Washington Lean and Green Manufacturing Assistance Program
Since 2006, Ross & Associates has provided strategic and technical support to an innovative partnership between the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Impact Washington (formerly Washington Manufacturing Services) and a series of Lean and green manufacturing projects with facilities in Washington State. In these projects Ecology and Impact Washington have integrated environmental considerations and pollution prevention tools into Lean manufacturing practices to deliver better operational and environmental results. Ross & Associates has played a critical role in the success of this effort by assisting with project design and strategy, providing expertise in Lean manufacturing and environment integration, and documenting the experiences and results of projects.
Ross & Associates worked with the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center to prepare case studies for the three initial Lean and environment pilot projects conducted in 2006–2008 and wrote the Washington Lean and Environment Project Final Report, which summarized the pilot project results, described key findings and lessons learned, and outlined recommendations. Since the conclusion of the pilot projects, we have provided guidance to Ecology on developing a long-term Lean and Green Assistance Program and are currently supporting additional Lean and green projects.
Ross & Associates won a Most Valuable Pollution Prevention award from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable for this project in 2007. Ecology’s Lean and Green Program was also awarded a 3-year State Innovation Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2009.
Click here to see a “Lean Ecology” video about the Columbia Paint pilot project as well as Lean and green video clips featuring Ross & Associates’ Lean and environment specialists Jennifer Tice and Tim Larson.