Before today, I never thought about the triple bottom line. To be honest, I didn’t even know what it meant. The triple bottom line is when a business incorporates success by people, planet, and profit. Most businesses just focus on profit, but when you focus on the triple bottom line, you can become even better.
We got to visit 3 different places today, first being Sibö Chocolate. Our tour guide and founder Julio gave us insight into how chocolate was discovered, the different types of chocolate, and how we got to chocolate bars. Julio said, “the rainforest is a battlefield because every plant produces toxins to protect itself.” That comment itself made me think about how Sibö basically does the same thing. They built a business around protecting something most companies don’t care about. Nowadays, people just want money. Sibö started making chocolate 20 years ago. Julio told us all about how Sibö practices sustainability. One of the ways they do this is by using paper boxes but using plastic occasionally when they have no other alternative. Julio also told us their mission statement is increasing the production of cacao and increasing conservation. To me, that clearly shows all aspects of the triple bottom line.
Riverside Restaurant had the same idea as Sibö, just incorporated differently. The original building, a disco place, burnt down 35 years ago. Instead of just knocking it down, they decided to turn it into a restaurant with some of the original flooring, burnt pieces of wood, etc. They also kept the original name. Riverside has a garden in the back, where they grow their own crops and use that in their food. The organic waste from the restaurant goes into their compost in the back. That is set for a while and eventually mixed in with ashes and charcoal from their fires. That then becomes fertilizer for the garden. On top of that, they have local musicians perform. On Monday’s, they have classical musicians. Wednesdays is jazz. All around their restaurant, they also have local artists paintings on the walls for sale. Once a piece gets sold, 100% of the profit goes back to the artist. They are hitting all aspects of the triple bottom line, by bringing in business from their fresh garden and local musicians, which increases profit, benefit the people by the performances and paintings, and benefit the world with their composting.
The medical device industry was more complicated. Costa Rica holds 90 medical device companies, and 13 out of the top 20 global manufactures come from them. They devoted decades to political stability, education, etc. By doing this, they were able to grow the medical industry and help the people and make profit at the same time.
In all 3 of these companies, I feel there is a direct correlation between them and the triple bottom line. They are all helping out the planet and people, but also making profit. They had to give up certain things that could cause a higher profit, for example Sibö and their paper boxes. Most companies wouldn’t ever do anything like this, because it makes them lose money. That is exactly why Sibö follows the triple bottom line. They did this for the planet, without being greedy about their money. I can directly correlate these 3 companies with the triple bottom line, which makes me very excited for the future and to see what other companies will do this as well!!
