Reverse logistics system planning for recycling electrical appliances and computers in Taiwan

Since the disposition of end-of-life home appliances has caused tremendous attention, Taiwan recently promulgated a Scrap Home Appliances and Computer s Recycling Regulation that mandates manufacturers and importers to take ba ck their products. Reverse logistics system planning shall become vital as the take-back rate increases and the service area expands in the future. Th is study utilizes a mixed integer programming model to optimize the infrast ructure design and the reverse network Row. The proposed model attempts to minimize the total cost, which consists of transportation cost, operating c ost, fixed cost fur new facilities, final disposal cost and landfill cost. as well as the sale revenue of reclaimed materials. Results for various sce narios that consider various take-back rates and operating conditions are p resented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.