A model for Lean and Green integration and monitoring for the coffee sector

Companies have been under pressure from different sectors of society to make their processes more environmentally sustainable, a fact that drives the joint adoption of Lean and Green production systems. Studies relating these systems have intensified in the past decade and follow a growth trend. However, this can be considered a relatively new field with many gaps to be filled. One of these gaps is found in the agricultural sector, where no studies relating Lean and Green have been identified. The main contribution of this article is to develop a model for the evaluation of the integration of Lean and Green systems (Lean Green Synergy - LGS) through the formulation of a conceptual framework. In order to demonstrate the viability of the model, a case study was carried out on a set of six specialty coffee producing properties, located in the state of Quindío, Colombia. The research carried out provides a non-subjective means to establish the maturity of the Lean and Green systems and establishes 20 metrics capable of providing the information necessary to carry out the LGS calculations. The calculation method described allows the replication of the model and its adaptation to other sectors by defining the appropriate metrics for it, encouraging the joint adoption of Lean and Green systems.