Leading the Change at SM Supermalls

 Water Sustainability: Leading the Change at SM Supermalls

Singapore’s Desalination Plant

Source: https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/desalinatedwater

The ripple effect of the water crisis has reached every part of the globe. According to the World Wildlife

Fund, some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce

for at least one month of the year. Worst, two-thirds of the global population may face water shortages by

2025 and ecosystems will suffer.

As the gravity of these issues becomes increasingly apparent, several countries have taken significant

steps to forge a more sustainable future for the Earth. Noteworthy examples include Singapore's water

management plan and The Netherlands' intricate conservation practices.

The Delta Works in The Netherlands was built by Rijkswaterstaat to protect the country against flooding from the North Sea. 

Source: https://www.water-technology.net/projects/delta-works-flood-netherlands/ 

Inspiration for the Philippines

In the Philippines, a multifaceted approach has also been embraced by the public and private sectors in

safeguarding and managing water resources. SM Supermalls are at the forefront of the conservation

and management of water resources in its mall facilities. Its endeavors form the foundation of a more

sustainable and water-secure future that the company has long been advocating.

SM's Vision: Greening the Future

SM has been recycling water since the 1990s, treating an average of 1 billion gallons of water annually in

recent years, equivalent to 1,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools. In line with the SM Green

Movement, SM has been continuously working towards responsible consumption and water

conservation in its properties.

To illustrate, the SM Supermalls’ comfort rooms have smart fixtures to manage water flow. There are also signages in the mall that advocate wise water use. Wastewater is channeled to the malls’ sewage treatment plants that recycle an estimated total of 4 million cubic meters of water, lessening their

dependence on freshwater sources for non-potable uses. SM did this even before the measure was

required by way of the Clean Water Act in 2004.

SM Mall of Asia has been involved in various sustainability and environmental initiatives, including water

recycling among others.

SM Supermalls utilizes recycled wastewater from the mall for irrigating its gardens

SM Malls have “Save Water” signages that typically aim to create awareness about water conservation

and inspire people to take simple actions to reduce their water consumption

Recently, SM took a step further in resource management by launching the first-ever water filtration

system at SM City Baguio. This facility can turn collected rainwater into potable water for mall tenant

use such as washing and cooking as well as dishwashing and handwashing, allowing the mall to further

lessen its dependence on the freshwater supply of the Baguio community.

SM took a step further in resource management by launching the first-ever water filtration system at SM

City Baguio

The Rainwater Treatment Facility at SM City Baguio, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Mangalong (right) samples the potable water from the SM Baguio rainwater treatment facility with SM SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin (left) and SM VP for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza Silerio (center).

SM's dedication aligns with the world’s environmental sustainability and climate action goals. Rainwater catchment basins in flood-prone areas and the rainwater filtration in SM Baguio further exemplify this commitment. These significant efforts underscore the ongoing need for sustainable practices and policies.

A Brighter Future Ahead

The journey towards sustainable water management is ongoing. SM Supermalls, through its initiatives, paves the way for a greener, more secure future.

See Also: Discover DITO's Postpaid FLEXPlans