SM City Baguio Shares the Love for Sustainability Through the People Behind Everyday Actions

Jill Galario

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Behind a mall’s daily operations are people whose work contributes to making sustainability part of everyday life. From managing energy and water consumption to finding practical ways to reuse waste, their efforts help turn environmental responsibility into actions that make a difference.

At SM City Baguio, sustainability goes beyond programs, equipment, and policies. It is also reflected in the everyday work of employees who help put these initiatives into practice, often behind the scenes and away from the attention of shoppers.

For the Engineering team, conserving energy is an important part of maintaining the mall’s daily operations. Behind the systems that help keep the mall comfortable and functional are employees who regularly check equipment and help ensure that resources are used efficiently.

Engr. Lester De Guzman, a member of the mall’s Engineering team, is among those who contribute to these efforts. Through his work in monitoring equipment and supporting the implementation of energy-saving measures, he helps ensure that conservation practices are carried out as part of the mall’s daily operations.

At the management level, these efforts form part of a broader approach to responsible resource management. Mall Manager Arch. Jerico Bernardo shared that SM City Baguio considers energy and water conservation essential to its operations.

“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. Our Engineering Team also regularly monitors our energy consumption and conducts preventive maintenance to keep our equipment running efficiently.

Aside from energy conservation, we also put a lot of effort into water sustainability. One of the things we’re particularly proud of is our Rainwater Treatment Facility. Since July 2023, we’ve already treated more than 56 million liters of rainwater, which we use to supplement the mall’s water requirements. We also recycle treated wastewater for flushing and irrigation, helping us reduce our dependence on the city’s water supply.

We’re also looking at renewable energy as part of our long-term sustainability plans, including a proposed solar power installation.

For us, sustainability really comes down to how we manage our resources every day. These may seem like simple operational practices, but collectively, they help us reduce consumption, manage costs, and lessen our environmental impact.

And especially here in Baguio, where protecting our environment is very important, we want to make sure that as the mall continues to grow, we’re also doing our part to use our resources responsibly,” he said.

Turning Waste into Something Useful

Proper waste segregation is another important part of SM City Baguio’s sustainability efforts. By ensuring that waste is properly sorted and handled, the mall helps identify materials that can still be recycled, reused, or repurposed instead of simply being discarded.

For MJ Belwa, Supervisor of Federal Management and Maintenance Inc., proper waste segregation is an everyday practice that contributes to environmental protection and public health. She also highlighted how recyclable materials can still hold value when properly collected and sorted.

‘The proper way of waste segregation bakit importante ito is para sa environment, public health and sa pangangailangan natin sa pagiging trash to cash from garbage magiging pera at nakakatulong din ito,’ Belwa shared.

Beyond segregation, some biodegradable waste collected from mall tenants, including banana peels and used coffee grounds, is repurposed as fertilizer for the mall’s nursery. These organic materials are given another purpose by helping support the growth and maintenance of plants, demonstrating how waste from everyday mall operations can be put to good use.

Shoppers can also participate in responsible waste management through SM City Baguio’s Trash to Cash program, held every first Friday and Saturday of the month. The initiative encourages them to bring recyclable materials to the mall, providing an accessible way for the community to take part in recycling.

These efforts show how sustainability is a shared responsibility across different areas of mall operations. Beyond the systems and policies in place, it is the people who carry out these practices every day who help make a difference.

At your Most Loved Mall, SM City Baguio, responsible environmental practices are reflected in the way resources are managed, waste is reduced, and the community is encouraged to participate. Through these everyday actions, the mall continues to show that caring for the environment begins with consistent efforts, both seen and unseen.

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About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses, and opportunities come together.

Through “My SM,” SM continues to evolve with the changing lifestyles and needs of Filipino communities, reimagining the mall experience through thoughtfully designed spaces, better connectivity, innovative digital conveniences, and meaningful experiences that foster connection and strengthen communities.

My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.