Month: April 2025

Las Vegas Sands

One of the four core priorities under the Planet pillar of Sands’ corporate responsibility program is incorporating environmentally friendly materials and resources into business operations. Through the stewardship of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability team in collaboration with departments company-wide, Sands is committed to avoiding and eliminating materials and resources that may negatively impact the environment and working to increase overall use of sustainable goods and services.

“Our desire to use sustainable materials and resources touches every part of the business, from procurement to food and beverage services, resort operations, engineering, development and more,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “The challenge in the hospitality industry is balancing selection of goods and services that are better for the environment with guest expectations for a high-end travel experience. That’s why system-wide collaboration among our teams is key.”

Sourcing Responsible Goods and Services

On a regular basis, Sands evaluates sourcing in key areas such as food and beverage services, hotel operations, and business and marketing materials to introduce or increase sustainable products and services. The company has placed special emphasis on addressing sustainability at company-owned restaurants and in catering operations.

Delivering outstanding food and beverage options is an essential component of creating a world-class guest experience, and Sands has focused on incorporating sustainable food into that experience. Efforts have included promoting sustainable sourcing to chefs and eliminating or reducing certain types of seafood from company-owned restaurants and food service operations. The company also targets sourcing of seafood products that are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

In addition, Sands has set a global target to source cage-free eggs for 100% of its operations by 2028. The company began this transition at select food and beverage outlets and in-suite dining in 2023 and will report on 2024 progress in its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) report to be published this spring.

Furthering the commitment of sourcing environmentally responsible products and services, Sands also strives to upcycle materials to avoid sending items to landfills. For example, Marina Bay Sands partnered with ChopValue, a company that turns chopsticks into stylish products, to repurpose one million of these used utensils into cube-shaped menu displays for Sands Expo® and Convention Centre events and banquets. Some of the chopsticks were sourced from the resort’s Wakuda restaurant.

Reducing Plastic and Packaging Use

Another initiative related to incorporating sustainable materials and resources is addressing plastic and packaging, especially single-use items. Sands has set a global target to transition 100% of its branded water bottles to reusable solutions or products made from sustainable materials by the end of 2025.

Marina Bay Sands achieved 100% sustainable solutions for branded water bottles as of 2023, while Sands China continues to address applications that have been challenging for incorporation of sustainable solutions. One area is on casino floors, which use smaller bottles with limited supply options for sustainable products. The company has undertaken various trials such as use of water dispensers to overcome this challenge.

Other efforts to replace plastic and packaging at Sands China have included replacing single-use bathroom amenity bottles with bulk products at The Venetian Macao, Sands Macao, The Parisian Macao and The Londoner Macao. In addition, Sands China has targeted reducing plastics and single-use disposables in its laundry operations.

At Marina Bay Sands, the resort also has addressed laundry-related plastics by eliminating single-use plastic covers for Team Member uniforms. Another major focus has been on eliminating plastic cling wrap in its kitchens, which uses an average of 19,000 rolls annually.

Efforts have included identifying plastic wrap applications to establish new processes and solutions, engaging with food and beverage leaders to address changes, initiating a phased approach to plastic wrap elimination across the resort and setting up monthly scorecards to track plastic wrap purchases and use.

Sands’ commitment to using sustainable materials and resources is one of four core environmental stewardship priorities, which also include transitioning to low-carbon operations, reducing waste and responsibly managing water. To learn more about the company’s initiatives to protect the planet, read the latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

Electric vehicles have become a hot topic lately, unfortunately in more ways than one. Your facility may have recently installed one or more battery charging stations for your employees, clients, or customers to use while visiting your location. And while rare, electric vehicles and their charging stations do pose a fire risk. With a recent uptick in vandalism targeting EVs and charging stations, many of our clients have expressed concerns about how to be better prepared and how to safely manage fire risk.

Currently, there is no consensus standard for where to locate EV charging stations. Most commercial EV battery charging units (though not all) are equipped with a battery management system (BMS) designed to monitor an EV battery during the charging process and will shut off when an issue with the battery is detected. However, when someone intends to damage an EV or charging unit deliberately, all bets are off, even the most advanced BMS can’t prevent malicious actions from escalating into a fire or safety incident.

Whether an EV is hooked up to a charger or just waiting in an available parking space, the risk of fire, particularly from intentional damage, should be taken seriously.

Things to Consider if Your Business has EV Charging Stations: 

1. Does your Emergency Response (ER) or Emergency Action Plan (EAP) address civil disobedience or intentional vandalism? 
If not, it may be time to update it. Emergency plans should reflect new technologies and evolving risks, including potential threats from social unrest.

2. Have you informed your local fire department about your EV chargers? 
This includes how many units are installed, what kind they are, and exactly where they’re located. Coordination with first responders is key to a quick and effective emergency response.

3. Where are your EV chargers located? 
Chargers installed in areas like the lower level of a parking deck, beneath a building, or close to a critical structural component may pose greater risk in the event of a fire. Evaluate whether your location could amplify the consequences of an EV battery fire.

4. Do you have a means to control access to your parking areas? 
This includes gates, keycard entry, on-site security staff, or other measures that can help prevent unauthorized access, especially after hours.

5. Are there visible deterrents in place? 
Security cameras, motion-activated lighting, and signage can play a critical role in discouraging tampering or trespassing.

Understanding EV Battery Fires 

It’s important to realize that EV battery fires are not like conventional vehicle fires. Standard ABC fire extinguishers or even typical sprinkler systems are ineffective at extinguishing a thermal runaway event in a lithium-ion battery. In fact, most professional emergency responders are trained to contain the area and allow the fire to burn out in a controlled way.

The challenge? These fires can generate intense heat, last for hours, and potentially compromise the structural integrity of surrounding buildings or structures. Not to mention, if multiple vehicles are impacted in a chain reaction, the damage can multiply exponentially.

Planning for the Future 

• Do you have the flexibility to relocate chargers to safer, more open-air locations? If your infrastructure allows, consider whether it’s worth relocating chargers to reduce potential risk.
• Have you evaluated commercially available fire suppression solutions? There are specialized products on the market, such as EV-specific fire blankets, suppression foam systems, and remote monitoring solutions. While helpful, none are foolproof. Each option should be assessed for your site-specific conditions, risk tolerance, and budget. It’s always best to get professional support, and you can always contact your local fire department to formulate an appropriate response.
• Are you training your team? Micro-training modules or quick-response drills for security personnel, facilities teams, and even general staff can significantly improve your readiness. Knowing what to do (and just as importantly, what not to do) in the event of an EV fire is critical.

What NOT to Do During an EV Fire: 

• Do not attempt to move a smoking or visibly damaged EV manually.
• Do not try to extinguish a battery fire with water unless explicitly trained and equipped to do so.
• Do not allow staff to approach the vehicle closely. Lithium-ion battery fires can be unpredictable and explosive.

Final Thoughts 

EV adoption is only going to increase, and with it, new risks and responsibilities. Planning ahead, collaborating with local emergency services, securing your infrastructure, and educating your teams are all essential steps in keeping your people and property safe.

If you need help reviewing your site, assessing your emergency preparedness, or identifying the right suppression and security solutions for your facility, our team is here to help.