GW08-p28-politics:Layout 1 21/12/09 17:19 Page 1
Green Gaming
ames World: ability initiatives and energy
G
Why do you feel conservation measures, then I
it is important believe that you are moving in
for the global the right direction. When
gaming industry someone complains that you
to embark upon environ- are greenwashing, and it
mental initiatives? Do you causes bad PR for you, they
think sustainability issues make you gun-shy to attempt
are here to stay? other initiatives. As I said
Eric Hansel: When every earlier, we can talk about the
third commercial has some- environmental benefits of an
thing to do with sustainability, initiative, but in the end it
and chief sustainability officers comes down to ROI, and sus-
are becoming more and more tainability is a learning process
prevalent in the corporate for all of us.
world, this speaks volumes
about how businesses already GW: What advice would
feel about sustainability. This you give to a gaming
should encourage gaming product manufacturer who
industry executives to look at was thinking of ‘going
the same issues. Sustainable green’?
practice results in an overall EH: I would say look at
operational cost reduction, where you think you have inef-
resulting in better profit ficiencies in your business,
margins - even during times of and start there. You would be
flat revenue generation. That is surprised at the buy-in you will
why sustainability issues are get from your employees and
here to stay. customers. Seriously con-
GW: Who benefits from sus-
‘Sustainability’ has become a key watchword throughout the developed world, and over
sider hiring a chief sustainabil-
ity officer - this decision will
tainability initiatives? recent years issues surrounding the environment have spilled into every business sector. help you to become a leader
EH: It is important to show
While the benefits of environmentally-friendly practices are self-evident from an ethical
in your vertical for the next
the financial benefits and prove
the ROI before we begin a
point of view, Eric Hansel of EGM Green explains why sustainability also makes sound
5-10 years.
heavy conversation about envi-
business sense.
GW: What will happen to
ronmental or social reasons. the issue of environmen-
After we can prove to the cus- tally friendly and sustain-
tomer that if they put energy money while painting them in a ally, the viability of organic, isation considers terms able business practice
conservation measures into much better light, biodegradable alternatives for such as ‘green’ or ‘environ- over the next five years?
place that they will save money, plastic cutlery, cups, plates mentally friendly’ too EH: Which CEO would
our job becomes easier, and GW: Which US companies and other items. That could be vague to be meaningful. choose to not invest in making
the company can start to focus operating in the amuse- a selling point not just for its Does this lack of official his or her company the best in
with us on telling people about ments and gaming sector venues, but for its suppliers, definition undermine sus- its vertical? Sustainability will
the good they are doing. This have adopted ‘green’ busi- who are eager for the market to tainability initiatives? and is playing a huge role in the
positive PR has turned a ness practice? grow. So it is easy to see that EH: I’m not sure if they lowering of operational costs
company like Walmart from EH: Anheuser-Busch just as in other verticals, the undermine sustainability for those market leaders - and
one that was viewed as a huge theme parks have over the larger companies are leading goals, but they certainly make they get great publicity out of
waster into one of the greenest past few years implemented the charge towards sustainabil- it easier for people to throw it. Which CEO doesn’t like
companies in the world. It is many environmental initia- ity, mostly because they have around the term ‘greenwash- great publicity? To become a
pretty easy to understand that tives, including the use of the resources to give them a ing’, which I think actually leader in this new economy,
a company built on cost savings Eric Hansel receives the biodegradable straws, and shot and work to make them hurts the progress of sustain- companies need to do without
would not invest this heavily in International Gaming cutlery, food serving boxes perfect and then scalable. ability. If you are attempting to - it is easier to do without a
sustainability if it wasn’t clear Award for the most eco- and plates. Busch parks can change practices that your portion of your energy bill than
that these initiatives would save friendly company in the demonstrate, potentially to GW: The International business has followed for it is to do without staff second-
them and their supply chain worldwide gaming industry millions of consumers annu- Organisation for Standard- many years to include sustain- ary to layoffs.
GamesWorld | 28 | December 2009/January 2010
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