In literature, a great variety of d

In literature, a great variety of definitions of reverse logistics can be found. In this paper the following wide definition will be used: rse logistics comprises all activities involved in managing, processing, reduc- ing and disposing of hazardous or non-hazardous waste from production, packag ing and use of products, including the processes of reverse distribution.

Reverse logistics is sometimes also called "logistics backward" because its flow of goods is just opposite to the flow in the conventional supply chain. Whereas the forward flow of goods runs from the supplier over the manufacturer and the re- tailer to the consumer, reverse logistics deals with all the flows of goods and in formation that are necessary to collect used products, packaging materials, produc- tion scrap and other residues (in the following the general term "waste" will be employed) and bring them to places where they can be reused, remanufactured, recycled or disposed of properly, see fig. l