Study of inverse supply chain (1) - survey of actual inverse supply chain in Japan

A survey of inverse supply chains (ISCs) in Japan has been conducted within a working group under the framework of the Inverse Manufacturing Forum of Japan. Objectives of the working group "Study of ISC Models" are as follows: 1) to clarify typical operations on ISCs of industrial products, 2) to classify ISCs, 3) to understand common issues in present ISCs, and 4) to design an ideal ISC by characterization of the industrial product. For the survey, the following 10 industrial products were selected; 1) film with lens, 2) copy machine, 3) automobile, 4) electrical home appliance, 5) computer, 6) vending machine, 7) automobile battery, 8) secondary battery, 9) printed circuit board, and 10) printer cartridge. We gave priority to those products having the following conditions: industrial sectors with horizontal recycling loop, and recycling rates determined by law and/or self-regulated. For each industrial product, typically two manufacturers belonging to the forum were chosen. The ISCs were characterized not only by products but also by manufacturers with regard to the following views: 1) open or closed ISC system, 2) parts reuse or material recycling as End-of-Life Product (ELP), and 3) short or long lifetime of product. We interviewed 5 organizations and 13 companies about the following items; background of the ISC, characteristics of the ISC, functions of the system, and material and monetary flows, goals of the system and its current state, points to consider in building ISC, and future issues.