Becoming An Eco-Champion – Sun International Time Square Case Study

Are you passionate about reducing waste to landfill, even when there are no obvious solutions for the type of waste generated by your business? What would you do with 3 tonnes of discarded playing cards every month, when these are generally considered non-recyclable?

Find out how WastePlan solved this peculiar recycling dilemma, while also empowering Sun International Time Square to become a recipient of the prestigious Eco-Logic Award – an exceptional achievement for such a high volume hotel and casino complex.

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Part of the Menlyn Maine precinct in Pretoria East, Sun International Time Square is a world-class business and entertainment destination. It offers 238 rooms in its luxurious hotel, with conference rooms and restaurants, as well as around-the-clock gaming at 1,550 slot machines and 55 casino tables. And of course, its 8,500-seater SunBet Arena regularly hosts international popstars – and their fans.

With thousands of visitors each month (sometimes up to 17,000 people on one day!) it is no surprise that in pursuit of their Zero Waste To Landfill (ZWTL) targets, Time Square needed to partner with a specialist waste management and recycling team.

THE CHALLENGES

The nature of its business means that Time Square had three main waste management challenges:

• First, the majority of tenants are restaurants, which resulted in high volumes of food contaminated waste. This meant that even recyclables such as plastic, cardboard and broken glass ended up in landfill.
  
  
• Second, they experienced tremendous fluctuations in waste volumes depending on the number and type of events hosted by the hotel, casino and the SunBet Arena. This made planning for a smooth-running waste area very tricky – which either resulted in an unhygienic build-up of waste, or the unnecessary costs of having too many staff on site.
  
  
• Third, by casino regulations playing cards are used at only one table, and have to be replaced every 4 hours. These cards consist of a cardboard layer, a plastic film layer and a wax layer which were too difficult to separate, which meant tonnes of cards were going to landfill every month.

THE WASTEPLAN SOLUTION

So how did WastePlan enable Time Square to exceed their waste diversion target?

Solution for food contaminated waste

WastePlan implemented an ongoing tenant engagement programme, which included separation-at-source training and a three-bin system in restaurants to prevent food contaminated waste.

Regular audits by their specialist ZWTL team determined exactly what residual waste streams were still going to landfill. They could then engage with the procurement department, for example, to find alternative (recyclable) products such as biodegradable straws.

WastePlan installed a BiobiN® that forcefully inducts air to speed up the decomposing process of food and organic waste. It also has a condenser that removes excess moisture and a bio-filter that eliminates odours. The benefit was that high volumes of organic waste could be processed faster, without the off-putting smell.

Solution for fluctuating waste volumes

The WastePlan team took three months to investigate and map out the waste flow of the site according to the different events and casino rhythms. This enabled their team to accurately predict the volumes and types of waste streams to be expected depending on the Time Square schedule, and to prepare accordingly.

Solution for playing cards

Admittedly, finding a solution for tonnes of un-recyclable playing cards was a significant challenge. But after months of testing different chemical and mechanical processes, the WastePlan network of ZWTL specialists developed a solution that successfully separated the layers. This ground-breaking innovation created separate cardboard and plastic recycling streams that could be used by manufacturers, which meant that the cards could then be diverted from landfill.

THE RESULTS

Time Square had landfill diversion targets of 40% and below before WastePlan was appointed on site in April 2023. Within three months, the waste diversion rate went up to the mid-70%, which became the baseline until a solution for playing cards could be found. Currently, the team consistently achieves a waste diversion rate in the high-80%.

Recycling figures fluctuate based on events. Restaurants might see an increase in patrons before an event and the bars and increase post events, but streams like plastic cups will have a significant spike due to drinks served during events.

In February 2024, these efforts culminated in a Bronze in the Circular Economy and Waste Innovation category of the Eco-Logic Awards – recognising Sun International Time Square as a South African eco-champion. The Eco-Logic Awards intentionally showcase those who provide products and services that are ‘Good for People and Planet,’ and who positively contribute towards a more sustainable world.

WHAT THE CLIENT HAD TO SAY

“We’ve seen a huge improvement, and I must thank WastePlan. When you go out to the waste area, you always find it in a super condition,” said Simon Tselapedi (SHE Event Officer, Time Square).

“Our goal as a company is to achieve Zero Waste To Landfill by 2025, and the biggest challenge for us was to find a partner who could help us reach our target. WastePlan was the only partner with the credibility, resources, and skills who could actually execute our strategy. This led to us getting a Bronze award, and I’m quite certain that if they had been on site earlier, we would have gotten that first prize,” commented David Ndlovu (SHE Manager, Time Square) with a smile.

So what differentiates WastePlan from other waste management and recycling companies?

We will always pursue continuous innovation, because we will not be satisfied until every client achieves Zero Waste To Landfill (ZWTL). Even if we have to boil a few tonnes of playing cards to do so!

If you need a specialist team to achieve your waste diversion goals, get in touch with us today!