Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics: an overview of the literature

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nt. J. Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, Vol. 14, No. 3, 2023
Copyright © 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics:
an overview of the literature
Fatma Ersoy Duran and Emel Yontar*
Department of Industrial Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering,
Tarsus University,
Mersin, Turkey
Email: fatmaersoy@tarsus.edu.tr
Email: eyontar@tarsus.edu.tr
*Corresponding author
Abstract: Considered within the scope of sustainability, reverse logistics,
which includes the recycling process and waste management, is the process of
dealing with the current flow from the end consumer to the supplier in the
logistics processes in the opposite direction. The aim of this study, which deals
with these two important concepts, is to provide a different perspective to the
studies to be done in this field by considering the sustainable reverse logistics
studies that have been made in the literature over time. In this direction,
52 articles based on sustainable reverse logistics are examined and analysed.
With this study, it is aimed to detail the reverse logistics activities, which are
one of the areas of use, by drawing attention to the concept of sustainability,
and to contribute to the increase of sustainable reverse logistics studies by
drawing attention to the gains and gaps in the literature.
Keywords: sustainable reverse logistics; sustainability; reverse logistics;
logistics.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Duran, F.E. and Yontar, E.
(2023) ‘Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics: an overview of the
literature’, Int. J. Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, Vol. 14,
No. 3, pp.266–285.
Biographical notes: Fatma Ersoy Duran is an Industrial Engineer for three
years and works as a Research Assistant in the Industrial Engineering
Department of the Faculty of Engineering at Tarsus University. She graduated
from Erciyes University in 2018 and MSc from Hacettepe University in 2022.
She started PhD at Hacettepe University in 2022. His areas of interest are
sustainability, reverse logistics, life cycle assessment, carbon footprint,
optimisation, mathematical modelling, location problems and facility location.
Emel Yontar is an Industrial Engineer for 11 years and works as an Assistant
Professor in the Industrial Engineering Department of the Faculty of
Engineering at Tarsus University. She graduated from Selçuk University in
2011, MSc from Kırıkkale University in 2014, and PhD from Kırıkkale
University in 2020. His areas of interest are sustainability (renewable energy,
greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, sustainable systems, urban
sustainability), supply chain management, reverse logistics, sustainable
logistics, circular economy, blockchain, lean manufacturing, performance
evaluation, project management, multi-criteria decision delivery methods, ERP
systems, production and inventory management.

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 267
1 Introduction
The concept of reverse logistics, which is one of the activities of sustainable
development, has an important place in the production sector. Today’s environmental
conditions, legal obligations and economic requirements make this concept effective and
necessary. Reverse logistics was first emphasised by Lambert and Stock in 1981 as
‘product moving in the opposite direction’ (Layti et al., 2020). Reverse logistics is the
programming and planning of the return flow of second-hand products from customers
and consumers to suppliers and manufacturers for various activities such as repair,
remanufacturing, recycling, disposal (Govindan and Bouzon, 2018). Companies that can
use reverse logistics operations effectively can help reduce carbon emissions and improve
air quality by eliminating return processes that cause unnecessary transportation
movements (Partridge, 2011).
Reverse logistics can be seen as an important part of the concept of sustainability
(Fettahlıoğlu and Birin, 2016). The common purpose of both concepts is to focus on the
efficient use of natural resources and to make the world cleaner and more liveable by
avoiding all kinds of activities that may harm the environment. Sustainability can be
achieved through limited use of natural resources, minimising waste and reducing the
negative social and environmental impacts of supply chain practices (Darbari et al.,
2015). For the continuity of sustainability; environmental protection, economic growth
and social development concepts should be managed in a balanced way. Sustainability
can be achieved with a management approach that does not conflict with the social
interests of the company from the point of view of businesses, and that not only economic
growth but also social and environmental issues are taken into account.
Reverse logistics, which is handled within the scope of sustainability and includes the
recycling process and waste management, is the opposite direction of the current flow
from the end consumer to the supplier in the logistics processes. Sustainable reverse
logistics aims to solve environmental problems by reducing the overall negative impact
of logistics on the environment, while also taking into account the economic part that
represents the cost of recycling and waste (Nikolaou and Tsalis, 2013). In recent years, it
has been observed that the activities in the field of reverse logistics have been increased
in enterprises and that sustainable development and growth are aimed. For this purpose,
new sustainable logistics systems are designed, taking into account environmental, social
and economic values, which are the three main criteria of sustainability, and product
process flows.
Studies on sustainable reverse logistics emphasise the importance of this system
multi-objective mathematical model structures used in existing studies in the literature
(Budak, 2020; Dutta et al., 2020; Feitó-Cespón et al., 2017; Gao and Cao, 2020;
Govindan et al., 2016; Sudarto et al., 2017), multi-period model structures (Bal and
Satoglu, 2018; Dutta et al., 2020; Rahimi and Ghezavati, 2018; Sajedi et al., 2020),
fuzzy-based solution methods (Govindan et al., 2016; Jindal and Sangwan, 2013; Mavi
et al., 2017; Zarbakhshnia et al., 2018; Zarbakhshnia et al., 2020) ) are presented with a
different conceptual framework structure developed. Recycling into sustainable reverse
logistics activities (Hosseini-Motlagh et al., 2019; Ramos et al., 2014), automobile
manufacturing industry (Govindan et al., 2019b; Kalverkamp and Young, 2019;
Shahparvari et al., 2021; Zarbakhshnia et al., 2020), mobile phone industry (Maheswari
et al., 2018a, 2019a), electrical and electronic equipment industry (El Korchi and Millet,

