Paving the way towards an #SMWasteFreeFuture. SM Prime launches a unified waste management campaign to tackle global waste crises.
MANILA – SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, is embarking on a unified waste management and segregation campaign in response to the growing global crises on waste. SM Prime aims to bring all its property groups and stakeholders toward an #SMWasteFreeFuture.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), humanity generates more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which 45 percent is mismanaged. Without urgent action, municipal solid waste will double to almost 4 billion tons each year by 2050. On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 30 the International Day of Zero Waste.
The following year, UNEP inaugurated the First International Day of Zero Waste, to bolster actions to address the global pollution crisis. It aims to encourage global action and bring the world’s attention to zero waste.
Strong foundations
SM Prime’s founding leader, Henry Sy, believed that “business growth and social development must go hand in hand.” The company follows this guiding principle and has formed a sustainability policy that commits to the following: Resource Conservation and Efficiency, Disaster Resilience, Climate Advocacy, Social Integration, and Transparent Reporting.
Anchored on these sustainability commitments are the SM Supermalls’ Environmental Programs on Waste Management. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, SM Supermalls has pioneered longstanding programs such as the Trash to Cash recycling market, and provided support to the annual International Coastal Clean Up, among other national events.
In the hotel and tourism sector, SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) has taken the lead in mitigating global food waste by implementing sustainable initiatives across its properties in the Philippines. Their key initiatives include the World Wide Fund for Nature’s Sustainable Diner Program, that aims to transform and help the food service sector minimize its impact on the environment thru resource efficiency, plastic refusal and food waste management and contribute to the world’s future food security.
To support these programs, SM Prime also recently unveiled its waste-to-fuel partnership with GUUN Co. Ltd. (GUNN) to implement the Japanese technique of reducing landfill impact. The technology converts non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle packaging into alternative fuel.
A Vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture
To mark the International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, 2024, SM Prime is releasing its vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture. “As a community, we strongly believe in our ability to contribute to solving today’s waste issues,” said Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr., President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD) and SM sustainability champion.
SM Prime’s announcement of its vision of an #SMWasteFreeFuture demonstrates the company’s strong commitment and sustainability stewardship, by inviting its stakeholders to engage in activities that will help spread zero-waste awareness and work for a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach on waste management.
“We understand that this may seem like a daunting challenge to overcome However, by joining forces, we can create a world that our future generations truly deserve – if we have the courage to take on this journey together,” said Sy.
SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future.
Bravo on this endeavor! We all understand we must do our part for sustainability – so it’s great when we see larger scale efforts.
How wonderful would it be for a waste-free future! It’s important that we take the steps now to help save our planet for future generations while we still can.
I absolutely love this! This initiative is going to make a huge impact on the health of the planet. We need more of this in the world.
What an incredible step forward and taking care of the planet. I love what they’re doing and I hope more companies will follow suit!
It is inspiring to see this company take steps toward sustainability. This is great for setting an example for others to follow.
Great effort! We truly need to take this seriously and protect our planet for future generations. Thanks for sharing this!
I appreciate seeing companies taking a step forward towards a better world. Would love to see others follow.
WOW, this is awesome and very inspiring to see, I sure hope other companies follow along toward steps to sustainability. We all need to make sure we are taking care of the planet
For me anything that moves forward to take care of our precious planet gets the thumbs up from me for sure xx
It is nice to see such wonderful efforts to work on cleaning up and making the earth a better place. I appreciate these sustainability efforts.
This is such a great initiative. I hope more companies will follow this and that we will all be sucessful in this vision of zero waste. It’s about time we truly learn to reuse, reduce and recycle.
What a great and inspiring move by this company. We all have a responsibility to make our world a better place.
What a brilliant initiative by SM Prime. I visited the area some 6-7 years back, and it looked dirty then. I’m glad steps have been taken to clear the trash. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I wish this was happening all over! What a brilliant idea!
This is a great project and managing waste helps our planet to be clean and plants to grow in a good environment. Always love to see people focusing on this.