Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) collection systems can contribute to a sustainable society by transforming waste to valuable resources. However, if not properly designed, the MSW collection systems can become a liability in terms of high cost, high emissions and reduced service. There is still a lack of knowledge on how MSW collection system designs trade off the elements in the triple bottom line. The purpose of this study is to contribute to such understanding. A service-mix framework is proposed, demonstrating trade-offs among the decision areas of bin types, vehicle types, pick-up frequency, delivery distance, co-collection, and sorting in MSW collection systems. The triple bottom line performance is evaluated on cost, service, and emission levels. Two MSW collection systems are analysed and compared, using an Excel-based spreadsheet model. The findings show a potential to improve sustainability in MSW collection systems by trading off service-mix components. Specifically, the findings show that if five households share bins (accept reduced convenience, and the data indicate that they do) the reduction potential is 46 % for cost and 27 % for the CO2 emissions. Similarly, reducing the pick-up frequency service reduces cost and CO2 emissions. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of fill rates shows that using dual chamber trucks gives a high risk of increased cost and CO2 emissions, due to the difficulty of matching waste volumes and chamber sizes. Thus, the paper demonstrates that significant reduction of cost and emission levels are possible without a significant sacrifice of service levels in MSW collection systems.
Hovi, Inger Beate & Bø, Eirill (2024)
Unlocking the potential: How can parcel lockers drive efficiency and environmental friendliness in E-commerce?
This paper analyses the efficiency and carbon footprint of different last-mile delivery solutions, including parcel lockers, pick-up points, and home deliveries. A Decision Support Tool (DST) is developed, utilizing real data on parcel deliveries and time allocation. The DST distinguishes between fixed, variable, and salary costs, revealing that time spent on delivery tasks and associated salary costs are the primary cost drivers. Deliveries to pick-up points are more efficient than deliveries to parcel lockers, but this efficiency depends on the number of parcels delivered. The environmental footprint of the solutions is influenced by how recipients collect their parcels.
Bø, Eirill & Mjøsund, Christian S. (2022)
Use of GPS-data to improve transport solutions in a cost and environmental perspective
In this paper we have utilised GPS data as a base to track truck movements and analyse transport activities. Combined with a Decision Support Tool we have investigated how different transport solutions affect the transport cost and CO2 emissions. The information gained from GPS-data helps firms such as a fruit and vegetables wholesaler to gain better insights into their transport solution and operations from a cost and environmental perspective. This also means that the current analysis remains useful for the transporting company in making strategic decisions as to when and where they should engage in other transport assignments to improve the load factors on their trucks.
This paper presents that the picture the decision-makers had prior to GPS data being used was different from the real situation, and the insights gained lead to new knowledge and actions. As a result, this would contribute to greener and more cost-efficient solutions.
Bø, Eirill; Hovi, Inger Beate & Pinchasik, Daniel Ruben (2022)
COVID-19 disruptions and Norwegian food and pharmaceutical supply chains: Insights into supply chain risk management, resilience, and reliability
The purpose of this study is to investigate how the COVID-19 crisis affected delivery security and firms’ preparedness and responses in Norway. Investigations focus on supply chains which were critical for maintaining the supply of essential goods when large parts of society closed down. This includes four firms belonging to food and pharmaceutical industries, representing different parts of the respective supply chains, and covering imports, exports, domestic distribution, and home-delivery services.
The originality of this article is that we employ theoretical models on supply chain risk management, resilience and reliability in conjunction, where these are usually used separately. Recognizing links, overlaps, and complementarity between the models, and using them step-by-step, we exploit synergies that enable more comprehensive assessments of strengths and weaknesses in firms’ supply chains, covering gaps, prioritizing between improvement areas, and collecting input towards detailed, actionable risk mitigation actions. Investigations build on semi-structured interviews, systematically covering the formative elements for each of the models. Using the models in conjunction, we compare the firms and identify differences, similarities, strengths, and weaknesses in the consequences of pandemic-related disruptions and how firms approached the challenges.
