EVERY time families enjoy a cool and clean mall facility and its amenities, they are benefiting from something invisible but essential: responsible water management. At SM Supermalls, water stewardship means ensuring clean, reliable water systems for communities that the malls serve while reducing environmental impact.
Water stewardship is the responsible use and management of water resources in ways that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial. Stewardship means integrating water conservation into every aspect of operations for SM Supermalls. For the communities the malls serve, stewardship means access to clean water, protection from flooding and resilience against climate change.
SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH)’s 2024 integrated report highlights how water stewardship is central to the SMPH’s sustainability strategy. Across its 88 malls in the Philippines, SM Supermalls operates sewage treatment plants that recycle water for toilet flushing, perimeter cleaning, air conditioning and landscape irrigation. In 2024, SMPH has recycled over 5.59 million cubic meters of water, which is equivalent to filling 2,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This not only reduces pressure on municipal water systems but ensures that mall tenants and customers benefit from uninterrupted services, especially during peak seasons.
WATER CYCLE Recycled water from the malls’ sewage treatment plants helps sustain greenery and serves other operational needs. PHOTO FROM SM SUPERMALLS
With the rainy season approaching, SM’s self-sustaining water systems are more vital than ever. In highland areas such as Baguio, where freshwater sources are limited, SM City Baguio’s rainwater treatment facility has reused 35,148,000 liters of rainwater for tenant kitchen operations, which is enough to handwash over 17.5 million plates. This innovation supports food safety, operational continuity and environmental protection. SMPH is now exploring replicating this model in other malls, located in rainfall-rich regions.
POTABLE RAINWATER SM City Baguio’s rainwater treatment facility produces potable water which supplements the freshwater supply of the mall and its tenants. PHOTO FROM SM SUPERMALLS
Beyond infrastructure, SM Cares — the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls — promotes water conservation through, “Save water,” signages in public restrooms and common areas. SM Cares has also amplified the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ “‘Wag pataksaya” campaign, encouraging the public to prevent water waste.
CARING SIGNS SM Cares’ campaign on water conservation is supported by signages within the malls’ premises. PHOTO FROM SM SUPERMALLS
“Our goal is to be sustainable with water, not just efficient,” says SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “We design our developments to be climate-resilient and resource-conscious, ensuring long-term value for our stakeholders.”
WATER PROTECTION For SM Supermalls, water stewardship is a promise to protect one of our most vital resources for the people who rely on it daily. PHOTO FROM SM SUPERMALLS
Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls — one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators — continues to lead the way in sustainable development by integrating green design, energy efficiency, disaster resilience and environmental stewardship into its 88 malls in the Philippines and 8 in China; all while creating inclusive spaces that enrich communities, support climate action, and ensure a better, more sustainable future for generations of Filipino shoppers.
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