SM City Baguio employees help drive everyday sustainability efforts

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Behind the daily operations of SM City Baguio, employees are helping put sustainability measures into practice through routine work in energy and water conservation, waste management and recycling.

The efforts, which range from monitoring building systems to segregating recyclable materials and repurposing organic waste, highlight the role of mall personnel in implementing environmental initiatives beyond formal programs and policies.

In a media release, SM Supermalls said employees across different operational areas contribute to its sustainability efforts through practices integrated into their daily responsibilities.

For the mall’s Engineering team, this includes monitoring equipment and supporting energy-saving measures to help ensure that building systems operate efficiently.

Engr. Lester De Guzman, a member of the team, helps monitor equipment and implement energy conservation practices as part of the mall’s regular operations.

Mall Manager Arch. Jerico Bernardo said energy and water conservation are integral to the mall’s resource management approach.

“At SM City Baguio, energy conservation is part of our day-to-day operations. We make sure that our lighting, air-conditioning, and other building systems are managed efficiently, based on the mall’s operating hours and actual needs,” Bernardo said.

He added that the Engineering team regularly monitors energy consumption and conducts preventive maintenance to help maintain equipment efficiency.

Water management is another component of the mall’s sustainability efforts.

Bernardo said SM City Baguio’s Rainwater Treatment Facility has treated more than 56 million liters of rainwater since July 2023, which is used to supplement the mall’s water requirements.

The mall also recycles treated wastewater for flushing and irrigation, while a proposed solar power installation forms part of its longer-term renewable energy plans, he said.

“These may seem like simple operational practices, but collectively, they help us reduce consumption, manage costs, and lessen our environmental impact,” Bernardo said.

He added that responsible resource management is particularly important in Baguio, where environmental protection remains a significant concern.

Waste segregation, recycling efforts

Waste management is another area where employees contribute to the mall’s sustainability initiatives.

MJ Belwa, supervisor of Federal Management and Maintenance Inc., which is identified as a maintenance partner, said proper waste segregation supports environmental protection and public health while allowing recyclable materials to retain their value.

“The proper way of waste segregation, why is it important? It is for the environment, public health and our need for trash-to-cash, where garbage can be turned into money, which is also helpful,” Belwa said.

Her remarks point to the role of proper sorting in identifying materials that can be recovered, recycled or sold rather than sent for disposal.

The mall also repurposes some biodegradable waste collected from tenants, including banana peels and used coffee grounds, as fertilizer for its nursery.

The practice gives organic waste another use while supporting the maintenance and growth of plants within the mall’s facilities.

Community participation is encouraged through the mall’s Trash to Cash program, which is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month.

The initiative allows shoppers to bring recyclable materials to the mall, providing an opportunity for the public to participate in waste recovery and recycling efforts.

Employees at the center of implementation

The initiatives illustrate how sustainability measures depend not only on infrastructure and management policies but also on employees responsible for carrying them out.

From engineering personnel monitoring building systems to maintenance workers overseeing waste segregation, their routine tasks help integrate resource conservation into mall operations.

SM Supermalls said these efforts form part of SM City Baguio’s broader approach to managing resources, reducing waste and encouraging community participation.

The company said the mall aims to continue incorporating responsible resource management into its operations as it grows.