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2011) In many other studies, these activities are presented as experimental design (Liu et
al., 2018; Rahimi and Ghezavati, 2018; Sudarto et al., 2016; Yu and Solvang, 2018).
In this study, a general literature review is conducted on reverse logistics studies,
which are researched and implemented from a sustainability perspective. A conceptual
framework is proposed to analyse the reviewed articles and answer research questions
and to characterise the studies according to various factors such as the purpose and scope
of the model, the solution method used, the industry applied. The study covers
2011–2021, and 52 research articles are included in the study. Articles are also classified
by year of publication, journal, and geographic location of the application.
The general aim of our study is to detail the reverse logistics activity, which is one of
the areas of use, by drawing attention to the concept of sustainability, and to contribute to
the increase of sustainable reverse logistics studies by drawing attention to the gains and
gaps in the literature.
Accordingly, the details of the proposed conceptual framework and the methodology
applied are presented in Section 2 of the article. In Section 3, the results of the research
are presented and discussed. In Section 4, future research directions are presented.
Finally, in Section 5, conclusions are made and the results are given.
2 Methodology
The research process of this study is carried out in Science Direct, Scopus and Google
Scholar web libraries with the keywords ‘sustainability’, ‘reverse logistics’ and
‘sustainable reverse logistics’. Studies filtered as a result of the screening are examined
with relevant engineering approaches, taking into account environmental sustainability
issues, and included in the research. The database search results for 2011–2021 for the
specified keywords are shown in Table 1. As a result of the scans, studies that crossed
with sustainable reverse logistics are eliminated and the remaining 52 studies are detailed
in the methodology section.
Table 1 Database search results
Keywords Scopus Science Direct Google Scholar
‘Sustainability’ 139,324 186,034 1,980,000
‘Reverse logistics’ 3,107 693 81,100
‘Sustainability’ and ‘reverse logistics’ 221 228 31,000
‘Sustainable reverse logistics’ 18 30 135
The growing concern of the society about the rapid depletion of resources and their
recycling has supported the formation and development of environmental approaches.
Recycling activities are necessary and important, taking into account the sustainability
criteria according to the forms suitable for the products. In this context, with the
increasing level of environmental awareness and social sensitivity, the importance and
time allocated to sustainable reverse logistics studies in the literature has increased in
recent years.

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 269
Table 2 Journals that include sustainable reverse logistics studies by year
Journals 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Total
Cleaner Production 1 1 1 4 4 4 2 17
Omega 1 1 2
Production Economics 1 1 2
Resources, Conservation & Recycling 1 1 2
Sustainability 1 1 2
Annals of Operations Research 1 1
Applied Soft Computing 1 1
Computers & Industrial Engineering 1 1
Control and Decision 1 1
Ecological Indicators 1 1
Environmental Management 1 1
Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal 1 1
Heliyon 1 1
Industrial Marketing Management 1 1
Information Sciences 1 1
International Journal of Engineering 1 1
International Journal of Supply and Operations Management 1 1
International Journal of Supply Chain Management 1 1
Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering 1 1
Operations and Supply Chain Management 1 1
Procedia CIRP 1 1
RAIRO Operations Research 1 1
Multidisciplinary Sciences and Engineering 1 1
The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 1 1
Transportation Research Part E 1 1

