Reverse Logistics for Electrical and Electronic Equipment: a modular simulation model

In recent years there has been a significant growth in WEEE production, which actually is the most worldwide rapidly growing category of waste. The synergic action of different actors involved in environmental protection, is pushing more and more EEE manufacturers to adapt their strategies, plans and business goals in an environmentally conscious way. As time goes by, the role of the Reverse Logistics is becoming more and more critical in this field: from the mere waste management to the actual managing, planning and control of the returns flow concerning raw materials, packaging, stocks, finished products from retailers to suitable collecting, reuse, recycling or remanufacturing centers. In this paper a logical model will be described reproducing the WEEE distribution flows, considering several functional aspects. The model is then implemented by means of specific simulation software to identify critical operational aspects. Considering actual data and opportunely tuning the model some important issues will be assessed.