From manufacturing to public service organisations: lean as an effective approach to achieve sustainable environmental performance

The increasing global focus on sustainability developed the need to integrate sustainable practices among all sectors of the economy, including the public sector, which faces pressure from the governments to improve their organisational performance. This study explores the opportunities of Lean implementation as an effective approach to achieving sustainability in public service organisations in the context of environmentally sustainable development goals (SDGs). Through a literature review, the authors explored how Lean applications and practices could be borrowed from the manufacturing industry and implemented in the service sector. They examined the various practices employed by service organisations to integrate sustainability into their operations to enhance their environmental performance. Initial findings indicate that Lean methodologies can potentially enhance environmental performance in public service organisations by reducing non-value-added activities, waste, and environmental impact. This implementation requires adapting and customising Lean methodology to align with the unique characteristics of these organisations.