Streamlining packaging as part of sustainable reverse logistics processes

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present streamlining reverse logistics challenging the trends of increased amount costs of packaging and a need to meet sustainable development goals. Analysis of the packaging process has identified increased costs for the purchase of packaging, increased volume of imported and produced packaging material, increased volume of packaging waste and thus high recycling fees (related to producer responsibility). A proposed solution for streamlining reverse logistics processes have been introduced, including workflow of the packaging process, a new packaging registration system and measures for standardisation of the packaging process. The solution's main benefits are economical and ecological: first, cost reduction for purchasing new packaging materials and cost reduction for recycling fees, the second elimination of negative influence on the environment by respecting the waste management hierarchy and principles of the circular economy. Other benefits expected for the company are shorter, more informative, and practical training of new employees, reduced time for packaging process through its standardisation and visualisation, and more efficient separation of reusable packaging.