IE-33 - YMCA University of Science & Technology, Faridabad
IE-33 - YMCA University of Science & Technology, Faridabad
IE-33 - YMCA University of Science & Technology, Faridabad
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Proceedings <strong>of</strong> the National Conference on<br />
Trends and Advances in Mechanical Engineering,<br />
<strong>YMCA</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Science</strong> & <strong>Technology</strong>, <strong>Faridabad</strong>, Haryana, Oct 19-20, 2012<br />
expenses, and improved corporate image. Activities in green manufacturing are: Hazardous substance control:<br />
(1) lead free-replace other substances such as bismuth, silver, tin, gold, copper (2) rinse parts with clean water<br />
instead <strong>of</strong> using chemicals and reuse water (3) quality control in inputs at vendor site and recheck before<br />
processing Energy-efficient technology: (1) reduce power consumption in products such as ramp load/unload<br />
technology in HDD (2) increase product lifespan resulting in higher efficiency and productivity.<br />
4.5.6 Green Distribution<br />
Green distribution consists <strong>of</strong> green packaging and green logistics. Packaging characteristics such as size, shape<br />
and materials have an impact on distribution because <strong>of</strong> their effect on the transport characteristics <strong>of</strong> the<br />
product. Better packaging along with rearranged loading patterns can reduce materials usage, increase space<br />
utilization in the warehouse and in the trailer, and reduce the amount <strong>of</strong> handling required. Activities in green<br />
distribution are Green packaging: (1) downsize packaging (2) use “green” packaging materials (3) cooperate<br />
with vendor to standardize packaging (4) minimize material uses and time to unpack (5) encourage and adopt<br />
returnable packaging methods (6) promote recycling and reuse programs. Green logistics/transportation: (1)<br />
deliver directly trouser site (2) use alternative fuel vehicles (3) distribute products together, rather than in smaller<br />
batches (4) change to modal shift.<br />
4.5.7 Reverse Logistics<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the collective solutions that industries have come up with is the development <strong>of</strong> the reverse logistics that<br />
focus on the value recovery <strong>of</strong> returned products for recycling or remanufacturing. Reverse logistics refers to the<br />
logistics management skills and activities involved in reducing, managing and disposing packages or products.<br />
Srivastava defines reverse logistics as “Integrating environmental thinking into supply chain management<br />
including product design, material sourcing and selection, manufacturing processes, delivery <strong>of</strong> the final product<br />
to the consumers as well as end-<strong>of</strong>-life management <strong>of</strong> the product after its useful life”. A growing responsibility<br />
towards the environment and governmental regulations, and increasing awareness <strong>of</strong> valuable commercial<br />
opportunities in collecting, recycling, and reusing products and materials stimulate the development. One <strong>of</strong> the<br />
obvious challenges <strong>of</strong> reverse logistics is reverse distribution <strong>of</strong> goods and information; which fundamentally<br />
differs from that <strong>of</strong> forward logistics in terms <strong>of</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> material and information flow and their respective<br />
volume. Due to its difficulties in handling, reverse logistics cost exceeds $35 billion dollars per year for US<br />
companies. For above reasons, many companies treat reverse-logistics as a non-revenue-generating process<br />
which would <strong>of</strong>ten result in a very few resources allocated to this part <strong>of</strong> the supply chain. However, more and<br />
more firms now realize that reverse logistics is a business process by itself with growing attention towards<br />
sustainability and environmental responsibility. Hawken et al. envision economic benefits <strong>of</strong> as much as 90%<br />
through reduction <strong>of</strong> energy and materials consumption. Practice <strong>of</strong> reverse logistics entails a series <strong>of</strong> tasks to<br />
capture value <strong>of</strong> products returned for recycling.<br />
Product acquisition to obtain the products from end-users<br />
• Transshipment from point <strong>of</strong> acquisition to a point <strong>of</strong> disposition<br />
• Testing, sorting, and disposition to determine products’ economic attractiveness<br />
• Refurbish to facilitate the most attractive economic options: reuse, repair, Remanufacture, recycle, or<br />
disposal<br />
• Remarketing to create and exploit secondary markets<br />
As reverse logistics fundamentally differ in many aspects <strong>of</strong> operations from forward logistics, strategic<br />
development <strong>of</strong> competitive reverse logistics entails careful evaluation, design, planning and control. Product<br />
acquisition would initiate at initial collection centers (ICPs) and consolidation would continue before reaching<br />
centralized return center (CRC) or manufacturer who would process remanufacturing.<br />
5. Industry response towards reverse logistics<br />
In many ways, industries have been focusing on maximizing financial or productive capital gain while<br />
consuming natural and social capital as needed. Global environmental awareness, however, have brought<br />
environment friendly or green initiatives in every aspect <strong>of</strong> product operations. Xerox’s accomplishment <strong>of</strong><br />
‘zero-waste to-landfill’ engineering can be a very good example <strong>of</strong> ‘cleaner production [15]. Increasingly many<br />
industries have adopted concepts <strong>of</strong> cleaner production and developed many strategic approaches and practices<br />
that increase re-manufacturability or recyclability <strong>of</strong> products or eliminate harmful wastes. Waste Electric and<br />
Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive <strong>of</strong> the European Union; for instance, obliges manufacturers <strong>of</strong> electric<br />
and electronic equipment to assume extended responsibility by taking back equipments reached end-<strong>of</strong>-life state<br />
for re-processing and recovery.<br />
880