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In the competitive world of manufacturing, companies are often searching for new ways to improve their process, customer satisfaction and stay ahead in the game with their competitors. Reverse logistics has been considered a strategy to bring these things to life for the past decade or so. This thesis work tries to shed some light on the basics of reverse logistics and how reverse logistics can be used as a management strategy. This paper points out the fundamentals of reverse logistics and looks into what kind of decisions today’s logistics managers have to take on a daily basis for the improvement of their logistics model. A growing concern has been developing to control rising global pollution, this paper also brings out some of the effects of reverse logistics decisions on the environment and vice versa. The thesis starts out by compiling the works of researchers and logistics experts in the field of logistics in the theoretical background section. Through a survey conducted in a few manufacturing firms in India, a small picture of the extent to which reverse logistics has penetrated the manufacturing world has been drawn.

Yes / The purpose of this paper is to determine how best to reduce, reuse and dispose of household waste medicines in the National Health Service (NHS) (UK). Through a combination of literature review and empirical work, this research investigates the existing household waste medicines reverse logistics (RL) system and makes recommendations for improvement by benchmarking it against household waste batteries RL. The viability and feasibility of these recommendations are evaluated through in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals and end user surveys. The batteries RL system appears to be a more structured and effective system with more active engagement from actors/stakeholders in instigating RL practices and for this very reason is an excellent comparator for waste medicines RL practices. Appropriate best practices are recommended to be incorporated into the waste medicines RL system, including recapturing product value, revised processing approaches, system cooperation and enforcement, drivers and motivations and system design and facilitation. This study offers academics and professionals an improved insight into the current household waste medicines RL system and provides a step towards reducing an existing gap in this under-researched area. A limitation is that only a small sample of healthcare professionals were involved in subjectively evaluating the feasibility of the recommendations, so the applicability of the recommendations needs to be tested in a wider context and the cost effectiveness of implementing the recommendations needs to be analysed. Reducing, reusing and properly disposing of waste medicines contribute to economic sustainability, environmental protection and personal and community safety. The information retrieved from analysing returned medicines can be used to inform prescribing practice so as to reduce unnecessary medicine waste and meet the medicine optimisation agenda. This paper advocates learning from best practices in batteries RL to improve the waste medicines RL design and execution and supports the current NHS agenda on medicine waste reduction (DoH, 2012). The recommendations made in the paper not only aim to reduce medicine waste but also to use medicines effectively, placing the emphasis on improving health outcomes.

Reverse Logistics (RL) is complex to be managed due to the uncertainty involved e.g. the quality range of products, timing of product returns, and volume of returns. A robust RL design can contribute to increase the effectiveness of RL operations. Therefore, an RL design framework needs to be formalised. Circular economy (CE) focuses on supporting the separation of treatments between technical and biological materials in maximising the design for reuse to return to the biosphere and retain value through innovations across fields. The aim of the research is to develop a new framework to design RL operations based on CE values that can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of RL operations. This research has been conducted through the qualitative research involving cases in product recovery (PR) options that are analysed in-depth. Literature review and interview are the main methods of this research. A test was conducted by interviewing expert and respondents to obtain the expert view and test the research result which is a developed framework to design RL based on CE values. The testing engaged five criteria (usability, feasibility, consistency, effectiveness, and utility). The formal RL design framework, 15 CE values, framework to design RL based on CE values specifically PR options (repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and cannibalisation) are main research findings. The research contributes academically to the development of a formal RL design framework and to the identification, reformulation, redefinition, and implementation of CE values. The research can be used as a basis for an effective design of RL that takes into account the economic, environmental, and social impacts. The research can be used as a guideline or an appraisal tool in designing/modifying RL based on CE values that can support the implementation of a single RL operation and also RL based on CE.

