From Waste to Wealth: Assessing the Effectiveness of Reverse Logistics for Environmental and Economic Benefits

Abstract

In India, reverse logistics and waste management are complex issues made worse by the country's fast industrialization, population increase, and urbanisation. Inadequate infrastructure, a complicated network of informal garbage pickers, and a paucity of government initiatives define the Indian context. Effective waste management is still elusive even with the introduction of programmes like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Important problems include widespread littering, inadequate recycling facilities, and inadequate procedures for collection and sorting. Reverse logistics, which is gathering and processing used goods for recycling or disposal, is also beset by disjointed supply chains and logistical inefficiencies. China, on the other hand, has advanced waste management significantly via the use of centralised systems, strict laws, and technical innovation. The integrated approaches that incorporate public awareness campaigns, government actions, and business sector engagement are beneficial for China's waste management projects. The contrast emphasises how comprehensive initiatives are required in India to address regulatory enforcement, stakeholder involvement, and infrastructural constraints. In order to improve waste management and reverse logistics in India, infrastructure development, stakeholder engagement, and the promotion of sustainable consumption habits are all necessary. By bolstering these facets, we may reduce the rate of environmental deterioration, improve resource economy, and promote circular economy principles.