The ripple effect of the water crisis
has reached every part of the globe. According to the World Wildlife Fund, some
1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion
find water scarce for at least one month of the year. Worst, two-thirds of the
global population may face water shortages by 2025 and ecosystems will suffer.
As the gravity of these issues becomes
increasingly apparent, several countries have taken significant steps to forge
a more sustainable future for the Earth. Noteworthy examples include
Singapore’s water management plan and The Netherlands’ intricate conservation
practices.
Singapore’s Desalination Plant Source:
https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/desalinatedwater
SM Mall of Asia has been involved in
various sustainability and environmental initiatives, including water recycling
among others.
SM Supermalls utilizes recycled
wastewater from the mall for irrigating its gardens.
The Delta Works in The Netherlands was
built by Rijkswaterstaat to protect the country against flooding from the North
Sea.
Source:
https://www.water-technology.net/projects/delta-works-flood-netherlands/
Inspiration for the Philippines
In the Philippines, a multifaceted
approach has also been embraced by the public and private sectors in
safeguarding and managing water resources. SM Supermalls are at the forefront
of the conservation and management of water resources in its mall facilities.
Its endeavors form the foundation of a more sustainable and water-secure future
that the company has long been advocating.
SM’s Vision: Greening the Future
SM has been recycling water since the
1990s, treating an average of 1 billion gallons of water annually in recent
years, equivalent to 1,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools. In line with the SM
Green Movement, SM has been continuously working towards responsible
consumption and water conservation in its properties.
To illustrate, the SM Supermalls’
comfort rooms have smart fixtures to manage water flow. There are also signages
in the mall that advocate wise water use. Wastewater is channeled to the malls’
sewage treatment plants that recycle an estimated total of 4 million cubic
meters of water, lessening their dependence on freshwater sources for
non-potable uses. SM did this even before the measure was required by way of
the Clean Water Act in 2004.
SM Malls have “Save Water” signages
that typically aim to create awareness about water conservation and inspire
people to take simple actions to reduce their water consumption
SM took a step further in resource
management by launching the first-ever water filtration system at SM City
Baguio.
The Rainwater Treatment Facility at SM
City Baguio Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (right) samples the potable
water from the SM Baguio rainwater treatment facility with SM SVP for Marketing
Joaquin San Agustin (left) and SM VP for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza
Silerio (center).
Recently, SM took a step further in
resource management by launching the first-ever water filtration system at SM
City Baguio. This facility can turn collected rainwater into potable water for
mall tenant use such as washing and cooking as well as dishwashing and handwashing,
allowing the mall to further lessen its dependence on the freshwater supply of
the Baguio community.
SM’s dedication aligns with the world’s
environmental sustainability and climate action goals. Rainwater catchment
basins in flood-prone areas and the rainwater filtration in SM Baguio further
exemplify this commitment. These significant efforts underscore the ongoing
need for sustainable practices and policies.
A Brighter Future Ahead
The journey towards sustainable water
management is ongoing. SM Supermalls, through its initiatives, paves the way
for a greener, more secure future.
Learn more at SM Cares or follow SM Supermalls on social media.
No comments :
Post a Comment