The main challenges for the firms were sudden demand changes early in the pandemic. While the firms had minor differences, their pre-pandemic contingency plans were generally not actionable or detailed enough, nor prepared for the pandemic's longevity. Therefore, more detailed and long-term guidelines are desirable, noting the importance and interrelationships of elements of supply chain risk management, resilience, and reliability. A common feature for all firms, and crucial for handling disruptions, is the importance of good and long-term relationships with upstream and downstream supply chain partners and the need for improving contingency plans and future resilience.
Pinchasik, Daniel Ruben; Hovi, Inger Beate, Bø, Eirill & Mjøsund, Christian S. (2021)
Can active follow-ups and carrots make eco-driving stick? Findings from a controlled experiment among truck drivers in Norway
This article presents results from a randomized controlled eco-driving experiment with differential treatment between two groups of truck drivers in Norway. Using data from in-vehicle devices, we investigate whether eco-driving interventions (a course, active monthly follow-ups, and non-monetary incentives) reduce fuel consumption by inducing more efficient driving behavior for drivers in a treatment group, compared to a control group. Hereby, we consider persistence of effects over time and the relative importance of eco-driving factors, while controlling for fixed vehicles, routes, drivers, and weather.
We find significant fuel consumption reductions, persisting over a longer period of time than in most previous studies (where effects fade or disappear), that weather conditions are important, and evidence of an ‘eco-driving learning curve’. This might result from monthly follow-ups and driver rewards. Further, we find spill-over effects through significant fuel savings for drivers in the control group (undergoing no interventions). These are likely the result of them becoming aware that ‘something eco-driving related’ is going on.
Our analysis suggests that improvements on engine and gear management contribute most to fuel savings. We estimate the potential for fuel savings to lie between 5.2 and 7.5% (lower bound, control group) and 9% (upper bound, treatment group). This implies a potential for significant cost savings and emission reductions, which might to some extent be scalable and transferable to other settings. As such, eco-driving may play one part in reducing emissions from road freight, for which much-needed emission reductions are challenging to achieve, especially in the shorter run.
Bø, Eirill (2020)
Transparency Issues Within a Transport Buyer and Provider Relationship
Transport is an important function in the supply chain. This chapter focuses on how to buy a transport service, how to form a transport contract, and how a transparent relationship will influence the risk and the relationship between transport provider and buyer. By developing a decision support tool (DST-model) and calculating the cost and the time parameters, the right price and the cost drivers will appear. The cases described in this chapter are a large Norwegian wholesaler for food, distribution to the retailer, and two Norwegian municipalities collecting household waste. In these cases, the buyer and the provider are acting blind in setting the transport price. This means that there is a huge risk for either a bankruptcy by the transport provider or an overpriced transport for the buyer.
Bø, Eirill & Baxter, John (2020)
Transparency as a Driver for Logistical Efficiency in WEEE Collection and Transport
Inefficiency in complex reverse-logistical operations, such as the collection and transport of various wastes, can often be traced to two related factors. Adversarial and arms-length relationships between service providers and customers are commonplace, alongside surprisingly limited understanding of the cost base. This study investigated transparency and shared understanding as drivers for higher efficiency and lower costs. Observation and intervention in contractual negotiations was combined with analyses of cost and sensitivity, and a post-contractual transparency exercise with bidders where findings were shared with all parties. The work yielded both immediate efficiency gains and a longer-term infrastructure for cost evaluation and negotiation. Ongoing work is extending the approach into yet more complex and broader areas of municipal waste management.
Bø, Eirill & Baxter, John (2016)
The effects of geographical, operational and service parameters on WEEE transport networks
Efficiency in the collection and transport of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is important for economic and environmental reasons. A detailed analysis of the logistical- and cost-effectiveness of the collection and transport of WEEE in Norway reveals regional geography to be a particularly important factor; it varies significantly across the country and heavily influences the cost of collection. The paper explores the influence of this, along with other parameters relating to operational effectiveness and customer service. Implications for all the key actors in the WEEE collection and transport business are outlined.
