Green Drinks- Sustainable Business on the Kalamazoo Mall: Eco-report cards, Best Practices and Resources

Lauren Crossman, Kalamazoo College senior, recently conducted a study on sustainable business practices with twenty two businesses on the Kalamazoo Mall. During this study she met with business owners, graded each against an eco-report card, celebrated current sustainable practices, and collaboratively developed goals to make business practices more sustainable.

Join us for a free panel discussion to learn more about Lauren’s research and hear from project partners on key takeaways and actionable goals they are excited to implement. This month’s Green Drinks is in partnership with the Sustainable Business Collaborative and Climate Emergency Month. Please register with the Eventbrite.

Popcorn, candy and refreshments will be available for purchase at the theatre.

We will be meeting in the Mezzanine Balcony at the Kalamazoo State Theater.

About Lauren: Lauren Crossman is a current senior at Kalamazoo (K) College, who will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Political Science this June. During her time at K, Lauren pursued off-campus work at Bee Joyful Shop, Michigan’s first zero-waste store, where she began working in March of 2021. While working there, Lauren had gone from a Guide to a Lead position and has learned the ins and outs of eco-alternative products and sustainable business practices.

Inspired by how Bee Joyful Shop had cut waste and costs, Lauren wanted to see more businesses along the Kalamazoo Mall make changes to become more sustainable. In June 2022, Lauren started a new position at Bee Joyful as an intern. For her internship, she researched different business practices and alternative products for businesses ranging from cocktail straws to packaging materials for online orders that would help reduce waste and save money. By the end of the fall, Lauren had spoken with 22 businesses about their current practices and worked together to create eco-goals. Working with these businesses to talk about sustainability and encourage better practices has helped the Kalamazoo Mall take one step closer to becoming an eco-friendly place for people to visit.

Lauren hopes the businesses she worked with will continue to think about their impact and set new goals. She has found her passion in sustainable work and has begun searching for careers in the field for post-graduation.

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