Value Stream Mapping as a Supporting Management Tool to Identify the Flow of Industrial Waste: A Case Study

Yolandi Schoeman, Paul Oberholster and Vernon Somerset
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Yolandi Schoeman: Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Paul Oberholster: Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Vernon Somerset: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: The Value Stream Mapping (VSM) method was applied to a case study in the iron and steel industry in Southern Africa as a supporting management tool to identify, demonstrate, and evaluate industrial waste and comprised of three steps. The first step included collecting and verifying waste generation and flow data as the VSM data input step. The second step comprises three phases: mapping waste generation and fractions and horizontal and vertical performance analysis. The third step is comprised of actual and future state maps compilation. Following the first year of implementation, waste was reduced by 28%, and waste removal cost by 45%. Implementing the VSM method demonstrated cost savings and reduced waste flow within the study’s first year. The initial waste generation reduction target of 5% per annum was exceeded. The VSM method application proved to be a practical method for the iron and steel industry to visualize and analyze waste flows, identify opportunities and challenges in waste management operations, reduce waste, promote lean manufacturing, and achieve an environmentally responsible zero-waste environment.

Keywords: value stream mapping; industrial waste; lean manufacturing; zero-waste; waste management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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