Reverse logistics as a means of reducing the ecological footprint
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/mla.2025.25017Abstract
Rapid technological development and related global challenges encourage the industrial sector to seek innovative solutions that would allow it to adapt to increasingly stringent environmental requirements and, at the same time, ensure the sustainability of its operations. Research shows that the industrial sector is experiencing the most significant impact due to growing requirements to reduce negative environmental impacts; therefore, the need to implement environmentally friendly processes is increasing. One of the most promising directions in this area is the integration of reverse logistics into the supply chains of industrial enterprises. Reverse logistics creates the prerequisites for reducing the ecological footprint, rational use of natural esources, reducing waste disposed of in landfills, and optimising energy costs. This article aims to analyse the possibilities of applying reverse logistics and its contribution to reducing the ecological footprint of different industrial sectors. The study is based on a systematic analysis of scientific literature and secondary data. The results of the study can be significant in shaping sustainable industrial policies and helping companies make strategic decisions related to the use of secondary raw materials, waste reduction and management of return product flows. The results of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis comparing forward and reverse logistics processes showed that the application of reverse logistics has the potential to improve environmental performance. By modeling different situations, it was determined that reverse logistics is more efficient from an environmental point of view than traditional direct logistics.
Article in English.
Reversinė logistika kaip ekologinio pėdsako mažinimo priemonė
Santrauka
Sparti technologinė plėtra ir su ja susiję pasauliniai iššūkiai skatina pramonės sektorių ieškoti novatoriškų sprendimų, kurie padėtų prisitaikyti prie aukštų aplinkosaugos standartų ir užtikrinti veiklos tvarumą. Tyrimai rodo, kad aplinkosauginiai reikalavimai verčia pramonės sektorių pereiti prie tvaresnių procesų diegimo. Viena perspektyviausių krypčių šioje srityje yra reversinės logistikos integravimas į pramonės įmonių tiekimo grandines. Reversinė logistika sudaro prielaidas mažinti ekologinį pėdsaką, racionaliau naudoti gamtos išteklius, mažinti į sąvartynus patenkančių atliekų kiekį ir optimizuoti energijos sąnaudas. Šio tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti reversinės logistikos taikymo galimybes ir jos indėlį mažinant įvairių pramonės sektorių ekologinį pėdsaką. Tyrimas grindžiamas sistemine mokslinės literatūros ir antrinių duomenų analize. Gauti rezultatai gali būti reikšmingi formuojant tvarią pramonės politiką ir padedant įmonėms priimti strateginius sprendimus, susijusius su antrinių žaliavų naudojimu, atliekų mažinimu ir grįžtamųjų produktų srautų valdymu. Gyvavimo ciklo vertinimo (LCA) analizė, kurioje lyginami tiesioginės ir reversinės logistikos procesai, atskleidė, kad reversinės logistikos taikymas gali pagerinti aplinkosauginius rodiklius. Modeliuojant įvairius scenarijus nustatyta, kad reversinė logistika aplinkosauginiu požiūriu yra efektyvesnė nei tradicinė tiesioginė logistika.
Reikšminiai žodžiai: atvirkštinė logistika, ekologinis pėdsakas, situacijų modeliavimas, pramonė, gyvavimo ciklo analizė.
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reverse logistics, ecological footprint, situation simulation, industry, life cycle assessmentHow to Cite
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