Summary
The document provides an overview of actors, activities, and locations related to reverse logistics in the humanitarian sector. It aims to identify best practices and scalable models, highlight gaps and collaboration opportunities, and support the integration of environmental sustainability into humanitarian operations.
Content
Introduction
Driven by the need for efficiency and responsible resource management, humanitarian organizations are increasingly exploring reverse logistics (RL) within their supply chains. RL enables reverse flows of items and materials at the end of the supply chain, allowing them to be returned to suppliers, reintegrated into operations, or recycled and disposed of responsibly. Beyond environmental benefits, RL can create opportunities for cost recovery and return on investment by reclaiming end-of-life items through reuse, refurbishment, or recycling—ultimately reducing waste, lowering costs, and optimizing resource use.
This makes RL a strategic and cost-effective component of humanitarian logistics, even in contexts where sustainability is not yet a primary focus.
However, despite its potential, RL is still not widely implemented across the sector. Many organizations are only beginning to explore its benefits, and existing practices vary in scale and maturity.1
This document aims to capture and consolidate both small-scale initiatives and more established models, offering a snapshot of who is doing what and where. It categorizes RL practices based on the type of item being returned, specifically:
- End-of-life items – Items that can be recycled to regain value or that require appropriate disposal or treatment.
- Surplus or assets – Items that are still functional and can be re-distributed or repurposed.
By documenting these efforts, this landscape aims to:
- Highlight best practices and scalable models,
- Identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration,
- Support the integration of environmental sustainability into humanitarian operations.
End-of-life items
End-of-life items refer to materials, equipment, or assets that have reached the end of their intended operational use within humanitarian operations. These items may include damaged or obsolete goods, expired supplies, packaging and waste.
End-of-life items can often be returned for:
- Recycling, to recover raw materials (such as metals, plastics, and paper) and generate financial value through resale, creating opportunities for return on investment.
- Disposal, only when other options—such as refurbishing, recycling, or reusing—are not feasible.
Here’s what humanitarian partners have done so far to manage and return end-of-life items using RL.
The World Food Programme (WFP) moves millions of tons of food and relief items each year across complex and often remote environments, inevitably generating significant volumes of packaging and operational waste. To tackle this challenge, WFP country offices are increasingly adopting RL practices aimed at recovering, recycling, and repurposing materials after their initial use. These efforts transform waste into a resource, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to more sustainable operations.
WFP Kenya has implemented a RL initiative to manage supply chain packaging waste such as plastic pallets and polypropylene bags. By using trucks returning from deliveries to backhaul waste, WFP ensures efficient transport and responsible disposal. This approach transforms a logistical challenge into an opportunity for sustainable resource management. Link to the initiative
WFP Kenya, due to a quality issue with a food supplier, had to recall 1,398 metric tons of specialized nutritious food to ensure safety. WFP coordinated the return, disposal through sale to animal feed producers and implemented RL by centralizing stocks from eight counties in Nairobi for segregation. RL was further supported through transport contracts offering discounted return trips and informal agreements with transporters to backhaul waste. Packaging waste was recycled through a registered supplier, and a local manufacturer was supported to produce replacement food, strengthening local capacity and supply chain resilience. Recycling Packaging from Damaged Stocks
WFP Venezuela has set up RL initiatives to manage operational waste effectively, even in complex and emergency settings. Systems have been set up to segregate materials such as cardboard and plastic, backhaul them using returning empty trucks, and recycle them through contracted suppliers. Additional arrangements have been set up during emergency responses to collect and transport waste without incurring extra costs, leveraging existing logistics capacity. Through these efforts, over 100 kg of cardboard and plastic have been recycled, avoiding 106 kg of CO₂ emissions and advancing circular economy practices within humanitarian operations. Link to the initiative
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) office in Iraq has partnered with a local supplier to manage used printer cartridges sustainably. Through this collaboration, all empty cartridges—regardless of type or brand—are collected via dedicated boxes and returned for responsible recycling and reuse. The service is provided free of charge, reinforcing DRC’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the circular economy. Link to the initiative
To improve e-waste management in humanitarian operations, Hulo has set up systems that address the challenge of electronic waste accumulating in offices and warehouses without access to sustainable recycling options. To overcome logistical constraints, Hulo promotes ‘informal reverse logistics,’ encouraging organizations to use existing transport infrastructure to backhaul e-waste to central points. This approach leverages available vehicle space on return trips to the capital, enabling more responsible handling of discarded electronics. For larger items, such as generators, additional solutions have been set up to coordinate logistics and ensure efficient RL. Link to the initiative
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in El Salvador launched a RL initiative to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency by returning used materials. Partnering with a certified local recycling company, the operation focused on responsible waste management through the collection, return, and recycling of cardboard, paper, metals, and electronic waste. The process was supported by a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and staff training. This initiative not only reduced environmental impact and improved accountability but also generated a modest return on investment, creating a replicable model for other UN entities transitioning to shared facilities like the UN House. Link to the initiative
Surplus and assets
RL extends far beyond waste management; it can also be applied to items that remain usable, such as surplus and assets. These refer to materials, equipment, or goods that are unused or no longer required for their original purpose within humanitarian operations. Examples include excess stock, vehicles, IT equipment, or other operational resources.
