What is Sustainability?

Meeting the needs of present without compromising the needs of future generations

Sustainability is a broad initiative, taking into account smaller individual initiatives, and is centered on the approach of People-Planet- Profit. This approach balances all three goals of sustainability and one goal should not sacrifice other goals.

People-Planet-Profit

People: Goal is to benefit and improve the well-being of patients, family, students, staff and the local community - the human aspect of UAMS.
Planet: Goal is to benefit and reduce the environmental impact of UAMS.
Profit: Goal is to be financially responsible throughout the process.

Sustainability involves every aspect of UAMS. Although recycling is what the majority of people notice and think, and is typically considered the "face" of sustainability; sustainability also includes energy efficiency, nutrition, transportation, community involvement, access to the nature and the outdoors and being financially responsible throughout the process. This does not mean every initiative needs to be profitable or cost neutral, rather do the results justify the expenditures.

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations can be obtained as UAMS improves the health, healthcare, and well-being of Arkansans and of others in the region, nation, and world.