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Management and Logistics of Returnable Transport Items: A Review Analysis on the Pallet Supply Chain

Author

Listed:
  • Fabiana Tornese

    (Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Maria Grazia Gnoni

    (Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Brian K. Thorn

    (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

  • Andres L. Carrano

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA)

  • Jennifer A. Pazour

    (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA)

Abstract

Pallets are among the most used returnable transport items (RTIs), and they are critical assets for a supply chain as they have significant environmental and economic impacts during their whole life cycle. Differently from other packaging products, pallets are specifically designed to be repeatably repaired and reinjected for use. While this environmentally is beneficial as it reduces waste, it can create complex interactions between the stakeholder-involved manufacturers, pallet providers, users and recyclers. Further, the number of different actors is usually high, and the flow of materials among them needs to be coordinated. In addition, different business models can be implemented (such as internal management versus outsourcing) as well as logistics alternatives (closed- versus open-loop). Thus, the aims of this study are first to propose a systematization of design and management decisions regarding the pallet supply chain; next, to review the state of the art models and tools adopted to support each decision process relying on an analysis of the archival literature published between 1978 and 2021 on pallet management, to summarize the main decision problems addressed by the different stakeholders involved in the pallet life cycle and the adopted methods, and, finally, to highlight potential existing research gaps. This effort helps to outline potential contributions towards more sustainable pallet supply chains and can support pallet operators and companies in evaluating solutions to increase the economic and environmental sustainability of their pallet management. Results show that the perspectives of the pallet provider and of the supply chain are the most widely addressed in the existing literature, while those of pallet manufacturers and repairers should be further analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabiana Tornese & Maria Grazia Gnoni & Brian K. Thorn & Andres L. Carrano & Jennifer A. Pazour, 2021. "Management and Logistics of Returnable Transport Items: A Review Analysis on the Pallet Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-23, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12747-:d:681755
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    12. Riccardo Accorsi & Giulia Baruffaldi & Riccardo Manzini & Chiara Pini, 2019. "Environmental Impacts of Reusable Transport Items: A Case Study of Pallet Pooling in a Retailer Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, June.
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    3. Lehner, Roland, 2023. "Cross-Supply Chain Collaboration Platform for Pallet Management," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 138753, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    4. Yanqi Zhang & Xiaofei Kou & Haibin Liu & Shiqing Zhang & Liangliang Qie, 2022. "IoT-Enabled Sustainable and Cost-Efficient Returnable Transport Management Strategies in Multimodal Transport Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    5. Hao Yu & Jiaqi Yang & Xipei Kang & Zhe Cong & Siwei Yao, 2022. "Empty Pallet Allocation Optimization in Shipbuilding Using a Pallet Pool System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-21, May.

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