SM Green Movement Scales Simple Acts Into Systemic Change

Through the SM Green Movement, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is embedding sustainability across its malls, residences, offices, hotels, and leisure properties—scaling everyday habits into systemic impact.

The SM Green Movement unites three pillars—Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Water Stewardship, and building a Waste-Free Future—for a more sustainable tomorrow. By working with partners, tenants, employees, and millions of mallgoers, the initiative demonstrates how collective action can shape a better future for generations.

Transforming Acts Into Active Ecosystems

At the heart of the waste eco-system, SM GUUN builds circularity for a waste-free future.

The Movement has evolved from individual pledges, like bringing reusable bags and segregating trash, into a functioning ecosystem where recycling firms, renewable energy providers, and water managers collaborate with SM. Recyclables such as paper, plastics, and multi-layer packaging are diverted back into production streams through partnerships with MultiPly, PetValue, and Tetra Pak. Disposables are converted into alternative fuel, while compostables are transformed into soil for landscaping and parks.

Recycled polyboards. Made from 100% recycled plastic waste, they are waterproof, rot-proof, and highly resistant to chemicals and corrosion, and used for a wide range of applications where moisture, weather, or durability are a concern.

The program also reinforces SM’s role as a platform for collaboration, connecting businesses, government, and communities in shared responsibility. “Our initiatives towards a Waste-Free Future highlight how SM GUUN connects with solution providers to give new life to paper, plastics, and packaging. This is one pillar of the Green Movement working alongside energy and water stewardship,” said Liza Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance of SM Supermalls.

From recyclable to recycled. PET plastic bottles packaging can be given new life again.

At the same time, SM Prime continues to scale solar rooftop installations and improve building efficiency in line with its Net Zero 2040 roadmap, while investing in catchment basins, rainwater harvesting, and conservation practices to strengthen resilience in water management. These investments in infrastructure reflect how SM’s operations integrate sustainability at scale.

Shared Responsibility, Lasting Impact

“The SM Green Movement reflects our vision to scale simple, everyday acts into systemic impact. By advancing energy, water, and waste initiatives together, we safeguard communities and build a more sustainable future,” said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin.

With measurable progress, growing partnerships, and visible results, the SM Green Movement is laying the foundation for lasting change. Its most important legacy lies in proving that small actions, when scaled collectively, can reshape systems—creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.

About SM Green Movement

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, committed to creating sustainable, innovative, and inclusive spaces for Filipinos. Guided by its vision of building a better future, SM Prime develops malls, residences, offices, hotels, and leisure properties that support the growth of communities across the Philippines.

Through the SM Green Movement, SM Prime champions sustainability by focusing on waste management, water stewardship, and energy efficiency for lasting impact. The movement empowers individuals, families, and communities to take part in simple acts that create shared prosperity for generations to come. (SM PRIME)

SM Supermalls Sustains Communities Through Water Stewardship

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)