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Table 3 Brief summary of the studies according to the scope and implications
Source Author(s) Brief description of the study Deduce of the study
Science Direct Govindan and Gholizadeh (2021) Network design in sustainable reverse logistics Greater long-term profitability with the developed
flexibility approach
Santana et al. (2021) Feasibility study of a sustainable reverse logistics process Suggestions to determine the effect of the products that
are taken as defective and perfect in recycling and to
assist the process
Yılmaz et al. (2021) Reverse supply chain network design under uncertainty Ability to make long-term operational and strategic
decisions
Budak (2020) Disassembly balancing approach in sustainable reverse
logistics network design
Contributing to managers in recycling processes
Dev et al. (2020) Industry 4.0 and circular economy approaches in
sustainable reverse supply chain applications
Sustainable real-time decision making with I4.0 and CE
integration
Dutta et al. (2020) An efficient, sustainable and reliable reverse logistics
design on the e-commerce market
Ability to make long-term strategic decisions in opening
and operating a facility warehouse
Gao and Cao (2020) Multi-objective sustainable reverse logistics supply chain
network design.
Redesigning existing facilities and transforming them
into hybrid process facilities
Maheswari et al. (2020) Evaluation of the performance of informal e-waste
businesses
Formal applicability of informal e-waste businesses with
reverse logistics theories
Shahparvari et al. (2021) Stochastic optimisation model design for reverse logistics
in a closed-loop supply chain
Reducing emissions and better management of
uncertainties in the supply chain
Zarbakhshnia et al. (2020) A new hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach
for outsourcing sustainable reverse logistics
Providing more applicable and reliable results against
uncertainties in data
Agrawal and Singh (2019) Determining the components of reverse logistics within
the framework of sustainable performance
Importance of recycling decisions in sustainability
performance
Govindan et al. (2019b) A hybrid approach to sustainability practices in third-
party reverse logistics (3PRL)
Ensuring sustainability criteria under third-party reverse
logistics (3PRL) concerns
Govindan et al. (2019a) Evaluation of original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM)
performance characteristics with sustainability criteria
Increasing the overall sustainability impact of the OEM
supply chain
Hosseini-Motlagh et al. (2019) Examination of demand interruptions in online channels
with sustainable reverse logistics
The necessity and importance of sustainability
investments in minimising demand interruptions

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 271
Table 3 Brief summary of the studies according to the scope and implications (continued)
Source Author(s) Brief description of the study Deduce of the study
Science Direct Kalverkamp and Young (2019) Contribution of closed-loop supply chain to
environmental sustainability
Ability to adapt reverse supply chain to end-of-life
products
Martins and Pato (2019) A systematic literature study on the sustainability of the
supply chain
Literature review
Mokhtar et al. (2019) Evaluation of supplier performance dimensions in reverse
product flows
Improvements in the sustainability performance of
reverse supply chain performance
Narayana et al. (2019) Improvement of existing reverse logistics applications
with a system dynamics model
Production planning and reverse logistics design that
takes into account the dynamic behaviour of the system
Bal and Satoglu (2018) Sustainable reverse logistics applications in WEEE
products with goal programming
Defining the targets for durable consumer goods with
their sustainability dimensions
Flygansvær et al. (2018) Analysis of resource flow between firms in reverse
supply chain
Improvement in the ecological, economic and relational
components of sustainable performance
Liu et al. (2018) Developing real-time, information-driven, dynamic
distribution optimisation in reverse logistics
Benefits of an innovative distribution model for
sustainable logistics
Rahimi and Ghezavati (2018) Design of a reverse logistics network on stochastic
demand for recycled products and investment rates
Ensuring improvements in sustainability criteria values
Yu and Solvang (2018) Network design of a multi-product and multi-stage
sustainable reverse logistics system under uncertainty
Improvements in profit expectation and environmental
performance by applying a flexible configuration in the
reverse logistics system
Zarbakhshnia et al. (2018) Analysis of third-party reverse logistics (3PRL) provider
applications in reverse logistics systems operation and
management
The need for sustainable suppliers and the importance of
structuring traditional methods
Feitó-Cespón et al. (2017) Redesigning the sustainable supply chain in product
recycling
Achieving the three goals of sustainability and reducing
costs
Sudarto et al. (2017) A multi-purpose capacity planning on the social
responsibility of reverse logistics in the supply chain
Ability to better manage uncertainties in the product
lifecycle
Govindan et al. (2016) Investigation of sustainable reverse logistics network
design problem with meta-heuristic method
Effective management of recycling and providing
sustainable competitive advantage
Sudarto et al. (2016) Developing a single product system dynamics model
with the social responsibility of reverse logistics
Ability to better manage uncertainties in the product
lifecycle

