Embracing sustainable waste management has become more accessible thanks to SM Prime Holdings Inc., which has unveiled The SM Waste-Free Future (WFF) Manual. This 17-page visual guide, launched at SM's inaugural Sustainability Expo, serves as a straightforward resource for individuals to interact with waste management systems available at their favorite SM Supermalls.
A Two-Pronged Approach to Sustainability
"The easiest way to adopt sustainable practices is a two-pronged approach," explained Liza Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Sustainability. "The first is building the avenues that make waste management accessible and easy to do. The second is ensuring that these are easy habits to build and practice in our daily lives."
The manual combines text and visuals to enhance the "Learn - Practice - Champion" workflow, a three-step method designed to make these practices simple to adopt and eventually share. It includes additional green tips and trivia, emphasizing that even small, thoughtful actions can significantly reduce waste sent to landfills.
Back to Basics: Understanding Common Waste Items
The foundation for effective waste management is "Thinking before Tossing." Following a Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) conducted by SM Prime's sustainability team at the SM Prime Headquarters and Mall of Asia Complex, the top 10 most common waste items were identified:
- PET Bottles
- Plastic Cutlery
- Single-use plastic
- Plastic cups from coffee or milk tea
- Soiled coffee paper cups
- Soiled food containers
- Food packaging and sachets
- Soiled tissue or napkins
- Soiled diapers/sanitary products
- Food waste
Proper Disposal with RDC Bins
The SM Waste-Free Future manual encourages proper waste disposal using designated Recyclable-Disposable-Compostable (RDC) bins available in all SM Malls. PET Bottles should be placed in blue "Recyclable" bins for factory recycling. Disposable items like plastic cutlery, single-use plastics, and soiled containers go into gray "Disposable" bins. Food waste without packaging is directed to green "Compostable" bins.
Electronic Waste (E-Waste), one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams globally, receives special attention. SM Supermalls promotes proper e-waste disposal through special bins in SM Cyberzone areas, serving as drop-off points for recycling or processing small, used, and defective electronic devices.
Taking Action: Community Programs and Initiatives
Every first Friday and Saturday of the month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, mallgoers can participate in Trash-to-Cash, bringing clean and dry recyclables to designated areas in exchange for economic incentives. This program fosters household segregation and advances the circular economy.
SM also implements a Plastic Waste Collection program across all properties, collecting 70,000 kilograms of clean, empty, and dry consumer plastics since its 2019 integration. Through SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm, regular coastal cleanups are organized to combat marine pollution. Last year, volunteers diverted 200,000 kilograms of marine litter from the ocean through three major nationwide cleanups, supplemented by weekly efforts from SM Estates.
Another Coastal Cleanup drive is scheduled for March 22 across multiple SM locations, including SM La Union, SM City Urdaneta Central, and SM City Daet, in observance of World Water Day.
A Collective Vision for a Waste-Free Future
"Communicating waste management practices clearly and easily helps our stakeholders support our vision for a Waste-Free Future," said Silerio. "When we all come together and choose to help save our planet, even the smallest actions toward the right direction yield great results."
