Circular Return Logistics Traceability

This dataset provides granular traceability of product returns in e-commerce, capturing item types, return reasons, processing outcomes, and sustainability metrics such as carbon footprint and circularity scores. It empowers analysts to optimize reverse logistics, improve operational efficiency, and drive ESG transparency across supply chains, supporting circular economy initiatives.

  • last updated 28 Dec 2025
  • by GoMask
The brief that made it

Optimizing reverse logistics operations for e-commerce platforms

Sample rows

preview · 8 of 110 rows · all 19 columns
return_idstringprocessing_outcomestringcircular_economy_scorefloatfacility_idstringorder_idstringproduct_idstringproduct_typestringreturn_datedatecustomer_idstringreturn_reasonstringprocessing_datedatedistance_traveled_kmfloatcarbon_footprint_kgfloatrefund_amountfloatreturn_statusstringnotesstringfacility_citystringfacility_statestringfacility_countrystring
R10001restocked0.97F01O20001P30001electronics2024-05-04C101damaged2024-05-0612.52.6399.99completedScreen cracked during shipping.San FranciscoCAUSA
R10002restocked0.92F02O20002P30002apparel2024-04-28C102size_issue2024-05-015.30.944.99completedSize too small for intended use.AustinTXUSA
R10003recycled0.67F03O20003P30003home goods2024-03-15C103not_as_described2024-03-17310.249.789.99completedColor did not match website images.BerlinBEGermany
R10004restocked0.99F04O20004P30004electronics2024-06-01C104wrong_item2024-06-032.50.5599.99completedReceived model X instead of model Y.TorontoONCanada
R10005refurbished0.74F05O20005P30005appliances2024-02-20C105damaged2024-02-24420.685.2220completedBroken handle, repaired in facility.LondonENGUK
R10006donated0.36F06O20006P30006books2024-03-03C106changed_mind2024-03-0500blankcompletedDonated to local library.AustinTXUSA
R10007restocked0.88F02O20007P30007apparel2024-04-15C107not_as_described2024-04-179.61.859.95completedMaterial thinner than expected.AustinTXUSA
R10008disposed0.09F07O20008P30008appliances2023-11-25C108damaged2023-11-281102.4172.4blankcompletedNo salvage options, sent to landfill.ParisIDFFrance

What the 110 rows show

from the 110-row sample

Disposed (processing outcome) stands out: mean circular_economy_score is 0.09, against 0.78 for the rest.

  • 0.72median circular_economy_score
  • 6return reasons
  • 7product types
  • 8facility countries
  • 9facility cities
  • 9facility states
Mean circular_economy_score by processing_outcome110 rows
00.510.96restoc…36 rows0.72recycl…23 rows0.71refurb…18 rows0.09dispos…22 rows0.47donated11 rows
circular_economy_score110 rows, in bands of 0.1
0204014714691110103800.51circular_economy_score →

Median 0.72, from 0.01 to 0.99.

facility_id110 rows · top 10 of 18 values
  1. F0117
  2. F0217
  3. F0316
  4. F0713
  5. F0510
  6. F068
  7. F088
  8. F105
  9. F044
  10. F092
19 columns by typefrom the column list below
  • string 13
  • float 4
  • date 2

Columns

19 columns in three groups
blueprint · 19 columns
columntypedescriptionexample
Text 13 columns
return_idstringUnique identifier for each product return transactionuniqueR10001
order_idstringIdentifier for the original e-commerce order associated with the returnO20001
product_idstringUnique identifier for the returned productP30001
product_typestringType or category of the returned product (e.g., electronics, apparel, home goods)7 typeselectronics
customer_idstringUnique identifier for the customer initiating the returnC101
return_reasonstringReason provided by the customer for returning the product6 valuesdamaged
processing_outcomestringFinal outcome of the return processing (e.g., restocked, recycled, refurbished, disposed)restocked · recycled · refurbished · disposed · donatedrestocked
facility_idstringIdentifier for the logistics or processing facility handling the returnF01
return_statusstringCurrent status of the return (e.g., pending, received, processed, completed)pending · received · processing · completed · cancelledcompleted
notesstringAdditional notes or comments related to the return processoptionalFit was not as expected.
facility_citystringCity where the processing facility is located9 cities · optionalSan Francisco
facility_statestringState or region where the processing facility is located9 states · optionalCA
facility_countrystringCountry where the processing facility is located8 countries · optionalUSA
Numbers 4 columns
distance_traveled_kmfloatTotal distance (in kilometers) the returned item traveled in the reverse logistics process0 or more · optional12.5
carbon_footprint_kgfloatEstimated carbon footprint (in kilograms CO2 equivalent) generated by the return process0 or more · optional2.6
circular_economy_scorefloatScore indicating the sustainability and circularity of the return process (0-1 scale)0 to 1 · optional0.97
refund_amountfloatAmount refunded to the customer for the returned item0 or more · optional399.99
Dates and times 2 columns
return_datedateDate when the return was initiated2024-05-04
processing_datedateDate when the returned item was processed2024-05-06

Use it for

  • median circula…0.72110 rowsmean circular economy…0.96rest…0.72recy…0.71refu…0.09disp…

    A logistics dashboard

    Circular_economy_score by processing_outcome and a breakdown of facility_id. Excel, Power BI or Tableau.

  • Why do the 22 disposed rows have a mean circular_economy_score of 0.09?

    A root-cause class exercise

    Hand out the rows and one question. The answer is in the data, not in the brief.

  • A software demo

    Believable returns with order_id, product_id and product_type to fill a screen in front of a buyer.

Not quite right?

Make it yours.

Same 19 columns, your size and your rules. See 20 rows before you pay.

Preview 20 rows free

1,000 rows: $1.99 · 10,000: $12.99One-time. No subscription. All prices

This dataset110 rows19 columns
Yours1,000 rows19 columnsfacility_city: UK only

blueprint · circular-return-logistics-traceability

Behind this dataset

Same schema. As many rows as you need.

These 110 rows came out of a blueprint — 19 columns with generation rules behind each one. Open it in Data Factory to retune a column, add your own, wire in foreign keys, and run it at the size you actually need.

Rules it was built with
  • Each row represents a unique returned item transaction.
  • Include product category, return reason, and circular processing outcome.
  • Capture recovery method (reuse, refurbish, recycle, disposal).
  • Log estimated carbon savings per return.
  • Include timestamps for initiation and completion of return process.
Rows
Open the blueprint in Data Factory

1 credit per row. Preview 20 rows free. Buy rows for the full run.

Exports
CSV, JSON, JSONL, Parquet, SQL, Excel, TSV, XML
Licence
yours to use, including commercially
API slug
circular-return-logistics-traceability

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