Las Vegas is turning Green, with more renewable energy, more water efficiency, and more sustainable venue options than ever before
When we think of Las Vegas, the traditional image that comes to mind is one of excess, indulgence and devil-may-care risk-taking. But day by day a coalition of government, business and community groups are turning Sin City green.
From solar energy to recycling and composting, the opportunities for green events and a more sustainable Las Vegas experience are growing.
Solar panels are powering more and more of the iconic bright lights of Las Vegas
Renewable Energy in Las Vegas
Events need energy. Finding sustainable sources for that energy is always a great way to reduce the impact on the environment of your event. Las Vegas has been making great strides in turning the sunshine that drenches the desert metropolis into clean, efficient energy to power the city. In fact, Las Vegas generates the sixth-most solar per capita of any city in the U.S, and 100% of the energy used by city-run facilities has come from renewables since 2016.
One notable addition is the ‘Mega Solar Array’, a 100-megawatt solar system installed in the desert north of town. This facility will provide 90% of the daytime power needs of 13 MGM resort properties, including the Bellagio and Park MGM. That means 36,000 rooms and 65 million square feet of building space.
The Mega Solar Array is also the largest hospitality industry renewable energy project globally, producing power equivalent to the annual usage of 27,000 average U.S. homes. MGM Resorts is expecting to build more like it to service its other United States properties in the future.
Recycling can play a huge role in reducing the environmental impact of events and making events more sustainable
Recycling
All events produce waste of some kind, and disposing of that waste responsibly is an important part of sustainable events.
The Venetian and Palazzo complex owned by Sands Corp have both been certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The Venetian has been recycling face coverings as part of its Venetian Clean initiative, reusing more than 8,600 lbs of material to convert into composite lumber.
The West Hall Convention Center boasts a tesla loop with autonomous vehicles
Transportation
Event planners know that locations and events can live or die by the quality of transportation options available. This can be one of the areas where it is most difficult to find ways of being more sustainable as practical alternatives simply don’t exist in some markets. But the city of Las Vegas boasts several renewable or low-carbon emission transportation methods visitors can take advantage of.
The expanded West Hall Convention Center has been connected to the old facility by tunnels where they can be driven from one facility to another via autonomous Teslas.
Or if you need to move around the Strip, consider the zero-emissions monorail, which helps keep more than 2.1 million vehicles a year from the busy roads outside.
Insulation and renewable energy help venues meet exacting efficiency standards
Efficiency
There are some impressive certification programs available for venues wanting to reduce their consumption of resources and impact on the environment. Helping lead the way, Resorts World Las Vegas has announced all three of its brands (Las Vegas Hilton, Crockfords Las Vegas LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Las Vegas) had been certified Gold under the LEED, joining the aforementioned Sands properties.
These certifications mean they are some of the most energy efficient venues in the world. Energy consumption for these facilities is 38% below industry baseline and water usage 40% below. There are also initiatives to provide parking for electric vehicles, reduce plastic usage and improve environmental reporting.
If you want to reduce the environmental impact of your event program, source more sustainable venues or audit the carbon footprint of your events, get in touch with an expert at Huddle to learn more.
