Lean and Environment Initiative
As a national expert on the integration of Lean manufacturing and environmental considerations, Ross & Associates has provided research, tool development, and communications support to EPA’s Lean and Environment Initiative since its inception in 2003. Working with EPA’s Lean and environment partners, Ross & Associates has developed a series of “toolkit” publications that provide Lean practitioners with practical strategies for enhancing the environmental results of Lean methods while supporting Lean’s focus on the elimination of waste and non-value added activity.
We co-authored The Lean and Environment Toolkit, The Lean, Energy & Climate Toolkit, The Lean and Chemicals Toolkit, The Lean and Water Toolkit, and The Environmental Professional’s Guide to Lean and Six Sigma, among other publications. We also developed almost all of the content of EPA’s Lean website, facilitated and organized Lean and environment training workshops, supported EPA’s Lean and environment partnerships with manufacturing facilities and technical assistance providers, and documented Lean and environment case studies and best practices. We are currently exploring how Lean and Six Sigma can support and speed adoption of effective utility management practices at water and wastewater utilities.
EPA launched its Lean and Environment Initiative based on our 2003 research report, Lean Manufacturing and the Environment, which we prepared for EPA and which won a Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Research. The Shingo Prize is the leading business award for Lean manufacturing. This report examined the relationship of industry Lean manufacturing efforts to environmental performance and the environmental regulatory framework, and outlined recommendations for EPA and other environmental agencies.