Rechargeable Batteries

The Lean Steering Team took on a small project to test their facilitation skills and ability to map out the Lean process. The project is known as "Batteries: Rechargeable vs. Non-Rechargeable." The purpose of the project was to reduce disposable battery consumption but still maintain or increase quality and reliability of the current type of battery used today. The metrics and goals the Team set for the project were:

• Reduce inventory by 50%
• Reduce staff motion by 35%
• Reduce costs by 25%
• Reduce consumption by 20%

The scope of the project started out by evaluating all types of alkaline batteries including AA, AAA, 9-Volt, C, D, and 6-Volt. However, after mapping out the process and looking at the value and non-value added steps it takes an employee to get his/her battery, the Team found the project scope (all battery sizes) was too large. The Team needed to focus on a small group of users to pilot test rechargeable batteries. Field Services agreed to serve as the test pilot department by using rechargeable AA and 6-Volt batteries in two of their biogas monitors and Flodar meters for 30 days.

Some of the projected results of the 6-Volt pilot tests include: 40 hours of staff time saved over three years, reduced inventory by 95%, costs savings of $1,444 over the three-year period, and lighter carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of landfilled batteries by 1,948 over the three-year period. Many other savings have been projected for other areas where batteries are used. The pilot test for AA batteries will use rechargeable batteries with solar chargers.