A partnership agreement between integrated resort operator MGM and local tech company Fnetlink Technology Company Limited has recently been signed to launch an “innovative recycling solution that transforms used playing cards into eco-friendly packaging materials”, according to a statement from the integrated resort operator last week.
The “Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony for the Innovative Playing Card Recycling and Upcycling Solution” was held last Friday during the recently concluded 2025 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2025 MIECF), the statement noted.
The statement said that according to the agreement both sides expect to recycle around 3,000 tonnes of used playing cards annually, achieving a “100 percent recycling rate”.
The statement added that it will be the first local programme that recycles used playing cards into high-quality recycled fibres without using water, with the fibres transformed into eco-friendly packaging products.
The statement added that the new solution significantly reduces solid waste compared to existing methods and eliminates carbon emissions associated with the need for cross-border transportation of shredded cards. It also realises “the concept of a circular economy* while extending the lifecycle of materials once considered waste”.
The statement quoted MGM Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Sustainability Keith Lei as saying: “This groundbreaking initiative gives new life to our used playing cards. It empowers the circular economy and supports Macau’s development into a low-carbon, diversified economy. Partnering with a local tech company highlights how innovation can play in driving green transformation.”
Fnetlink Technology Company Limited General Manager Elaine Wong was quoted by the statement as saying that MGM’s “bold implementation of low-carbon environmental technologies offers feasible solutions for Macau’s economic diversification, while creating practical development opportunities and service platforms for the city.”
The agreement is a further collaboration after both parties started co-developing “the world’s first smart, automated card-shredding solution” designed to boost operational efficiency while reducing the risk of occupational injuries in 2023.
*The circular economy is an economic system designed to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency by keeping products, materials, and resources in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling. – DeepSeek
This handout photo taken and provided by MGM last Friday shows representatives and witnesses posing after last week’s signing ceremony at MGM’s booth at the the 2025 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2025 MIECF), which was held at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo.
