Title: Modelling and planning of Product Recovery Network: the case study of end-of-life refrigerators in Italy

Authors: Enrico Cagno, Federico Magalini, Paolo Trucco

Addresses: Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 – 20133 Milano, Italy. ' Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 – 20133 Milano, Italy. ' Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 – 20133 Milano, Italy

Abstract: The paper proposes an analytical model for the design and planning of Product Recovery Networks. The model has been validated through the analysis and implementation of a PRN for end-of-life refrigerators in the northern regions of Italy. The scope of the analysis is to evaluate the capacity and cost of the existing network, as well as its possible development in the near future to fulfil the requirements of the Directive 2002/96/EC on WEEE, determining the collection and complete treatment cost for refrigerator unit, identifying a set of plants (location, allocation and configuration) able to manage the target flow rate.

Keywords: product recovery networks; PRN; reverse logistics; product life cycle; modelling; location; allocation; case study; end-of-life products; refrigerators; Italy; environmental management; Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment; WEEE Directive; European Union; EU directives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2008.017509

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2008 Vol.8 No.4, pp.385 - 404

Published online: 13 Mar 2008 *

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