Every time a family enjoys a cool and clean mall facility and
amenities, they’re benefiting from something invisible but
essential—responsible water management. At SM Supermalls, water stewardship
means ensuring clean, reliable water systems for communities they serve, while
reducing environmental impact.
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| Recycled water from the malls’ sewage treatment plants helps sustain greenery and serves other operational needs. |
Water stewardship is the responsible use and management of water
resources in ways that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and
economically beneficial. It means integrating water conservation into every
aspect of operations for SM Supermalls. For the communities they serve, it
means access to clean water, protection from flooding, and resilience against
climate change.
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| SM City Baguio’s rainwater treatment facility produces potable water which supplements the freshwater supply of the mall and its tenants. |
SM Prime’s 2024 Integrated Report highlights how water stewardship is
central to its 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, SM Prime recycled over 5.59 million cubic meters of water—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.
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| SM Cares’ campaign on water conservation is supported by signages within the malls’ premises. |
With the rainy season approaching, SM’s self-sustaining water systems
are more vital than ever. In highland areas like Baguio, where freshwater
sources are limited, SM City Baguio’s rainwater treatment facility reused
35,148,000 liters of rainwater for tenant kitchen operations—enough to handwash
over 17.5 million plates. This innovation supports food safety, operational
continuity, and environmental protection. SM Prime is now exploring replicating
this model in other malls located in rainfall-rich regions.
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| For SM Supermalls, water stewardship is a promise to protect one of our most vital resources for the people who rely on it daily. |
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. It also amplified the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ ‘Wag Pataksaya’ campaign, encouraging the public to prevent water waste.
“Our goal is to be sustainable with water, not just efficient,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “We design our developments to be climate-resilient and resource-conscious, ensuring long-term value for our stakeholders.”
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 87 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. (SM PRIME)
