Integration of green lean approach with six sigma: an application for flue gas emissions

Abstract

Environmental considerations have led organizations to take an important role in designing environmentally-friendly, recyclable products to complement improvements in the environmental standards of services. In this context, the application of lean practices may result in pollution reduction. In this paper, firstly, the integration of green lean approach is discussed, and then the limitations of green lean approach are identified. Finally, we integrate the Six Sigma approach in order to overcome these limitations, and assess the performance of the green lean approach. Measurement System Analysis and Gage Control are used as methodology to measure the variations of the process in order to decrease unfavorable ecological impacts of companies' products or services, while enhancing environmental efficiency. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.