The successfulness index of recycling logistics channels –An empirical study on a charity organization in Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to measure the successfulness of two major municipal solid wastes (MSW) recycling channels, and using the IPA model to pinpoint the critical indices and sub-indices which have decisive influence on the successfulness of a recycling channel operated by a charity organisation in Taiwan. Five indices and twelve sub-indices are employed to measure the successfulness of a TZRF (Tzu-chi Relief Foundation)-operated recycling channel and traditional dealer-operated recycling channel. The “education of EP awareness” is found to be the most important index in deciding the successfulness of a recycling system. This research uses the posted survey firstly, and followed by several telephone interviews with some of the surveyees after most of the posted questionnaires are received and summarised. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed to the surveyees by post, and one hundred and forty two complete replies were received. Empirical findings indicate although the labour cost index influences the successfulness of a recycling channel, but most surveyees agree the successfulness of a recycling system depends largely on the performance of its non-economic indices (namely education and environment protection). The surveyees perceived a municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling channel operated by a charity organization has a better performance on both economic factors and non-economic factors than by a traditional recycling dealer/processor.