5S in Action: Smarter Equipment Organisation
Useful for: Business Managers, School Leaders, Facilities Teams, Manual Arts & Technology Teachers
What if simply organising equipment better could help your school reduce waste and replacement costs? 5S is a practical system for creating organised, efficient and easy-to-maintain spaces. It stands for Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain — helping teams remove what isn’t needed, give everything a clear home, maintain equipment and create systems that last.
This resource from OSAAP Australia shows 5S in action through custom foam organisation. Giving each tool a designated, clearly visible home makes it easier to spot when something is missing, keep equipment protected and ensure it's ready when needed.
For schools, it’s a simple example of how better systems can support resource recovery and waste reduction: look after what you already have, make it easier to manage, and reduce unnecessary replacement. It can also provide a practical way to introduce students to the kinds of LEAN systems used in industry.