Reverse logistics is an important process that is often misunderstood. Reverse logistics can cause considerable cost, but provide numerous opportunities. Many organisations do not understand the correct processes and procedures to follow and how to manage reverse logistics efficiently. The focus of this study was on best practices in reverse logistics. A best practice framework was developed to help organisations overcome problems and manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. This study adopted a mixed method research approach with both qualitative and quantitative elements. A comprehensive literature study was conducted to develop a conceptual best practice framework in reverse logistics and a survey was conducted to seek inputs from industry in South Africa to refine the framework into a workable instrument in practice. The study concluded that the best practices identified in literature have proven to be important in practice, and applying such practices will enable organisations to manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. / Business Management / M. Com. (Logistics)

Reverse logistics is an important process that is often misunderstood. Reverse logistics can cause considerable cost, but provide numerous opportunities. Many organisations do not understand the correct processes and procedures to follow and how to manage reverse logistics efficiently. The focus of this study was on best practices in reverse logistics. A best practice framework was developed to help organisations overcome problems and manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. This study adopted a mixed method research approach with both qualitative and quantitative elements. A comprehensive literature study was conducted to develop a conceptual best practice framework in reverse logistics and a survey was conducted to seek inputs from industry in South Africa to refine the framework into a workable instrument in practice. The study concluded that the best practices identified in literature have proven to be important in practice, and applying such practices will enable organisations to manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. / Business Management / M. Com. (Logistics)

O aumento do consumo e a geração de resíduos e as novas propostas de desenvolvimento de conceitos e práticas de sustentabilidade fizeram com que a sociedade passasse a refletir sobre tais eventos, colocando em discussão o ciclo de vida dos produtos. Neste contexto, o conceito de logística reversa (LR) se desenvolveu, principalmente quanto ao aspecto econômico. Mas, sendo este conceito fundamentado ao da sustentabilidade, torna-se importante acompanhar as práticas, inclusive quanto aos efeitos sociais e ambientais. Atrelado a isso e a dois outros fatores: i) o fato de que alguns trabalhos identificaram que processos de LR nem sempre garantem melhorias econômicas para a empresa, sendo que o efeito econômico estava relacionado aos fatores intrínsecos do processo, e que ii) o Pet é um dos materiais de fácil acesso pela população, ocasionando um grande volume de resíduos de longa decomposição; o objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar quais decisões sobre os fatores inerentes a um processo produtivo envolvendo LR de Ref Pet são capazes de impactar na sustentabilidade do mesmo. Neste sentido, a proposta volta-se para o desenvolvimento de um modelo que permita analisar os benefícios econômicos, sociais e ambientais, com base em informações do processo, de modo que a empresa possa acompanhar e melhorar o equilíbrio deste tripé em seu processo produtivo, buscando garantir ou identificar necessidades de mudanças para alcançar a sustentabilidade. O desenvolvimento do modelo deu-se por meio da revisão bibliográfica e do estudo exploratório realizado em uma indústria de refrigerantes, permitindo conhecer em detalhes o processo de logística reversa de Ref Pet. Esta etapa foi fundamental para a definição dos inputs, subindicadores e indicadores que formaram os três índices: econômico, social e ambiental. A transformação dos indicadores em índices ocorreu por meio da técnica de análise fatorial, sendo que, depois de finalizado o modelo procedeu-se com análise de sensibilidade, a qual permitiu identificar o fator intrínseco ao processo mais representativo para cada índice. Demonstrou-se que, com este modelo a empresa pode simular cenários de decisão, identificando o impacto que eles trarão para a sustentabilidade do processo produtivo, uma vez que é permitido identificar qual a sensibilidade de cada índice frente aos fatores inerentes ao processo. Assim, a empresa pode tomar decisões visando o equilíbrio econômico, social e ambiental em seu negócio buscando ações para mantê-lo, exercendo papel importante na sociedade. Portanto, o modelo proposto pode auxiliar uma empresa na identificação do impacto de seu processo de logística reversa nos três índices, acompanhando a evolução e tomando medidas para melhorá-los. Ademais, permite analisar a sensibilidade da sustentabilidade do processo quando das variações dos inputs. Finalmente, o estudo traz detalhamentos sobre as especificidades de um processo de logística reversa de Ref PET, capaz de contribuir para a literatura e para os próximos estudos nesta linha. / The increased consumption, and waste generation, and the new proposals of development concepts, and sustainability practices have caused society to reflect about these events, inciting discussions regarding the life cycle of these products. In this context, the reverse logistics concept (RL) was developed referring mainly to the economic aspect. But, considering that the RL concept is based on sustainability, it is important to monitor the practices including those that concern social and environmental effects. Connecting to this and to two other factors: i) the fact that some studies have identified that RL processes does not always guarantee economic improvements for the company, whereas economic effect was related to intrinsic factors in the process, and ii) Pet is easily accessible by the population, resulting in large amounts of long decomposition waste; the objective of this research was to identify which decisions regarding inherent factors in the production process involving RL Returnable PET Bottles can impact sustainability. In this sense, the proposal is aimed to the development of a model to analyze the economic, social and environmental benefits, based on information from the process, so that the company can monitor and improve the balance of this tripod in its production process, seeking to guarantee or identify changing needs to achieve sustainability. The development of the model occurred by means of literature review and exploratory study in a soft drink industry, which allowed knowing in detail the process of Returnable PET Bottles involving RL. This step was fundamental in order to define the inputs, indicators and sub-indicators that formed the three indices: economic, social and environmental. The transformation of the indicators into indices was obtained by applying technique of factor analysis, and, after the finalization of the model, sensitivity analysis was conducted, which allowed identifying the most representative intrinsic factor in the process for each index. Therefore, demonstrating with this model that the company can simulate scenarios for decision, identifying the impact they will bring upon the sustainability of the production process. Since it is possible to identify the sensitivity of each index compared to the inherent factors in the process. Thereby, the company can take decisions seeking economic, social and environmental balance in their business, seeking actions to maintain, performing an important role in society. Thus, the proposed model can assist a company in identifying the impact of their reverse logistics process in the three indices, monitoring the evolution and taking steps to improve them. Furthermore, the model allows analyzing the sensitivity of the sustainability of the process in the case of input variations. Finally, the study brings more details on the specific characteristics of a Reverse Logistics process of Returnable PET Bottles, contributing to the literature and future studies in this research line.

