Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited has promised to eliminate all single-use plastic bottles from its Asian-based resorts and corporate offices by the end of 2020, as well as expanding its recycling program, after becoming a signatory to The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment program.
The program, led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN Environment, is a global initiative to eliminate plastics waste and pollution.
In an announcement, Melco said it is committed to reducing the use of problematic plastics and promoting a circular economy across its global operations, including at its Macau IRs – City of Dreams Macau, Studio City and Altira Macau – at City of Dreams Manila and at its offices in Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines and Japan.
The company plans to remove 100% of single-use plastic bottles at all employee areas by the end of this year and from all guest areas by the end of next, including amenity kits, garbage bags, plastic bottles, straws, disposable F&B containers and utensils. Melco added that it will have completed the process of identifying non-reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by mid-2019 and will “further develop an execution plan” to address each of these by 2025.
“As a leading integrated resort operator and responsible corporate citizen, it is our duty to take concrete action by helping resolve some of the key environmental threats facing communities around us, in Macau and beyond,” said Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho. “We believe we need to leave our environment in a better state for the next generation and Melco is thoroughly committed to doing its part.”