Surplus and assets can often be returned for:
- Reassignment, to other operations or projects where they can be effectively utilized, ensuring optimal resource use and cost savings.
- Proper management, including refurbishment or repurposing, to extend their lifecycle and reduce waste.
Here’s what humanitarian partners have done so far to manage and return surplus and assets using RL.
Through the Return, Refurbish, Reuse (3R) initiative, the United Nations Global Service Center (UNGSC) is extending the lifecycle of high-value equipment, reducing procurement timelines and costs, and ensuring that mission-critical assets are available when and where they’re needed most. The 3R initiative targets underutilized, high-value assets—such as heavy machinery and specialized vehicles—that can be returned, refurbished and redeployed to missions in need. This approach not only reduces waste but also ensures that critical equipment continues to serve the UN system, rather than being prematurely written off. By drawing from existing stock, 3R enables faster turnaround times and avoids the delays often associated with commercial procurement. Link to the initiative
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has successfully implemented RL not only for waste management but also for high-value assets, such as armoured vehicles. By returning, refurbishing and redeploying existing vehicles instead of purchasing new ones, FCDO has achieved substantial cost savings—around 77%—while significantly reducing environmental impact. This approach demonstrates how RL can support both economic and environmental sustainability in humanitarian operations, extending asset life cycles and minimizing resource consumption. Link to the initiative
The UK office of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF-UK) adopted a circular and reverse RL approach in its IT procurement by purchasing 510 remanufactured laptops and returning nearly 500 old devices to the supplier for remanufacturing. This closed-loop process ensured that outdated equipment was reintegrated into the supply chain, replacing it with high-performance, remanufactured alternatives. The initiative significantly reduced environmental impact while demonstrating how RL can support circular economy principles in organizational operations. Link to the initiative
Challenges & Opportunities of Implementing Reverse Logistics
RL is gaining traction in humanitarian operations as organizations seek to improve sustainability, accountability, and cost-efficiency. However, adoption has been gradual due to operational complexities and resource constraints. This section outlines the main challenges slowing RL implementation and highlights the opportunities that make it a promising approach for the future. 2
Challenges
- Resource Demands During Setup
Establishing a RL system can be resource-intensive, particularly in the initial planning and setup phase. It requires dedicated time, staff capacity, and coordination to design effective workflows among all partners involved (e.g. logistics, admin, procurement, external stakeholders). While the system can be integrated into routine operations over time, the early stages often present a significant challenge for humanitarian organizations.
- Cross-Border Reverse Logistics
End-of life management
Cross-border movement of waste should only be considered as a last resort when no in-country solutions exist, as it is regulated by the Basel Convention and involves additional legal and procedural challenges.
Asset Reassignment
Returning and reassignment of assets across borders introduces additional complexity, including customs procedures and regulatory requirements. These administrative hurdles can discourage organizations from pursuing RL, leading many to opt for in-country donations at the end of an operation rather than navigating the process of returning and reassigning assets.
Opportunities
- Scalability and Replication
Once a RL system is in place, it becomes easier to replicate and adapt across different organizations and contexts. This can lead to improved coordination, shared practices, and operational efficiencies, contributing to economies of scale.
- Financial Return on Investment
RL can generate tangible financial benefits by extending the lifecycle of assets, reducing procurement costs, and minimizing waste. This document highlights how partners have leveraged RL to achieve cost savings and improved resource utilization, supported by practical examples and data.
- Leverage Existing Logistical Infrastructure.
Utilizing empty return trips of trucks or vehicles to transport surplus or end-of-life items helps optimize costs, reduce environmental impact, and improve overall logistics efficiency. Several organizations already apply this strategy, proving it supports both operational effectiveness and the financial sustainability of reverse logistics initiatives. However, when this is not feasible, additional transportation costs must be factored into reverse logistics planning.
- Growing Donor Interest
Donors are increasingly recognizing the value of RL in promoting sustainability, accountability, and cost-effectiveness. Integrating RL into operations can align with donor priorities and strengthen funding proposals by demonstrating responsible resource management.
Additional information and resources
This document is updated annually. If you’d like to contribute, please reach out. We are also collecting best practices on Reverse Logistics—if your organization has initiatives or experiences to share, contact us at Global.WREC@wfp.org.
For more guidance on RL, visit the dedicated page of the Logistics Cluster’s WREC Information portal, where you can access tools, templates, and best practices.
The WREC Coalition regularly organizes Global Information Sessions and Coordination Meetings on RL. To stay updated, subscribe to the WREC newsletter: email us at Global.WREC@wfp.org.