems by the local authorities (LA). The main objective is to reveal and explain the interaction and symbiosis effects between household recycling system and household recycling behaviour. Using a mixed methodology stance, the first approach is a qualitative research stage supported the symbiosis effect between the LAs and the householders. The second approach is quantitative research stage employed multiple regression analysis that juxtaposed the existence of interactions between personal factors and situational factors which the representation of LAs and the householders respectively. Finally, co-examination between the first and second stages revealed the need to use symbiosis effect perspective in understanding backward movement between householders and household recycling waste systems. This study has found that a "symbiosis effect" perspective appears to be a robust framework to bring together effective household waste recycling systems and sustainable development considerations to enhance both sustainability and the economy. Further, the study provides empirical evidence examining both situational and personal factors of households and their interactions, which were previously not well-understood. This study has incorporated behavioral aspects in the reverse logistics process that should help improve the LAs' planning processes.

Comparison of Cross-Border Reverse Logistics of a Fast Fashion Brand in China

“…Compared to the brick-and-mortar store, e-commerce requires a substantial upgrade of the information and logistics flows, a seamless transportation system as well as better cash management (Jalil, 2017). For a cross-border transaction, it usually takes more than 20 days for a good to reach the customer compared to only 3 days to reach a local end-user.…”

“…The product is then stored in a return warehouse, where it waits for customs clearance. Since each country has different export and import policies, the whole process is usually lengthier and more challenging (Jalil, 2017). The Chinese government has enhanced its rules to remove any needless processes that could delay the customs clearance procedure in order to provide a better operating environment for cross-border e-commerce.…”