A closed-loop supply chain is a system that seeks to minimize waste and promote sustainability by creating a circular flow of materials. In a closed-loop supply chain, products, components, and materials are recycled, refurbished, or remanufactured to extend their life cycle and reduce the need for new raw materials.
Published in Chapter:
Leveraging Opportunities for Developing Environmentally Responsible Supply Chains Through the Application of Digital Technologies
Yanamandra Ramakrishna (School of Business, Skyline University College, Sharjah, UAE), Babita Srivatsava (William Paterson University, USA), Siti Norida Wahab (Universiti Tekinologi MARA, Malaysia), and
Mehak Vasta (Skyline University College, Sharjah, UAE)
Copyright: © 2024
|Pages: 20
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-0669-7.ch005
Abstract
An environmentally responsible supply chain refers to the integration of environmentally friendly practices and principles into the various stages of the supply chain process. This includes sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. The goal is to minimize the environmental impact and meeting customer demands, maintaining economic viability. Sustainable sourcing, energy efficiency, waste reduction, transportation efficiency, collaboration with suppliers, product design for sustainability, compliance with environmental regulations transparency and reporting, continuous improvement are some of the supply chain practices to make supply chains environmentally responsible. Due to their inherent weaknesses the existing linear and traditional supply chains are found to be not focusing on the environment. Therefore, there is a need for exploring the opportunities to make supply chains to be environmentally responsible. This chapter focuses on the application of digital technologies to make supply chains environmentally responsible.