A systematic literature review of quantitative models for sustainable supply chain management.

Supply chain management is the basis for the execution of operations, being considered as the core of the business function in the 21st century. On the other hand, at present, factors such as the reduction of natural resources, the search for competitive advantages, government laws and global agreements, have generated a greater interest in the sustainable development, which, in order to achieve it, industries need to rethink and plan their supply chain considering a path of sustainability. So sustainable supply chain management emerges as a means to integrate stakeholders' concern for profit and cost reduction with environmental and social requirements, attracting significant interest among managers, researchers and practitioners. The main objective of this study is to provide a synthesis of the key elements of the quantitative model offerings that use sustainability indicators in the design and management of forward supply chains. To achieve this objective, we developed a systematic literature review that includes seventy articles published during the last decade in peer-reviewed journals in English language. In addition a 4 W's analysis (When, Who, What, and Where) is applied and three structural dimensions are defined and grouped by categories: Supply chain management, modeling and sustainability. As part of the results we evidenced a continuous growth in the scientific production of this type of articles, with a predominance of deterministic mathematical programming models with an environmental economic perspective. Finally, we identified research gaps, highlighting the lack of integral inclusion of a life cycle analysis in the design of supply chain networks.

Improving urban household solid waste management in developing countries based on the German experience.

Countries worldwide strive to improve their urban household solid waste management (UHSWM) practices. While developed countries like Germany have achieved good results with different UHSWM initiatives, developing countries still struggle to be effective with their waste management (WM) policies. With an interest in learning from the German experience, this paper provides a cross-case analysis between a German and a Brazilian city that can be of practical relevance to improving UHSWM in developing countries. The paper uses "process flow diagram" (PFD) and "wasteaware benchmark indicators" for integrated sustainable waste management (ISWM). Both methods confirmed the German city as a benchmark and attested the inefficiency of the Brazilian UHSWM. The total maximum score weightage percentage of the matrix quantification difference was significant, 98% against 50%. Findings highlight viable solutions based on the three pillars of the German solid WM system: clear laws, regular public campaigns, and fee methodology. The formalization and improvement of Brazilian UHSWM require better governance to obtain additional investments. Herein, the application of the Green Dot methodology, sponsored by industry and consumers in Germany, would enable an increase of up to 318% of the values received by a typical Brazilian cooperative. This additional investment can empower a sustainable solution where the population could opt to work with recycling, either as a formal employee or as a formal entrepreneur, shedding more light on the social pillar of the triple bottom line. Moreover, it can enable improvements in technologies, and on regular public campaigns to increase education in important sustainable matters.