Singapore’s Sands Expo and Convention Centre has been awarded the LEED Platinum for building operations and maintenance, one of the most widely-used sustainability benchmarks.Singapore's Marina Bay Sands is the first MICE venue in Asia Pacific to be awarded the LEED Platinum for building operations and maintenance of Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
The centre has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainable initiatives in aspects such as energy-saving lighting and air-conditioning systems, waste management, indoor plumbing, carbon footprint and education.
The LEED rating system, one of the most widely-used sustainability benchmarks, recognises all buildings types that have achieved the highest levels for environmental performance.
"Being the first convention centre in Asia Pacific to be LEED Platinum certified strengthens our commitment to lead the industry and inspire others to join us towards a more sustainable future," Ian Wilson, senior vice president of non-gaming operations, Marina Bay Sands.
"Sands Expo and Convention Centre's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership and serves as a prime example of how innovative building projects can use local solutions to make a global impact on the environment," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC.
Highlights of the centre's sustainability efforts include the use of LED lights, programmable lighting and air conditioning system, which has enabled the centre to be 42% more energy efficient than similar rated buildings in the world.
It has also cut out more than half of all operational waste by recycle paper, cardboard and plastics, and installed indoor plumbing fixtures to achieve 66% more water efficiency than similarly-rated buildings.
To ensure all operations are carbon-neutral, the centre works with service providers on renewable energy credits to offset carbon emissions. Convention staff are also educated on sustainable practices such as measuring and recycling waste through activities and events.
The centre's green credentials have also attracted events such as the Schneider Electric Global Innovation Summit, held September 20 to 21, 2018 and the 7th Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development (RBF) from October, 11 to 12, 2018, organised by Global Initiatives in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme.
Both events featured a specially developed 'earth-friendly' menus included more certified environmentally-friendly products.
This is not the first major sustainable accolade for the centre. In 2014, it was the first MICE facility in Southeast Asia to obtain the ISO 20121 Sustainable Events Management System certification.