SM Supermalls spells waste-free future with RDC

SM Supermalls is boosting its national Green Movement with its Recyclable–Disposable–Compostable (RDC) system.

The system refers to proper waste segregation through the new labeling of waste bins in all SM shopping malls nationwide. The separate bins for recyclables, disposables and compostables aim to retrain the public in disposing waste so they can contribute in promoting circularity, diverting waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions, and preventing soil and water contamination.

“Through SM’s RDC bins, we are not only encouraging customers to adopt responsible waste disposal habits, but also enhancing the efficiency of our waste management systems to better serve our communities. Waste is often an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ issue, so we are committed to ensuring that our approach delivers tangible environmental benefits,” SM Supermalls vice president for corporate compliance and sustainability Liza Silerio said.

ASM’s waste processing arm, SM GUUN Environmental Company in Consolacion, Cebu, correct and re-sort waste collected from the in-mall RDC bins in Cebu malls for conversion into industrial raw materials for recycling, fuel or soil. 

“An ecosystem of corporate partners enables us to optimize our waste management processes and ensure that recovered materials are reintegrated into the value chain. Through this closed-loop approach, waste is transformed into reusable resources and given a renewed purpose beyond its initial lifecycle,” Silerio said.

Blue bin for recyclables

This is where bottles (plastic and glass), cans (aluminum and tin) and cartons are disposed. 

Recyclables are sorted by material type at the factory and returned to corporate and development partners for reprocessing: MultiPly for paper; San Miguel Yamamura and Asia Brewery Inc. for glass; Coca-Cola’s recycling arm, PETvalue; and Nature Spring’s recycling arm, NS Sustainability Solutions, for plastic bottles. This process ensures a streamlined supply chain for recycling and increases recycled content in the next packaging material for their products.

Gray bin for disposables

This bin is for cups, straws, rags and other hard to recycle disposable containers. They are processed into coal alternative fuel at the waste processing factory through sorting, formulating, and shredding to fuel the manufacturing of cement and its ash as cement materials. Quality assurance is key to reducing pollutants at the emission control systems of the cement factories.

Cement manufacturing partners such as DMCI (Concreat), Holcim (Geocycle) and Republic (Ecoloop) utilize these waste-as-fuels to support their operational energy requirements and reduce the use of coal while helping the environment.

Green bin for compostables

Compostables are mainly food scraps and leftover food, these are fed into a machine that converts them into landscaping soil within 48 hours, avoiding the landfill and methane gas from decaying matter. Landfills are one of the largest sources of methane gas, which is over 20 times more damaging than carbon dioxide.

The resulting soil is used for landscaping and urban greening initiatives, with partners including J.Co, Blue Skye, Go Circular, Goldilocks and Fat Hopes Energy supporting its development.

“Changing habits is hard, but we’ll make it easier. All SM Supermalls are equipped with RDC bins, enabling our customers to actively participate in meaningful sustainability efforts that help protect the environment. Each time they visit our malls, they have the opportunity to contribute to our shared goal of achieving a Waste-Free Future,” Silerio said. “While waste remains an escalating challenge both locally and globally, SM firmly believes in the power of community and collective action to address even the most complex environmental issues.”