Performance Indicators for Quantifying Sustainable Development: Focus in Reverse Logistics

Abstract

Sustainable development is based on three basic components: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and sociopolitical sustainability. Economic sustainability is in reality the incorporation of environmentally friendly measures in the regulated social and economic policies of each country, in an effort to integrate the principles of social equality, environmental preservation, controlled and sustainable economic growth, in which profit is not only calculated by financial terms, but also in terms of human development. Parallel to this, the concept of reverse logistics has gained increased attention in the corporate environment. The inclusion of practices in which the company is responsible for collecting and recycling its own used products is not only positive from an environmental perspective, but also an important means of generating employment and of social inclusion, which along with environmental preservation form the bases of sustainable development. In this context, this article aims to propose and present indicators, as well as their interrelations, which could help to measure the level of sustainable development in an initiative, program or process, from the perspective of reverse logistics. A study case in which these indicator were applied will also be present.