On the analysis of strategic and operational issues of reverse logistics practices in Colombia: Presentation of some case studies

The development of the logistic sector among the last decades has allowed the growth of organizational competitive advantages through the concept of reverse logistics. This concept allows the efficient and effective management of product recycling once they life-cycle is finished. Although the practice of reverse logistics as part of a sustainable strategy for the management of the supply chain, there is no much literature about its practice in Colombia. In this context, this paper is a first approach to the investigation of reverse logistics practices in Colombian enterprises. After a first analysis of the definitions of reverse logistics, some conceptual models are presented. The paper then analyses three cases from industry that are concerned with the practice of recycling of paper and reusing of electronic waste.