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.