3M Knoxville was recognized by National Environmental Performance Track Program for its 3P program, or Pollution Prevention Pays. The recognition is given to companies that go above and beyond government requirements for environmental preservation compliance.
The 30-year-old 3P program aims to help conserve the environment and energy, and has saved more than $1 billion in first-year aggregated savings to the company. At Knoxville, particularly, the 3P has resulted in the prevention of approximately 1,000 tons of air pollution per year and the prevention of 2,500 tons of solid waste per year.
3M Knoxville uses the Six Sigma process to fight deficiencies at the plant. According to its Web site, Six Sigma is a measure of quality that strives near perfection. It is a “disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects in any process.”
In Knoxville, waste has been reduced by throwing out as little as possible. Material that may not be used in a first round of production is recycled for a second. Uses are found for the waste from that round, including the use of it as a fuel.
With the increasing awareness and global focus on environmental preservation, companies should realize soon the use and value of Six Sigma.
Source:
Journal Express, an iSixSigma featured link
[...] 3M has always been a Six Sigma advocate, although at one point they thought that innovation and Six Sigma don’t mix. Still, I’m just happy that through the years, the company has not changed course. Rather it is continuously moving forward by using Six Sigma. [...]