La presente investigaci?n est? centrada en la caracterizaci?n de la cadena de suministro de las botellas de vidrio en la ciudad de Ibagu? desde el punto de vista de la log?stica inversa, con el fin de conocer los beneficios que genera su recuperaci?n y c?mo estos influyen en el factor econ?mico, social y ambiental de la ciudad, siendo el factor ambiental el m?s afectado, considerando que en Colombia se ?genera cerca de 12 millones de toneladas de basura anualmente, de los cuales solo el 8,6% es reciclado?. Se propusieron 3 objetivos espec?ficos, en los cuales se establecieron las bases conceptuales y premisas que intervienen en la caracterizaci?n de cadenas de recuperaci?n por medio del desarrollo de marcos legales y te?ricos que contienen antecedentes y conceptos claves para la investigaci?n, se determin? los actores, roles, partes interesadas y sus interrelaciones que intervienen en la recuperaci?n de botellas de vidrio, esta informaci?n se alcanz? a partir de entrevistas personales e informes publicados por las empresas de inter?s y se realiz? una evaluaci?n que permiti? diagnosticar el impacto de la cadena de recuperaci?n que a su vez permiti? desarrollar estrategias por medio de las matrices DOFA Y MAFE.This research is focused on the characterization of the supply chain of glass bottles in the city of Ibagu? from the point of view of reverse logistics. The purpose is to know the benefits generated by its recovery and how these influence the economic, social and environmental factors of the city. Being the environmental factor the most affected, considering that in Colombia "about 12 million tons of garbage is generated annually, of which only 8.6% is recycled." The research has 3 specific objectives, in which the conceptual bases and premises that intervene in the characterization of this recovery chain were established through the development of legal and theoretical frameworks. These sections contain background and key concepts for the investigation. In addition, the actors, roles, stakeholders and their interrelationships involved in the recovery of glass bottles were determined. The information was obtained from personal interviews and reports published by the companies of interest and an evaluation was carried out to diagnose the impact of the recovery chain to develop strategies through the SWOT and MAFE matrices.