Beyond collection
A return count is the beginning of a recovery story, not its conclusion.
Follow the destination
Collected items can enter several pathways. Reuse, repair and material recovery retain different forms of value. Track the destination and the conditions required for that pathway to work.
Check quality
Composition, damage and contamination influence what can happen next. Record the information that recovery partners actually use. A mixed stream may need a different collection design from a clearly identified component.
Measure the useful output
Compare incoming returns with usable products, components and recovered material. Explain losses and changes in quality. This is more informative than treating every collected unit as a closed loop.