Recycling at Work:
Waste Reduction and Recycling
in the Las Vegas Hospitality
Industry
A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction
of the requirement for the degree of
Bachelor of Arts
in
Environmental Studies
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
Las Vegas
by
Darlene M. Cartier
Spring 1997
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Truman
Director, Office of Environmental Affairs and Community Sustainability
Department of Environmental Studies
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION: Waste in Las Vegas, Nevada
STUDYING HOTEL AND RESTAURANT WASTE
HOTEL AND RESTAURANT WASTE STREAMS
WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING IN U.S. HOTELS AND
RESTAURANTS
INCENTIVES AND STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING WASTE
BENEFITS TO RECYCLING
TYPES OF WASTE SORTING PROGRAMS
RECYCLING IN LAS VEGAS HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
BARRIERS TO RECYCLING IN LAS VEGAS HOTELS AND
RESTAURANTS
ASSESSING WASTE AND RECYCLING NEEDS
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Hotel Recycling Case Studies
APPENDIX B: Restaurant Recycling Case Studies
APPENDIX C: Waste Sorting Photos
APPENDIX D: Clark County Waste Hauling Rates
APPENDIX E: Recycling Status in Las Vegas Hotels
APPENDIX F: Commonly Used Terms