Sustaincia and Sands Cares Accelerator Push Circular Economy Growth in Macao

Published on: May 14, 2026•4 min read

by KnowESG

Macao nonprofit Sustaincia joins Sands Cares Accelerator to scale impact through funding and mentorship.

Takeaways

Macao-based nonprofit Sustaincia has joined the Sands Cares Accelerator, a three-year initiative led by Las Vegas Sands and Sands China to support organizations creating social and environmental impact.
Sustaincia plans to use advanced technology to convert food waste such as bakery leftovers, rice, and cooking oil into reusable and commercially valuable products.
The organization also aims to strengthen Macao’s circular economy by building a collaborative research lab for entrepreneurs, scientists, and sustainability experts.

Macao nonprofit Sustaincia has become the newest member of the Sands Cares Accelerator, a long-term development program designed to help nonprofit organizations expand their community impact through funding, mentorship, and strategic support.

The initiative is led by Las Vegas Sands and its subsidiary, Sands China. Sustaincia is now the second nonprofit organization from Macao to join the accelerator program.

Sustaincia focuses on combining technology and social innovation to promote sustainable development. Through the accelerator, the organization plans to improve the way food waste is processed and reused in Macao. Its strategy centers on converting discarded bakery products, leftover rice, and used cooking oil into useful and marketable products.

The organization also intends to strengthen its community laboratory, turning it into a research and innovation hub focused on food waste valorization and circular economy practices. The goal is to create opportunities for local scientists, entrepreneurs, and researchers while encouraging more sustainable waste management systems in the city.

Terence Lee, president of Sustaincia, said the support from Sands and Sands China will help the organization scale its sustainability initiatives and expand long-term environmental and economic benefits for Macao.

Food waste has become a growing challenge in tourism-heavy destinations like Macao, where hotels, restaurants, and integrated resorts generate large amounts of excess food daily. Sustaincia’s model aims to address this issue by transforming waste into products with commercial value instead of sending it to landfills.

The organization’s collaborative laboratory brings together experts from different academic and industrial fields. Key contributors include co-founder Dr. Bashir Saidu and researchers Rana Elromh and Bryan Lee, who are working on solutions linked to the circular economy and sustainable innovation.

By encouraging participatory science and community involvement, Sustaincia hopes to position Macao as a leader in environmental innovation and responsible resource management. The initiative also seeks to create new economic opportunities tied to green technology and sustainable business development.

Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs at Sands, said Sustaincia stood out because its mission closely aligns with the company’s own sustainability goals, particularly around food waste reduction. He added that the nonprofit demonstrated a strong long-term strategy capable of continuing beyond the accelerator program.

The Sands Cares Accelerator is a three-year membership initiative inspired by the philanthropic vision of Sands founder Sheldon G. Adelson. The program supports nonprofits that are ready to expand their social impact by providing funding, consulting, and strategic guidance.

Past and current members of the accelerator include organizations in Las Vegas and Singapore focused on community development, youth support, environmental sustainability, and food assistance.

Also Read: 8 Circular Economy & Waste Management Solutions Transforming Sustainability

With Sustaincia now part of the program, Macao’s sustainability sector could see stronger collaboration between nonprofits, researchers, and businesses working toward a more circular and environmentally responsible economy.

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Source: PR Newswire