Optimization of used vehicle oil collection networks

Abstract

Unlike traditional logistics, which focuses on the delivery of products to customers, reverse logistics involves the return and proper management of products after their use or consumption. Essentially, it refers to the recovery of waste generated by production activities. Used vehicle oil, for instance, has become one of the most abundant liquid pollutants, following wastewater. Improper handling or disposal of this oil is highly dangerous, as even small amounts can contaminate large volumes of water and cause significant environmental harm. To address the uncontrolled disposal of this hazardous waste, this paper proposes a mixed-integer linear optimization model designed to plan the logistics of collecting used vehicle oil from its points of origin, thereby minimizing associated operational costs. The model is tested with a small-scale example to confirm that the optimal routes comply with load and time constraints.