Comparison of mathematical models in reverse logistics: case of pesticide containers and packaging

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the use of Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and Discrete Event Simulation in reverse logistics networks, specifically applied to the process of collection and final disposal of empty pesticide containers and packaging in the Department of Boyacá- Colombia, which faces a problem due to the non-return and collection of all empty pesticide containers and packages generated by farmers. Due to the above, initially, a literature search on reverse logistics research is carried out, to subsequently propose a deterministic and stochastic model using linear programming and simulation respectively, to analyze which of these mathematical tools offers and represents better the process under study. The results show that the deterministic model offers better results in terms of planning the quantities to be collected in each of the farms, however, it does not contemplate the possible variations in different periods. On the contrary, the simulation, having a stochastic component, includes the variability of the generation of pesticide containers and packages, better identifying the bottlenecks that may occur in the process. In conclusion, it is evident that both models offer advantages for the reverse logistics process, where the ideal could be the combination of the deterministic with the stochastic.