Lean and Green Manufacturing

Sustainable materials, processes, and systems must not compromise the ability of future generations to provide for their needs while providing for the needs of the current generation. The three components of sustainability have economic, social, and environmental aspects. Organizations are often analyzed with a Triple Bottom Line approach to evaluate the social, economic, and environmental performances of a company. 

The first aspect of sustainability can measure the impacts of products and processes on the society. The societal impact of using a material and manufacturing process can be measured by the effects on the population and the roles of the workers in the community. 

The second aspect of sustainability can measure the economic impacts of using a material and manufacturing process to produce products. Sustainable manufacturing processes are defined as providing proper wages for the workers and clean and safe work environments. 

The third aspect of sustainability can measure the environmental impacts of producing a product or system in terms of usage of natural resources for raw materials, energy, and real estate land. The production of plastic products can generate GHGs, solid and liquid waste, air pollution, water pollution, and toxic chemicals. 

Sustainable products, processes, and systems minimize the generation of GHGs, waste, and pollution. LCAs are an essential component of sustainability and can be used to scientifically determine the environmental effects of products, processes, and systems. 

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