For thirty years, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) has firmly moved forward with the responsibility of water management for a more sustainable water future through SM Supermalls, its operating arm.
SM Prime invested in its first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in the late 90’s with SM Southmall. STPs are important for protecting public health and the environment, as well as supporting community development. Since then, STPs have become standard in all 89 supermarkets, reducing water wastage and pollution, and protecting water sources.
SM Supermalls embeds water-saving practices in all its operations. Recycled water is used in water closets to wash, clean, and irrigate vegetables. Additionally, efficient low-flow materials and water-saving technology prevent unnecessary use on the scale.
“SM has always been aware of its environmental impact in the shared social order. Our water journey is based on our commitment to increase what we borrow from nature, creating sustainability for future generations,” said Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President and Head of Sustainability and Sustainability.
Today, SM is exploring centralized STPs that can serve multiple improvements and enable treatment systems that integrate properties, reduce operating costs, and improve process efficiency. “Part of our water resilience framework is building a long-term capacity for water disruption. Since the installation of STPs in all our retail locations, SM has taken action and scaled back its water sustainability efforts,” said Silerio.
A first in the industry, SM City Baguio’s Rainwater Treatment Facility has already converted approximately 20,000 cubic meters of rainwater into potable water since its launch, providing 30% of the mall’s total monthly clean water needs as of 2023. This translates into saving the equivalent of 12.5-liter water bottles or nearly eight Olympic or nearly eight Olympic swimmers every month from 2023. freshwater ponds from the grid.
Using mall locations nationwide, SM continues sustainable water use campaigns through consistent awareness and communication, SM creates public awareness campaigns and education through its Corporate Social Responsibility division, SM Cares to enable future water managers in the community.
This effective and efficient approach has resulted in SM malls receiving many industry distinctions such as the Bantayog ng Lawa Award from the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and the first-ever Gawad Taga-Ilog Award given to a private enterprise by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR).
“We’ve come a long way since the 90s. It’s great to be recognized by our community and peers, but we continue to work hard for future generations because water is everyone’s right. Through these sustainability measures, SM aims to move forward with greater purpose and greater opportunities,” said Silerio.
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