According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), the Philippines generates over 60,000 metric tons of waste daily, a
figure expected to rise with urban growth and economic activity.
Together as one community, 2024 marks the launch of SM
Waste-Free Future in SM Mall of Asia.
Recognizing the urgency, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime)
launched the SM Waste-Free Future program in 2024 as one of its flagship
environmental sustainability programs to reduce overall waste generation through effective waste
segregation and divert waste away from landfills through recycling, composting,
and other sustainable disposal methods.
In its first year, it
implemented a new waste management segregation system across its properties,
including all malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers, and
estates nationwide.
Beyond SM Prime, the
campaign on waste has extended its reach to other SM groups and portfolio
companies, making SM Waste-Free Future a group-wide endeavor.
A bigger picture of waste
The Recyclable, Disposable, Composable (RDC) bins are central to
the program’s segregation practice. RDC
makes it simple and consistent, providing key visual cues to bin it right.
Together for an SM Waste-Free Future, the Recyclable, Disposable, Composable (RDC) bins
at SM Store branches support the broader goals of environmental sustainability
through clear and effective waste segregation practices.
Despite its infancy stage, the rapid and wide-scale integration
underscores SM Prime’s ability to operationalize sustainability across diverse
asset classes and ecosystems, reinforcing the company’s commitment to
innovative waste diversion strategies.
Additionally, SM Prime honors SM Retail's contributions to the advancement of a waste-free future. While SM Markets is still using its reusable bag scheme, all SM Store locations have successfully installed their RDC bins. The RDC system has also been introduced throughout all of Goldilocks Bakeshop's locations in SM Supermalls in support of trash control initiatives.
Creating opportunities to
expand
Partnerships with other organizations pave the way for the work
ahead. SM Waste-Free Future strengthens tenant engagement for SM Supermalls and
SM Offices, supporting businesses with similar goals on waste and helping them
align with their global sustainability policies.
Similarly, it reinforces SM Hotels’ advanced Back of House
operations, food waste policies, and textile recycling program. The SM Hotels’
Tela Tales program transforms discarded linen into sustainable products and
provides livelihood for the women of partner communities, upcycling more than 2,000 yards of
condemned linens.
Recognizing that technology greatly contributes to the solutions,
SM Waste-Free Future has also strengthened collaborations with other
organizations. SM Development Corporation (SMDC) works with Globe’s Hapag
Movement to rescue surplus food from residents and help make a difference in
the lives of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger and divert
household food waste away from landfills.
In the mall’s Cyberzone areas, SM Supermalls’ Electronic Waste
Collection Program and their partnership with PLDT and Smart make it accessible
to dispose of old mobile devices and other electronic gadgets responsibly.
Shoppers can conveniently drop off old
gadgets for proper recycling through SM Supermalls’ E-Waste Collection in
partnership with PLDT and Smart at Cyberzone.
Join the movement
SM Waste Free Future invites more communities and stakeholders to
participate through proper waste segregation, joining local clean-ups and
collection drives, or supporting eco-friendly products and practices.
Positive reinforcement and catchy social media campaigns from SM
Cares target the youth by promoting better waste segregation habits and
encouraging them to become more involved with the state of the planet they will
inherit.
Recently, in celebration of World Oceans Day, SM Cares mobilized
communities across 18 SM Supermalls nationwide, bringing together over 5,000
volunteers and collecting more than 30,000 kilograms of waste from
shorelines.
Mobilizing for World Oceans Day, SM Cares volunteers unite
and act to remove waste
that ends up in the
oceans.
“Waste-Free Future is more than just a program—it’s a mindset
shift. And we’re only getting started,” said Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President for
Corporate Compliance and Program Director of SM Cares for Environment. “We call on our tenants, partners, and customers to continue the
journey with us—because a truly sustainable future is one we build together.”
With the growing momentum for a waste-free future, SM Prime
believes that a cleaner, more circular Philippines is well within reach.
About SM Prime:
SM
Prime is steadfast in its commitment to shaping sustainable and innovative
lifestyle cities that drive economic progress and elevate the quality of life
for millions of Filipinos. As a catalyst for inclusive growth, the company
champions responsible development that creates long-term value for communities.
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