O descarte de pneus inservíveis vem se tornando um problema mundial. No Brasil, desde 2002, os fabricantes e importadores são os responsáveis pela coleta e destinação desse material. A partir da revisão da Resolução no 258/99 e aprovação da Resolução no 416/09 houve um crescimento no número de pontos de coleta, empresas de pré-tratamento e valorização energética no país. O Brasil possui capacidade ociosa em todos os processos existentes de reciclagem e valorização energética. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a logística reversa dos pneus usados no Brasil, desde os pontos de coleta até a sua destinação final, avaliando o cenário atual e propondo mudanças para a melhoria dos sistemas implementados pelos fabricantes, importadores, revendas e distribuidores, e pelas empresas de prétratamento. Foram realizadas pesquisas de campo em pontos de coleta, empresas de pré-tratamento, borracharias, empresas de coprocessamento, de triagem e seleção, reformadores e recicladores, associações que representam os fabricantes, além de entidades internacionais que trabalham com a reciclagem de pneus com o objetivo de avaliar os modelos utilizados e comparar com o sistema implementado no Brasil. Trata-se de uma alternativa para o cumprimento das metas estabelecidas pelos órgãos ambientais para a redução do passivo ambiental. Foi montado um algoritmo genético para simulação da coleta e destinação dos pneus usados no Estado de São Paulo, sendo o excedente da capacidade enviado para os Estados de Minas Gerais e para o Paraná para coprocessamento. / The discarding of dischargeable tires has becoming a worldwide problem. In Brazil, since 2002, the manufacturers and importers are responsible for collecting and destination of such product. Since the Resolution revision no 258/99 and approval of Resolution no 416/09 there was an improvement in the collect stations, pre-treatment and energetic valorization companies in the country. Brazil has an idle capacity in all existing recycling processes and energetic valorization. This thesis presents an analysis of reverse logistics for the tires used in Brazil, since the collect stations to the final destination, evaluating a nowadays scenario, proposing changes so that to improve the existing systems used by the manufacturers, importers, resale and dealers as well as for the pre-treatment companies. Field researches in the collect stations, pre-treatment, tire repair, co-processing companies, screening and selection, retread and recyclers, associations that represent the manufacturers and international entities which work with tires recycle, viewing analyze the models used by them and compare to the implemented system in Brazil. It is an alternative to comply with the established targets by the environmental entities for the reduction of the environmental liabilities. It was elaborated an algorithm and made a simulation of all collect and destination stations in São Paulo state, being the capacity surplus sent to Minas Gerais and Paraná states for co-processing.

