SUSTAINABILITY
Consumer electronics account for approximately 4 % of global carbon emissions , and waste levels are very high into the cycle ; and how to design product flows and cycles in an efficient and environmentally friendly way .
The volume of return flows will increase as a result of circularity , says DHL , which adds that return flows need to be well integrated into the existing supply chain .
It adds that to successfully engage both manufacturers and consumers while protecting the planet , supply chains “ have to be designed in a costeffective , convenient , and environmentally conscious way ”.
Building a smart supply chain that incorporates circular flows involving repair , refurbishment and resale “ sets a meaningful foundation for a successful circular setup ”.
Visibility and orchestration DHL says with the increased complexity of circular supply chains , transparency and orchestration are vital .
It says production planning and inventory management will need to adapt to a circular world . “ The purchase scheduling of materials needs to be adjusted to the availability of recycled materials ,” it says , adding : “ Plus flows of post-sale products need to be considered in inventory management .”
To achieve this , DHL says digital technologies and logistics players are “ critical enablers ”.
Appel says : “ Logistics players are ideal facilitators of circularity by doing what we do best – orchestrating the intricate flow of goods .
“ Circularity is about the flows of physical goods and relies on the careful orchestration of the physical supply loop across different elements .”
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