The study examined the influence of selected circular supply chain management practices on the performance of chemical and allied manufacturing firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Specifically, the study focused on reverse logistics, sustainable sourcing, and material resource optimisation and how these practices affect firm performance in terms of operational efficiency, cost reduction, environmental compliance, and competitiveness. Chemical and allied manufacturing firms in Nairobi City County operate in an environment characterised by high production costs, stringent environmental regulations, increasing waste management challenges, and growing stakeholder pressure for sustainability. Despite the strategic relevance of circular supply chain practices, many firms continue to rely on linear supply chain models, resulting in inefficiencies, resource wastage, and suboptimal performance. Empirical evidence on how specific circular supply chain practices influence firm performance in the sector remains limited, necessitating this study. The study adopted a descriptive research design targeting 188 chemical and allied manufacturing firms registered in Nairobi City County. A census approach was employed, with data collected from senior managers responsible for supply chain, operations, and procurement functions using structured questionnaires. The instruments were tested for validity and reliability. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, including correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that reverse logistics, sustainable sourcing, and material resource optimisation each had a statistically significant and positive influence on firm performance. The study concludes that circular supply chain management practices are critical strategic drivers of performance in the chemical and allied manufacturing sector. The study recommends that firms strengthen reverse logistics systems, institutionalise sustainable sourcing policies, and invest in material resource optimisation technologies to enhance operational performance and long-term sustainability.

Reverse Logistics (RL) is a process of collecting, inspecting, and dispositioning returned products or materials (recycling) in the manufacturing sector. The main aim of this paper is to review extant literature in the field of sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs), particularly, reverse logistics and its relation to manufacturing performance, from the dimensions of environmental, operational and financial performance. It was identified that, manufacturing sector is the focal point for the implementation of reverse logistics concept. Thus, this paper focuses on conceptual aspect of reverse logistics ranging from dimensions, types and benefits. The review was underpinned by Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT). Furthermore, the paper reviewed previous empirical studies concerning the effects of reverse logistics on manufacturing performance, and most of the previous findings were found positive and significant. Therefore, this paper concluded the following propositions; Reverse logistics has positive and significant effect on the manufacturing performance, specifically on environmental, operational and financial performance. Hence, it is recommended that, the adoption of reverse logistics practices by manufacturing industries shall be encouraged. Lastly, future researchers should carryout empirical study on the topic under review to test the propositions of this study empirically.

Circular economy practices as a mediator between reverse logistics, product value recovery, and sustainable industries

An integrated interval BWM-Markov group decision-making method for third-party reverse logistics providers

Managing risks in reverse logistics supply chains of demolition waste: A systematic literature review

Managing E-waste in reverse logistics network through technology investment and facility effectiveness to support the electric vehicles (EV) market

Addressing the ‘last mile’ deficiency: A bi-objective model for e-waste reverse logistics network design

The current business scenario has witnessed fast development in industry and a rise in demands from consumers. As a result, waste has increased with a considerable number of organizations covering mostly the stream from manufacturers to consumers without putting greater emphasis on managing items flowing from consumers in exchange for products that are damaged or at the end of their use life, which if mishandled leads to pollution of environments with higher costs for disposal for organizations. Reverse logistics has come forth as an effective method of dealing with returned products as well as waste. This encompasses actions such as the retrieval, reuse, recycling, renovation, and disposal of products after the use of the product. Reverse logistics enables companies to reduce waste, make use of valuable resources, and decrease reliance on natural resources through the proper implementation of reverse logistics concepts. Moreover, implementation of the reverse logistics concept enables organizations to adhere to the environment laws. This paper will attempt to explore the importance of reverse logistics in the reduction of wastes and the effect on sustainable business operations. The paper will be anchored on primary information gathered from a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal the involvement of effective reverse logistics operations within the dimensions of waste reduction, cost savings, and enhancing the corporate image of the concerned organizations. Nevertheless, high costs and complicated returns remain the identified challenges. The paper concludes that for sustainable growth and for resolution of environmental issues, integration of reverse logistics with other operations is imperative.

