Reverse Logistics Within the Supply Chain

While much emphasis is on the procurement of raw materials, manufacturing of products, storage, and delivery to the end user in the forward supply chain, the backward or reverse logistics process of the supply chain is of growing strategic and environmental importance. Examples of reverse logistics are included in this chapter along with examples of reusing products and remanufacturing wastes, recycling, reclamation, refurbishing, restocking, and even repurposing and upcycling products. All processes reduce landfill waste and can decrease manufacturing needs, conserving scarce resources, and reduce emissions and organizations’ carbon footprints. Partners in the reverse logistic process include collection and consolidation centers and recover facilities. Managing reverse logistics are critical functions of modern supply chain management. With an increasing interest in the environmental impact of organizational activities, this chapter presents the need to integrate reverse logistics supply chain activities into organizations and the circular economy for social sustainability.