Save the Planet: Can a Casino Be Eco-Friendly?

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Eco-casino in a moss

The planet is now in its worst condition: from the desiccation of rainforests into savannas to the constant growth of plastic waste. The last UN report showed that population losses are jaw-dropping, and it is time to act now.

Land-based casinos have always been associated with 24/7 fluorescent lights, floodlit fountains, and fancy hotels. However, with growing concerns over the planet’s ecosystem, the casino industry is trying to make changes in its operation to reduce the damages.

How to Make a Casino Eco-Friendly

notebook on the grassThe average electricity bill for a typical land-based casino in Las Vegas is approximately $100,000/month (the MGM Grand’s average bill is $350,000/month!). This extraordinary amount of money goes to power slot machines, restaurants, bars, and hotels — all day and all night long.

Reducing the casinos’ carbon footprints and making them environmentally friendly is going to happen overnight. So, let’s see what exact areas should be improved on to make land-based venues eco-friendly.

Construction: When building a new casino, the first step to make it eco-friendly is to use eco-friendly construction methods. Since windows and doors determine the heating and cooling systems, it is essential to create a strategic plan when situating the venue.

Lighting: Probably the best way to reduce energy usage is by switching to LED lighting options. Eco lights last longer than normal ones, and the light distribution is better. This means that less energy is needed to power the casino, which makes LEDs long-lasting and energy-efficient.

Materials: Another option to generate energy and reduce energy bills is to utilize solar panels. In addition to this, casinos could use eco-friendly furniture from recycled materials for poker tables, seats, and roulette wheels. Recycled water systems could also be a plus for casinos’ bathrooms and kitchens.

If at least one of these three key changes is implemented in land-based casinos, it will have a tremendous effect on the environment.

Eco-Friendly Casinos in Las Vegas

Although Las Vegas casinos contribute to our planet’s threat, there are a couple of land-based casinos that are trying to make a change in saving the planet.

Straw-Less MGM Resorts

MGM-Grand Casino No Straws

In 2018, MGM Resorts International made an announcement that the company would eliminate all straws, as well as packaging and take-out cutlery.

According to a study conducted by the University of California in 2015, plastic straws are among the top 15 items found in the ocean and one of the most common littered items on the planet. In accordance with the Straw Reduction Initiative, MGM Resorts Int’l plans to cut back approximately 860,000 plastic straws and 470,000 take-out boxes every year, thus reducing damage on the planet.

On top of that, MGM is improving its energy performance to achieve a 20 percent reduction in energy intensity by 2020.

Mandalay Bay Resorts

Mandalay Bay Resorts Casino

Mandalay Bay Resorts has been certified through Green Key Global’s Eco-Rating Program and earned an elite certification, a 5 Key rating granted only to 2% of Green Key’s 2,500 properties.

The resort is well-know for its eco-friendly approach, as they’re saving on food waste by using locally-supplied ingredients. They are making a pledge to the environment by sorting waste and recycling.

Also, linens that can no longer be used for guests are donated to the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Furthermore, Mandalay Bay Resorts deactivates its heating system when it’s unnecessary.

Online Casinos Are the Most Eco-Friendly Casinos

Even though online gaming is not usually associated with environmental protection, the industry of playing online may indeed save the planet.

First off, when playing at online casinos, one doesn’t need to take a vehicle, thus significantly reducing damage from greenhouse gas emissions.

Secondly, online casino gaming doesn’t require a considerable building complex to be developed. Flashlights, conditioning and heating systems and enormous resorts, which Vegas has, are unnecessary for online casinos.

Finally, online gambling utilizes eco-friendly hardware in order to reduce energy use. This hardware may cut the carbon footprint, thus decreasing energy bills.

Go Green!

As now very few places on Earth are almost untouched by pollution, it is important for every single person on the planet to take action. As land-based casinos are among the top polluting venues in the whole world, step-by-step they’re making an effort to eliminate or, at least, reduce damage.

You may also want to know…

  • What is going green?

“Going green,” or being eco-friendly, means to pursue practices that can lead to responsible lifestyles, which can help to protect the environment. Eco-friendly habits may include recycling, biking, conserving water, trash sorting and reducing plastic usage.

  • What are the most eco-friendly casinos in the world?

In recent years, many giant casinos throughout the world started to take action to reduce carbon footprint:

  • The Venetian Macao
  • Resorts World Sentosa
  • Caesar’s Entertainment
  • Sibaya Casino
  • Turtle Greek Casino
  • MGM Resorts
  • Mandalay Bay Resorts

Eco Friendly Casino

Why do people like eco-friendly casinos?

As the global concern grows, people tend to become more ecologically responsible and ecologically friendly. While playing in casinos, one understands the impact this large venue causes to nature. Thus, players try to sustain natural resources for future generations and help protect the environment. Choosing an eco-friendly, land-based casino, or even better, an online casino, players make a small, but significant contribution to saving the planet.

  • Can I save the forests by playing at online casinos?

Of course! As online casinos don’t require printed money — all bets are electronic through a card, bitcoin, or bank transfer — less paper is used; thus, fewer trees are cut down.

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