Final answer:
A supply chain designed to handle returned products in an environmentally sustainable way, recycling or repurposing them, is known as a closed-loop supply chain. Such supply chains are integral to sustainable business practices and rely on efficient technology, transportation, and labor policies. So the correct answer is option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ideal supply chain is designed to ensure that when a product needs to be returned, it can be handled in a sustainable manner. This includes being recycled, reused, resold, or dismantled into component parts for use in other products. The term for this kind of supply chain is a closed-loop supply chain. The closed-loop supply chain aligns with sustainable environmental practices by aiming to minimize waste and make the most efficient use of resources.
Furthermore, the advancement of technology, improvements in transportation methods and vehicles, along with effective policies, can enhance the maintainability of supply chains during national emergencies. Additionally, the emphasis on labor rights is crucial for sustainable operations. This includes the need for companies to reform labor policies and invest in their workforce.
Recycling, an essential part of the closed-loop supply chain, requires a market for the recycled materials to be profitable and is contingent upon economic factors including the costs of collection, transportation, and processing. The supply chain described in the question is a closed-loop supply chain. This type of supply chain is designed to ensure that products can be recycled, reused, sold, or broken down into component parts for use in other products.