Final answer:
Both Mark and Sarah are correct regarding the environmental impact of logistics activities and recycling. Mark notes recycling's role in lessening environmental impact, while Sarah accurately defines the process of recycling as repurposing waste into new products. However, complexities like the energy cost and material marketability make the efficacy of recycling vary depending on the material.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both Mark and Sarah are correct in their discussion about the environmental impact of logistics activities and the role of recycling. Mark is correct in suggesting that recycling can help companies have less impact on the environment. Companies can integrate recycling into their logistics processes to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and to conserve natural resources. Sarah's definition of recycling is also accurate; it is the process of collecting products that would otherwise become waste and repurposing them to make new products. This process not only helps reduce the environmental impact but can also serve as an economically viable approach if there is a market for the recycled materials.
However, recycling can be complex due to the costs associated with collection, transportation, and processing, particularly with materials like plastic. While metal recycling is effective from energy and resource standpoints, and paper from a resource standpoint, the benefits of plastic recycling are less clear due to energy and resource considerations. Alternative strategies such as reducing the use of certain materials may be more effective in some cases. Despite these complexities, the overall aim of reducing waste and recycling materials where feasible remains a crucial aspect of sustainable logistics.