Approaches, challenges, and opportunities in humanitarian logistics integrated with reverse logistics and sustainability

Background: Reverse Logistics (RL) can reduce waste, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance operational efficiency in Humanitarian Operations (HOs). Nevertheless, it remains weakly institutionalised and insufficiently recognised as a structuring component of Humanitarian Logistics (HL), operating implicitly and reactively. Methods: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol, examining disaster types, methodological approaches, the roles of RL, and its integration with sustainability and digital technologies. Results: Scientific output increased after 2020, accounting for 66% of the studies. Practices aligned with RL exceed 80% of the publications; however, only 55% explicitly use the term, indicating a disconnect between concept and practice. Sustainability is explicitly addressed in 56% of the studies. Modelling, optimisation, and simulation predominate (27%), followed by reviews (25%) and conceptual analyses (19%). Four roles of RL were identified: environmental (33%), operational (19%), institutional (12%), and technological (19%). Conclusion: RL operates within HOs as a latent and non-formalised capability. As a contribution, this SLR proposes an integrated typology of RL roles in humanitarian contexts. It is recommended to formalise sorting and return protocols, incorporate indicators for reverse flows, assess the use of artificial intelligence to support decision-making, and expand empirical studies that quantify its impacts.