Whatever Happens in Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Makes Sure Your Glass Bottles are Recycled
When Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and THEhotel (seen in photo at left) were built ten and six years ago, the stage was set for poolside days and exciting nightlife, but not recycling.
All that changed in August 2007, and in 2008, they recycled a total of 6.6 million pounds, including 233,600 pounds (116.8 tons) of glass on the two properties. Now they let guests know they are “Riding the Green Wave.”
Their recycling rate in 2007, the year they began, was 6.5%, in 2008 17.6% and for 2009, they are on track to almost double that. In addition to glass, other containers and mixed paper, they recycled 2.2 million pounds of cardboard in 2008 and 1.7 million pounds of food, which is sent to a local pig farm.
The recycling program has grown so dramatically, a full-time recycling manager now handles this property. There are seven other properties on the strip owned and operated by MGM Mirage. In the first half of 2009, all nine properties combined have recycled 440 tons of glass.
According to Daniel Smith, Recycling Manager, glass bottles are generated in 13 restaurants, the convention center, a combined 4300 rooms, the “beach,” a shark reef aquarium, and spa at Mandalay Bay and THEhotel.
All of the glass, plastic, aluminum and other types of containers are collected in common area refuse cans behind the bars and throughout the property, including the 1.6 million square foot convention center.
“Space limitations make it impossible to sort recyclables at the source,” says Smith, “so all the containers are collected together and then transported in what we call ‘gray whales’ to the loading dock for sorting.”
About 8-10 employees sort these recyclables 24-hours a day. Glass is separated in two streams, flint and amber/green. Food and cardboard are separated at the source and kept separate.
After sorting, the glass is collected by Republic and then processed for re-manufacture into new bottles and jars. Smith is investigating more economical, longer-term options for recycling an increasing volume of glass container.
“Things are still not as efficient as we want them to be, and changing habits is hard, but our employees are all on board,” says Smith. “We have a recycling committee made up entirely of employees and get together at least once a month to brainstorm on how to improve our program.” They are also considering an employee recycling day.
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Use our Carbon Calculator to find out how much energy you can save by recycling your glass containers.
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About the institute
The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. GPI member companies manufacture glass containers for food, beverage, cosmetic and many other products. GPI also has associate members that represent a broad range of suppliers and closure manufacturers.
