SM Offices saves more water in 2025 through recycling initiatives

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

April 12, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — SM Offices, the commercial leasing arm of integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc., reported saving over 185,000 cubic meters of water across its developments last year through its expanded recycled-water systems and conservation initiatives.

SM Offices said it utilized 57,190 cubic meters of recycled water from its stand-alone office developments and 128,700 cubic meters from its mall-integrated offices in 2025.

The company said the combined volume at 185,890 cubic meters is enough to supply water to 775 average urban households for a year.

A significant portion of the company’s water savings came from recycled water generated through on-site sewage treatment plants.

The treated water was reused for restroom flushing, landscape irrigation and certain cooling systems across its developments.

Recycled water also supported the maintenance of landscaped areas surrounding SM Offices developments.

“Water efficiency is becoming increasingly important in modern office developments as more companies prioritize sustainability in their workplace strategies,” SM Offices head Alexis Ortiga said.

“Using water responsibly helps reduce environmental impact, lower operating costs and ensure our buildings remain resilient as water resources become more constrained,” he said.

SM Offices said several operational measures are also implemented to further reduce consumption beyond water recycling, including the installation of low-flow and sensor-based plumbing fixtures, conduct of regular inspections to detect leaks early as well as optimization of irrigation schedules to minimize evaporation.

In selected buildings, treated water is used in cooling towers to support air-conditioning systems, further reducing the need for fresh water in daily operations.

SM Offices said these initiatives form part of the firm’s broader sustainability strategy to reduce demand on municipal water systems while providing greener workplaces for tenants.

Tenants are likewise encouraged to participate in conservation efforts through building guidelines that promote responsible water use, including the installation of efficient plumbing fixtures within tenant spaces.

Ortiga said the company is also exploring additional technologies to further reduce water consumption across its buildings.

These efforts include smart water systems that monitor usage in real time and enable early leak detection to reduce water waste.

“Through these initiatives, we can support our tenants as they grow their operations while using water more responsibly and reducing pressure on local resources,” he said.