Advancing Circular Supply Chains: Integrating Logistics, Supply Chain Management and Circular Economy Practices

Dear Colleagues,

The circular economy represents an economic paradigm designed to eliminate waste and promote the continual use of resources. In contrast to the traditional linear economy, characterized by a ‘take, make, dispose’ model, the circular economy is inherently regenerative. It emphasizes closing product lifecycle loops through enhanced resource efficiency, achieved via the reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling of existing materials and products. Circular supply chains play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable economic growth by minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. By integrating the principles of the circular economy with logistics and supply chain management (SCM), circular supply chains enable the reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of products and materials. This integration not only mitigates environmental impact but also reduces operational costs and bolsters supply chain resilience. Furthermore, circular supply chains stimulate innovation, generate new business opportunities, and support sustainable consumption and production patterns. In an era where sustainability is increasingly prioritized, circular supply chains are indispensable for companies striving for long-term success and favorable environmental and social outcomes.

This Special Issue focuses on the convergence of circular supply chains, logistics, and SCM within the context of the circular economy. It seeks to investigate innovative strategies, practices, and technologies that facilitate the transition from traditional linear supply chains to sustainable, circular models. The primary objective is to enhance our understanding of how integrating logistics and SCM principles can advance the adoption of circular economy practices. This issue aims to illuminate the benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with circular supply chains, providing a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners dedicated to promoting sustainability in supply chain operations.

Authors are warmly encouraged to submit original research papers, review articles, empirical studies, and case studies (for educational purposes) for this Special Issue of Logistics by 05 August 2025. Submissions can cover but are not limited to the following topics:

• Strategies for designing products for disassembly and recycling;
• Challenges and solutions in reverse logistics;
• Case studies of successful closed-loop systems;
• Methods for reclaiming materials from end-of-life products;
• Strategies for sourcing sustainable materials;
• The impact of IoT, blockchain, and AI on circular supply chains;
• Exploring new business models such as product-as-a-service;
• The economic implications of circular business models;
• The impact of regulations on circular supply chain practices;
• Engaging consumers in circular supply chain initiatives;
• Tools and frameworks for assessing circular supply chain performance;
• Strategies for managing the transition from linear to circular models.

Examples can be found at the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/logistics/special_issues/scm_automation

We look forward to receiving valuable submissions with great anticipation.

Dr. Selman Karagöz
Dr. Derya Deliktas
Dr. Ramez Kian
Dr. Emrah Bilgic
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Logistics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.