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Table 3 Brief summary of the studies according to the scope and implications (continued)
Source Author(s) Brief description of the study Deduce of the study
Scopus Javed et al. (2021) The concept of reverse logistics and sustainability
practices in the textile manufacturing industry
Improvements in the operational performance of reverse
logistics
Jayant et al. (2020) Evaluation of 3PRLSP (third-party reverse logistics
service providers) with multi-criteria decision-making
methods
Improvements in the decision-making process against
possible risks
Gan et al. (2020) Systematic review of the overall situation of sustainable
reverse logistics network design
Development of research on sustainability criteria
Mishra and Singh (2020) Providing reverse logistics services with a hybrid plant
network under supply and demand disruptions
Making environmental and economic contributions to
sustainability
Sajedi et al. (2020) Environmental, economic and social improvement
studies in a sustainable closed-loop supply chain
Ease of management against risks
Tazi et al. (2020) Sustainability studies in closed-loop reverse logistics
applications of residential waste
Improvements in recovery and circular economy targets
Usama and Ramish (2020) Radio frequency identification (RFID) applications in
reverse logistics
Improvements in sustainability criteria
Cinar (2021) Design of a reverse logistics network for an efficient
recycling process
Positive contributions of network design to decision
making process in reverse logistics system
Maheswari et al. (2020) Literature study on the e-waste problem
Maheswari et al. (2019a) Preparation of companies for reverse logistics activities Measuring sustainable reverse logistics performance and
controlling its activities
Maheswari et al. (2019b) Reducing environmental pollution caused by improper
handling of electronic waste
Measuring sustainable reverse logistics performance and
controlling its activities

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 273
Table 3 Brief summary of the studies according to the scope and implications (continued)
Source Author(s) Brief description of the study Deduce of the study
Scopus Maheswari et al. (2018a) Cooperation between the state and intermediary
companies to reduce environmental pollution in
sustainability
Measuring sustainable reverse logistics performance and
controlling its activities
Maheswari et al. (2018b) Adoption of sustainable reverse logistics approaches for
developing countries
Measuring sustainable reverse logistics performance and
controlling its activities
Mavi et al. (2017) Consideration of sustainability and risk factors in the
evaluation of 3PRLP
The importance of sustainability criteria
Yu and Solvang (2016) Sustainable reverse logistics network design for WEEE
management under uncertainty
Applicability to stochastic optimisation problems
Singhry (2015) Literature study to develop sustainable supply theory
Darbari et al. (2015) A sustainable reverse logistics model for end-of-life
(EOL) and end-of-use (EOU) product returns
Design of a reverse logistics network with sustainability
in mind
Bing (2014) Sustainable reverse logistics design in plastic waste
management
The importance of sustainability in plastic recycling
Ramos et al. (2014) Modelling of multi-purpose multi-period vehicle routing
problem considering sustainability criteria
Ability to integrate innovations in sustainability into a
single solution
Bing et al. (2014) Sustainable reverse logistics network design Adapting to strategic changes
Jindal and Sangwan (2013) Fuzzy multi-criteria decision making in sustainable
reverse logistics network design
An effective process for evaluating sustainable reverse
logistics network models
García-Rodríguez et al. (2013) Reverse logistics applications and analysis in obtaining
raw materials
The importance of information communication systems
and product life cycles in reverse logistics
Lee and Lam (2012) Designing and developing sustainable products and
services
Contributing to the achievement of long-term
sustainability in reverse logistics
El Korchi and Millet (2011) Improving the existing reverse logistics structure of a
product in terms of sustainability
Presenting structures with less environmental impact and
higher economic benefits

