Abstract
Reprocessing of used products is a growing field, with respect to both scientific and practical approaches. In this context, we present an in-depth case study dealing with the reverse logistics processes at Repair- and Service Center R.U.S.Z, an Austrian Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE) located in Vienna, Austria. The main business segments of R.U.S.Z are reprocessing, repairing, and servicing of (used) products and repair services. The reverse logistics activities include relevant processes like acquisition, testing and grading, and disposition/reprocessing of used goods. Based upon the case study, we present the gained insights and furthermore identify research opportunities. Our main findings are: (1) the reverse logistics activities of this non-profit-organization are equivalent compared with the profit-driven approaches used in literature; (2) the business of R.U.S.Z is not solely profit- or cost-driven but the company is based on the triple bottom line and pursues environmental and social goals, too; (3) in spite of legislation aiming at the reuse of used products, there is lack of collaboration between manufacturers and reprocessors.
Highlights
Reprocessing of used products is a growing field, with respect to both scientific and practical approaches
Background “Mr Eisenriegler, you will understand that it is not in our interest to help establish a competitor in the market sector of low-priced products.”. This statement made by a representative of a large retailer for electric and electronic products to Sepp Eisenriegler, the head of Repair- and Service Center R.U.S.Z (Reparaturund Servicezentrum R.U.S.Z), represents the general attitude of manufacturers and retailers towards reused products in Austria
Reuse organizations like R.U.S.Z suffer from such low rates, despite the fact that Austria has agreed to implement the ‘Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive’ (WEEE) directive at national level
Summary
Reprocessing of used products is a growing field, with respect to both scientific and practical approaches. Background “Mr Eisenriegler, you will understand that it is not in our interest to help establish a competitor in the market sector of low-priced products.” This statement made by a representative of a large retailer for electric and electronic products to Sepp Eisenriegler, the head of Repair- and Service Center R.U.S.Z (Reparaturund Servicezentrum R.U.S.Z), represents the general attitude of manufacturers and retailers towards reused products in Austria. Another often mentioned aspect is the fear of negative brand image effects induced by remanufactured or refurbished goods offered on secondary markets. The collection system is not centralized, rather European initiatives like the ERP (European Recycling Platform, see http://erp-recycling. org/), covering manufacturers like Braun, Electrolux, HP and Sony, or the EARN (European Advanced Recycling Network, http://www.earn-service.eu/) initiated by electronics recycling companies, coexist with national consortia and networks like ElectroRecycling Austria GmbH or Umweltforum Haushalt [3]
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