Reverse logistics has become a part of many governmental agendas in developed countries. It offers enormous opportunities in reducing the negative impact on the environment from industrialization and the enormous quantities of waste produced by industry and households, as well as saving material resources. The recovery of used products and materials is receiving growing attention as a result of limited landfill and incineration capacity. However, the evolution of reverse logistics initiatives in developing countries is relatively slow, indicating that there are still huge obstacles and concerns that need to be explored. The main aim of this study is to investigate the reverse logistics practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The key forces of reverse logistics in more developed countries are compared with those in the KSA context. In particular, the current legislative framework and reverse logistics operations are evaluated against best practices in order to identify opportunities for KSA industries to improve their reverse logistics operations. For this purpose, qualitative research using a case study approach has been designed to collect data from different government agencies and thirteen organizations in KSA. These organizations were drawn from the oil, petrochemical and metal processing industries, all of which provide potential for the closed loop supply chain applications which are widely practiced outside KSA. Secondary data collection, direct observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted in order to facilitate comparison with the literature. A conceptual framework was developed from the literature. A template analysis approach was employed to analyze the gathered data. The framework was then applied to the research context to establish an overall view of the reverse logistics process as well as the key forces that influence the implementation of reverse logistics in KSA. The results revealed that the implementation of reverse logistics in KSA is at an early stage, with the exception of the oil processing industry. Applications of reverse logistics appear to be driven mainly by economic factors and are highly dependent on the capability provided by third-party logistics service providers. Supply chains tend to operate as open loops with recycled/reusable products being supplied to secondary markets and/or locations outside KSA. Furthermore, the adoption of best practice is hindered by the country's logistics infrastructure and by local legislation that does not appear to encourage waste recovery or promote the awareness or control of the reverse logistics process. Both government and industry need to collaborate to implement best practice in reverse logistics in KSA. Economic and environmental benefits can be achieved, especially through improved infrastructure provision, legislation and reverse logistics design. This study makes several contributions to knowledge. First, the framework and strategies will make an important contribution to the literature of reverse logistics by identifying the key forces, represented in a force field analysis diagram; and to general reverse logistics operations in developing countries in general and in Saudi Arabia in particular. Secondly, the findings identify further studies for reverse logistics in KSA and, possibly, for other emerging countries with a similar context. Thirdly, this study is distinguished from existing empirical work on reverse logistics in developed countries as it examines the framework in the context of KSA, and may be applicable to other developing countries. Fourthly, the study motivates changes in practice as it provides recommendations and guidance for practitioners and leaders on how to apply the best practices of reverse logistics in different sectors.

Although the research in the field of the performance measurement system for remanufacturing activities is partial, an amount of literature and research has been performed regarding the performance measurement applicable for remanufacturing activities. The success of applying a performance measurement system on Remanufacturing relies on the relationship and inclusion of all perspectives; from customers to financial, as well as the remanufacturing process, and all challenges facing a remanufacturing process. Since the retrieval of used products is essential to the remanufacturers, the successful management of those specific processes contributes to an effective and efficient outcome of a Remanufacturing business’s performance outcome.