This past week MGM Resorts International released its first Environmental Responsibility Report. It details the company’s progress and goals in the five areas that make up its Green Advantage program: Energy and Water; Green Building; Waste and Recycling; Supply Chain; and Outreach and Education (see related article). MGM’s environmental footprint is large with its 17 resorts, 165 restaurants, 350 retail locations, and 3 million square feet of meeting space. I have written about the company’s green programs in the past and it is significant that MGM is documenting its activities in a formal fashion. Be sure to take a look at the company’s report (click here).
I read through the report in search of MGM’s accomplishments and goals and found many worth mentioning. From 2007 to 2010, the company tripled its recycling rate to 33.2 percent. By the end of 2012, the company aims to increase it even more to above 40 percent. From 2007 to 2010 MGM succeeded in reducing electric power consumption by 140 million kWh and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 56,000 metric tons. By the end of 2012, MGM expects to reduce annual energy consumption by an additional 3 percent. Also from 2007 to 2010, water consumption fell from 4.6 million gallons to 4.1 million (does not include CityCenter addition). The above numbers reflect U.S. operations only.
MGM is doing many things to reduce its energy and water footprint. Anyone who has been to Las Vegas has probably seen the Circus Circus Las Vegas “Lucky the Clown” sign marquee. MGM replaced more than 15,000 of the bulbs in that sign and is saving more than 2.2 million kWh annually—the equivalent of taking 183 average U.S. homes off the grid. At CityCenter, an 8.2-megawatt combined heat and power plant saves energy equivalent to taking 3,000 U.S. homes off the grid each year. At Excalibur, 27,000 square feet of natural grass was removed near sidewalks and public areas and replaced with synthetic turf. This initiative is saving 1.7 million gallons of water annually.
MGM already has six LEED Gold certifications with its CityCenter complex and has pledged to include green building practices in all future room, casino and resort renovations. It is helping to green its supply chain; it tracks “green-friendly” vendors in its purchasing database to easily identify sustainable companies and products. Through “Conservation Begins at Home,” the company is working to educate its 61,000 employees about sustainable practices.
When compared to other companies, MGM is quite late to the green game but it is catching up quickly. And, it has no intentions of stopping anytime soon. As MGM Resorts International chairman and CEO Jim Murren stated in the opening of the Environmental Responsibility Report, “We expect sustainability to be a key driver of organizational innovation within MGM Resorts for years to come. By continuously identifying new ways to operate more efficiently, we drive shareholder value, create a powerful differentiator for guests, and ensure we leave the world a better place for generations to come.”
Green Lodging News Adds Aquamenities as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Aquamenities as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Aquamenities offers the high quality, tamper resistant Amenity Station. Clients can supply their own amenity products or choose from the company’s own line of spa-quality products. One fixture installed in a guestroom can save a hotel an average of 60 cents per room per day, and eliminates more than 1,000 plastic bottles from the landfill annually. Bottles that come with the Amenity Station are durable, made with PET, and have a capacity of 250 ml. Pumps are one-way, resistant to contaminants with a 2 cc capacity, and are available in plastic or stainless steel. The Amenity Station is made in the United States. For more information, e-mail khaworth@aquamenities.com, call (925) 938-2782, or go to www.aquamenities.com.
Who is Your Environmental Champion?
In our Personnel Profile section we frequently profile individuals who lead sustainability efforts at either the corporate or property level. (Click here for examples.) We are always looking for new people to profile. Do you have someone in mind for our Personnel Profile section? Be sure to contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor of Green Lodging News, at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Advertising Opportunities
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots. Several new slots have opened up on the Green Lodging News website—two skyscraper ad spots on the right hand side of the site, and the Featured Product ad spot in the weekly newsletter and in the lower center area of the home page. Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com if you are interested in these ad spots. There are also many Green Supplier Spotlight dates available, and other spots on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter. The 2011 media kit is available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Green Lodging News Blog, Twitter & Facebook
Be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also now on Twitter and Facebook. To follow my Twitter postings, go to http://twitter.com/greenlodging. Be sure to add Green Lodging News to those tweets that you follow. Also be sure to “Like” us on Facebook. Green Lodging News now has 926 Twitter and 104 Facebook followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
