In lean manufacturing, wastes, or muda, are anything that does not provide value to the customer. Wastes can be classified into seven categories: overproduction, waiting, transportation, processing itself, motion, inventory, and defects. By identifying these sources of waste in their production processes, companies can reduce costs and increase efficiency. To do this, they use tools such as 5S and Kaizen to systematically eliminate or minimize them. Engaging with your team to effectively identify and reduce these types of waste is critical for lasting success.