Navajo Gaming Launches New Recycling Program Makes Landfills an Outdated Concept

(Flagstaff, Ariz. – June 18, 2025) – The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming), established in 2006, has a new recycling program that keeps raw material out of landfills in the Navajo Nation. The program is part of Navajo Gaming’s larger commitment to sustainability and its focus on wise stewardship of the land.

Lane Schmietenknop, Director of Food & Beverage Sales & Development, said Navajo Gaming’s recycling program started about six months ago through the Nackard Pepsi Bottling Company. The program’s long-term goal is to keep as much Polyethylene Terephthalate, (PET) plastic, aluminum, metals and cardboard out of landfills in the Navajo Nation. Using the Replenysh platform, Navajo Gaming can see how much these items are worth and how to recycle them responsibly.

Twin Arrows’ pilot program shows that the main culinary kitchen has collected 1,880 pounds of material, saving about 259 cubic feet of space, producing about 2.5M less carbon in the atmosphere,147 fewer gallons of oil, and 7,612 fewer kWh of electricity.

Schmietenknop said Andrew Taliman, Twin Arrows’ stewarding manager, is responsible for the execution of this program. The long-term goal is to encompass entire properties, including housekeeping and facilities, by the end of 2025. This is three times an increase in recycling. By 2026, there are plans to incorporate this program at Fire Rock Navajo Casino, Flowing Water Navajo Casino, and Northern Edge Navajo Casino.

“Sustainably of our buildings and operations, recycling and appropriate stewardship of our land, are important to Navajo Gaming leadership culturally and professionally, and we thank our dedicated team members who continuously focus on sustainability,” said Navajo Gaming CEO John James.

Schmietenknop said several factors to their successful recycling are:
#1: Team members putting forth effort.
#2: Educating customers.
#3: Being good stewards through Navajo Gaming and supporting the Navajo Nation.
#4: Transparency, educating, sourcing, and ideas from our partners Replenysh and Nackard Pepsi Bottling Co.

Schmietenknop added, “The importance of being a successful recycling company is brought through our recycler, who makes the process a turn-key operation to recycle plastics, aluminum, and cardboard.”

The new recycling program is already helping save resources and reduce space in landfills, and is just one of many steps Navajo Gaming takes as it focuses on long-term stability and sustainability of its properties and surrounding areas. The enterprise has won numerous accolades including multiple perfect Green Globes™ environment ratings from the Green Building Initiative for energy-efficient building, sustainable operational practices and stunning architecture. Sustainable materials were also used during construction of properties and energy-saving, high-efficiency equipment have been incorporated throughout the enterprise.

As it launches new projects, the majority of which are built on land with no infrastructure, Navajo Gaming focuses on bringing sustainable utilities that are built to the highest standard and are reliable and resilient – from clean water to reliable power and natural gas. Additionally, its most recent project, The Navajo Blue Travel Plaza earned a national sustainability award for utilizing SIPS (Structural Insulated Panel System) Construction. Structural insulated panels are one of the most environmentally responsible building systems available for energy conservation.

To learn more about Navajo Gaming and its properties, visit www.NavajoGaming.com.

About The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise:

Navajo Gaming is a Navajo Nation wholly owned business entity created by the Navajo Nation in September 2006 to develop and operate Navajo casinos in New Mexico and Arizona.

Employing more than 1,200 employees, NNGE operates four casinos and a travel plaza in New Mexico and Arizona, opening its first property, the Fire Rock Navajo Casino near Gallup, New Mexico, in November 2008. Within five years, additional properties were added, including the Flowing Water Navajo Casino (October 2010); Northern Edge Navajo Casino (January 2012); Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort (May 2013); and the Navajo Blue Travel Plaza (September 2020).

Navajo Gaming is one of many Navajo Nation-owned and operated enterprises that is charged with the mission of creating jobs, increasing revenues, and stimulating incremental economic development within the Navajo Nation.