Simulation of design and analysis of a container reverse-logistics system

The contemporary relevance of environmental protection has gained greater importance around the world, to the point where many countries, such as Germany, Holland, Japan, European Union, and Taiwan, have taken heed and initiated a range of policies. Concepts such as green manufacturing and sustainable management are used to describe interventions that utilize appropriately natural resources in an endeavor to decrease any harm that may result when enterprises handle the wastes they produce. The literature emphasizes the issues relating to recycling products rather than recycling containers; that in-turn could attract considerable cost-benefits. This paper discusses the development of a simulation model that incorporates reverse logistics. Application and testing of the model is facilitated using the case of transportation containers used by Toyota automobile company. Empirical findings indicate that the operational cost-benefits using reusable containers are better than the expendable containers. The concept of reusable containers as depicted in the model is further explored to identify the optimum economic quantities. Model architecture used a method of integrated bisection algorithm and an artificial intelligence search algorithm.