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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Happy Earth Day!

 

"The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity...that's all there is. That's the whole economy. That's where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world."
-G. Nelson

We know in Lean that it is very important to step back and reflect, to take a look at the larger picture. It is often forgotten or taken for granted that we are sustained and nourished by the Earth, and would not be here if it wasn't for Earth's abundance and wealth.



Let's take a moment today to deeply reflect about in what ways we are respecting the Earth and how we can improve our organizations and our lives to be more eco-friendly and sustainable.

In the following report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Lean Manufacturing and the Environment, you can access more information and recommendations on how to develop and execute an action plan for becoming more environmentally friendly as you implement Lean.

A few examples cited in the EPA's "The Lean and Energy Toolkit":

  • From 2005 – 2007, General Electric reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 250,000 metric tons and saved $70 million in energy costs.
  • A Baxter International facility combined Six Sigma and energy-efficiency efforts to save $300,000 in energy costs in one year.
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America has reduced average facility energy consumption per vehicle by 30 percent since 2000.
More resources:
Ignoring the 8th Deadly Waste
The Lean and Environment Toolkit
Lean, Energy, and Climate Toolkit



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