WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAS VEGAS HOTELS

Waste Reduction

Recycling

Purchasing

Additional Ideas for Conventions and Conferences

Waste Reduction

• Replace disposable room amenities with refillable amenity dispensers.
• Donate unused soap and toiletries to local shelters.
• Donate uneaten food to local food banks or shelters. Hotel restaurants that regularly have large amounts of food waste should consider modifying serving portions. Food no longer appropriate for human consumption can be recycled with RC Farms (a local, family-owned pig farm).
• Convert old and unusable linens and towels into aprons and rags for use in non-guest areas of the hotel.
• Donate unusable equipment such as white goods to local technical schools, or recycle them.
• Purchase laundering and cleaning supplies in concentrate and in bulk. Purchasing in bulk not only reduces the cost, but also reduces the amount of packaging waste. Concentrated products save money because you are not paying for a diluted product that will ultimately cost more to ship.
• Ask for vendors to use reusable containers for produce, and laundry and cleaning supplies whenever possible. Many vendors use containers that can be returned for reuse, thereby reducing the amount of packaging waste that must be disposed or recycled on site.
• Upgrade lighting from incandescent to compact fluorescent bulbs. Although the initial cost is higher, compact fluorescent bulbs have a longer life cycle. Upgrading will reduce the number of bulbs that must be replaced, thus reducing waste to be disposed. Compact fluorescent bulbs also generate less heat, saving on energy costs as well. For more information on energy efficient lighting, contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the Green Lights program.
• Offer hotel guests the option not to have bed linens and towels changed daily. An optional linen program will reduce laundering, water and power costs. Several Las Vegas hotels have this option available for guests.
• Eliminate paper doilies and glass wrappers in guest rooms.
• Furnish newspapers on request only. Allow guests to request newspaper delivery upon check in, or by leaving a door hanger on the outside of the guest room door.
• Hotels that offer dry cleaning or laundering service for guests, should eliminate or reduce the number of disposable garment hangers and plastic bags needed. Consider returning guest items in a reusable basket; or for hanging goods, use one bag over all of the garments rather than individual bags for each item.
• Reduce waste by remanufacturing toner cartridges from laser printers, copy and fax machines; and ribbon cartridges from cash register printers and adding machines. Companies that sell and service remanufactured goods such as these are readily available in Las Vegas.
• Use reusable serveware (plates, cups, utensils) in employee food service areas rather than disposable items.

Recycling

• Together Las Vegas hotels generate hundreds of tons of waste every day. Much of that waste is made up of materials such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum, and glass--all of which are recyclable materials. Recycling these materials can mean a savings of thousands of dollars every year in waste hauling fees. Two local companies, Waste Management Inc. and Silver State Disposal, offer comprehensive hotel waste sorting and recycling service.
• Buffet style dining in hotel restaurants produces large amounts of food waste. Recycle unservable food products (including garnishes, trimmings and preparation waste), and grease with RC Farms.
• Develop a program to address waste and recyclable materials generated in the office and administrative areas of the hotel.
• Recycle toner cartridges and printer ribbons in restaurants, casino and administrative areas. Several local companies will remanufacture toner cartridges, and re-spool printer cartridges with brand new ribbons.
• Incorporate a recycling program for employees if one does not currently exist. Employees can recycle materials such as cans and newspapers often generated in employee areas, and also bring in materials from home to recycle. Work with a local recycling service provider to set up a program that will generate funds. Proceeds from an employee recycling program could be used to benefit employees in the form of an emergency/hardship fund, no/low interest loans, or for a "fun" fund.

Purchasing

• Purchasing plays a key role in the recycling loop. Purchasing products that contained recycled materials creates a demand for recycled goods. Develop a purchasing policy that ensures the use of durable, repairable, reusable products (such as linen and tableware), and includes the purchase of recycled content products.
• Purchase remanufactured toner cartridges and printer ribbons. The costs for these goods are typically 30-60% less than if they were purchased new, and are the same or better in quality. This will save money in replacement costs and reduce the number of these materials that would otherwise be thrown away.

Additional Ideas for Conventions and Conferences

• Conventions and conferences make up a considerable amount of a hotel's customer base in Las Vegas. These venues provide additional opportunities to reduce waste.
• Collect attendee identification badges for reuse at future conferences.
• Make recycling bins available and visible so attendees can easily recycle aluminum, plastic, and glass beverage containers.
• Use reusable goods such as serveware and linens whenever possible. If disposable items must be used, use items that contain recycled content.

Permission to repost granted by Tara Pike, UNVL.