Based on the principals of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma,  Enviro-Lean® is a process approach that can be used by organizations to systematically improve environmental performance through elimination of waste that has an environmental impact.

Lean Manufacturing is a tool widely used by the quality management profession to eliminate the following seven process wastes:

• Overproduction
• Waiting
• Transporting
• Inappropriate Processing
• Unnecessary Inventory
• Unnecessary/Excess Motion
• Defects

There is however an 8th type of waste that Lean Manufacturing does not address which has significant financial and social implications for organizations.  This is waste with an environmental impact.  Air emission, wastewater discharges, solid waste and hazardous wastes are but a few of these types of wastes.

ENVIRO-STREAM MAPPING

Lean Manufacturing recognizes that a picture is worth a thousand words and uses a techniques call Value Stream Mapping to graphically represent processes that add value to a product or service.  These process maps are used to communicate important information to others in the organization who can then analyze this information, identify areas of waste and work to eliminate it using a process called Kaizan. 

Enviro-Lean® uses a similar tool called Enviro-Stream Mapping to identify and eliminate process waste with an environmental impact.  Figure 1 is an example of a basic Enviro-Stream Map.

ENVIRO-LEAN® ,and SIX SIGMA

Six Sigma is a problem solving tool used by quality managers to help them eliminate defects in products.  Six Sigma uses a project management process called DMAIC.  DMAIC is an acronym for:

• Define
• Measure
• Analyze
• Improve
• Control

Enviro-Lean® uses DMAIC in conjunction with Kaizan to systematically execute potential improvement projects identified through the Enviro-Stream Mapping process.  

ECSI Enviro-Lean® course

The DMAIC Process

Define

The purpose of this phase of the project is to define, redefine and/or validate the aspect Objective and Target.  The output of this phase should include a definition of what additional measurements are needed, and, if applicable, interim improvements.

Measure

This phase of the project obtains measurements of existing conditions according to the defined measurement objectives.

Analyze

The team analyzes data and prepares a report that identifies feasible options for improvement.  The report is presented to top management with a recommendation for the most feasible improvement option.  Top management selects and approves the best option.

Improve

The selected feasible option is selected and implemented.  Performance of the selected option is carefully monitored to confirm the predicted cost savings and environmental improvements are being achieved.

Control

Operational controls are created to ensure the selected option continues to be effective over time.  Internal EMS audits periodically check the continued effectiveness of the operational controls.