Water scarcity is a pressing issue that the world is grappling with today. This challenge arises when the demand for water surpasses the available supply, and it is projected to escalate further due to the unprecedented global water usage rate. According to the 2019 UN-Water statistics, the global demand for water is set to increase by 1 percent annually until 2050. As a company that values sustainability, SM Prime Holdings Inc. recognizes the need for solutions that address the depletion and degradation of natural resources worldwide. Therefore, SM Prime has prioritized the adoption of a circular economy approach and has been continuously implementing water efficiency solutions to enhance natural resource management, particularly water.
“We all know that fresh water is a finite resource, so it is important that we try our best to conserve it. This is why SM has been adhering to a circular framework when it comes to our resource consumption, including the way we use water in our malls,” according to Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President for SM Supermalls Corporate Compliance Group and SM Cares Program Director for Environment.
To improve water efficiency in its mall operations, SM employs facilities that help reduce its consumption of fresh water. Among these are sewage treatment plants that treat wastewater plumbing systems. This allows the water to be reused, helping ensure that there is enough water for the malls and the communities nearby.
At SM malls, all tenant wastewater and mall restroom effluents are treated in sewage treatment plants to produce non-potable water. This recycled water serves multiple purposes such as watering gardens, flushing toilets, and most notably, air conditioning operations through the cooling towers. Since the early 2000s, these facilities have been operational in all 72 SM malls across the Philippines. In 2021 alone, the company reported that it saved 8.7 million cubic meters of water. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to the volume of 3,480 Olympic-sized swimming pools, a significant achievement that highlights the effectiveness of SM’s water recycling efforts.
“Aside from minimizing our impact on common water resources, recycling water through these sewage treatment plants allows our malls to save big on water costs. Now, imagine if we all did it. I think we can leave a significant positive impact on our country’s source of fresh water,” Engr. Silerio added.
SM Prime is dedicated to supporting the United Nations in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. This goal aims to ensure that clean water and sustainable sanitation are available to everyone. In line with this objective, SM Prime has implemented other initiatives such as the Trash-to-Cash Market and Plastic Waste Collection campaigns, which encourage responsible disposal of plastic waste to prevent it from polluting the seas and oceans. The company also collaborated with USAID and PRRCI on the AweSMSeas campaign to increase awareness about the significance of managing plastic pollution in the world’s waters. Furthermore, SM Prime participates in the International Coastal Cleanup, an annual event that mobilizes thousands of volunteers to collect waste from coastal areas. These initiatives demonstrate SM Prime’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its support for achieving the SDGs.
Learn more about the sustainability programs of SM Prime Holdings here.