SM Supermalls moves toward net-zero landfill goal with waste programs

Landfills are not only eyesores in remote areas but also pose significant health risks to surrounding communities and emit substantial greenhouse gases from decaying food waste. SM Supermalls is taking steps to address these issues with its Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable (RDC) bins, which are part of a larger initiative to achieve a net-zero landfill goal.

The company has implemented several programs to manage waste. For recyclable materials, SM’s "Trash to Cash" recycling market gathers over 1 million kilograms of plastic, paper, and other materials annually for reuse or recycling. This initiative aims to reduce solid waste pollution and foster a circular economy. SM also partners with companies like Trust International Paper Corporation for internal paper recycling, preventing waste equivalent to the annual output of more than 3,000 households from reaching landfills.

For non-recyclable, disposable waste, SM Prime has formed a joint venture with Japanese environmental company GUUN to create SM GUUN Environmental Company, Inc. (SGECI). This partnership enhances its waste-to-fuel factory, which converts non-recyclable materials, including single-use plastics and non-recyclable paper, into "fluff fuel." The fuel is used by eco-conscious cement companies, such as APO Cement, Holcim, and Taiheiyo Cement, to reduce coal usage. In 2024, the company converted over 6,000 metric tons of non-recyclable waste into fluff fuel, preventing the equivalent of 12,000 households’ worth of waste from going to landfills.

For compostable waste, SM GUUN is testing a Singaporean system in its malls and hawker centers that transforms food residues into landscape soil, achieving over 70% volume reduction within 48 hours. This process helps create new soil for urban greenery and reduces landfill burden.

Additionally, SM conducts customer-facing programs, including Plastic Waste and E-Waste Collection, along with estero and coastal cleanup efforts. These initiatives support government efforts under laws like RA 9004 and RA 11898 to promote responsible solid waste management.

Through these solutions, SM is making progress towards a #SMWasteFreeFuture, emphasizing that everyone’s participation is essential—from properly sorting waste to the continued development of waste solutions. "Let’s do our part for the journey to a 'waste-free future,'" the company urges.