Abstract The increasing volume of electronic waste (e-waste) and shortage of critical materials emphasize the need for sustainable management of end-of-life printed circuit boards (PCBs). This study explores the techno-economic feasibility of reusing electronic components (ECs) from discarded PCBs, particularly used in automotive applications. We developed a systematic process involving manual disassembling with hot air guns, followed by a three-stage sorting process involving size-based segregation, magnetic separation, and optical sorting through convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The CNN-based sorting achieved over 99% identification accuracy, and electrical testing confirmed 98% of the components as functional for reuse. Techno-economic analysis of a simulated EC recovery plant showed encouraging financial outcomes, proving profitable even with a conservative resale value of 5–20% of market prices. A techno-economic model for a recovery plant was developed based on bottom-up costing, incorporating disassembly rates, labor productivity, equipment costs, reverse logistics, and resale value assumptions to evaluate break-even time and scalability across geographic regions. The research proved the environmental and economic benefits of integrating EC reuse into circular economy practices, offering a scalable framework for sustainable e-waste management. Graphical Abstract

Sustainable Reverse Logistics Practices and End-of-Life Ecological Performance of Mobile Phones in a Growing Economy

Offshore oil platforms operate like small cities and generate a significant amount of waste, much of which is hazardous to human health and the environment. This study analyzes the environmental impacts of improper waste disposal, including the formation of plastic islands and the presence of microplastics in marine organisms, which disrupt the food chain. In response to this issue, solid waste management methods such as Reverse Logistics and the Circular Economy are discussed, as they promote material reuse and reduce environmental damage. The study highlights the importance of strategic planning, regulatory oversight, and the encouragement of sustainable corporate practices. Given the growth of offshore activities and the limited research on this topic, there is a pressing need to deepen scientific studies and improve waste management techniques in this sector.

The sustainable transformation of electronics supply chains (ESCs) increasingly relies on effective green supply chain planning under carbon pricing and demand uncertainty. However, prior studies often lack an integrated framework that jointly considers carbon taxation, green technology investment, and profitability—environment trade-offs in forward and reverse supply chains. To address this gap, this study proposes a fuzzy multi-goal optimization model using linear goal programming under progressive carbon taxation. The model incorporates fuzzy demand (triangular fuzzy numbers), carbon emissions, carbon taxes, and green investment costs and is converted into a solvable linear form via a defuzzification-based procedure to simultaneously achieve multiple aspiration levels for economic and environmental objectives. A real-world ESC case validates the model. The results show that carbon taxation and green investments can reduce emissions while maintaining profitability, with total cost and emission sensitivity of ±10–20% across different policies and demand uncertainty settings. The findings support adaptive, policy-aware planning by guiding green investment intensity and forward–reverse logistics decisions to balance cost efficiency and emissions reduction and provide actionable insights for managers facing progressive carbon pricing regulations.

This conceptual article examines the shift of circular business models from policy-driven sustainability initiatives to commercially viable strategies in fast-moving product categories, with particular attention to repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and end-of-life recovery. Drawing on a structured narrative review and theoretical synthesis, it argues that circular models seldom scale within a single firm because slowing and closing resource loops require ecosystems that integrate product design, reverse logistics, and secondary markets. The paper develops an analytical framework that combines ecosystem strategy, complex adaptive systems, and common agency theory to explain how distributed complementarities, feedback dynamics, and multi-principal incentives jointly shape ecosystem trajectories. Reinforcing and balancing loops can accelerate, stabilise, or lock ecosystems into low-value routines, while incomplete contracts and divergent metrics may fragment effort and produce measurement traps. To address these coordination externalities, the framework introduces the super-principal as a meta-governance role that aligns principals through shared performance indicators, pooled funding rules, and investments in enabling infrastructures such as traceability. The framework offers implications for circular economy policy and ecosystem strategy aimed at sustaining higher-value circular loops.

Purpose This study aims to develop a structured decision-support framework to prioritize Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0Ts) for reverse logistics operations in perishable-goods supply chains. These supply chains face unique challenges, including product perishability, unpredictable return flows, and the need for real-time monitoring and sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining a systematic literature review with expert validation to define relevant evaluation criteria based on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, which was extended to include scalability and social acceptance dimensions. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was used to weight five main and 14 sub-criteria, and the Fuzzy TOPSIS (FTOPSIS) was applied to rank four I4.0Ts: IoT, Blockchain, AGVs, and Big Data. Findings The results reveal that cost-effectiveness, scalability, and technological feasibility are the most influential criteria in technology selection. Among the evaluated alternatives, IoT and Blockchain emerged as the top-ranked technologies due to their strong alignment with the needs for traceability, monitoring, and operational responsiveness in perishable reverse logistics. Originality/value This study proposes a comprehensive, criteria-driven framework specifically for evaluating and prioritizing I4.0Ts in the context of reverse logistics for perishable goods. It contributes to the literature by integrating the TOE framework with fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methods, providing actionable insights for technology selection in complex, time-sensitive supply chains.

