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Circular Supply Chains and Reverse Logistics-Challenges, Solutions, Operational Insights, and Global Impacts on Sustainable Development: A Short Review
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M. Salehi Sarbijan   |
| Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran |
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Abstract: (6 Views) |
Increasing demands for natural resources utilization and increasing waste generation due to economic growth and increasing population have made the management of natural resources and the minimization of waste the very pillar of sustainable development. Circular economy approaches and reverse logistical methods that help to maintain the value and flows of resources involved in produce and consumption circuits have been shown to be direct alternatives to the traditional linear paradigm of supply chain management. The purpose of this systematic review was to identification of the main challenges, solutions, experiences in international operations and implications of the strategies for sustainable development.
Following the PRISMA pattern and the PICO framework, the PubMed and OpenAlex databases were searched from 2010-2025, in order to include empirical studies, systematic reviews, as well as qualitative/quantitative studies with keywords about circular supply chain, reverse logistics, and sustainable development, without geographical restrictions. After a stepwise quality evaluation and screening process based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted from the final set of 26 studies and thematic analysis.
Technological obstacles (such as material processing and sorting), economic obstacles (high initial investment and inefficiency in the market), policy gaps, infrastructural impediments and cultural resistance are the key obstacles in circular supply chains and reverse logistics. Through case studies and operational experiences, coherent policymaking, state-of-the-art technologies (e.g., RFID and artificial intelligence) and data-driven infrastructure development, involvement of stakeholders and designing localized models to save resources and recycling programs can lift the above-mentioned barriers. The weaknesses of these studies included a deficiency of adequate quantitative medium and long-term data, geographical aggregation, and the predominance of secondary reviews.
Sustainable and efficient development of circular supply chains and reverse logistics is the pre-requisite to achieve sustainable development goals. With the comprehensive policy support, technological development, improving the system of incentives and excellent professional cultural education, the transformation is necessary. The preconditions to foster circular supply chains are the extended policy support, the increased global knowledge exchange and more field data to track actual results.
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| Keywords: Circular supply chains, Reverse logistics, Circular economy, Sustainable development, Supply chain management, Closed-loop systems, Waste management. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Accepted: 2025/07/10 | Published: 2025/10/1
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