Stronger commitment to sustainability

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In honor of World Recycling Day, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) introduced a new sustainability initiative at a briefing and exhibit named “SMHCC Road to Zero.” The highlight of the event was the official launch of Tela Tales in partnership with social entrepreneur Zarah Juan, promoting environmental stewardship by advocating for a circular economy for condemned linens.

At the SMX Convention Center Aura in BGC, Leah Magallanes, vice president for Quality and Sustainability at SMHCC, shared the newest initiatives they’ve been undertaking in terms of sustainability.

In the past, Magallanes said, one may have seen stories about sustainability regarding their properties; this is the first time they’ll hear the whole story from beginning up to today.

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She started with the number zero. “For most of us, zero is nothing, but that doesn’t mean zero isn’t important. The number zero is very important, especially for certain things: zero impact on the environment, zero social biases, and zero greenwashing.”

“This is something I’m very passionate about – nobody likes greenwashing, right? So, in the next five years, we will be opening new hotels and convention centers, not to mention all the other hotels that are operating; all of these will consume a lot of water, electricity, and fuel in their construction, operations, and the renovation of old properties. There’s a lot of responsibility that should go with these consumptions.”

Magallanes shared a fun fact: every time one checks into a hotel, they generate one kilo of waste. “And if we calculate the occupancy and covers we’re going to have in the next five years, we would be responsible for an estimate of 2,600 tonnes of solid waste.”

“So, I asked myself, what is a meaningful metric to use, a measurement that will help us see if all our activities we’re really making an impact by moving the needle in reversing climate change?” she said. These questions resulted in using a science-based target as a goal. Last year, the company partnered with SBTI through WWF, a world organization that helps corporations measure their activities and their impact on the environment.

Sample products that can be made from the shredded plastic of Diversey

“After all the analysis, we were able to come up with our science-based target, which is net zero by 2040. So, when they computed their activities, it did make an impact, and that’s why net zero is set for 2040. So, with their help, they came up with four strategies to reach net zero by 2040: energy conservation, water management, green procurement, and the circular economy.

Magallanes said that in their rooms, they use smart room technology, where once you put the keycard in, electricity turns on. This technology also senses movement in the room and automatically shuts off if there’s no movement. They’ve also converted all their bulbs to LED and their air conditioners to inverter units. In the common areas, Magallanes also said that there is a building management system that keeps the temperature at an economical level. Another fun fact she mentioned: 23 degrees Celsius is the optimal temperature for energy efficiency. After doing all of these things, she said, they’ve managed to significantly reduce their electricity consumption.

One of their partners, Brian Chan, their waste management service provider, picks up paper, cardboard, bottles, plastic, and e-waste. Aside from their service, they also have a facility that recycles paper and plastic into insulation, poster boards, and furniture — replace with new bond paper, eco boards.

According to Magallanes, their company believes in diversity, equal opportunity, and women empowerment. In terms of women executives, she shared that 49 percent are female, and 48 percent of managers and senior managers are also female. Magallanes said that they provide training for all employees to prepare them for their roles and career development.

Green Space by The Soilmate Collective Inc. is a Food Waste Composting Company that helped SMHCC divert almost over 198 tons of food waste through their bokashi composting technique

They also have an upcoming project which aims to empower persons with disabilities.

To achieve all of this, SMHCC partnered with five organizations, namely Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, SGV, Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure, SBTI, and World Wide Fund, to ensure they’re on the right track. They also base their goals and materiality based on the UN SDGs.

This World Recycling Day, SMHCC has two exciting projects: the first one is the Tela Tales, a recycling project using condemned linens while teaching communities a new skill that will eventually produce beautiful products that they can sell. The project is in collaboration with Ms. Zarah Juan, an awarded bag designer, and social entrepreneur. Also, another project introduced was Sustainable Diner. This initiative aims to manage food waste from its source to plate. It includes the composting of food waste that eventually will be used as fertilizer in gardens and partner farms. The fruits and vegetables are then bought back to be served to the guests.

It was also shared during the launch the results of their partnerships with the different companies that provided sustainability solutions for their solid waste.

Greenspace PH facilitated the diversion of 198,640 kilograms (kg) of food through bokashi composting techniques. Since the installation of the ORCA biodigester at Taal Vista Hotel in July 2023, 11,672 kg of food waste has been diverted. Partnerships with Brian Chan of Vanson Paper Industrial Corp., Green Trident, and Poly Al Pro Boards have resulted in a 44 percent plastic recycling rate and a 49 percent paper recycling rate. Moreover, SMHCC secured P300K for classroom construction and cleared 7,100 kg of plastic waste in partnership with Hope. Additionally, 253 kg of used soap from hotels were diverted and repurposed into new bars in partnership with Diversey.

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