Conceptualizing reverse logistics to plastics recycling system

Abstract

Purpose

Plastics waste management is a critical agenda for the global community. Recycling is the most important strategy option for recovering plastics wastes. This study aims to review reverse logistics (RL) implementation practices and conceptualizing it to the plastic recycling system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is organized after evaluating the studies related to plastics waste recycling and analyzing the available frameworks to use RL as a strategic tool.

Findings

The paper has investigated that previous research on RL implementation focused on a few stages of RL activities and did not include the most important issues. However, for successful RL implementation, taking into account the whole stage and including the most important factors is very important. To elaborate on this finding a new conceptual framework is developed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is fully based on literature review and international reports. The developed framework is required for further empirical validation in the plastics sector.

Practical implications

The paper has considered the important issues and the applications of those factors that can improve plastics recycling performances.

Social implications

This study can enhance the active involvement of main actors (plastics producers, users, municipal and recyclers) in the plastics recycling system.

Originality/value

This paper deliberates on how RL can be conceptualized and implemented in plastics recycling systems in considering the most important factors for plastics recycling.

Citation

Tesfaye, W. and Kitaw, D. (2021), "Conceptualizing reverse logistics to plastics recycling system", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 686-702. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-12-2019-0411