A Complex Adaptive Systems Approach to Reverse Logistics: A Holistic Implementation Framework From Developing Country Context

ABSTRACT The rising global plastic waste crisis, driven by increasing production and consumption, threatens environmental sustainability and non‐renewable resource availability as 4% of global oil is being used as feedstock for plastics manufacturing, exacerbating the potential supply risk for crude oil as non‐renewable resource, increasing wastes in the environment and partly contributing to global rise of oil prices. To address these challenges, sustainable consumption approaches are crucial such as reverse logistics implementation. Existing reverse logistics (RL) frameworks often fail to capture the complex adaptive nature of RL systems, which involve multiple interdependent actors and dynamic flows. This study develops a Reverse Logistics Implementation Framework using an Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach, integrating insights from literature and expert opinions. Findings reveal that RL implementation is most effective when viewed as a complex adaptive system, emphasizing the role of resource competencies, infrastructure, reverse supply networks, adaptability, and regulatory frames. The proposed framework provides strategic guidance for policymakers, supply chain managers, and logisticians, ensuring structured RL adoption across sectors.