For more than two decades, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) has been championing responsible resource management through water circularity initiatives across its nationwide network of SM Supermalls. Since the late 1990s, the company has continuously invested in water conservation programs designed to promote sustainability and support the responsible use of one of the country's most vital resources.

At the heart of these efforts are innovative water management systems integrated into mall operations. These solutions help reduce water consumption, minimize wastage, and lessen reliance on the national water supply. By maximizing efficiency and reusing resources whenever possible, SM Malls continue to create long-term value while helping address the growing challenges of water security in an increasingly unpredictable environment.

Macro to Micro: SM’s approach to water conservation

 Against the looming possibility of an extended drought caused by El Niño, saving every drop of water finds greater importance for SM Supermalls. Designed with sustainability in mind, SM Malls use innovative water management systems that not only promote saving water from wastage but also significantly reduce consumption. This helps lessen the use of fresh water resources from national water systems and leave more water for its surrounding communities to use.

 SM ensures sustainable water use through advanced recycling and rainwater harvesting systems. In 2025, sewage treatment plants in its 89 malls recycle an estimated 6.6 million cubic meters of property wastewater for non-potable use. The rainwater treatment facility in SM Baguio innovatively harvests and treats rainwater collected during the wet season and transforms it into water for kitchen and tenant use.

As a key customer touchpoint in water management, faucets also regulate the outflow of water for every use. SM’s investments in "push delay" faucets create sustainable operations to strengthen water conservation. These faucets save water by preventing it from being left running by restricting water flow through a certain window of time.

Technology then paved the way for enhanced conservation, and SM started using no-touch, sensor type faucets in 2015, far before the sanitary restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sensor type faucets help save water by automatically shutting outflow of water once the sensor does not detect a user. Additionally, these types of faucets typically require less water pressure, which also reduces water waste. Significant investments in systems such as sensor faucets also reduce wear and tear on fixtures and equipment, resulting in long-term savings and improved water conservation.

With its implementation, SM saw a 59% reduction in water waste, translating to saving the equivalent of a 1.5-liter bottle of water per user using the faucet over just 7 seconds.

By equipping its most-loved malls with water-efficient fixtures enhanced with technology, SM is protecting resources critical not just to its operations but to its surrounding communities. Under the guidance of the Water for Tomorrow pillar of the SM Green Movement, SM champions sustainable water use, reducing environmental impact and securing access to water for generations to come.

 

World Wildlife Day is an annual celebration that takes place every 3rd day of March. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. The United Nations General Assembly first declared March 3rd as World Wildlife Day in 2013, and it has been celebrated every year since then.

The theme for World Wildlife Day changes every year and it varies. The theme for this year, 2023 is "Partnerships in Wildlife Conservation". This year's theme emphasizes the importance partner agencies, organizations and individuals. Ensuring a greener future for the next generations is not just the work of a lone individual but of a collective effort from everyone living on this planet. To enjoy the benefits of a healthy and diverse natural world. The theme also highlights the need for collective action to address the threats facing wildlife and their habitats.