Strategic issues in product recovery management

Abstract

The traditional approach of many manufacturers towards used products has been to ignore them. Manufacturers typically did not feel responsible for what happened with products after customer use. Today, both customers and authorities demand that manufacturers reduce the quantities of waste generated by their products. Product recovery management (PRM) encompasses the management of all used and discarded products, components, and materials that fall under the responsibility of the manufacturing company. The objective of PRM is to recover as much of the economic and ecological value as reasonably possible, thereby reducing the ultimate quantities of waste. Complying with rapidly changing regulations and fulfilling fast moving customer demands may require a fundamental change in doing business. However, there could be large opportunities for companies that succeed in ways of embodying current and future environmental demands in the business policy.