The facility layout in forward, reverse and bi-directional logistics systems

Reverse Logistics (RL) has gained more attention in recent years. The implementation of this concept in the companies impacts several critical aspects, such as space necessity and facility layout. Hence, the facility layout arrangement must be adapted to some specific RL needs such as space for recovery products, inspection, and storage, also the requirements for product disposal activities. In this paper, a literature review is presented in order to compare characteristics of facility layout (FLT) for reverse and bi-directional logistics versus forward logistics (FL) systems and to present the main contributions of relevant papers about this issue. The findings show that there is very little work that identifies the specific requirements for layout in reverse and bi-directional logistics systems and that, some of these specific requirements are layout flexibility and adaptability to changes, more predictable and controlled waste flow management, and adequate storage facilities.