IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i11p3147-d237087.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental Impacts of Reusable Transport Items: A Case Study of Pallet Pooling in a Retailer Supply Chain

Author

Listed:
  • Riccardo Accorsi

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Giulia Baruffaldi

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Riccardo Manzini

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Chiara Pini

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Manufacturing, storage, and transportation processes are typically facilitated by pallets, containers, and other reusable transport items (RTIs) designed to guarantee many cycles along a lifespan of several years. As a consequence, both supply and reverse transportation of RTIs need to be managed to avoid stockout along the supply chain and the unsustainable production of new tools from virgin materials. This paper focuses on the business of pallet management by analyzing the transport operations of a pallet pooling network serving a large-scale nationwide retailer. The pooler is responsible for supplying, collecting, and refurbishing pallets. The combination of the pooler’s management strategies with different retailer network configurations results in different pooling scenarios, which are assessed and compared in this paper through a what-if analysis. The logistical and environmental impacts generated by the pallet distribution activities are quantified per each scenario through a tailored software incorporating Geographic Information System (GIS) and routing functionalities. Findings from this analysis suggest how to reduce vehicle distance traveled (vehicles-km) by 65% and pollutant emissions by 60% by combining network infrastructures and pooling management strategies—identifying an empirical best practice for managers of pallet businesses.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:11:p:3147-:d:237087
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/11/3147/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/11/3147/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Glock, C. H., 2017. "Decision support models for managing returnable transport items in supply chains: A systematic literature review," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 79485, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    2. Accorsi, Riccardo & Manzini, Riccardo & Pini, Chiara & Penazzi, Stefano, 2015. "On the design of closed-loop networks for product life cycle management: Economic, environmental and geography considerations," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 121-134.
    3. Glock, Christoph H., 2017. "Decision support models for managing returnable transport items in supply chains: A systematic literature review," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(PB), pages 561-569.
    4. A. Mazeika Bilbao & A.L. Carrano & M. Hewitt & B.K. Thorn, 2011. "On the environmental impacts of pallet management operations," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 34(11), pages 1222-1236, October.
    5. Muhammad Waqas & Qian-li Dong & Naveed Ahmad & Yuming Zhu & Muhammad Nadeem, 2018. "Critical Barriers to Implementation of Reverse Logistics in the Manufacturing Industry: A Case Study of a Developing Country," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-25, November.
    6. Govindan, Kannan & Soleimani, Hamed & Kannan, Devika, 2015. "Reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chain: A comprehensive review to explore the future," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 240(3), pages 603-626.
    7. Elia, Valerio & Gnoni, Maria Grazia, 2015. "Designing an effective closed loop system for pallet management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(PC), pages 730-740.
    8. Carrano, Andres L. & Pazour, Jennifer A. & Roy, Debjit & Thorn, Brian K., 2015. "Selection of pallet management strategies based on carbon emissions impact," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 258-270.
    9. Eleonora Bottani & Giorgia Casella, 2018. "Minimization of the Environmental Emissions of Closed-Loop Supply Chains: A Case Study of Returnable Transport Assets Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-20, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Jianwei Ren & Chunhua Chen & Jian Gao & Chenxi Feng, 2020. "An optimization model for fleet sizing and empty pallet allocation considering CO2 emissions," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, February.
    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. 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.
    5. Najoua Lakhmi & Evren Sahin & Yves Dallery, 2022. "Modelling the Returnable Transport Items (RTI) Short-Term Planning Problem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Liu, Guoquan & Li, Lei & Chen, Jianghang & Ma, Fei, 2020. "Inventory sharing strategy and optimization for reusable transport items," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    7. Fatima Ezzahra Achamrah & Fouad Riane & Evren Sahin & Sabine Limbourg, 2022. "An Artificial-Immune-System-Based Algorithm Enhanced with Deep Reinforcement Learning for Solving Returnable Transport Item Problems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-29, May.
