Measuring CO2 emissions from transportation in a UK retail returns supply chain
Abstract
Traditionally, there have been three aspects associated with retail returns management: 1) returns avoidance; 2) processing returned products; and 3) disposal of returned items from a retailer’s supply chain, at which point retailers generally consider the transaction has reached a conclusion for that individual product. An often overlooked fourth aspect, however, is around the environmental cost of retail returns, specifically the carbon footprint generated from moving returned products through second life retail distribution channels. This paper examines the case of returned general merchandise retail products — in particular, a UK reverse supply chain for homewares, furniture, white goods and other non-apparel items. It focuses on investigating the environmental cost by determining how much CO2 is created during the return transport processes until a product is retained by a customer and not returned again. Two disposition routes for unwanted retail stock items are examined in detail: first, the more desirable option of premium processing and resale of returned or unwanted items; and second, resale of items that are beyond economic repair through an auction house. The case study presented determines the CO2 emissions generated for each disposition route and highlights the inefficiencies that arise from the fragmented transportation of items sold via the auction house that lead to significantly increased carbon emissions.
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Jonathan Gorst Dr Jonathan Gorst is Division Head of Marketing, Enterprise and Events Management at Sheffield Business School. Jonathan’s personal research is in the area of reverse logistics. He has been researching this area for the last 20 years and in recent years this has been focused on retail returns and its implications for omnichannel shopping. His current work focuses on increasing value from returned products, while considering the implications of CO2 emissions on the broader environment. Jonathan is part of the Reverse Logistics Research Group which brings together colleagues from Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield to develop and carry out further research in the area of reverse logistics. Jonathan is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and is co-chair of the Institute’s Retail Forum. He is also a judge for the annual Supply Chain Excellence awards
Erica Ballantyne Dr Erica Ballantyne is a Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management at the University of Sheffield Management School, where she leads the Logistics, Operations & Supply Chain Management Theme within the Centre for Applied Research in Logistics, Operations and Supply Chain Management. She has previously been employed in various operational and management roles within the logistics and transport industry, including working for a major European third-party logistics provider (3PL) and other leading supply chain contractors mainly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and grocery sectors. She has a PhD from the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, and is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Logistics Research Network. Building on previous industry background, Erica is an applied, interdisciplinary researcher in logistics, sustainable transport and supply chain operations, with current interests in the areas of managing retail returns, reverse logistics and transport logistics applications for energy storage and electrification. She has been involved in several large UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and European Union (EU) funded interdisciplinary projects drawing on her expertise in logistics and transport.
Nathan Dodd Dr Nathan Dodd graduated from the University of Sheffield with an engineering doctorate, following which he has developed and expanded his expertise to include data analytics, operations management and industrial sustainability. Nathan continues to work in the development of new and novel analytical methods which merges technical know-how with operational reality. Working in tandem with industrial partners, Nathan has been able to develop bespoke analytical tools, identifying business performance metrics alongside sustainability needs. In doing so, he has enabled industrial partners to restrategise and create positive impact across all operational fronts.
Citation
Gorst, Jonathan, Ballantyne, Erica and Dodd, Nathan (2024, December 1). Measuring CO2 emissions from transportation in a UK retail returns supply chain. In the Journal of Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Procurement, Volume 7, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.69554/QSWP5693.
Publications LLP