Operationalisation of the circular economy concept at the factory shop floor

Paper in proceedings, 2019

Operationalised continuous environmental improvements are essential for sustainable operations management (SOM). This paper uses results of pilot trials based on an interactive research design, using Green Performance Map as a green lean tool for continuous improvement work with production operator teams. The aim of this working paper is to discuss the concepts of circular economy (CE) in relation to SOM with regards to usefulness for shop floor work engaging professionals. Several of the environmental improvement opportunities found were mainly related to “avoid waste” where CE was not needed, while others were related to waste hierarchy or otherwise related to CE.