ABSTRACT The increasing rates of economic growth, population expansion, and improved living standards have resulted in a substantial rise in waste generation and product disposal, thereby exacerbating the complexity and cost challenges associated with reverse logistics operations. To address these issues, this study proposes a two-stage hybrid methodology that integrates time-series forecasting with logistics network optimization. In the first stage, an ensemble learning framework is employed to enhance the predictive accuracy of product return volumes, while the second stage utilizes genetic algorithms to optimize key logistics parameters, including transportation costs, storage capacity, and recycling efficiency. Experimental validation using real-world logistics data demonstrates that the proposed approach significantly outperforms conventional models, achieving a 27.4% reduction in Mean Absolute Error (MAE), a 47.2% reduction in Mean Squared Error (MSE), and a 32.6% reduction in Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), alongside notable reductions in operational costs and improvements in processing efficiency. This research advances the understanding of how predictive analytics and optimization techniques can be systematically combined to enhance reverse logistics performance. Furthermore, it underscores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in sustainable supply chain management, offering a comprehensive and practical framework for improving operational effectiveness, cost efficiency, and environmental sustainability in reverse logistics systems.

Purpose Despite vaccine development, the emergence of new epidemics and enzootics remains a global risk. Therefore, studying mass vaccination processes and the associated logistical and reverse logistical challenges is important for better guiding future mass vaccination processes. This paper aims to analyze these challenges and suggests guidelines for mass vaccination from the perspective of the Latin American response. Design/methodology/approach The study is exploratory and belongs to the heuristic philosophical paradigm. The method was qualitative and based on grounded theory. The selected instrument was an expert consultation, and the research technique was a self-administered online survey using the non-probability sampling method. The questionnaire was conducted in Spanish and applied to experts in industrial engineering, logistics or related areas from Latin America (N = 74; 52M, 22F). Findings In purchases and procurement of vaccines, it is key to guarantee the delivery frequency. Similarly, temperature and specific conditions are issues in its storage. As for inventory management, it is fundamental to review the due dates of the vaccines, the input and output of vaccines; the temperature control and storage-specific conditions. Regarding distribution and transportation, it is key to determine the availability of equipped vehicles with minimum biosecurity protocols; route programming and last-mile logistics. Reverse logistics is important to avoid driving materials without biological risk to landfills. Research limitations/implications The study delves into the underrepresented Latin American perspective in vaccine supply chain research and contributes insights into closing the health divide with high-income countries. Practical implications The COVID-19 experience shows that mass vaccination processes are complex. So it is necessary to strengthen the capacity to generate vaccines against new pathogens but also to develop the capacity for their mass production, storage, distribution and logistics. Social implications Governments must design plans according to the logistical and reverse logistical challenges, support in academic so as to face future disruptions in the vaccine supply chain and to protect society. The latter, is particularly benefit from decisions taking on time to health care as well as the environment is protected. Finally, the policy implications of the findings suggest to design models for decision making process in the massive vaccination in Latin America, at all levels like government, vaccine suppliers, health centers taking into account the challenges exposed for this region. Originality/value It is necessary to strengthen the capacity to generate new vaccines and develop the capacity for their mass production, storage, distribution and logistics. The study delves into the underrepresented Latin American perspective in vaccine supply chain research and contributes insights into closing the health divide with high-income countries.

ABSTRACT This research has investigated the intricate relationship between sustainable supply chain management practices and corporate communication for sustainability within supply chain contexts. Additionally, it examines the extent to which supplier diversity, supplier collaboration, sustainable product design, and reverse logistics positively impact sustainable supply chain practices. Additionally, it examines the extent to which sustainability reporting, sustainability branding, sustainability engagement, and sustainability transparency positively impact corporate communication for sustainability and to investigate whether perceived corporate social responsibility and perceived supplier sustainability moderate the relationship among the constructs of sustainable supply chain practices, corporate communication for sustainability, and sustainability in supply chain management. This study employed both cross‐sectional and qualitative approaches. The study collected quantitative data using a five‐point Likert scale from 366 respondents in Bangladesh, which were analyzed using Smart PLS‐SEM. The findings highlighted the importance of collaborative relationships with suppliers, environmentally friendly product design, streamlined logistics processes, and transparent communication for advancing sustainability goals within supply chains. Qualitative insights further underscored the importance of effective branding and communication strategies that align with sustainability objectives. While some hypotheses were supported, such as the positive relationship between sustainable practices and sustainability in supply chain management, others, such as the impact of supplier diversity and engagement, warrant further exploration. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable supply chain management by shedding light on the interplay between sustainability practices, corporate communication, and moderating factors, such as perceived corporate social responsibility.

Electric Vehicle Batteries Recycling: A Review.

Designing a reverse logistics system for multi-source medical waste clean-up in the aftermath of disaster under uncertain environment

Optimization of reverse logistics network for electric vehicle batteries considering decommissioning forecast and carbon emission