An Approach to Synergise the Management of Lean, Green, Quality and Waste for Achieving ZED Emphasising SDG12

The advent of the Zero Defect and Zero Effect (ZED) concept has thrown a significant challenge in integrating quality management, lean philosophy, waste management, and green management within industrial operations. Achieving quality outcomes requires fulfilling both external and internal customer expectations through effective requirement analysis and meeting specific quality dimensions. At the same time, organizations must minimize resource usage— such as time, energy, manpower, and materials— while maintaining product quality. This is a core principle of lean management, which aims to improve margins and ensure organizational growth and survival. Simultaneously, environmental sustainability must be prioritized by minimizing air, water, and soil pollution, in line with green management principles. This study employs the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to prioritize key parameters for assessing ZED performance across three industrial sectors in India. Additionally, it proposes practical methods for improving vital components using Six Sigma metrics to enhance operational excellence and sustainability. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of a ZED Maturity Model with the Business Excellence Model, along with the analysis of vital components through Six Sigma metrics to develop a comprehensive framework for improving operational performance and sustainability. This paper provides a theoretical framework and actionable strategies for researchers and practitioners to effectively integrate ZED principles, fostering sustainability and operational performance in manufacturing industries while supporting Sustainable Development Goal 12.