This research compares the environmental impact, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, of using refillable polyethylene terephthalate (REF–PET) and non–refillable polyethylene terephthalate (NR–PET) bottles in the Norwegian soft drink and carbonated water market. A Microsoft Excel spread sheet was developed in close cooperation with Coca–Cola, Mack, Telemark Springwater, and three of the main food wholesalers in Norway: NorgesGruppen, Coop, and Rema. While academic writers have criticised such life–cycle analysis as impractical, too time–consuming, expensive, and demanding too much effort, and instead advocated qualitative evaluation methods, this project demonstrates that a data–based approach is fully feasible. The research team identifies the CO2 emissions associated with various activities, and finds that NR–PET bottles generate 18% less CO2 emissions than REF–PET bottles. This research provides practical suggestions for achieving environmentally friendly packaging solutions. As a consequence of the study findings, the grocery industry initiated efforts to change legislation, and major Norwegian actors have changed their policies.
Bø, Eirill & Grønland, Stein Erik (2012)
Increased cooperation in the supply chains - how to reduce the need for transportation?
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Bygballe, Lena Elisabeth; Bø, Eirill & Grønland, Stein Erik (2012)
Managing international supply: The balance between total costs and customer service
Many trading companies have taken a global approach to their supply markets, sourcing from low-cost foreign countries in order to achieve cost reductions. There remains, however, a lack of evidence that sourcing internationally actually leads to improved economic performance. This can be explained by two key challenges in terms of how to achieve a balance between: (1) purchasing and logistics costs; and (2) total costs and customer service. The purpose of this paper is to examine the organisation and management of international supply from a total cost perspective, taking into account both purchasing and logistics costs, as well as customer service and agility. Previous research into a number of Norwegian companies that have sourced from China has identified four configurations for managing international supply. This paper utilises the supply management literature and an example of a Norwegian retail and wholesale company to analyse and discuss these configurations and their effects on total costs and customer service. The paper’s theoretical contribution is the conceptualisation of a total cost perspective on international supply management and the discussion of such costs in relation to customer service. This contribution may, in turn, aid companies that source from foreign, low-cost countries
Bø, Eirill & Hammervoll, Trond (2010)
Cost-based pricing of transportation services in a wholesaler-carrier relationship: an MS Excel spreadsheet decision tool
Kostnads- og miljøberegninger av ulike leveringsløsninger
[Lecture]. Event
Hovi, Inger Beate & Bø, Eirill (2022)
Effekter av Covid-19 pandemien på forsyningssikkerhet og tilpasningsevne
[Lecture]. Event
Bø, Eirill (2022)
Risikovurderinger i en forsyningskjede: Var bedriftene forberedt da pandemien kom?
[Lecture]. Event
Bø, Eirill & Hovi, Inger Beate (2022)
How can parcel lockers contribute to more efficient and environmentally friendly E-commerce?
[Conference Lecture]. Event
The demand for e-commerce and home deliveries of parcels has grown significantly during the pandemic and is expected to stay at a high level post-pandemic. As working-from-home is decreasing again, new solutions for flexible delivery solutions are needed.
This paper analyzes various solutions for last-mile deliveries, comparing pick-up points, parcel lockers and attended and unattended home deliveries. Based on real shipment data from a logistics service provider in Norway, as well as cost and time data on different activities in last-mile distribution, a Decision Support Tool (DST) is developed to analyze transport costs and corresponding environmental footprints from the distribution center and to the customer. From a cost perspective, we find that deliveries to pick-up points are more efficient than deliveries to parcel lockers, but results are sensitive to the number of parcels delivered per trip and per location. The solutions’ environmental footprints, in turn, depend on how receivers collect their parcels. If parcel collection triggers new trips by exhaust car, home deliveries may yield the smallest environmental footprint, but this depends on the collection distance to parcel lockers and pick-up points.
