The Triple Bottom Line: A Study of Waste Management/ Recycling, Water and Transportation in the City of Kalamazoo
Abstract
The city of Kalamazoo has decided to participate in a collaborative effort with the
greater southwest Michigan area by being a signatory to a regional Sustainability
Covenant. An important first step to try and achieve sustainability in the city is providing
a measurement of the current practices. The Triple Bottom Line analysis was the model
chosen to assess the city. This model can delve further into the social, economic and
environmental categories, which are the three focus areas associated with sustainability.
Then more specific indicators are examined to include many of the stakeholder interests
in a resource. This paper focuses on the environmental third of the triple bottom line.
More specifically, the waste management and recycling, mass transportation and water
system is examined for the city.