ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has become the first gaming corporation in the United States to receive an Environmental Quality Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region Two.

 

Region Two presents the award annually to organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to protecting and enhancing environmental quality in its sector, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The EPA announced the award to Harrah's at a ceremony in New York City.

 

Harrah's Entertainment operates four casinos in Atlantic City:  Bally's, Caesar's, Harrah's and Showboat.

 

Since 2002, Harrah's has made "green" improvements at all of its Atlantic City properties by using more efficient lighting, non-toxic cleaning chemicals, thermostats that limit energy use, more efficient boilers, chillers and air handlers, and more eco-friendly refrigerants.

 

With the direct involvement of its nearly 16,000 employees, Harrah's eliminated the equivalent of more than 94 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually.  Harrah's recycles 50,000 gallons of cooking oil waste each year from its kitchens, uses waterless urinals that each save 30,000 gallons of water per year, annually recycles 1.6 million pounds of cardboard and has eliminated 1.1 million polystyrene beverage cups. Harrah's also has purchased two hybrid vehicles to support local transportation requirements.

 

Harrah's Entertainment is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment.  Since its beginning in Reno, Nev., more than 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents.