The Role of Reverse Logistics on the European Market

Abstract

The Council of Logistics Management has published the first definition of reverse logistics in 1992: “The term reverse logistics refers to the role of logistics in recycling waste, in the distribution and the handling of dangerous materials. A broader definition includes in the reverse logistics, activities that have the purpose of reducing the resources, of recycling, replacing, reusing the materials and relocating themâ€. Reverse logistics can be also defined using as standard the definition given in 2004 by the Council of Logistics Management. Thus, reverse logistics is that part of SCM (supply chain management: the acquisition-delivery chain) that plans, implements and controls the flow efficiently and effectively, downstream and backward, of goods, services and related information, as well as their storage, between the consumption point and the origin point, in order to satisfy clients’ demands, the regaining of value. The term is often used especially to refer to the role of logistics in recycling, in the disposal of waste, as well as in handling dangerous materials; a broader perspective includes all logistics activities related to reducing, recycling, replacing, reusing and disposing of materials.