Some reasons to implement reverse logistics in companies

Caroline Rodrigues Vaz (1) , Bernard Grabot (2) , Mauricio Uriona Maldonado (1) , Paulo Mauricio Selig (1)

1 UFSC - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina = Federal University of Santa Catarina [Florianópolis]
2 LGP - Laboratoire Génie de Production

This article aims to present a reflexion on some of the main reasons for companies to implement reverse logistics processes. Companies have difficulties in implementing reverse logistics as part of their business processes due to high cost of implementation and due to difficulties in measuring material returns. However, companies that have succeeded in implementing it have increased their competitiveness and improved their corporate image. This paper proposes six critical success factors for the implementation of reverse logistics: good income control, standardised and mapped processes, reduced time cycle, information systems, planned logistic grid and collaborative relations between customers and suppliers. Well-structured and implemented reverse logistics process brings up benefits and advantages to companies, beyond environmental ones.

Mots clés: Reverse logistics; Waste management; Implementation process; Corporate and social responsibility; Environmental management; Environmental technology

Domaines: Génie des procédés

Caroline Rodrigues Vaz, Bernard Grabot, Mauricio Uriona Maldonado, Paulo Mauricio Selig. Some reasons to implement reverse logistics in companies. International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2013, vol. 16 (n° 5/6), pp. 467-479. ⟨10.1504/IJETM.2013.059447⟩. ⟨hal-01177686⟩