Integrating blockchain with digital product passports for managing reverse supply chain

Abstract

The reverse supply chain (RSC), vital for circular economies, faces considerable challenges, including transparency deficits, trust issues, and inefficient information sharing. Blockchain can enhance transparency and traceability in circular economy practices, but it has limitations in providing detailed, product-specific lifecycle data. In contrast, the digital product passport (DPP) is designed to provide this detailed information, offering comprehensive, high-quality data across a product’s entire lifecycle. By integrating DPP, the inherent data limitations of blockchain can be overcame, making it a more useful tool in promoting sustainable practices. The aim of this research is to explore integrating blockchain technology and the DPP to manage RSC for circular economy practices. To achieve this, a novel conceptual framework is presented that merge blockchain with DPP, potentially enhancing information efficiency throughout the entire lifecycle of end-of-life products and reducing uncertainties in RSC processes.