Multiobjective model for reverse logistic planning of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Abstract

Reverse logistics play an important role to the value recovery of post-consumption products. The collection and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is the main scope of a Brazilian company, which is pioneer in this activity. This company offers electronics manufacturers the services of collection, processing and recycling of the equipment at the end of their lifespan, contributing even to the "green market" of these clients. Prior studies in this company point to improvement opportunities of the reversal network in environmental terms. In this sense, this work purposes the optimization of the network under the lens of multiobjective, multiperiod and multiproduct modeling, integrating the decisions on material flow, installation of collection centers and scaling of the vehicle fleet, considering that this set of decisions influences the levels of environmental impacts of the system. In addition to reducing financial costs, the logistic operations also must be evaluated about the environmental impacts, particularly using the LCA methodology indicators: fossil fuel consumption, harmful gas emissions and toxic particulate matter emissions. Currently the company collect waste throughout the national territory and considers the possibility of opening collecting centers to their storage and consolidation, while keeping only one recycling plant. One of the challenges is to determine the type of facility, which can vary in terms of size, cost and purpose, depending on the place of opening and business model to be implemented. It is worth mentioning that this project is part of the activities of the research project - regular assistance - of the advisor (proc. Fapesp nº 2017/07236-0) and of the activities of the thematic project (proc. Fapesp nº 2016/01860-1). (AU)