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Within the scope of the study, the distribution of studies on sustainable reverse logistics
between 2011 and 2021 over the years is shown in Figure 1. It can be said that the
importance given to sustainable reverse logistics activities/studies has increased in recent
years with the number of more than 10 studies presented in 2019 and 2020 related to the
subject. Journals that include sustainable reverse logistics studies between the relevant
dates are listed in Table 2. In addition to Table 2, sustainable reverse logistics studies
were also included in 7 different scientific congresses between 2013 and 2019.
Figure 1 Distribution of sustainable reverse logistics studies over the years (see online version
for colours)
Table 3 contains summaries of the scope and implications of the scientific studies
covered in our research. With the multi-purpose/product sustainable reverse logistics
designs developed under uncertainties, reliable, information-oriented, dynamic various
optimisation structures have emerged, in which social responsibility comes to the fore.
The results of the related studies offer recycling processes that provide sustainable
competitive advantage and have higher economic benefits, taking into account product
life cycles. Studies can be categorised in different groups according to the sector in which
the application is made, the method of application and the evaluation of the results.
3 Results and findings
Sustainable reverse logistics activities are applicable in many processes of production,
service and logistics sectors such as automotive, textile, e-commerce, waste management.
The application areas of the 52 scientific studies included in the study are shown in
Figure 2. Looking at Figure 2, it can be said that sustainable logistics activities are mostly
applied in the electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector with a rate of 32%,
followed by the automotive sector with a rate of 20%. In addition, sustainable reverse
logistics activities in the textile sector, where recycling, which is 2% in the face of the

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 275
ever-changing short-term fashion understanding, is valuable, should be increased and
developed.
Figure 2 Sector distribution of sustainable reverse logistics practices (see online version
for colours)
Engineering-based approaches can be used in the integration and execution of sustainable
reverse logistics activities, whose application areas and importance are emphasised, and
this process can be accelerated. In this context, environmentally friendly activities, in
which sustainable criteria are taken into account in the relevant integration process, can
be modelled mathematically and can be solved in the best way with optimisation
techniques. Within the scope of the study, the studies that use problem solving ability and
mathematical model structure and develop suitable solution methods for their problems
are shown in Table 4. The most frequently used model structures in related studies are
shown in Figure 3, and the solution methods are shown in Figure 4. Multi-objective
mathematical model structures, in which sustainability criteria are included as constraint
and objective functions, have been optimised to capture the best solutions and are
presented to the relevant decision makers to facilitate the management phase.
The first of the mathematical models that studies on sustainable reverse logistics
frequently refer to during the research process is multi-objective models with a rate of
23%. This is followed by MILP (15%), decision-making model (13%) and others.
Again, in this context, the usage intensities of the keywords included in the studies
are shown in Table 5. This intensity varies according to the sector in which the study
takes place, the method of application and the subject of the journal. Accordingly, among
the studies conducted in this field, there are publications that provide a lot of gain to the
literature. The ranking according to the number of citations that can be considered as the
best of the 52 scientific studies included in the research is presented in Table 6.

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Table 4 Model structures and solution methods used in practice
Author(s) Mathematical model Solution method
Govindan and Gholizadeh (2021) A resilience model A hybrid solution method: cross-entropy with robust optimisation
Jayant et al. (2020) Multiple attribute decision making model SWARA, MOORA, WASPAS
Yılmaz et al. (2021) Two-stage stochastic mixed-integer optimisation model A-Reliability approach
Budak (2020) A multi period multi-objective MINLP model Improved augmented ε-constraint (AUGMECON-2) technique
Dev et al. (2020) ReSOLVE model Taguchi experimental design
Dutta et al. (2020) Multi-objective (goal programming) Multi-objective mixed integer linear programming
Gan et al. (2020) Complex mathematical model Entropy method
Gao and Cao (2020) Multi-objective Augmented ε-constraint method
Mishra and Singh (2020) Mixed-integer linear programming model Mixed-integer linear programming
Sajedi et al. (2020) Fuzzy model Multi-objective particle swarm optimisation
Shahparvari et al. (2021) Robust stochastic optimization Chance constrained robust stochastic programming,
heuristic hybrid Taguchi particle swarm optimisation
Zarbakhshnia et al. (2020) Multiple attribute decision-making model Fuzzy AHP, MOORA-G
Agrawal and Singh (2019) Structural equation modelling Partial least squares path modelling
Cinar (2021) A mixed integer linear programming model A mixed integer linear programming, sensitivity analysis
Govindan et al. (2019b) An outranking model ELECTRE I, revised Simos procedure, multi-criteria acceptability
analysis
Govindan et al. (2019a) Linear best worst method model Best worst method, COPRAS
Hosseini-Motlagh et al. (2019) Decentralised, centralised, coordinated model Sensitivity analysis
Mokhtar et al. (2019) Employs structural equation modelling Hypothesis tests

