Analysing interactions among battery recycling barriers in the reverse supply chain

Abstract

Because of growing environmental concerns and possible cost reductions in the total supply chain, original equipment manufacturers are under pressure to take back their used or end-of-life (EOL) products through reverse supply chain systems. Recycling is widely accepted as a sustainable supply chain management method because of its potential to reduce disposal costs and waste transport costs, and to prolong the lifespan of sanitary landfill sites. Individuals recycle for various reasons, but the basic principle is that of environmental concerns. For increasing participation in recycling, it is necessary to understand what motivates people to recycle and what discourages them. It involves a complex chain of behaviours that involves government legislation, financial support, local governmental support through policy decisions, education, and distribution of information and services that encourage recycling. The main objective of this research work is to identify the major barriers facing a battery recycling system and to analyse the interaction among these barriers. For this purpose, an interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach is used to understand the mutual influences among the barriers so that driving barriers, which can aggravate other barriers, and independent barriers, which are most influenced by driving barriers, can be identified. By analysing the barriers using this model, we may find the crucial barriers that hinder the recycling activities. © 2010 Springer-Verlag London.