Title: Implementing a reverse logistics system: a case study

Authors: Sergio Rubio, Francisco J. Miranda, Antonio Chamorro, Victor Valero

Addresses: M@rkDO: Marketing and Operations Management Research Group, Escuela de Ingenierias Industriales, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n. 06071, Badajoz, Spain. ' M@rkDO: Marketing and Operations Management Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias Economicas y Empresariales, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n. 06071, Badajoz, Spain. ' M@rkDO: Marketing and Operations Management Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias Economicas y Empresariales, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n. 06071, Badajoz, Spain. ' M@rkDO: Marketing and Operations Management Research Group, Escuela de Ingenierias Industriales, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n. 06071, Badajoz, Spain

Abstract: This paper is based on the results of a research project developed in an important Spanish industrial group to analyse if a reverse logistics system can be implemented in some of its companies. The business activity of this group is focused on the steel industry and the aim of the project was to design and evaluate a recovery system for packaging materials used for galvanised steel coils. Up to now, this type of packaging is disposed of because the current structure of the packaging system is not appropriate from a reverse logistics point of view. For this reason, we propose a new packaging system that can be recovered through a reverse logistics system generating economic and environmental advantages.

Keywords: reverse logistics; materials recovery; reuse; recycling; packaging materials; case study; Spain; steel industry; galvanised steel coils; supply chain management; SCM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2009.026067

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2009 Vol.2 No.4, pp.346 - 357

Published online: 26 May 2009 *

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