Reverse Logistics in the Spotlight: Innovators Turning Returns Into Revenue

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton sits down with two industry leaders shaping the future of reverse logistics and circular supply chains. Joining the conversation are Sean Cleland, Vice President of Mobility and Asset Recovery at B-Stock, and Rich Bulger, Founder and Chief Circularity Officer at All Things Circular.Sean shares how B-Stock has pioneered the secondary market for retailers and brands, using data and AI to transform returns from a tactical afterthought into a strategic advantage. He explores how mobile technology sets the pace for the broader supply chain, why retailers like Best Buy are rethinking refurbished and resale programs, and how companies are shifting toward proactive planning and insourcing to better manage reverse flows.Rich reflects on his journey from building billion-dollar trade-in programs at Verizon and Cisco to launching All Things Circular, a platform dedicated to education, collaboration, and innovation in reverse logistics. He highlights the evolution of returns as a revenue driver, the urgent need for new training and curricula, and the importance of circular thinking in addressing a $1.6 trillion challenge.Together, Sean and Rich offer a candid look at where reverse logistics is headed, the role of AI in predicting value and shaping contracts, and how leaders can rethink returns as an opportunity for growth, sustainability, and impact. Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(01:38) Interview with Sean Cleland from B-Stock(02:55) B-Stock's role in reverse logistics(04:02) Trends in mobile tech and returns management(08:15) The importance of data and AI(11:52) Interview with Rich Bulger from All Things Circular(13:13) Rich Bulger's journey and insights(21:56) Introduction to circular platforms(25:05) The evolution of Going Circular(27:46) Viewing feedback as blessings for improvement(31:01) The importance of reverse logistics education(35:35) Impact of returns and circular logisticsResources:Connect with Sean Cleland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanrcleland/ Connect with Rich Bulger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-bulger-43b02112/ Learn more about All Things Circular: https://allthingscircular.com/ Learn more about B-Stock: https://bstock.com/ Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- The Power of Partnership: Building Long-Term Success with Automation Integrators: https://bit.ly/3Ie1WUOWEBINAR- Real stories: People first - Leadership lessons in driving digital supply chain transformation: https://bit.ly/3INxtNwWEBINAR- The Optimized Digital Transformer: Key Concepts for Enhancing Modern Leadership: https://bit.ly/4gGWCGgWEBINAR- Reengineering supply chain planning: How to get more bang for your buck in 2026- https://bit.ly/3VahMCQWEBINAR- Optimizing End-to-End Logistics: Efficiency, Collaboration, and Innovation- https://bit.ly/4ml2TZhWEBINAR- Empowering Decision-Making in 2026 with Supply Chain Orchestration: https://bit.ly/3W7swlLThis episode was hosted by Scott W. Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/reverse-logistics-spotlight-innovators-turning-returns-revenue-1490 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.