@article{pathak2026ewaste,
author={Pathak, Sheeba and Fatorachian, Hajar},
title={Operations Research-Based Formalisation and Design of Sustainable Reverse Logistics for E-Waste Supply Chains},
journal={Business Strategy and the Environment},
keywords={operations research, optimisation modelling, sustainable development, trans-shipment},
url={https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bse.70789},
urldate={2026-10-29},
howpublished={\url{https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/bse.70789}},
doi={10.1002/bse.70789},
year={2026},
month={04},
day={24},
abstract={This study demonstrates how a profitable, lean, and environmentally responsible e-waste reverse logistics system can be designed using integrated Operations Research (OR) techniques. Addressing the growing urgency of responsible consumption (UN SDG 12) and the projected rise of the e-waste sector to USD 137.60 billion by 2029, the research develops decision structures that jointly optimise value recovery, emissions reduction and time efficiency. An extended multiple-case design compares a formal municipal recycling centre with a decentralised, community-based Repair Caf{\'e} model to capture variation in governance and recovery logic. aTrans-shipment optimisation, mixed-integer decision-tree modelling and queueing theory are then applied to design emissions-efficient network flows, select optimal repair--reuse--cannibalisation routes and configure service capacity. Results show that most products reach obsolescence within 4--8 years, that structured repair and urban-mining decisions support economic viability and that optimised routing and service configuration reduce emissions and waiting times. The research advances circular economy and urban-mining theory by operationalising the PURE and CReW frameworks, offering a scalable, optimisation-driven architecture for municipalities, waste processors and circular service organisations.},
annote={See https://www.surrey.ac.uk/news/britains-recycling-system-writing-electronics-could-be-repaired also.},
}