ISSN: 2278-3369 International Journal of Advances in Management and Economics Available online at www.managementjournal.info RESEARCH ARTICLE Eris Engin Deniz & Tuna Okan| Nov.‐Dec. 2012 | Vol.1 | Issue 6|230 230 Reverse Logistics Channels: An Exploratory Study for Household Waste Collection Eris Engin Deniz* 1 , Tuna Okan 2 1 Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir Vocational School,Turkey. 2 Dokuz Eylul University, Maritime Faculty,Turkey. *For Correpondence: Email: engindeniz@deu.edu.tr Abstract Collection and recycling of post-consumer waste in a cost-efficient manner with an acceptable service level are of increasing interest in business practices as well as in research. Because it is a new topic in Turkey, yet there is no enough concern and study about waste collection within the framework of channel structure and logistics management. This study attempts to explore the current situation of household waste collection channel structures in the metropolitan area of the city of Izmir, Turkey. An exploratory study was implemented in order to identify the recycling activities, collection activities and logistics functions of household waste collection. A sample of related participants was interviewed in the metropolitan area of the city of Izmir in order to define the functions and structures. As a result of this study, reverse logistics channel structures were determined. In addition to that, suggestions for the improvement of these channels were discussed with regard to the service level and total cost. Keywords: Household waste, Logistics, Reverse logistics, Turkey. Introduction Reuse of products and materials in any case is not a new concern. Issues on collecting and reusing materials in Europe is regulatory driven and in North America profit driven. It is seen that effective and efficient management of product returns is an intriguing practical and research question. Growing green concerns and advancement of reverse logistic concepts and practices make it all the more relevant [1]. Collecting and distributing used packages and materials needs a well-established logistics channel, which is named reverse logistics. Accordingly, reverse logistics topics have increased in relevance both in practice and the academia. As it is addressed by the practitioners and academicians reverse logistics is very expensive and also complicated. In addition to that, tgxgtug nqikuvkeu jcu uqog owvwcn kuuwgu ykvj ÑItggp LogkuvkeuÒ ]4_0 Vjg pgy Gwtqrgcp Wpkqp *GW+ ÓÒVjgocvke Uvtcvgi{ qp vjg rtgxgpvkqp cpf tge{enkpi qh ycuvgÔÒ ugvu qwv vjg qdlgevkxgu cpf ogcpu d{ yjkej vjg EU can further improve the management of waste and make better use of its material and energy resources. In addition to that, the The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is developing policies and tools in order to encourage waste prevention and minimisation and to manage materials in a sustainable manner. Needless to say, those measwtgu vtkiigtgf vjg ÑOwpkekrcnkv{ qh K¦okt - Vwtmg{Ò kp qtfgt vq kpetgcug tge{eng ycuvg0 Municipality of Izmir set targets in terms of waste recycling. Table 1: Illustrates past records and targets with regard to the waste types. This paper attempts to analyse current situation of reverse logistics channels for household waste collection. First of all, reverse logistics channel will be discussed and then a case study based on observation and interviews with the related participants will be presented in order to propose an efficient model for Izmir. Literature Review Reverse Logistics Concept Concerns about the environment, sustainable development, regulations and profit issues made the companies responsive about reverse activities. Reverse movement can start [3]; (a) either when products or services have reached the end of their useful life, or (b) due to quality problems that occurs (returned products). Product in the reverse flow it will have been returned either by consumers or by other companies in the distribution chain [4]. Reverse logistics deals activities associated with the handling and management of equipment, products, components, materials or even entire technical systems to be recovered. If the value of the product and/or the return rate is high, reverse logistics activities can