1. 16 July
The Australian delegates saw innovation first-hand
as they toured e-waste management centers,
became acquainted with sustainability strategy, and
visited soap and detergent processing companies.
These experiences highlighted a common theme:
Las Vegas is the new hotbed for sustainability.
The delegation visited the Blind Center of Nevada’s
e-recycling program, which takes in items — like
laptops and TVs, erases the sensitive personal
information, and recycles them responsibly.
Given that Australians are among the highest
users of technology in the world, the delegation
listened eagerly to these discussions. The waste
management practices and technologies seen in
the U.S providing integration opportunities back
into Queensland.
The delegation also encountered proactive
sustainability when they toured the Sands Palazzo
and Venetian resorts. The Sands ECO360 Global
Sustainability strategy makes environmental issues
a top priority for the Sands business, stakeholders,
and society. The Sands’ Palazzo and Venetian
resorts together comprise the second largest hotel
in the world and manage to recycle nearly 80% of
their waste by weight.
One of the most rewarding stops of the tour was
the Clean the World soap processing plant. This
company collects ‘used’ soaps and shampoos
from hotels. By recycling soap and other discarded
hygiene products, Clean the World saves lives
with items that traditionally end up in landfills. The
company re-processes the recycled products
and ships the new soaps to people in developing
countries. The positivity of the staff — primarily
composed of volunteers — became infectious!
The conference and week was most valuable
for business development and networking
opportunities with other waste professionals in the
United States.” The delegation returned to Australia
with exciting ideas and practical solutions to
implement in their own organizations.
So what’s next? We are looking to bring
Clean the World to Australia. The time is right.
Stay tuned!
Las Vegas:
A hotbed for
sustainability
by Georgina Harrowell
U.S. Commercial Service
The growth of sophisticated recycling practices in Las Vegas redefined the character of the city. Rather than being the center of excess and
waste within the United States, as history suggests, Las Vegas has transformed into a trailblazer for sustainability. The private sector—including
local hotels—compelled this change by adopting these policies first. Several industry delegates recently represented Australia’s diverse waste
industry at the annual WastEXPO trade show in Las Vegas as participants in a program created by the U.S. Commercial Service in Australia, in
collaboration with the Waste Recycling Industry Association of Queensland (WRIQ).
The delegation comprised primarily of
Queensland company representatives was
led by Rick Ralph, CEO of Waste Recycling
Industry Association of Queensland, and
Georgina Harrowell, Commercial Specialist
at the U.S. Commercial Service.