Reverse Logistics for Green Businesses

Any entity concerned with green business practices needs to be familiar with reverse logistics. The Reverse Logistics Association defines the term as "all activity associated with a product/service after the point of sale, the ultimate goal to optimize or make more efficient after market activity, thus saving money and environmental resources." Accounting for the end- product, any intermediary substances and by-products that may be involved in making the product is necessary in a sustainable business network.

Reverse logistics requires that companies look at creative ways to reuse products and materials. Examples include repairing products, recycling, and product retrieval. Materials can be re-entered into the product stream indefinitely or integrated back into the environment. There is no trash with total reverse logistics.

Reverse Logistics and "Technical Nutrients"

The formation of a reverse logistics network does not guarantee a sustainable business network. A green business should account for factors such as material composition and whether the life of the material is only extended for a short time period. William McDonough and Michael Braungart coined the term "technical nutrients" in their book "Cradle to Cradle". Technical nutrients are synthetic materials used repeatedly without losing quality. Theoretically, sustainable business networks could be created using technical nutrients.

Examples of Reverse Logistics

Both consumers and green business have responsibilities in creating reverse logistic networks. Examples of consumers applying reverse logistics are yard sales and the formation of things such as cooperatives and "flea" markets for selling used items. A green business should consider practices such as product rental and retrieval. The company "Rent A Green Box" does just that. Its website states they deliver moving boxes called "Recopacks" to the consumer before they move and pick them up after they move. The boxes are made using post consumer trash and are used continuously. They are delivered and picked up in vehicles running on used vegetable oil and other biofuels.

Creating a sustainable business network is the goal of reverse logistics for a green business. It is not easy, and involves much planning. Despite the difficulties, reverse logistics often pays huge dividends for a green business, both monetarily and in their goal of creating a sustainable business network.

References:

Reverse Logistics Association: http://www.reverselogisticstrends.com/reverse-logistics.php

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Rentagreenbox.com
http://earthfriendlymoving.com/greenbox/