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 277
Table 4 Model structures and solution methods used in practice (continued)
Author(s) Mathematical model Solution method
Narayana et al. (2019) System dynamics model Sensitivity analysis
Bal and Satoglu (2018) Multi-objective (goal programming) Augmented ε-constraint method
Flygansvær et al. (2018) Partial least squares structural equation modelling Hypothesis tests
Liu et al. (2018) A dynamic pre-optimisation model Radio frequency identification
Rahimi and Ghezavati (2018) A multi-period multi-objective two stage stochastic programming
model
ε-constraint method
Yu and Solvang (2018) Two-stage stochastic bi-objective MIP model ε-constraint method, weighting method
Zarbakhshnia et al. (2018) Multiple attribute decision making model Fuzzy SWARA, fuzzy COPRAS
Feitó-Cespón et al. (2017) Stochastic multi-objective mixed integer nonlinear problem ε-constraint method
Sudarto et al. (2017) Multi-objective Simplified nonlinear multi-objective algorithm, Taguchi design
Govindan et al. (2016) Multi-objective (fuzzy mathematical optimisation) Multi-objective particle swarm optimisation, ε-constraint method
Sudarto et al. (2016) System dynamics model Taguchi design
Yu and Solvang (2016) A stochastic mixed integer programming model A multi-criteria two-stage scenario-based solution method
Darbari et al. (2015) A three objective mixed integer linear programming model AHP, TOPSIS
Ramos et al. (2014) Multi-depot periodic vehicle routing problem with inter-depot
routes
Augmented ε-constraint method
García-Rodríguez et al. (2013) Multiple linear regression model Stepwise multiple regression
Jindal and Sangwan (2013) An integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (FMCDM)
model
Fuzzy AHP, fuzzy TOPSIS
Bing (2014) A mixed integer linear programming model Scenario study approach

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Figure 3 Frequently used mathematical model structures (see online version for colours)
Figure 4 Frequently used solution methods (see online version for colours)

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 279
Table 5 Top ten frequently used keywords
Rank Keyword Frequency
1 Sustainability 18
2 Reverse logistics 17
3 Sustainable reverse logistics 10
4 Circular economy 5
5 Sustainable development 4
6 Closed-loop supply chain 3
7 Conditional value at risk 3
8 Supply chain network design 3
9 Disposition decision 2
10 Third-party reverse logistics provider (3PRLP) 2
Table 6 Top ten most cited studies
Rank References
Number of
citations
1 Lee and Lam (2012) ‘Managing reverse logistics to enhance
sustainability of industrial marketing’.
219
2 Ramos et al. (2014) ‘Planning a sustainable reverse logistics system:
Balancing costs with environmental and social concerns’.
200
3 Zarbakhshnia et al. (2018) ‘Sustainable third-party reverse logistics
provider evaluation and selection using fuzzy SWARA and developed
fuzzy COPRAS in the presence of risk criteria’.
149
4 Mavi et al. (2017) ‘Sustainable third-party reverse logistic provider
selection with fuzzy SWARA and fuzzy MOORA in plastic industry’.
146
5 Govindan et al. (2016) ‘A fuzzy multi-objective optimization model
for sustainable reverse logistics network design’.
141
6 El Korchi and Millet (2011) ‘Designing a sustainable reverse logistics
channel: the 18 generic structures framework’.
130
7 Bing et al. (2014) ‘Sustainable reverse logistics network design for
household plastic waste’.
114
8 Dev et al. (2020) ‘Industry 4.0 and circular economy: operational
excellence for sustainable reverse supply chain performance’.
93
9 Feitó-Cespón et al. (2017) ‘Redesign of a sustainable reverse supply
chain under uncertainty: a case study’.
86
10 Rahimi and Ghezavati (2018) ‘Sustainable multi-period reverse
logistics network design and planning under uncertainty utilizing
conditional value at risk (CVaR) for recycling construction and
demolition waste’.
85
4 Future research directions
With this study, the analyses of the studies in the literature that include the activities of
reducing the general negative effects of logistics on the environment by considering the

