Manila, Philippines – SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) received the Gold Award in the Transformation Category at the 2026 ESG Edge Impact Awards for its SM Waste Free Future initiative. The Transformation Category celebrates businesses and organizations that have significantly improved and evolved overall sustainability performance and operational models over time.
Through a collaborative
ecosystem of stakeholders working toward a common goal, the shared commitment
of a waste-free future reflects the SM way of creating meaningful and lasting
impact. The launch of SM Waste Free Future in 2024 at the SM Mall of Asia
marked the start of the group-wide initiative on waste circularity and
standardized waste segregation across SM properties.
At the core of the initiative is the belief that lasting
waste reduction begins with everyday behavior. Applying the theory of change,
the program started with observations of daily waste generation and an
assessment of existing segregation systems. This was followed by the deployment
of the three-bin waste system: Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable (RDC) bins,
which make segregation easier and more accessible, helping reinforce positive
daily habits over time.
(Photo
Caption) The 2024 nationwide launch of SM Waste Free Future.
(Photo
caption) Early days of employee engagement and awareness-building.
Closing the loop, however, requires more than
improving waste management practices. In 2025, a year after its launch, SM
Prime achieved an 80% diversion rate for non-hazardous waste away from
landfills. Achieving this level of diversion means sustained commitment and
strategic investment in the program.
A key enabler is SM GUUN Environmental Company,
Inc. (SGECI), a waste-to-fuel facility in Consolacion, Cebu, that transforms
disposable waste into alternative fuel for major cement manufacturers such as
Holcim and APO Cement, advancing both waste diversion and circularity goals by
keeping materials in productive use.
SGECI’s expanded ecosystem includes Asia Brewery,
PetValue, Nature Springs, and Concreat to recover, process, and repurpose waste
materials generated across SM properties and smaller businesses in the area. It
has processed more than 6,000 metric tons of waste in 2025, helping divert
valuable resources away from landfills.
(Photo caption) Through SGECI, SM Prime invests in critical waste infrastructure to help the country address its waste challenges.
Turning circularity into movement
Behind every framework, however, lies the
collective action critical to any program. SM Cares, the corporate social
responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, leverages its social media presence to
engage communities, especially the youth, in active participation toward a
waste-free future. Last year's International Coastal Cleanup had 48,000
volunteers – the largest gathering of coastal warriors to date.
“Creating a waste-free future requires everyone
to play a role—from employees and partner-tenants to local governments,
communities, and customers,” says Engr. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls VP for
Compliance and Sustainability.
“It is
always a challenge at the start, but I’m proud of how far we have come. By
working together, we can turn waste challenges into opportunities for positive
environmental impact,” said Silerio.
(In photo) SM Prime representatives with Engr. Liza B. Silerio (left middle), SM Supermalls VP for Compliance and Sustainability; Dr. Louernie de Sales (right middle), SM Prime VP for Sustainability and President of SGECI; Ms. Katrina Dalusong (leftmost), Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Director for Group Sales; and Philippine Daily Inquirer Business Section Editor, Ms. Tina Arceo-Dumlao (rightmost).
