Sustainable reverse logistics for household plastic waste

Plastic waste recovery in the Netherlands is characterized by various collection, separation and treatment systems. Decision support is needed for redesign of the plastic waste reverse logistics, in order to further optimize the current recycling logistics customized for plastic waste and to meet the future demand of handling waste in a more proper and sustainable way. This paper presents the outcomes of several research conducted within a Dutch research project on plastic waste recycling. This research project aims for the analysis of a logistics network and the design of decision support tools for analysing the effects of various collection, separation and treatment systems of household plastics, from PET bottles to plastic wrappings. The key aspects investigated comprise costs, quality of the process, environmental impact and benefits for civilians and municipalities. Special attention is directed to the economic and environmental difference between plastics source separation (at households) and post-separation (at separation centres). Research results identify the key issues that determine the performance of the reverse logistics system on collection level and network level. The results also provide suggestions on how to improve sustainability in building plastic recycling chains