SM Supermalls Sustains Communities through Water Stewardship

Recycled water from the malls’ sewage treatment plants helps sustain greenery and serves other operational needs.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.