Published on 21 October 2015
Echo Entertainment Group has been selected as one of five finalists in the category of Excellence in Waste and Recycling, in this year’s prestigious NSW Government’s Green Globe Awards.
Now in their 16th year, the Green Globe Awards celebrate innovative environmental achievements and resource-saving measures from businesses, government and community groups across NSW.
The nomination as a finalist in the Green Globe Awards recognises the achievements of Echo Entertainment’s flagship property, The Star Sydney, who have introduced new waste management practices which resulted in 1,866.45 tonnes of greenhouse gas savings for the financial year 2014 - 215, equivalent to removing 466 cars off the road or planting 6,964 trees.
This is in addition to Echo Entertainment-wide initiatives of recycling more than 1,382 tonnes of glass since 2010 at The Star, numerous team member training initiatives including the development of an Environment and Sustainability Intranet portal accessed by over 6,200 employees, implementation of biodegradable packaging and the diversion of more than 90 tonnes of food waste from landfill per month.
Amanda Visser, Echo Entertainment Group’s Manager Sustainability and Environment says being recognised as a finalist by one of New South Wales’ leading environmental awards reflects the determination of the team and the enormous effort by all team members based in Sydney to embrace the new direction.
“Being a finalist in the Green Globe Awards is testament to The Star Sydney’s resolute commitment to energy and waste reduction as part of our five year Environment and Sustainability Strategy to reduce resource consumption and improve our performance.
“The result has seen The Star Sydney, Echo Entertainment’s largest property and responsible for over 50% of total waste created, increase the properties total recycling rate from 8% in August 2013, to 42% in August 2015. As a result, Echo’s waste target has been achieved ahead of its forecasted figures for 2015.
“We are proud to be a leader in the reduction of waste, energy and environmental impacts in the entertainment sector, and are committed to ensuring our footprint remains as ‘green’ as possible amongst the community in which we operate.
“The Star is an integral part of Sydney, welcoming over 11 million visitors each year, and with 4,500 team members we understand that our team members have an opportunity to influence the water and energy consumption and waste generation of our city, both at work and at home,” said Mrs Visser.
Finalists were chosen by an independent panel of leading environmental experts in the fields of energy, water, waste, sustainability and environmental research and academia.
The winners will be announced at the Green Globe Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 15 October at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney.
Echo Entertainment operates The Star Sydney, Jupiters Hotel & Casino Gold Coast and Brisbane Treasury Casino & Hotel.
- Ends -
For media enquiries please contact:
Laura Valentine, Account Manager, Zadro
P: +61 2 9212 7867 | M: +61 4 06 285 077 | laura@zadroagency.com.au
Jacqueline Howard, Senior Account Coordinator, Zadro
P: +61 2 9212 7867 | jacqueline@zadroagency.com.au
To learn more about the Green Globe Awards, visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/greenglobes
About The Star Sydney
The Star is Sydney’s premium entertainment destination. The Star offers award-winning chefs and restaurants, luxury hotel accommodation and serviced apartments, a 13-room day spa, an international designer retail collection as well a world-class casino and international nightclub Marquee. The $100 million Star Event Centre is a state-of-the art multi-use venue and has hosted more than 400 events since opening in January 2013, including The AACTA Awards, The ARIA Awards, The Premiere of World War Z, charity events for the Sony Foundation, Starlight Foundation and Thomas Kelly Foundation and international talent such as Coldplay, One Direction, Ricky Martin, Seal, Garbage, One Republic, Olly Murs, Jessica Mauboy and Alicia Keys.
For more information or enquiries, visit www.star.com.au or call 1800 700 700.