With greater emphasis being placed on ‘re-use’ and ‘recycle’,how will future supply chains manage the need to incorporate ‘reverse flows’ and ‘circular logistics’?
Reuse and recycle only applies to the material which can be easily recycled in-house. For other complex materials reverse logistics is much needed. Thus if reuse can be done in same manufacturing/collection setup then a lot of stress gets reduced from your reverse channels. So to incorporate all, first preference should be in-house recycling and then recovery of materials from reverse/circular channels.
The recyclability or reusability of the material and whether it will re-enter the same supply chain are factors that determine its suitability for reverse logistics. Nonetheless, reverse logistics is closely linked to the circular economy and closed-loop supply chains.
here is a research paper, which redesigned Agri supply chain to integrate circularity within food supply chains
Article A Multi-Objective Model to Find the Sustainable Location for...
It this refer to dedicated supply system (I mean from beginning to and end only serving homogeneous products or material) both reverse flow and circular logistics can be implemented. But If in the system consists many products or materials are involve, then separations is needed to separate the materials so they can be re-use or recycle. Material balance analysis and proper record on the flow of material would be help to trace back the reusability and required recycling process.
@all Incorporating ‘reverse flows’ and ‘circular logistics’ in supply chains will become increasingly important in the future as businesses strive to minimize waste and reduce their environmental impact. One way to manage the need for these practices is through the use of innovative technologies and systems, such as blockchain and IoT devices, to track and trace products and materials throughout the supply chain. This can help to ensure that waste is properly sorted and recycled, and that products are repurposed or reused where possible.
In addition, businesses can collaborate with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to implement closed-loop systems that facilitate the return of used products or materials back into the supply chain. This can involve designing products for disassembly and reuse, or implementing take-back programs that allow customers to return products for recycling or repurposing.
Overall, the key to managing the need for ‘reverse flows’ and ‘circular logistics’ in supply chains is to adopt a holistic approach that considers the entire lifecycle of products and materials. This can help to create a more sustainable and resilient supply chain that benefits both businesses and the environment.