Developer and operator Las Vegas Sands is launching its Sands Cares Accelerator program in Macau, the gaming giant announced on Wednesday. The company’s flagship program will expand into the world’s largest gaming hub by welcoming local nongovernmental organization (NGO) Green Future to a three-year exclusive membership.
Green Future will be joining Sands’ nonprofit capacity-building program, which aims “to empower greater community impact.” The NGO becomes the fifth nonprofit to join the Sands Care Accelerator, which was launched in 2017 in an effort to help fast-track rising organizations “on the tipping point of making a leap in community impact,” a press release explains.
Through the three-year membership program, Sands aims to create longer-term relationships with nonprofits via extended funding, structured guidance and customized support. By using the program’s blueprint and funding, plus assistance from Sands China’s leadership, Green Future will focus its membership on creating “a first-of-its-kind” environmental social enterprise.
According to Sands, the enterprise will provide a subsidized training course and urban waste sorting and logistics services focused on preparing cardboard for recycling, while offering local employment positions, including opportunities for disabled Macau residents.
“Being part of the Sands Cares Accelerator is a tremendous opportunity for Green Future,” said Un Ka Hou, president of the NGO. “The program enables us to advance our mission to reduce urban waste in Macau while giving residents in need an opportunity for valuable long-term employment. We’re honored to be selected for the Sands Cares Accelerator and eager to begin our collaborative work with the Sands team to launch our environmental social enterprise.”
The city has been described as in critical need of sustainable recycling services with a focus on cardboard: more than 27% of all municipal solid waste consists of paper and cardboard, according to a 2020 report from the DSPA Environmental Protection Bureau.
Green Future, which currently provides public education on clean recycling and waste sorting services, would benefit from enhanced resources and guidance gained from the accelerator to evolve its services into an environmental social enterprise that provides professional training and door-to-door waste recycling services.
“Our Sands China team has worked with Green Future for several years now and knew they were a strong fit for the Sands Cares Accelerator,” said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility for the company.
“Their membership in the program has several benefits to the community – we are helping Green Future create valuable recycling services and provide opportunities for residents in need, while fostering the success of a local NGO and small business,” added the executive. “Each of these areas supports our priorities to drive environmental sustainability, workforce development, and local business and SME success.”
In addition to the accelerator expansion into Macau, the gaming giant claims it is focused on enhancing the program’s offerings in areas such as staff mentorship by Sands team members. In 2021, the business began working with nonprofits to identify candidates within their organizations for one-on-one mentoring to help them reach “the next level in their careers.”
The company also plans to bring nonprofits a greater array of professional and consulting skill sets such as visual media production, market research support and strategic guidance on organizational expansion plans, according to a statement.
Other Sands Cares Accelerator members have included the Marty Hennessy Inspiring Children Foundation, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Green Our Planet in the United States and Art Outreach in Singapore.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/03/03/61619-sands-expands-accelerator-program-to-macau-company-to-back-recycling-and-waste-sorting-nonprofit
