Environment friendly products can be defined as products which show significant environmental improvements made at their most important life-cycle stages. For durable goods, life-cycle stages include manufacturing, use, and end-of-life of product. Reverse Supply Chain Management is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value and/or proper disposal. The efficient and proper use of 5R’s processes namely Remanufacturing, Refurbishment, Reuse, Repair; and Recycle help the product to be greener and environment friendly. Part of the process also includes the proper disposal of goods which is essential for maintaining a green environment. This study aims at finding the significant factors to be considered by Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Television component manufacturers to manufacture Environment Friendly Product. Various parameters like raw material procurement; water and energy consumption in product manufacturing; the extent of environmental regulations followed; waste production; and waste processing have been considered in this study. A Case Study has been prepared to study the entire manufacturing process of a CRT Television. The case study also looks at the regulations followed by CRT TV component manufacturers in India and how they are different from other countries. An attempt has been made to find out the value which can be recovered at the End-Of-Life of CRT TVs. The case also looks at safe recycling options for CRT TVs. The study shows that CRT TV component manufacturers consider Resource Procurement, Energy Utilization; and Compliance with Regulations to a significant extent. Also, an attempt has been made to develop an Environmental Friendly Index (EFI). The EFI depends on resource procurement, energy utilization, waste production, waste processing, and existence of environmental team in the company. There have been no steps taken by these component manufacturers towards dealing with return goods. All the return goods are dealt with by recyclers, who extract the material through unscientific and non-environmental friendly ways. The recyclers are not able to extract all the useful material, which if done in an efficient way, will result in more material recovery.

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)

Global nations are awakening to the realisation and manifestation of actual food insecurity. Voices which advocate for food security have always been there but were overshadowed by corporate ignorance and overpopulation. Corporate food waste plays a major role in contributing to food insecurity although the spotlight is hardly put on them. As the economic hub of South Africa, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) must take the lead in rethinking food waste reduction strategies in food corporations selling fruits and vegetables where the most waste occurs in the country. The level of fruit and vegetable wastage should decline in order to counter the adverse effects of food waste. The aim of this study is to establish strategic ways to decrease fruit and vegetable wastage at corporate level in the CoJ. This is achieved by determining contributing factors to food waste including improving food waste reduction models with the intervention and collaboration of food and wholesale stores as well as government. Face-to-face interviews, online surveys and a case study were methods used to answer the study objective. Responses from the field work show that many fruit and vegetable customers opt for conventional or ‘ordinary’ looking foods than ‘wonky’ looking ones. Also, many of the food stores do not have food waste reduction models to guide them, leading to a lot of food being dumped. Furthermore, the food health and safety criteria seem to be a leading contributor to food waste. These results indicate that food waste reduction is also important at pre-consumer stages. On this basis, it is recommended that a solid partnership between food corporations and Johannesburg city is formed in solidarity against food waste. Serious measures must be put in place in order to minimise fruit and vegetable wastage on both sides. These changes have potential to have an immense impact on the economy, environment and society. Further research should be undertaken to identify other factors that could be helpful in the quest to limit food waste in food corporations. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

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)