Letter from the Editor

When thinking of reverse logistics, we often think of major corporations like Boeing replacing aircraft parts or Hewlett-Packard harvesting printer parts for repair or recycling products no longer salvageable. However, RL truly has an impact on the average person.

A close friend teaches kindergarten at our neighborhood elementary school. Due to budget cuts, she spends hundreds of dollars out of pocket to purchase necessary supplies for her students and classroom. Thank goodness for organizations such as Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) in San Jose, California, who collect usable items such as computers, office supplies, furniture, and manufacturing by-products from personal and business donors and provide to teachers at very low cost. This is reverse logistics.

Another example is RL Magazine designer, Holly Reed. Holly is a young mother of Robbie and recently told me about Freecycle.com. This is a nationwide organization of people who join regional internet groups to post available items to exchange as well as items they need. All items are free and receiver need only drive by and pick up item. It's all about reuse and keeping usable items out of landfills. Having a fast growing toddler, Holly is able to exchange baby clothes, toys, and other items with other mothers in her local community.

Swaptree.com is another Holly recommendation. This site allows members to “swap” books, CDs, DVDs and games. This also is reverse logistics.

These are two “personal RL” sites; perhaps you use or know of other sites for “commercial RL” that we can share with readers. Send me an email; I’d love to hear about more opportunities for reverse logistics.