    8. Jan Pešta & Markéta Šerešová & Vladimír Kočí, 2020. "Carbon Footprint Assessment of Construction Waste Packaging Using the Package-to-Product Indicator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-23, December.
    9. Hugo Barros & Teresa Pereira & António G. Ramos & Fernanda A. Ferreira, 2021. "Complexity Constraint in the Distributor’s Pallet Loading Problem," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(15), pages 1-20, July.
    10. Yu Du & Jianwei Ren & Xinyu Xiang & Chenxi Feng & Rui Zhao, 2025. "An Integrated BWM–GIS–DEA Approach for the Site Selection of Pallet Pooling Service Centers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-29, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liu, Guoquan & Li, Lei & Chen, Jianghang & Ma, Fei, 2020. "Inventory sharing strategy and optimization for reusable transport items," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    2. 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).
    3. 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.
    4. Clement, Lucas & Spinler, Stefan, 2025. "Advancing sustainability in e-commerce packaging: A simulation-based study for managing returnable transport items," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    5. Luttiely Santos Oliveira & Ricardo Luiz Machado, 2021. "Application of optimization methods in the closed-loop supply chain: a literature review," Journal of Combinatorial Optimization, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 357-400, February.
    6. Mahmoudi, Monirehalsadat & Parviziomran, Irandokht, 2020. "Reusable packaging in supply chains: A review of environmental and economic impacts, logistics system designs, and operations management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    7. Julio C. Londoño & Rafael D. Tordecilla & Leandro do C. Martins & Angel A. Juan, 2021. "A biased-randomized iterated local search for the vehicle routing problem with optional backhauls," TOP: An Official Journal of the Spanish Society of Statistics and Operations Research, Springer;Sociedad de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, vol. 29(2), pages 387-416, July.
    8. Elia, Valerio & Gnoni, Maria Grazia, 2015. "Designing an effective closed loop system for pallet management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(PC), pages 730-740.
    9. Jianwei Ren & Chunhua Chen & Jian Gao & Chenxi Feng, 2020. "An optimization model for fleet sizing and empty pallet allocation considering CO2 emissions," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, February.
    10. Sebastjan Škerlič & Robert Muha, 2020. "A Model for Managing Packaging in the Product Life Cycle in the Automotive Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-19, November.
    11. Fatima Ezzahra Achamrah & Fouad Riane & Evren Sahin & Sabine Limbourg, 2022. "An Artificial-Immune-System-Based Algorithm Enhanced with Deep Reinforcement Learning for Solving Returnable Transport Item Problems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-29, May.
    12. Ehsan Shekarian & Simme Douwe Flapper, 2021. "Analyzing the Structure of Closed-Loop Supply Chains: A Game Theory Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-32, January.
    13. Roy, Debjit & Carrano, Andres L. & Pazour, Jennifer A. & Gupta, Akash, 2016. "Cost-effective pallet management strategies," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 358-371.
    14. Xu, Xianhao & Yue, Ruiting & Yang, Bingnan & Li, Zhiwen, 2025. "Integrating game theory and data-driven optimization models for online retailers with reusable packaging adoption," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    15. Meherishi, Lavanya & Narayana, Sushmita A. & Ranjani, K.S., 2021. "Integrated product and packaging decisions with secondary packaging returns and protective packaging management," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 292(3), pages 930-952.
    16. Muhammad Hamza Naseem & Jiaqi Yang & Ziquan Xiang, 2021. "Prioritizing the Solutions to Reverse Logistics Barriers for the E-Commerce Industry in Pakistan Based on a Fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.
    17. Perez Becker, Nicole & Arts, Joachim & Reichardt, Sven & Lange, Anne, 2024. "Managing inventories of reusable containers for food take-away at a restaurant," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    18. Jianwei Ren & Qingqing Zhao & Bo Liu & Chunhua Chen, 2019. "Selection of pallet management strategies from the perspective of supply chain cost with Anylogic software," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, June.
    19. Pınar Gürol, 2025. "An ESG-Integrated Decision Framework for Reusable Plastic Container Pooling Supplier Selection in the Sharing Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-37, September.
    20. Nataliia Letunovska & Felix Amoako Offei & Prince Amoh Junior & Oleksii Lyulyov & Tetyana Pimonenko & Aleksy Kwilinski, 2023. "Green Supply Chain Management: The Effect of Procurement Sustainability on Reverse Logistics," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-17, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:11:p:3147-:d:237087. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.