LAS VEGAS, July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts
International announced that single-use plastic straws will only be
served upon request at company operated restaurants in the U.S. As
one of the world's top five largest non-chain restaurant operators
in the world, MGM Resorts and its employees understand their
responsibility in protecting our planet and helping reduce their
carbon footprint. This initiative, which began rolling out in
May 2018, aims to eventually remove
more than 250,000 straws a day from landfills and
waterways—that's 100 million straws each year.
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"MGM is one of the largest multi-concept restaurant operators in
the world. As such, it is our responsibility to do our part to help
eliminate debris from landfills and waterways," said Cindy Ortega, Senior Vice President and Chief
Sustainability Officer, MGM Resorts International. "The elimination
of plastic straws is the latest addition to MGM's comprehensive
environmental responsibility program and can further enhance our
efforts to protect our planet."
Straws are one of the most common littered items in the U.S.,
and single-use plastic straws contribute to the rubbish floating in
our oceans, severely affecting wildlife. Eight million metric tons
of plastic winds up in the oceans each year, and in 2017 plastic
straws were the 11th most found ocean trash. One
plastic drinking straw can take up to 200 years to breakdown in the
environment. MGM Resorts International owns 19 resorts across
the U.S. including three on major waterways—The Borgata, N.J.;
National Harbor, M.D. and Beau Rivage, M.S. MGM Resorts believes by
working together and reducing plastic straw use, the company can
have a positive impact on the environment and oceans.
Both single use plastic "stir straws" and drinking straws have
been removed from casino floors, buffets, cafes, bars and lounges
as well as dining outlets. Straws will still be available to
customers upon request.
"We began the pilot program here in Las Vegas in the beginning of May at ARIA and
Mandalay Bay," said Timothy Ryan,
Vice President Food and Beverage Strategy, MGM Resorts
International. "The response from customers has been so positive we
have decided to quickly train our employees at all our U.S. resorts
to stop automatically serving single use straws."
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is
an S&P 500® global entertainment company with
national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels
and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces,
incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an
extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail
offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic
experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands.
The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 28 unique hotel
offerings including some of the most recognizable resort brands in
the industry. Expanding throughout the U.S. and around the world,
the company opened MGM Cotai in Macau in February
2018. It is also developing MGM Springfield in Massachusetts
and debuting the first international Bellagio branded hotel
in Shanghai. The 78,000 global employees of MGM
Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one
of FORTUNE® Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies®. For more
information visit us at www.mgmresorts.com.
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SOURCE MGM Resorts International