Applying the Value Stream Map to Streamline Energy Consumption: Analysis of an Italian Company

In recent years, sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for businesses. Growing awareness of the environmental impacts of business activities has prompted many organizations to adopt more sustainable strategies. Lean production techniques are increasingly being evaluated and used as a catalyst for developing better strategies for sustainable production. The literature showed that the extent of Value Stream Mapping (sus-VSM), an important technique used in lean manufacturing to identify environmental impacts and waste, was present in most studies. Its application is illustrated through a case study, conducted in a plant of an Italian company involved in the collection, treatment and final destination of end-of-life tires. The results indicate that the proposed PDCA-based approach for sus-VSM can be an effective alternative for improving the environmental performance of operations. In conclusion, this research served to provide further evidence of the application of lean methods and tools to address critical environmental issues and promote sustainability within organizations.