EPA's Lean and Green Efforts
| Organization(s) |
Environmental Protection Agency
|
| Project Description |
The EPA is involved in several efforts to explore the intersection between lean and green. The EPA's Green Suppliers Network works with major manufacturing firms to green the supply chain by applying lean manufacturing techniques. EPA works in close partnership with NIST MEP's (Manufacturing Extension Partnerships) to implement the GSN. For more information on the GSN visit http://www.epa.gov/p2/programs/gsn.htm. The US EPA Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation (OPEI) has convened a Lean Manufacturing Steering Committee at EPA to explore new initiatives. Several states participate in the Committee. Others interested in participation should contact Mitch Kidwell, EPA OPEI, kidwell.mitch@epa.gov. An initial effort of the Steering Committee was a review of the strengths and weaknesses of the lean manufacturing approach from the vantage point of environmental protection. The resulting report won a much-heralded Shingo Prize (which has been dubbed the Nobel Prize of Lean Manufacturing). The report, "Lean Manufacturing and the Environment" is available at http://www.epa.gov/innovation/leanreport.pdf. There are numerous dialogues underway with companies and facilities in the federal sector. The conversations serve the purpose not only of learning more about lean manufacturing (LM) but exploring possible partnerships with LM practitioners. Members of the Steering Committee have been meeting with Boeing, HNI (formerly HON) Industries, Robins Air Force Base, Army Materiel Command, Baxter Health Care, and others. EPA is interested in hearing about additional contacts they should be making. EPA is also exploring the relationship between lean manufacturing and EMS through an initial research effort in the shipbuilding and ship repair sector. For more information contact Shana Harbour, EPA, harbour.shana@epa.gov. David Sarokin, EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, is currently serving as a state/regional liaison on lean manufacturing. |
| More Info |
www.epa.gov/innovation/leanfs_environment.pdf |
| |
| Project Contact |
| Name |
David Sarokin |
| Phone |
202-564-8852 |
| E-mail |
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| Project Keywords |
| Areas of P2 Expertise |
Environmental Management Systems |
| Activity Keywords |
New publication, Research and development |
| |
| Source |
| Newsletter |
Northeast Assistance & Pollution Prevention News - Vol. 14 No. 2, Fall 2004 |
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