Andrea Lockerbie explores the world of reverse logistics, minimising waste and improving sustainability in supply chains. When a consumer or end-user needs to return a product to a retailer or manufacturer, the process of the product travelling back through the supply chain is known as reverse logistics. It plays an important role in terms of sustainability as a good reverse logistics system can ensure that the products going back through the supply chain are appropriately assessed and efficiently diverted so that their value and lifespan are maximised and waste is minimised. This means returned products or surplus stock are directed for reuse, repair or recycling, rather than disposal. Key…

  Emma Bourne OBE, Director, Circular Economy at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), provided a Circular Economy Strategy update at the Festival of Circular Economy. Bourne highlighted the UK Government’s ongoing efforts to develop a sustainable and resource-efficient economy at the recent Festival of Circular Economy event in London. Reaffirming the UK government’s commitment to developing a comprehensive circular economy strategy, Bourne outlined the government’s current priorities in the transition to a circular economy, including the economic benefits of more sustainable and resilient supply chains. She also provided delegates with an update on the emerging Circular Economy Strategy for England, being developed by the Circular Economy…

  As the Festival of Circular Economy returns for its fourth year, Circular Online brings you live updates from it’s two jam-packed virtual days. Day 1 will look at the future of the design landscape, current business model challenges and practical use-cases of circular economy models in operation. Day 2 takes us through the design lifecycle, from materials and products, to infrastructures and supply chains for a circular economy. Day 2  EPR: Cost, Compliance, and a Circular Future Packaging designers and producers are facing a seismic shift as new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations begin rolling out this year. In a session titled EPR Packaging Laws: Designing for New Legislation,…