Home Publisher's Point of View Las Vegas Sands Lays Out Progress, Goals in Environmental Report

Las Vegas Sands Lays Out Progress, Goals in Environmental Report

1457
0
SHARE

Two weeks ago Las Vegas Sands Corp. released its first Environmental Report. It summarizes the company’s environmental initiatives through 2011. This past week I had an opportunity to chat with Katarina Tesarova, executive director, Global Sustainability for Las Vegas Sands about the report and her company’s sustainability efforts. For those of you not familiar with Las Vegas Sands, the company’s properties include The Venetian, Sands Expo and Convention Center, and The Palazzo in Las Vegas; Sands Macao, The Venetian Macao and Sands Cotai Central in Macao, China; Marina Bay Sands in Singapore; and Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania.

I encourage you to read through the Environmental Report. While Las Vegas Sands’ green programs were formalized fairly recently—in 2010 with its Sands Eco 360° program—the company’s progress has already been impressive. Proof is the third party certifications Las Vegas Sands has earned for its properties: LEED Gold for the Venetian Resort; LEED Silver for the Palazzo Las Vegas; and Green Mark Gold for the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore being just a few examples.

Third party certification, which it also got for its Environmental Report (from Global Reporting Initiative), adds credibility to their green efforts, Tesarova says, and enables them to catch their mistakes.

In its report, Las Vegas Sands lays out numerous examples of its environmental accomplishments and also details its improvement goals. Did you know, for example, that the Palazzo is home to one of the largest rooftop solar thermal systems in the United States? It includes a collection area of 18,200 square feet and 364 panels. The rooftop also features 680 photovoltaic panels. “Solar is a great application for our property because there is a lot of roof space,” Tesarova says.

Goals Set for 2015

Las Vegas Sands reduced its carbon emissions by 1.6 percent from 2010 to 2011. From 2010 to 2015 it has a goal of a 5 percent emissions reduction. The company also has a goal of reducing its water consumption by 3 percent by 2015 (2010 baseline) and improving recycling rates by 10 percent from the 2011 baseline by 2015.

Almost two years ago I interviewed Tesarova when she was Director of Sustainable Operations at MGM Resorts International. Now a year in to her time with Las Vegas Sands, she has spent a lot of time visiting the company’s properties to find out what their challenges are in order to put together a strategy.

“There was so much good stuff happening but nobody knew how a program in Singapore compared to one in Las Vegas,” Tesarova says. “Once we knew where all the properties stood, we developed an action plan for the year.”

Tesarova says her company will produce an Environmental Report every other year and an addendum on the off years. “It is necessary to keep reporting,” she says.

Be sure to check out the report.

GLN Adds Lodging Technology, YesterTec as Directory Partners

Green Lodging News welcomes Lodging Technology and YesterTec as Green Product & Service Directory partners. Lodging Technology is the originator of infrared sensor-based energy conservation. The company’s products reduce guestroom energy expense 35 percent to 45 percent by automatically resetting room temperature to an energy conserving level, pre-selected by the hotel, only while guests are out of the room. The systems are available in both wireless (GEM Link) and hard-wired (GEM System) versions, and can connect to any HVAC system typically found in a hotel room. Call (800) 524-2680, e-mail info@lodgingtechnology.com, or go to www.lodgingtechnology.com.

YesterTec’s unique armoire styled mini-kitchens and hospitality centers can transform a standard room design into a multifunctional space. When the bi-fold doors of the mini-kitchen are open they slide into pockets out of the way, activating the power for the oven and cooktop. Hospitality Centers are very similar to working pantries, except that they typically include a sink, refrigerator and small microwave. Other plug-in small appliances like single burner cooktops, toaster ovens, blenders etc. can add to the utility of this piece. The workstations can qualify for several LEED credits. Call (610) 838-1194, e-mail info@yestertec.com, or click here for more information.

We Have New Contact Information!

In the past week our offices have moved to 2188 Vernon Road, University Heights, Ohio  44118. Our new phone number is now (216) 848-1406. Our new fax number is (216) 848-1404. Please be sure to note this in your records.

Internship Opportunity

The Cotton Tree Lodge in Belize is looking for an intern. To learn more about the opportunity, click here.

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.

Planning Advertising for the Second Half of 2012?

Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2012. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2012 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.

Social Networking Sites

Green Lodging News now has 1,190 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 291 Facebook followers.

As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

LEAVE A REPLY