Common Types Of Manufacturing Waste And How To Avoid Them

Julie Starr • September 7, 2022



For any manufacturing process to be truly efficient, it’s important to find ways to eliminate or, at least, reduce manufacturing waste . This type of waste is any action in the manufacturing process that does not benefit the customer or add value to the product. Manufacturing waste can cost a business a significant amount of money, from defective products to transportation waste. And yet, it’s one aspect of the manufacturing process that many businesses overlook. Here are some common types of manufacturing waste and what you can do to avoid them.  

  • Defects

Defects in manufacturing occur when the product is not manufactured properly and falls short of its intended design. And what happens with most companies is that almost all defective products are discarded, costing money, wasted time, wasted energy, and of course, wasted product. For example, a prescriptive drug or a gummy chewable may become contaminated through the manufacturing process or may break or lose its shape due to a sub-standard manufacturing process. To avoid this, it’s important to reevaluate your product design, create a flexible manufacturing process, and ensure effective quality control and inspection processes. You should also invest in a high-quality manufacturing process and products. For example, if you produce gummies, then it’s best to invest in premium quality molds and a gummy machine . This way, you can minimize the risk of broken or inconsistent shapes in the manufacturing process. 

  • Transport waste

Transport waste occurs when material movements do not directly support or lead to immediate manufacturing, which can happen in several ways. For example, if your manufacturing facility has an improper layout, poor scheduling, or poor production planning, you can easily create transport waste. Transport waste can also happen when a product used in manufacturing is moved about unnecessarily. It could occur when transporting raw materials from a supplier to the manufacturing plant. And it can lead to products being damaged or even misused. To reduce transportation waste, it’s important to find ways to shorten the supply chain, create an effective layout, and work schedule. 

  • Excess processing 

Excess processing happens when you provide more value in a product than your customer needs or requires. Also known as over-processing, it can cost your business some level of financial burden when you invest more-than-necessary material and staff time required to make a product. A good example of excess processing waste happens when a portion of a product is more highly polished using machine and labor when it is not a functionality requirement for the customer.

  • Waste of waiting

Waiting waste refers to an inventory that is sitting idle, whether on waiting shelves or between manufacturing stations. And this can cost your business lots of money and time. A typical cause of waiting for waste is unplanned downtime. That can be caused by production bottlenecks, extra long setups, and poor condition of facility equipment. To minimize or eliminate waiting waste, you can consider redesigning your manufacturing process or shortening it to ensure a single piece and production flow. You can also find ways to standardize employee training, processes, and instructions. 

Blockchain for Sustainability: Cutting Through the Hype with Strategic Communication

By Julie Starr • April 28, 2025
As blockchain continues to gain traction in sustainability circles—from tracking carbon credits to improving supply chain transparency—more organizations are exploring how these emerging tools might support their ESG goals. But with innovation comes complexity, and for many stakeholders, blockchain still feels like a black box. That’s where communication becomes essential. At Taiga Company, we work with clients to simplify complex sustainability narratives without oversimplifying the value. While blockchain can offer traceability and transparency, it’s not a silver bullet—and how you talk about these technologies matters just as much as how you use them. Poor communication can undermine credibility, especially in a landscape where stakeholders and regulators are increasingly alert to greenwashing . On the other hand, clear, honest messaging about blockchain-enabled sustainability efforts can build trust and differentiate your leadership. Our approach is grounded in materiality and alignment. We help organizations: Translate technical tools like blockchain into plain language that resonates with diverse audiences Connect new technologies to core sustainability strategy Craft credible narratives that evolve alongside innovation Blockchain may be new territory, but strategic communication remains the foundation. Whether you're piloting traceability tools or just starting to explore how blockchain fits your ESG roadmap, we help you tell the story with clarity and confidence. Let’s make innovation meaningful.

6 Things All Modern Businesses Need in 2025

By Julie Starr • April 22, 2025
If you’re starting your own business, then you know all too well that it’s equally an exciting and overwhelming time. There’s so much to think about, and you want to get it right from day one. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think. Let’s go through everything your new business needs to hit the ground running this year. A Clear Business Plan Before anything else, take the time to figure out your game plan. This doesn’t need to be a long, boring document that you’ll never look at again. Think of it as a simple guide that answers three key questions: Who are you selling to? What are you offering? And how are you going to get noticed? Once you’ve written that down, you can always tweak it as your business grows. From a communications standpoint, clarity on your audience and value proposition also sets the foundation for authentic brand storytelling—something Taiga Company helps clients refine at every stage. Responsible Financial Management Money is one of those things that can make or break a business. The good news is you don’t need a finance degree to get it right. Start with a simple budget. Know how much is coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re setting aside. Think about things like stock, marketing, bills and wages if you’re hiring. Keep it realistic and keep it updated. Doing this from day one will make life much easier later. Reliable Cloud Services In 2025, storing everything on your laptop isn’t really a safe bet. Files go missing, computers break, and you don’t want to lose important stuff. That’s where cloud services come in. They keep your files secure, backed up and easy to access from anywhere. Whether it’s documents, customer info or creative work, having it all saved online gives you peace of mind. And when you're building a business in a digital-first world, having secure, accessible assets also means your team can collaborate more efficiently across channels—essential for strong communications. Flexible Payment Options Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so if you’re only accepting it, you’re going to lose sales. Get yourself a card reader that takes all the usual stuff like debit cards, credit cards, contactless and Apple Pay. The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the more likely they are to buy. Simple as that. A Basic Website Even if you’re not selling online, you still need a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something that tells people who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Think of your site as your digital front door. If someone hears about your business, chances are they’ll look you up online. Make sure what they find actually helps them. A clear website is also one of the most powerful communication tools your business has. We work with clients to ensure their digital presence reflects their story, purpose, and value. A Way to Spread the Word You can’t rely on people just stumbling across your business. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Social media is a great start, but don’t stop there. Think email newsletters , posters in your local area or even just chatting about your work whenever it comes up naturally. The more you talk about your business, the more others will too. Starting a business in 2025 is a big move, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Get the basics in place, stay flexible and keep learning. With the right tools and the right message, you can build momentum and create connection. Taiga Company helps growing businesses translate operational essentials into brand trust and long-term impact.