Malls being the converging area for many people are in a great position to be catalysts for environmental protection.

Recognizing this fact, SM Supermalls, which has one branch in Baguio City, has implemented an environmental program which they shared with entrepreneurs, building owners, city planners, schools, architects, and the public last Tuesday.

In the seminar entitled “Green Retail Agenda” which was held at the Baguio Country Club and attended by over 150 participants, SM environment committee member Raffy Maglalang shared what their own business chain has been doing to help make their buildings “green” or environmentally friendly.

With 2.8 million people visiting their 34 malls daily, Maglalang said they are in the position to influence people to think green and they are challenged to push the bar in creating environmental friendly businesses.

He said they have been implementing and developing their environmental program in the past 15 years focusing on four major areas: solid waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and air quality efficiency.

Under solid waste, they are implementing segregation at source which has resulted in 20 percent less garbage or two tons of garbage diverted from landfills where each mall is located. This they implement using segregated trash bins.

They have also started a monthly recycling market and cell phone waste management program.

In order to lessen the use of plastic bags, they have come up with their green bag program and the use of biodegradable plastic bags which decompose from six months to two years.

For water conservation, they have built water recycling treatment plants in their malls, installed waterless urinals, and placed faucet aerators to control the use of water for hand washing.

To make their business energy efficient, they use computerized aircon management (for their low-land malls), and sequential batch reactors for their sewer treatment. They also switched to more energy efficient computers and are currently switching to motion sensor escalators, which would only move when someone uses it.

To improve air quality, the malls have implemented a no smoking policy, promoted the use of bicycles, and made sure all their transporters pass the smoke emission test.

The mall chain has also engaged in tree planting activities and screening of climate change advertisements and documentaries like “An Inconvenient Truth.”

The design of the SM Baguio building, which has tiered verandas opening on the east and west, is also functional in making it environmentally friendly by trying to blend in with the environment and not relying on artificial ventilation.