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Lean Thinking, Muda, and the Four Ls • 183

taBle 10.3
Environmental Benefits of Lean
Lean Method Potential environmental Benefits
Kaizan rapid improvement Continued improvement culture focused on eliminating
events wastes
Uncovering and eliminating hidden wastes and waste-
generating activities
Quick, sustained results without significant capital
investment
5S or 6S Decreased lighting, energy needs when windows are
cleaned and equipment is painted light colors
Spills, leaks noticed quickly
Decreased potential for accidents and spills with clearly
marked and obstacle-free thoroughfares
Reduced contamination of product, resulting in fewer
product defects (which reduces energy and resource
needs; avoids waste)
Reduced floor space needed for operations storage;
potential decrease in energy needs
Less unneeded consumption of materials and chemicals
when equipment, parts, and materials are organized, easy
to find; less need for disposal of expired chemicals
Visual clues that can raise awareness of waste-handling/
management procedures, workplace hazards, and
emergency response procedures
Cellular manufacturing Elimination of overproduction, thereby reducing wastes
and the use of energy and raw materials
Fewer defects from processing and product changeovers,
which reduces energy and resource needs and avoids waste
Noticing defects earlier, preventing wastes
Less use of materials and energy (per unit of production)
with right-sized equipment
Less floor space needed; potential decrease in energy use
and less need to construct new facilities
Easier to focus on equipment maintenance, pollution
prevention
Just-in-time/kanban Eliminates overproduction, thereby reducing wastes and
the use of energy and raw materials
Less in-process and postprocess inventory needed; avoids
potential waste from damaged, spoiled, or deteriorated
products
Frequent inventory turns, which can eliminate need to
degrease metal parts
Continued