SM Group Saves 6.6 Billion Liters of Water in 2025 Through Circular Innovation

A Commitment to Water Stewardship

In an era of rising climate uncertainty and increasing water scarcity, the SM Group has achieved a significant environmental milestone. In 2025 alone, the company recycled 6.6 million cubic meters, or roughly 6.6 billion liters of water. To put this figure in perspective, it is equivalent to nearly one thousand times the daily water consumption of Metro Manila.

As prolonged weather events like El Niño place greater strain on natural resources, SM Supermalls is prioritizing circular water management. The goal is to move beyond mere consumption and into a system where every drop finds a second life.

Three Decades of Conservation

SM’s journey toward water sustainability is not new. The advocacy began in the 1990s with the installation of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at SM Southmall. This foundational step was designed to protect the local environment and kickstart a corporate culture of water preservation.

Today, this commitment has scaled significantly. Across their network of 90 malls, facilities are now equipped to recycle wastewater annually, ensuring that water used in operations does not simply go to waste.

Innovation in Rainwater Harvesting

SM has moved beyond traditional recycling by embracing cutting-edge infrastructure to manage water resources. A prime example is the Rainwater Treatment Facility at SM City Baguio.

Since its launch in November 2022, the facility has successfully processed over 53,740 cubic meters of rainwater through December 2025. This amount is sufficient to serve an estimated 63,706 households, proving that urban infrastructure can be a solution to resource scarcity.

Key Sustainability Achievements

• Massive Savings: 6.6 billion liters of water recycled in 2025.

• Infrastructure Growth: 90 malls now feature wastewater recycling capabilities.

• Rainwater Recovery: Facilities like the one at SM City Baguio turn rain into a resource for tenants and kitchen operations.

• New Standards: Newly opened malls, including SM City La Union and SM City Laoag, incorporate advanced rainwater catchment and self-sustaining water networks from day one.

• Non-Potable Reuse: Recycled water is efficiently used for irrigation, cleaning, and maintaining the lush greeneries found throughout SM properties.

Industry Recognition

The long-term impact of these initiatives has not gone unnoticed. SM Prime has received prestigious industry distinctions for its water stewardship:

• Bantayog ng Lawa Para sa Kalikasan: Awarded by the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to SM Mall of Asia.

• Gawad Taga-Ilog Award: Bestowed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to SM Prime, marking the first time a private entity received this honor for water protection.

A Future-Ready Vision

Sustainability is a core component of how SM Supermalls operates. By integrating sewage treatment, deep-well conversion, and rainwater harvesting, the group is creating a resilient operational model that can withstand seasonal shortages.

"Water is a very precious resource, and we are committed to ensuring its sustainable use for the benefit of present and future generations," said Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Sustainability. As the company continues to expand, it plans to pioneer further environmental systems to ensure a sustainable and eco-friendly future for the communities they serve.