The optimization of reverse logistics cost based on value flow analysis - a case study on automobile recycling company in China

With the excessive consumption of resources and environmental damage in the economic development, the reverse logistics' demand for the Internet of Things' function of logistics monitoring and environmental monitoring has been further highlighted under the background of recycle economy practice. The Internet of Things' integration on material flow, value flow and information flow can not only improve the efficiency of the logistics system, but also reduce the cost of logistics system. In this paper, we introduce the value flow analysis of circular economy into the cost accounting, analysis and optimization of enterprise reverse logistics. We also take into account the external costs (secondary pollution and environmental benefits of recycling) in the reverse logistics cost accounting. Ultimately, this paper aims to formulate a cost accounting and an optimization model of reverse logistics. Based on the case of an automobile recycling company in Hunan Province, China, it makes a proposal on how an enterprise may optimize its costs and achieve a coordinated development of society, economy and environment.