Reverse Logistics Network Optimization
Abstract
This thesis addressed how a strategic reverse logistics model can be used by decision-makers in the consumer electronics industry to minimize costs and reduce the firms' carbon footprint. A linear programming approach was used to optimize the total reverse logistics costs and carbon emissions from operations and transportation activities in the model. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the model and analyze the susceptibility of the objective function to changes in the input parameters and decision variables of the linear program.^ The results indicated that it is possible to minimize the total carbon emissions of reverse logistics operations while minimizing the total cost of reverse logistics. It was also found that varying the cost of carbon per ton did not significantly increase the total reverse logistics costs. Therefore, this thesis demonstrates how environmental considerations can be incorporated into reverse logistics planning decisions while maintaining optimal costs of operations and transportation in the network.^
Degree
M.Sc.I.T.
Advisors
Edie Schmidt, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Environmental management|Industrial engineering|Operations research
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