The thesis is to research on reverse logistics, to provide knowledge on the system of a closed loop for PET bottle and cans recovery, and the introduction of the deposit refund system. The purpose is to tackle the issues on green logistics, report on sustainable supply chain, how the PET bottles and cans have the effect on the environmental and economic impact, how a closed loop system and deposit refund system, can deliver benefits to companies. This will support the recycling systems and practices, with a long-term sustainable design to enable manufacturing companies to reuse and remanufacture PET products.

The thesis consists of the theoretical part, report on some of the recent research in this field, with the focus on the vital and tactical issues. Illustrate each area, present key insights, provide the reader with an overview and specific in-depth knowledge and systematic framework that are used. In some cases, suggestions are provided in this research thesis and an introduction to some recent development techniques, to identify the most common and important issues to successfully steer practices in the recycling of PET bottles and cans. The writer will be including an observation, done from two companies that operates in Finland (Palpa and Tomra) and from South Africa (Petco and Mpact) which provide the same services, to display in their interrelationship.

The main objective of this study is to answer the questions of: What are the environmental and economic impacts of reusing and recycling bottles? Also concentrating on what is reverse logistics and closed loop system, how is green logistics defined. The South African legislation compared to European regulations and the introduction of deposit refund system, how does Tomra close loop system works, and Petco collection system handle their reverse logistics and what are the differences and similarities between the companies. From the theory provided it shows that South African recycling systems and practices still need some improvement. The government need to provide more measure and strict regulations on waste management, green and reverse logistics implementation and not focus more only on profit but on thinking towards environmental consciousness. The goal is to make sure that environmental sustainability is reached, in many organizations' operations and processes.