Title: Simulation and performance improvement of a reverse logistics system for waste electrical and electronic equipment: a case study in Italy

Authors: Eleonora Bottani; Roberto Montanari; Marta Rinaldi

Addresses: Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 181/A, 43124 Parma, Italy ' Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 181/A, 43124 Parma, Italy ' Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 181/A, 43124 Parma, Italy

Abstract: This paper presents a simulation study to evaluate the performance of a real waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management system of the north of Italy and to investigate alternative scenarios to enhance its effectiveness. A detailed simulation model was developed in Microsoft Excel^TM to reproduce the behaviour of the different players of the system. To this end, two real players, i.e., a WEEE collection company and a treatment plant both located in the north of Italy, were preliminarily observed. Data about the incoming flow of WEEE and the production of recycled goods was retrieved from direct observations. Specific key performance indicators were determined and used to evaluate the performance of the existing network and of some alternative configurations. As it grounds on a real WEEE reverse logistics system, this study provides interesting proposals for future actions on WEEE management.

Keywords: waste electrical and electronic equipment; WEEE; reverse logistics; simulation model; Italy; optimisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2019.101037

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2019 Vol.14 No.3, pp.308 - 323

Received: 14 Mar 2018
Accepted: 28 Feb 2019
Published online: 22 Jul 2019 *

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