Green Suppliers Network aids Lean and Green efforts

The fact that green happens to rhyme with green is a nice bit of serendipity for those of us who must come up with headlines. But the real fortunate link is that lean’s central focus on eliminating wasted time, capacity, and inventory in manufacturing carries over nicely to the reduction of environmental waste and energy from operations.

There are many examples of the successful pairing of lean techniques with green efforts, such as this article from the Apollo Alliance about efforts at Nature’s Path Foods in Washington state. As the article explains, lean techniques like value stream mapping can serve as a useful framework for analyzing points in a production process where energy is wasted or other negative environmental impacts tend to occur. But what struck me about the article was that the State of Washington’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) was there as a resource for Nature’s Path in their quest to be more lean and green. It turns out that there are other public-funded organizations that can help with lean and green efforts.

A good resource to scour for information on MEP programs nationwide is the Hollings MEP program run under the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). The NIST/MEP site can hook you up with MEP programs in your area, some of which may also have lean and green programs.

For sure, one lean/green resource to be aware of is the Green Suppliers Network, managed jointly by U.S. EPA and NIST/MEP. The Green Suppliers Network works with large manufacturers to engage their small and medium-sized suppliers in low-cost technical reviews that employ lean and green methods to cut waste and boost productivity. The program was launched in late 2003, and has helped 100 suppliers identify more than $53 million in lean and clean opportunities, according to the network’s Web site. A typical review, according to the network, can cost $7,500 per facility, but partners who have participated in the Green Suppliers review process have experienced a minimum of a 3:1 return on investment. For more on the program’s results, see summary data here from the program’s first 100 completed reviews.

If anyone else knows of other organizations or associations with good lean and green programs, please share that information via a comment. I’m sure there are other good resources out there that don’t cost a bundle, or that aren’t essentially private consulting firms, though I’m sure some firms offer effective services. The bottom line is that lean & green not only makes sense–there is low-cost help available to get you there.