Sands ECO360 Report | Resource conservation
By implementing responsible practices and cutting edge technologies, we can reduce our natural resource consumption and improve the experience of our guests and Team Members.
Our safeguarding of natural resources, such as energy and water, is the cornerstone of our environmentally responsible operations. Years of conservation experience have enabled us to establish a robust energy management process, through which we set annual reduction goals for our properties based on five-year emissions targets. The sustainability and facilities teams research new ideas and test available technologies to identify conservation opportunities, subsequently managing their implementation and evaluating performance. Our teams have completed more than 300 projects worldwide since 2010, resulting in annual electricity savings of 247 million kWh – more than enough to power The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo in Las Vegas combined.
We operate large and complex buildings, some with up to 60,000 management control data points. Our work has evolved from simple technology deployment (such as lighting retrofits) to more sophisticated processes and system improvements, such as building re-commissioning, air side optimization and chiller plant optimization. Our new electronic dashboard stores and analyzes utility consumption and emissions data to better understand our performance. We also developed a project management system to more effectively execute the reduction efforts.
Building Commissioning
Even with the most efficient designs, buildings do not always function as intended when they first open. Furthermore, equipment and systems tend to lose efficiency over time. The commissioning process is designed to find and correct deficiencies, and adjust systems to optimize performance. The process also helps to identify improvement measures and projects that can further reduce energy consumption. We first went through commissioning during the construction of The Palazzo Las Vegas in 2007 and have since expanded the practice to our other properties.
Water Conservation
Our water conservation efforts have focused on fixture upgrades and plumbing system maintenance, as well as replacing potable water with nonpotable water sources where feasible.
Starting in 2013, we performed comprehensive water audits and developed three-year reduction plans. More than 20 conservation initiatives have been implemented to date, with savings of more than 200 million gallons.
