The plethora of concepts, applications and results have provided a historical evolution on the issue of waste. Past research and 50 years of recent data indicate the waste situation has prevailed in process industries around the globe. So, what is meant by “waste?” Regardless of the product being manufactured, the process of converting raw materials into finished product creates residuals commonly classified as “waste.” Why is this important, and how is the issue contained?
From an operations perspective, it is important to obtain 100 percent utilization of all materials used in a manufacturing process. This might be possible, but highly improbable. Therefore, waste can become a substantial issue. Is there a good approach and what goals can be established to minimize waste? A logical approach entertains the idea of addressing the creators of waste: raw and packaging materials, and to evaluate the factors involved in each category.