Reverse logistics
Design the return journey around the condition and value of the recovered asset.
Design the return
Define who initiates a return, how the asset is identified and where it goes. Collection convenience matters, but so do transport, handling and the condition in which it arrives. Build the route around an actual recovery destination.
Sort for the next use
Triage returned items for reuse, repair, remanufacture or material recovery. Each route needs different information and handling. Preserve identity and condition data where those facts determine the next useful application.
Close the information loop
Connect return records with product design, customer service and procurement. Repeated damage or low recovery quality can reveal a design issue. Track the decision at each handover rather than counting collection alone.