Traditionally, businesses have concentrated on improving the forward supply chain for their products (e.g., manufacturer-wholesaler-retailer). However, as the business environment becomes more competitive, it becomes increasingly important for them to concentrate on optimising the backward loop, as well. Reverse logistics practices have been in existence for a long time, especially in the automotive industry, where manufacturers try to recover value from recycling car parts.

The urgency and magnitude of the risks and threats to our collective sustainability, alongside increasing choice and opportunities, will make transparency about economic, environmental, and social impacts a fundamental component in effective stakeholder relations, investment decisions, and other market relations. Transparency about the sustainability of organisational activities is of interest to a diverse range of stakeholders, including business, labour, non-governmental organisations, investors, accountancy, and others.

By completing this course, you'll be armed with the valuable and practical skills you need to fully implement and manage Reverse Logistics and Closed Loop Supply Chains, manage the returns process decisions with respect to repair, refurbishment, disposition, and secondary market more efficiently, act in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, and produce real value for the company, environment, and society. The course will provide you with the information and analysis you need to remain both current and competitive; the state-of-the-art knowledge and practices you need to shape your organisation to meet the call of sustainability, manage your company in an efficient, holistic way that takes into account important sustainability trends shaping our world of tomorrow.