In some ways Wynn Resorts has not had a very good year (see article regarding Steve Wynn and his resignation) but the company’s just released 2017 Global Sustainability Report shows the company is stepping up its commitment to responsible business practices.
Matt Maddox, CEO of Wynn Resorts, in his introduction to the report, says, “Last year, Wynn Resorts moved into a leadership position in environmental stewardship. In the past 12 months, the company invested more than $12 million in renewable energy resources through solar installations at our Las Vegas resort and in Northern Nevada at the Wynn Solar Facility that will power 100 percent of our power requirements for our new lagoon and convention facility expansion.”
The investment in Nevada is in addition to the company’s new property in Massachusetts, Encore Boston Harbor, that is being built upon the site of a former chemical plant. The complete remediation of the site is costing $30 million.
Catching Up to the Competition
Wynn Resorts has lagged behind its competitors in Las Vegas—MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment—when it comes to corporate social responsibility but is still doing many good things. For example, the company was awarded a perfect score for the sixth consecutive year for corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. However, the company is just in the process of formalizing an Environmental Management Policy that addresses four key drivers of environmental impact: energy, water, waste, and purchasing. A Sustainability Committee was formed just last year.
Wynn Resorts has launched a Women’s Leadership Forum to further close the gender gap in management, provide career growth opportunities for female employees at all levels, create pay and title equity, and ensure a safe workplace.
The company plans to pursue LEED Gold certification at its Boston Harbor resort and is pursuing Green Globes certification for its Las Vegas properties.
Volunteers from Wynn Las Vegas, as well as staff based in Houston, worked over the course of three weeks last year to distribute more than $3 million in financial aid to victims of Hurricane Harvey. Working with local emergency response partners and the Houston Habitat for Humanity, 40 volunteers came together to assist 1,500 families impacted by the storm. That is just one example of volunteerism found in the report.
To read about all of the good things Wynn Resorts is doing, be sure to visit the 2017 Global Sustainability Report.
