The logistics role in reverse

In certain ways, reverse logistics is the opposite of procurement, production and distribution logistics, all of which support product creation and distribution from the first supplier to the customer. In environmental and economic terms, its goal is to provide the most efficient flow of residual matter created by the customer on the sales market - that is, used and worn-out goods, exchange parts, returns, empty bottles and packaging.

Allocation of reverse logistics within the logistics system of an industrial company

Concept and scope of reverse logistics

Reverse logistics can be defined as the application of logistics concepts to residues in order to create an economically and environmentally efficient residue stream by using all activities of spatiotemporal transformation, including changes in amount and types [1].

Economic and environmental

The goals pursued by reverse logistics are environmental and, naturally, economic.

The economic goals

The economic goals include lowering logistics costs and improving the service level, e.g., through needs-based removal of residues at production sites as well as type, amount, physical and time-specific delivery of secondary raw materials to sources for further use [1].

Environmental goals

The environmental goals include the protection of natural resources and the reduction of emissions related to the processes of reverse logistics. At times, the economic and environmental goals complement each other. For instance, the limited availability of natural resources means that less landfill space is available and the costs of disposal continuously rise. As a result, the lowering of disposal volume results in a slower increase in disposal costs.
By performing specific disposal jobs, reverse logistics actively contributes to the solution of environmental problems and points to the role that logistics plays in environmental protection [1].

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