Eco-efficient logistic networks within product life cycles

Logistics serves for the planning, control, and monitoring of material flows in the supply, the production, and the distribution of commodities as well as in the disposal of waste. It is an essential element of any product’s life cycle. Always being focused on is the increase of efficiency with regard to economy, quality, and service. However, efficiency in total is nowadays examined under the aspect of sustainability. The Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL) e. V. (German Federal Association for Logistics) recently asked the protagonists in the logistics industry to think about realizing sustainable measures. In this context, the Bundesverband Deutscher Postdienstleister (BvDP) e. V. (German Federal Association of Postal Service Providers) discussed strategies for the efficient use of resources in the field of courier, express, and postal services (CEP services). Freight forwarders, trade enterprises but also waste disposal enterprises are currently checking the increase of the environmental compatibility of their logistic services (so DHL and Triaz – a mail order firm – developed the »Grünes Paket (green parcel)«, Otto-Versand – also a mail order firm – significantly decreased costs and environmental impacts by its environmental strategy, etc.). In the focus are also methods to increase the economic and ecological efficiency of complex logistic networks by means of location and allocation planning.