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environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability were carried out. These
analyses were examined in sub-categories such as purpose, scope, solution method and
applied sector. Although sustainable reverse logistics activities have been applied and
researched in many fields in the last decade, there are several challenges that researchers
have not yet addressed. This section suggests areas of research that could be considered
in the future.
Considering the sectoral distribution of the studies, it is seen that sustainable reverse
logistics activities are mostly used in the electrical and electronic equipment sector (32%)
and the automotive sector (20%). In addition to the metal sector, the application of these
activities should be increased on the textile sector, which has a dynamic change, and the
medical sector, which is a constant need. When we look at the literature, it is possible to
call for research on these areas.
Each of the related studies has been mathematically modelled for one or more
specific needs and/or purposes. In this context, multi-objective mathematical models,
decision-making models and mixed integer linear programming models have been used
more than others. These problem-specific model types can be examined under
continuous, dynamic and stochastic processes. Related problems can be improved by
introducing constraints such as capacity and coverage.
Various solution methods were applied to the problems developed in the study. The
leading among these are methods such as multi-criteria decision making, epsilon
constraint and particle swarm optimisation. By looking at the relevant methods used and
based on some uncertainties that may be encountered during the application and the
difficulties in their analysis, it can be suggested to use fuzzy multi-criteria
decision-making methods and to try the existing studies in other application areas by
setting an example.
We can state that sustainability activities can be implemented in all production and
service sectors, and reverse logistics activities may be needed in the recycling of the
realised product or service. While protecting the environment, responding to the needs of
society and concluding these with low costs can be presented as a research area that can
be developed for many sectors.
5 Conclusions
The inadequacy of energy resources in the face of increasing population and consumption
understanding around the world makes the concept of sustainability more important day
by day in every field. The effective and efficient use of resources with environmentally
friendly approaches and the economic satisfaction of this process make sustainability
more applicable. The concept of reverse logistics, which is based on recycling activities
such as energy, raw materials and labour, can be used in many sector items including
production and service. Here, recycling and remanufacturing can be achieved by taking
into account the life cycles and sustainability criteria of the products. These
transformations will provide significant benefits to the environment and society along
with economic gains.

Sustainability studies applied to reverse logistics 281
In this study, a literature review of 52 studies that included sustainable reverse
logistics activities between 2011 and 2021 is presented. While the studies examined are
classified according to the purpose, inference, type, solution method, and the sector in
which the model is applied, the qualifications of the studies are evaluated on the basis of
journals and the number of citations. Research results show that there has been an
increase in sustainable reverse logistics studies in recent years. It can be said that the
application areas of the studies are concentrated in the electrical and electronic equipment
and the automotive sector. In addition to applications, experimental designs also have an
important place. In the studies, it has been observed that mathematical model structures
are created with the approaches of optimisation of sustainability criteria and these
structures are solved with effective methods. Here, multi-objective model structures and
mixed integer linear programming models that take into account sustainability criteria are
concentrated. In the solution method, the epsilon constraint method, which provides
precise solutions with multi-criteria decision-making methods, is more common than
other methods.
As a result, the important implications of this study are as follows;
• In the modelling of sustainable reverse logistics studies, the models that have been
encountered in recent years and are rarely used; resilience model (2021), ReSOLVE
model (2020), decentralised, centralised, coordinated model (2019), fuzzy model
(2020).
• ReSOLVE (renewable integration solutions) model: it assists in the planning and
operational process related to the integration of renewable energy sources. Fuzzy
model: it is suitable for uncertain parameters and qualitative inputs.
• Again, less used methods compared to other methods; partial least squares path
modelling (2019), stepwise multiple regression (2018), radio frequency identification
(2018), revised Simos procedure (2019), reability approach (2021) are coming.
• Stepwise multiple regression tries to optimise the selection of the most suitable
model estimators/variables. The use of RFID should be implemented in terms of
green supply chain management practices and positive impact on environmental
performance. It has ensured the feasibility of the environmental sustainability
strategy.
• Sustainable reverse logistics practices, integrated with green sustainability, in line
with Industry 4.0 principles, using closed loop supply chain, multi-site,
multi-product, multi- period criteria that include mathematical models are few and
open to development.
In this study, sustainable reverse logistics activities in the literature are examined on the
basis of determined criteria and the results are evaluated. In this context, the problem
application forms of the studies that include reverse logistics activities and the solutions
they have developed are presented in detail. The study has been prepared in such a way
as to make positive contributions to the literature and problem-solving process in the
researches to be done in this field.

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.E. Duran and E. Yonta
r
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