Abstract for: Sustainable Dairy Operations: Circular Economy and Reverse Logistics Perspectives

There has recently been an increased focus on circular economy (CE) and reverse logistics (RL) in academic and industry circles. Many studies highlight the benefits of waste management and closed-loop processes for success. The dairy industry in developing countries like Bangladesh presents several opportunities for research in introducing modern concepts like CE and RL to extract more value from their processes and unused waste or products. This challenges the industry as farmers seek improved approaches to achieve sustainable benefits, increase productivity, manage waste, advance bearable genetics, commercialize dairy products, produce high-quality meat, and maintain a well-functioning supply chain. This research addresses significant gaps in dairy waste management and builds sustainable dairy operations that integrate CE and RL concepts, resulting in greater profitability and sustainability. This study utilized the system dynamics method to develop a supply chain model for a case dairy farm, using a simulation application and the case method within a positivist and quantitative framework. The simulation model uses algorithms to test and process expansions to utilize dairy waste, generating substantially diversified byproducts for renewable energy and household use. The study reviewed sustainability, circular economy, and reverse logistics concepts to build the simulation model, and the model outcomes support the above theories for enriching the dairy industry.