Impact of strategic control and supply chain management on recycled plastic additive manufacturing

Abstract

Climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions is the most important issue in the world, threatening our lives. Studies reveal that most emissions are caused by transportation (29%), manufacturing (23%), and irregular population distribution across the world. This study suggests the localization of recycling and manufacturing plastic parts and components by additive manufacturing. Localization will decrease transportation, resulting in reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions. However, the method may not be sufficient because local additive manufacturing means less reliance on supply chains and higher dependence on the workforce in rural areas. Factors such as the workforce in rural areas, multientity authorities, and policy are important to the realization of sustainable manufacturing. In this study, a novel strategic control model is proposed to focus on human-centric approaches. The strategic control model proposes methods to connect strategic planning with demography and the workforce and to apply control metrics to relocate overcrowded populations to rural areas. The strategic control model realizes localization through workforce allocation and home-based manufacturing. It streamlines the integration between recycling, manufacturing, and distribution. As a result, decreased reliance on the supply chain reduces transportation, energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and cost. It also creates job opportunities and mitigates societal issues.