Water Quality Kaizen Event

Ohio EPA uses Kaizen Event to improve the process for issuing water quality certifications and wetland permits. They are focusing on improving the efficiency of the permitting process while balancing the protection of Ohio’s aquatic resources. http://bit.ly/asP9b9

Sample Ohio EPA Kaizen Event Recommendations (PDF).

Six Sigma Environmental Performance

What role can lean and Six Sigma play in the environmental process? Lower variability and effective processes can prevent real waste that must be disposed of. ...

... "By removing variation from production processes, fewer defects inherently result. A reduction in defects can, in turn, help eliminate waste from processes in three fundamental ways: (1) fewer defects decreases the number of products that must be scrapped; (2) fewer defects also means that the raw materials, energy, and resulting waste associated with the scrap are eliminated; (3) fewer defects decreases the amount of energy, raw material, and wastes that are used or generated to fix defective products that can be re-worked. " ...

Via EPA: Lean and the Environment

Environmental-Friendly Lean Manufacturing

Experts see synergy between lean manufacturing and environmental stewardship. And, the EPA agrees. ...

... "Environmental concerns are a part of the lean concept. Emissions to air and water, as well as the generation of solid/hazardous waste, represent a waste of production " ...

Via GreenBiz: Lean Manufacturing Environmental Impact