Looking Toward the Future: Quincy Recycle and Reverse Logistics

Customer returns or unsold, expired goods may seem like an inconvenience. However, they can provide a unique opportunity for companies when properly managed. Reverse logistics and industrial recycling work together to turn waste into profitable or manageable solutions.

By understanding how one affects the other, companies can ensure that their production processes are as efficient and cost-effective as possible. In this blog post, we will explore the role of industrial recycling in reverse logistics, and how Quincy Recycle is helping companies look toward the future.

Taking Part in a Global Initiative

Companies across the globe are investing more time and resources into reverse logistics as a way to save money and improve operational efficiency.

So what is reverse logistics?

Reverse logistics involves the process of returning goods to their original manufacturers or suppliers after they have been sold to or used by customers. This process includes returning products from customers and then repairing, recycling, reselling, repacking, or properly disposing of them. It is up to the manufacturer to efficiently manage what happens next with the returned goods. A successful reverse logistics program can help a company reduce waste and save money on production costs.

Team members of Quincy Recycle recently attended a Reverse Logistics Summit hosted by the Reverse Logistics Association. This Summit brings together industry professionals from across the world to hear Reverse logistics case studies, best practices, and additional educational content. Here is what we learned is happening on a global scale:

• Most major retailers now have a Reverse Logistics department. Their goal is to reuse as much as possible and ultimately divert usable materials from landfills.
• Product destruction is a hot topic for manufacturers. Many companies don’t appear to have a reliable outlet for consistent and proper product destruction.

With waste and product management being main points of the Summit, it’s easier to understand how industrial recycling and reverse logistics can work hand-in-hand. Responsible product management not only has the potential to maximize revenue while reducing costs, it also contributes to a cleaner environment – paving the way for a more sustainable future.

How Quincy Recycle is Helping Companies Establish Reverse Logistics Processes

Waste management is a large part of reverse logistics, and Quincy Recycle has been in the business of solving waste stream problems since 1974. As reverse logistics have become increasingly important, we have adapted to specializing in recycling or properly destroying products and materials that have reached the end of their usable life. We seek to help companies reuse or recycle as much as possible in hopes of continuing the circulation of usable materials (otherwise known as closed-loop recycling).

Quincy Recycle has a vast network of partners that allows us to recycle almost any material. Mixed commodity trailers save companies time by eliminating the need to sort and organize recyclables into appropriate categories. After the trailers are transported, our many plant locations and national connections contribute to a circular economy by identifying the best options for recycling products or materials that can no longer be reused.

Companies that don’t currently have a waste stream process or are unsure of their recycling potential can reach out to Quincy Recycle. Our team will develop a waste management plan, following the completion of a waste stream audit. Opportunities for potential revenue, recovered materials, responsible disposal, and cost-saving strategies can all be included as part of the plan.

Businesses begin contributing to reverse logistics and a closed-loop economy as soon as they make the decision to initiate internal changes. From there, Quincy Recycle can help handle the rest. We are experts in logistics, and our national service partners can move materials across the country in a timely and secure manner.

We have also helped industrial manufacturers, warehouses, and suppliers successfully and safely destroy unusable products. Product destruction prevents discarded, recalled, obsolete, expired, defective, or sensitive materials from being introduced back into the economy. The potential harm to consumers makes secure product destruction extremely important, and our customers trust us to handle those goods responsibly.

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

One of the main reasons to invest in reverse logistics (besides the money-saving potential) is the opportunity to divert large quantities of waste from landfills. According to the Illinois Environmental Council, the state of Illinois alone generates approximately 19 million tons of waste each year, with only 37% of that waste being recycled. Now imagine the amount of waste produced across the entire United States. That’s a whole lot of wasted materials with a whole lot of missed potential.

Quincy Recycle is committed to a sustainable future not only through our own efforts, but also through the unique solutions we develop with our customers. Every time we work with a new customer, we learn more about how we can work together to find suitable and profitable reverse logistics solutions. Our goal is to give our vendors every possible option for their returned products while keeping as much waste as possible out of landfills. When we commit to a cleaner planet, we commit to a sustainable future for generations to come.

Conclusion

Reverse logistics are no longer an afterthought for major companies and retailers. The opportunity to save money while benefiting the environment has become more and more appealing as operating costs rise. With effective reverse logistics strategies offering the potential for both financial and environmental benefits, it makes sense that a growing number of companies would be invested in learning more.

Quincy Recycle has helped businesses across the country successfully manage waste streams. Whether it be through reverse logistics, recycling, or product destruction, we have the resources to identify and recommend solutions for production and waste inefficiencies.

Interested in learning more about establishing reverse logistics processes? Reach out to us or give us a call at 1-800-311-6097. Waste stream solutions are just a click or call away.