Reverse Supply Chain and Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Management Utilizing Location-Routing Model

Abstract

Nowadays, the increased amount and variety of waste, and the health risks caused by them are considered among the substantial issues of human societies today. Pharmaceutical wastes are among the most dangerous polluting wastes of the environment in the world. They include expired products and unused medicines. This study aims to investigate pharmaceutical waste collection management utilizing the location-routing model in a reverse supply chain. To do so, pharmaceutical waste from pharmacies and hospitals is collected and then transfer to collection centers, where waste classification and future decisions are planned. This process is done in two stages, the first includes pharmacies and hospitals, and collection centers, and the second stage includes collection centers, disposal centers, and airports. In the first stage, pharmaceutical waste is collected, and in the second level, this waste is either safely disposed of or recycled, or medicines that can be reused are sent to third-world countries. Finally, by creating an optimization model, the transportation costs, the construction cost of collection centers, disposal costs, and the cost of producing carbon dioxide will be minimized. Reducing carbon dioxide production helps make this chain greener.