Toward sustainable express deliveries for online shopping: reusing packaging materials through reverse logistics

Lai, Nai Yeen Gavin, Kuah, Adrian T.H., Kim, Chang H., and Wong, Kok Hoong (2022) Toward sustainable express deliveries for online shopping: reusing packaging materials through reverse logistics. Thunderbird International Business Review, 64 (4). pp. 351-362.

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DOI: 10.1002/tie.22259

View at Publisher Website: https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.22259

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in online purchases, which has inevitably raised the demand for express delivery packaging materials (EDPMs). This study proposes a reverse logistics reuse framework that extends the EDPM life cycle by drawing on insights and conclusions from a review of the literature on supply chain management and materials science to achieve a sustainable e-commerce system. A key benefit of reverse logistics is its effectiveness in exploiting opportunities for resource reuse, which is preferred to recycling. By extending service life through resource optimization, recycling, and recovery processes, the novel reuse framework based on reverse logistics can be implemented with minimal changes to existing forward logistics systems, potentially leading to more sustainable online shopping. This study proposes a novel combination of reusable packaging materials and reverse logistics as a viable and more environmentally friendly practice, in line with circular economy goals.


Item ID:	73187
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1520-6874
Keywords:	circular economy, packaging materials, recovery, recycle, reuse, reverse logistics
Copyright Information:	© 2022 The Authors. Thunderbird International Business Review published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Date Deposited:	28 Mar 2022 04:07
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3509 Transportation, logistics and supply chains > 350999 Transportation, logistics and supply chains not elsewhere classified @ 30% 40 ENGINEERING > 4014 Manufacturing engineering > 401411 Packaging, storage and transportation (excl. food and agricultural products) @ 30% 35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3507 Strategy, management and organisational behaviour > 350706 International business @ 40%
SEO Codes:	28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280106 Expanding knowledge in commerce, management, tourism and services @ 50% 24 MANUFACTURING > 2406 Environmentally sustainable manufacturing activities > 240601 Development of recyclable or biodegradable componentry, packaging or materials @ 50%
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