## 1 Introduction  
In recent years, waste management in manufacturing, especially hazardous waste disposal, has become a critical issue that needs to be addressed with the growing global concern for environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and sustainable development [1]. The World Health Organization underscores that the safe disposal of hazardous waste is linked to environmental quality and directly impacts public health [2]. In this context, how to effectively manage hazardous wastes in the manufacturing industry has become an important challenge worldwide. In the context of manufacturing, particularly in complex projects, various forms of hazardous waste are generated. If not managed effectively, these materials pose significant risks to both environmental integrity and human safety [3]. As a result, reverse logistics has emerged as a promising waste management strategy, facilitating resource conservation, reducing ecological pollution, and promoting recycling. This approach minimizesdisposal costs and enhances overall environmental sustainability [4; 5; 6]. Furthermore, it can improve corporate reputation, strengthen market competitiveness, and help achieve the dual objectives of economic growth and social development [7]. On the other hand, in cruise ship construction, the reverse logistics management of hazardous waste is particularly critical due to the scale, complexity, and high-risk nature of the operations. The generation of hazardous waste, such as paint waste and oil residues, is unavoidable and must be managed with strict Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) management regulations. This complex environment requires a robust reverse logistics strategy that not only addresses waste disposal, but also integrates safety and environmental considerations. Effective management of hazardous waste is vital to ensure both operational efficiency and the long-term sustainability of shipbuilding practices. The undertaking of cruise construction is a highly intricate, tailored project that follows a regionalized building approach [8; 9]. Figure 1 provides an illustration of the integrated shipbuilding process, encompassing hull construction, outfitting, and painting. Due to the extensive volume of parts and components involved, the logistics management requirements are exceedingly exacting [10]. In this context, shipyards are characterized by complex workflows, heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and a high density of simultaneous operations, which make strict HSE management indispensable. In the process of cruise construction, the production of hazardous waste materials such as waste oil, waste paint ash, waste paint slag, and waste paint barrels cannot be avoided. Among these, waste paint barrels and waste paint slag make up 90% of all hazardous waste. These materials are toxic, flammable, and infectious by nature, and fall under the category of clearly defined hazardous waste [11]. As such, they must be managed in strict accordance with hazardous waste regulations, and effective treatment measures must be taken to ensure that they are handed over to enterprises with hazardous waste business licenses for centralized, harmless disposal. Failure to do so in a timely manner will, from the perspective of cruise construction, occupy a significant amount of storage space, potentially causing confusion in material management and disrupting the normal production schedule. Moreover, reverse logistics in shipyards often involves the transportation and disposal of hazardous or bulky waste materials such as scrap steel, empty welding spools, and used paint containers. These processes inherently involve safety risks, potential environmental hazards, and occupational health concerns, making HSE considerations integral to reverse logistics planning. Also, HSE management principles also create sustainable development within the factory, as shown in Figure 2. Lastly, from the vantage point of green development, pollution resulting from the improper disposal of hazardous waste can impede sustainable development efforts [12].