Today we're talkin' about Vegas, the city of excess. Now, we all know that when people go to Vegas, they go all out. They gamble, they drink, and they eat... a lot. But what happens to all that food when the party's over? That's what we're gonna find out today.
Pigs and Oysters: How Vegas is Finding Creative Solutions to Food Waste
Did you know that every year, 133 billion pounds of food in the United States are wasted? And a big chunk of that comes from restaurants, hotels, and casinos in Vegas. It's a dang shame, I tell ya. But, there's hope for Vegas yet.
The EPA under Donald Trump may not be famous for caring about a lot of things, but it does seem to care about dealing with food waste. It recently gave a prize for sustainable food disposal to a bunch of Vegas strip casinos chefs, including the ones at the Mandalay Bay. These folks are cookin' for a crowd of 11,000 people every day, and that means they're dealin' with a whole lotta food scraps.
Now, you might be wonderin', what happens to all that uneaten food? Well, most of it goes to pig farms, like the one started by veteran pig farmer and occasional gambler Bob Combs. It's not the most efficient solution, but it sure beats throwin' it all in the trash. The farm is lookin' to expand fast, though, 'cause Vegas generates so much dang waste.
But, that's not all. MGM Resorts, one of the biggest casino operators in Vegas, is leadin' the way in sustainable food disposal. They're sourcin' oysters from a partner and sendin' the shells back to replenish the oyster ecosystem. That's pretty cool if you ask me. They also have a fancy system to freeze untouched food and donate it to hunger relief agencies, like Three Square in Nevada.
Now, listen up folks, the most efficient way to deal with food waste is to not create it in the first place. That means reimaginin' the way Vegas operates. I'm talkin' about them massive all-you-can-eat buffets and banquets for 15,000 people. It may seem like austerity, but it's a necessary step towards a more sustainable future. And as MGM Resorts says, "we can always strive to do better."
So there you have it, folks. Vegas may be the city of excess, but it don't have to be the city of waste. With efforts from folks like Bob Combs and MGM Resorts, Vegas can lead the way in sustainable food disposal. And who knows, maybe someday we'll see a Vegas that's more sustainable, but just as dang fun.
Embed this infographic on your site.
