Lean manufacturing systematically targets non-value-added activities (“muda”) to reduce waste without harming quality. Rooted in the Toyota Production System, lean employs tools like 5S, Kaizen (continuous improvement), value-stream mapping (VSM), Just-In-Time (JIT) scheduling, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to eliminate scrap, delays, overproduction and defects. These methods not only cut costs but, when paired with environmental awareness, also advance sustainability goals. The following sections define each key lean method, describe common waste types in manufacturing plants, and illustrate real-world cases where lean improvements raised efficiency and preserved quality.