We build ‘em. They get old. We implode ‘em. Sure, it sounds super wasteful.

But now the waste from one hotel is aiding in the construction of several others.

Ninety-seven percent of the construction waste from the former Boardwalk hotel, imploded in 2006, was reused or recycled during the construction of CityCenter thanks to a large-scale recycling and resue operation. Overall, the project utilized more than 260,000 tons of construction waste.

This is just one of the reasons CityCenter was recently awarded three Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. Certifications were given to Aria Resort’s hotel tower, Aria’s convention center and theater, and Vdara Hotel (all set to open in December 2009).

“From the beginning we believed that intelligent design and sustainable practices would reinforce a sense of permanence for CityCenter and create a healthier, more appealing environment for guests, residents and our workforce,” said Bobby Baldwin, CityCenter’s president and CEO. “The LEED Gold certification for ARIA and Vdara is a great leap forward in our effort to redefine the destination resort experience and provide a true cultural center to the Las Vegas Strip.”

CityCenter has demonstrated a commitment to the environment from the outset. Other initiatives that helped the development earn its LEED certification include:

• A fleet of stretch limos powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas.
• Hotel rooms with exclusive features allowing guests to “green their stay.”
• Development of slot machine bases that serve as floor air-conditioning distribution units, efficiently cooling public spaces from the ground up.

“The CityCenter team set a standard for responsible growth in Las Vegas by pursuing the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification,” added Cindy Ortega, MGM MIRAGE’s senior vice president of Energy and Environmental Services Division. “CityCenter’s pursuit of LEED is driving green economies of scale in multiple industry segments, paving the way for other entities to build and operate sustainably.”

A joint venture between MGM Mirage and Infinity World Development Corp, CityCenter sits on 67 acres on the Las Vegas Strip between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts. In addition to Aria and Vdara, the multi-use urban development will include Mandarin Oriental, Veer Towers, The Harmon and Crystals, a retail and entertainment district. CityCenter also anticipates Gold or Silver LEED certification for these remaining developments.