Reverse logistics practices in the glass sector in Spain and Belgium

The legal and social pressure to recycle materials is constantly on the increase. As a result of the physical characteristics of glass and its large-scale use, the glass-producing sector represents one of the most important in terms of volume when implementing reverse logistics practices. This article studies the relationships with suppliers and customers from the perspective of environmental demands on the part of the packaging and bottling companies that use this material. The study compares the results obtained in two European countries, Spain and Belgium, which present very different characteristics as regards consumer habits and recycling. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.