Melco Joins International Initiative to Tackle Plastics Pollution

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has become the first casino resort operator to join a brand-new initiative that aims to reduce the use of plastics worldwide

Melco announced today that it has become a signatory to The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The company has joined the global initiative just when it has published its first official progress report.

The New Plastics Economy Commitment was launched in October 2018. It is spearheaded by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and UN Environment, and is supported by World Wide Fund for Nature, World Economic Forum, and Consumer Goods Forum, among other organizations.

The initiative addresses the global issue of plastic pollution and calls for the elimination of unnecessary use of plastics.

News about Melco joining Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s initiative came on the heels of the company’s announcement that it would build Macau’s largest array of solar panels as part of its corporate social responsibility strategy and environmental sustainability commitment.

Melco operates properties across Macau, the only Chinese territory where casino gambling is allowed, as well as in the Philippine capital, Manila. The company has also embarked on a global expansion journey with plans to build integrated resorts in Cyprus and Japan.

The gaming and hospitality operator said today that as a signatory to The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, it will be looking to reduce “the use of problematic plastics” and promote “circular economy across its global operations”, including its Macau and Manila integrated resorts and its corporate offices in Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, and Japan.

Melco’s Plastics Use Reduction Strategy

Melco said today that as a signatory to The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, it is committed to “eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging and reducing single-use plastics.” The company will look to remove all single-use plastic bottles at all employee areas by the end of the year. Melco will then expand the scope of its work to guest areas by the end of next year.

Plastic bottles and straws, disposable food and beverage containers and utensils, garbage bags, amenity kits will all be eliminated by the casino operator over the next few years, it became known.

By 2025, Melco expects to complete the process of identifying non-reusable, non-recyclable and non-compostable packaging by 2025 and to develop a further execution plan to address each of these.

Commenting on the new initiative, Melco’s Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said that they recognize “plastic pollution is a global challenge” and will do their best to “eliminate problematic plastic” by placing the issue at the forefront of their sustainability efforts.

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