The venue is the first in Singapore to receive top honours, certified with gold tier under SACEOS’s new framework.
Marina Bay Sands has reached new heights in its sustainability journey with Sands Expo & Convention Centre becoming the first venue to be awarded the Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification (MSC). Sands Expo was certified at the highest tier of Gold, in recognition of its outstanding sustainability achievements and results.
Launched in January 2024, the Singapore MSC certifies businesses for adopting sustainable event practices and raises sustainability standards across the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry, in support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. It was developed by the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, and in consultation with SACEOS members and industry players.
The new framework builds on the first MICE Sustainability Certification introduced in 2016 – which Sands Expo had been recognised under – and aligns with the targets set out in the MICE Sustainability Roadmap. It incorporates international benchmarks and covers applicants’ management approach to various sustainability pillars, including Carbon, Waste, Energy, Water Management, Social, Human Resource Competency and Procurement.
Meridith Beaujean, Marina Bay Sands’ Executive Director of Sustainability, said, “Being acknowledged at the highest Gold tier under the new Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification is a recognition of the immense effort we put into incorporating sustainability into the dynamic meetings industry, from our building infrastructure to our waste management strategy and our innovative circularity solutions to our local, regional and sustainable menu offerings. Sustainability is integrated into every facet of our business operations and this accolade gives us encouragement to continue our commitment to reduce our environmental footprint.”
“As a trail blazer in the meetings industry, we have made sustainability a baseline for all events at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, encouraging clients to incorporate green elements into their events and accelerating training for our Team Members to become sustainability advocates. We will continue to push the boundaries as a leader of sustainable events as we support Singapore’s ambition to be the World’s Best MICE City,” added Ong Wee Min, Vice President of Sales and MICE, Marina Bay Sands.
Richard Ireland, President, SACEOS, said, “We would like to congratulate Marina Bay Sands for becoming the first MICE venue in Singapore to receive the Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification (Gold – Venue). As a major venue partner for the industry and our members, its achievement sets a strong precedent for the industry and underscores Singapore’s commitment to becoming a leading sustainable MICE destination in Asia Pacific. Since the launch of the certification programme in January this year, we have received a strong response from different segments of the industry such as event organisers, venues, and suppliers. We hope Marina Bay Sands’ achievement and commitment to a sustainable future for the industry will pave the way and inspire other MICE players to come onboard this important initiative.”
Sands Expo is built to be sustainable, with the venue holding triple platinum certification from leading bodies such as the Building and Construction Authority, Events Industry Council, and US Green Building Council. It is also Singapore’s first fully offset MICE venue, allowing clients to organise environmentally friendly events. Last year, the venue was home to over 2,440 events.
Beyond infrastructure, Sands Expo focuses on reducing waste and extending the lifespan of single-use materials. While the venue previously introduced circular bottles made with recycled polyethylene terephthalate, it has also invested in over 100 mobile water dispensers and plumbed-in dispensers to increase refill points and promote the use of reusable glasses and bottles.
Visitors will also notice menu cubes and dietary indicators crafted from repurposed chopsticks during banquets, eliminating the need for paper products. These innovative products are created in collaboration with a local vendor, contributing to the recycling of over a million used chopsticks to date.
Chefs also frequently harvest fresh herbs and leafy greens from the on-site herb gardens and mobile hydroponic displays, which supports Singapore’s goal to strengthen food security and reduces carbon emissions from transportation of produce.
Post-event, unserved food is frozen in blast chillers and donated regularly to partners such as The Food Bank Singapore, to communities in need. Since 2016, over 17,500kg of food has been donated.
Beyond these practices, Sands Expo offers dedicated Sustainable Event Advisory Services, customising sustainable solutions for clients.
Last year, the team collected bottles from Vinexpo Asia, a global wine and spirits event, and diverted over 34,000 glass bottles to a glass recycling firm to be crushed, melted, and repurposed into new products.
In another example, over 2,000 radios and headsets were collected during the MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table) Global Conference 2023 and donated to the Migrant Workers’ Centre as gifts for the migrant worker community. MICE Team Members are trained to be sustainability champions, with the venue targeting to have 100 staff undergo the Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Professional Certificate programme this year.
Guided by the Sands ECO360 programme, Marina Bay Sands has long been recognised locally and internationally for its sustainability efforts.
Earlier this year, ArtScience Museum was certified LEED Platinum by the US Green Building Council – the first museum in Asia Pacific to receive this highest level of recognition – while the property was accorded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Industry Criteria for Hotels and Accommodations last year.