Lean Manufacturing: efficiency and waste valorization in sustainable construction
Lean Manufacturing: efficiency and waste valorization in sustainable construction
Lean Manufacturing is a management methodology aimed at maximizing added value and eliminating waste throughout the production process. In sustainable construction, its application allows for improved efficiency in the use of materials, energy, and time, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact and progress toward a circular economy.
The Lean approach focuses on identifying and eliminating non-value-added activities — the so-called mudas — such as waiting times, overproduction, execution errors, or unnecessary movements. Reducing these activities not only improves project profitability but also minimizes waste generation and associated emissions. Tools like Value Stream Mapping (VSM) facilitate visualization of material and information flows, helping to detect critical points and implement continuous improvement strategies (Kaizen).
Thus, Lean promotes a preventive model that reduces waste from the design stage, optimizes construction logistics, and improves resource traceability. It also encourages the valorization of residual materials through reuse, recycling, and recovery, integrating these actions into the construction processes themselves. Common examples include recycling concrete as aggregate, reusing metals, and selective packaging management.
Overall, Lean Manufacturing provides the construction sector with an operational framework that combines efficiency, innovation, and sustainability, fostering an organizational culture oriented toward responsible resource use and waste minimization.