Browsers that can not handle javascript will not be able to access some features of this site.
Skip Navigation
Department of Environmental QualityMichigan.gov-Official Website for the Sta of Michigan
Michigan.gov Home DEQ_Home | Online_Services | Permits  | Programs | Site_Map | Contact_DEQ
Printer Friendly Version Printer Friendly   Text Only Version Text Version Email this page Email Page
Lean and Environment

Logo for Greaet Lakes sustainable Suppliers Environmental Network Lean manufacturing principles are key to the creation of strategic business value in today's competitive market.

The reduction and elimination of waste is common ground for the application of both Lean and Environmental management thinking.  The focus on waste in both systems is diverse, but always functional from the standpoint of recovering value from sometimes overlooked or hidden costs and improving performance efficiency.

From the Lean perspective, waste includes overproduction, inventory, transportation, motion, defects, over processing, and waiting.

From the Environmental perspective, waste includes excess materials use, pollution and emission/discharge sources, scrap and non-product output, and hazardous wastes.

The Value Stream Map is a tool used to create a material and information flow map of a product, process or service.  The current state value stream map benchmarks existing conditions and the future state value stream map creates a blueprint to improve the existing conditions in order to transform the system into one that produces a more efficient and value-added product, process or service.  Value stream mapping allows participants to "learn to see" the flow of information and materials in a system.  This, in turn, leads to the ability to identify both gains and losses to that system and better manage methods to prioritize change and improve performance.

Tools and Resources:

Link to Department and Agencies Web Site Index
Link to Statewide Online Services Index
Link to Statewide Web-based Surveys
Link to RSS feeds available on this site
Related Content
 •  Eco-Efficiency and Clean Production
 •  Product Design
 •  Success Stories
 •  Related Links

Michigan.gov Home | DEQ_Home | Online Services | Permits | Programs | Site Map | Contact_DEQ
State Web Sites | Privacy Policy | Link Policy | Accessibility Policy | Security Policy | Michigan News | Michigan.gov Survey

Copyright © 2001-2008 State of Michigan