Five Ways In Which Casinos Are Moving Towards Better Sustainability
In the run up to election season, prospective president Hilary Clinton has tackled a number of issues in order to bolster her campaign – one of which grabbed headlines back in September when she decided to address the problem of sustainability in modern day casinos.
Casinos have long been the source of many environmental concerns, whether it’s their constant energy consumption 24 hours a day, or the carbon footprint incurred by tourists travelling to resort destinations such as Las Vegas. In line with Mrs Clinton’s campaign, however, today many casinos are doing their utmost to move towards sustainability, with the following case studies proving just how effective these environmentally-friendly methods can be.
Utilising natural light
One of the biggest drains on fossil fuels in modern day casinos is their constant need for lighting. In order to encourage a ‘timeless’ atmosphere, casino architects deliberately miss out windows from their designs, which supposedly encourages people to carry on gambling – the same effect happens as a result of no clocks on the walls and consistent repetitive music.
However, one cutting-edge casino decided to buck the trend in 2008 by incorporating skylights throughout the whole building. It was said that the Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel had saved up to 50 per cent in energy costs and also improved profits in the process.
LED Lighting
Some casino designers may feel that natural light is too risky a move where profits are concerned, citing that those who are aware of what time it is may be deterred from gambling. As a compromise, then, the Silver Legacy Resort and Casino has made its move towards sustainability by replacing incandescent fixtures in its Dome area with LED lights. Similarly, its theatrical light fixtures have also been replaced with these energy-saving light sources in order to cut down on the carbon footprint of the Nevada-based casino.
Conserving water
A recent report by the Las Vegas Review Journal revealed that Lake Mead – the water source for both the Hoover Dam and the City of Sin itself – was at its lowest point for 78 years. Investigations into the water source have revealed that white rings of sediment have begun to appear, indicating the stark droughts that are afflicting the area.
In order to combat the problem, engineers have put into motion plans to build a 16,000 foot tunnel underneath the lake in order to draw water if levels drop below certain levels. It’s certainly a short-term solution, but it is one which is backed up by a number of water-saving initiatives from resorts such as the MGM Grand.
Recycling
As a city known for its consumerism and general decadence, recycling in Las Vegas is largely regarded as the region’s “best kept secret.” In fact, it’s a project in which many high profile chains have been participating for many years.
Its methods aren’t always conventional either – for example, in 2010, five MGM Resorts properties sent approximately 7,600 tonnes of food waste to a pig farm in Las Vegas, which was boiled down and used to feed the animals. Of course, the resorts also engage in more traditional recycling methods – containers at The Mirage, for example, fill up with 6.5 tonnes of glass which is recycled every five days.
Going online
One sustainability method employed by casino visitors rather than owners is the option of pursuing alternatives. By choosing to visit casino game websites, we are all doing our bit to reduce our carbon footprint, whether it is just keeping tabs on how many hours our computers are running or simply avoiding flights to cities such as Las Vegas.
The online casino offering is growing day by day, and with sites like Mr Smith Casino offering welcome bonuses to new customers, there are a whole host of incentives to join, but without a doubt promoting sustainability is one of the biggest.
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Our writers come from all over the world, but one thing unites them - their passion for sustainability.