SM Prime explores potential partnership with Japanese firm for waste-to-fuel solutions

 

IN PHOTO (Left to right): SM Supermalls Vice President Liza Silerio, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, GUUN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda, GUUN Philippine Branch Senior Managing Director and General Manager Takeshi Konishi

Leading real estate developer in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s GUUN Co. Ltd. to explore a potential partnership to implement waste management solutions by recycling waste paper and plastics as an alternative source of energy called ‘fluff fuel’.

Fluff Fuels are one type of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) which are produced from shredded and compressed plastics, papers, and fibers. These are used as fuels in cement manufacturing, paper mill companies, or power companies in Japan.

SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy is positive that a partnership with GUUN will contribute to the waste reduction goals of the country. “Today, Japan’s waste management and recycling technology is among the most advanced in the world,” he said. “There is no better partner for SM because we do not just talk about being big, we make sure we do it; we do not talk about being environment friendly but we do take bold steps to save the environment. I am looking forward to growing with GUUN as among leaders in solving environmental issues in the Philippines.”

GUUN Co., Ltd., founded in March 2001 and headquartered in Yokohama City, Japan, piloted the production of fluff fuel from plastic waste in Inayawan, Cebu in 2014 and recently inaugurated its P200-million, 2,400-square meter waste recycling plant in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.

Since then, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has adopted GUUN’s waste-to-fuel technology as a model for advanced low-carbon technology innovation for further deployment in developing countries.

“This will be a milestone partnership for us,” GUNN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda said after the signing ceremony. "I understand very much how important waste management is for SM and for the Philippines and we look forward to more projects we can do with the properties of SM Prime.”

SM Prime’s initiatives for waste management include waste reduction and effective waste collection and segregation. Over the years, it has implemented programs such as Trash to Cash, Plastic Waste Collection, and E-Waste Collection that have contributed to reducing the total solid waste generation across its real estate portfolio.

 

Through its pioneering Trash to Cash recycling market, SM Prime has collected and recycled 1.4M kg of plastics, paper, metals, and others in 2022. “We have saved 16,766 trees from the 986,222 kg of paper recycled,” SM Prime disclosed in its 2022 Integrated Report to shareholders.

 

Meanwhile, SM’s Plastic Waste Collection program, a partnership with the Plastic Credit Exchange that was launched in February 2021, has accumulated 42,541kg of plastic waste from 14 mall sites. Also present in all its 83 SM Supermalls is the E-Waste Collection program for the responsible disposal of WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment). This drive has helped process close to 7,000 kilograms of e-waste.

 

Water Sustainability: Leading the Change at SM Supermalls

 

SM Supermalls are at the forefront of the conservation and management of water resources in its mall facilities.

 

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.

 

Singapore’s Desalination Plant

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.

 

The Delta Works in The Netherlands was built by Rijkswaterstaat to protect the country against flooding from the North Sea.

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 Mall of Asia has been involved in various sustainability and environmental initiatives, including water recycling among others.

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.

 

SM Supermalls utilizes recycled wastewater from the mall for irrigating its gardens.

 

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.

Recently, SM took a step further in resource management by launching the first-ever water filtration system in a Philippine mall 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.

SM Scholars Aspire to Share the Gift of Education

 

New SM scholars recently joined the contract signing event in Pasay.

"I desire to become an educator not just to fulfill a dream but also to be a blessing to the next generation."

 

These inspiring words come from 18-year-old Princess Eunice Motel, an SM scholar currently pursuing her education at the Philippine Normal University. She is one of two children of Hildajane, an on-call factory re-packer, and Richard, a set man, hailing from Caloocan City.

 

Princess' dream of becoming a teacher has been a lifelong aspiration, deeply rooted in her heart and mind since her childhood. This calling became even more pronounced when she embraced her Christian faith.

 

SM Scholar and aspiring educator Princess Eunice Motel

 

"My unwavering commitment to becoming a teacher is directly inspired by the Kidz Life Ministry, a cherished initiative of our church dedicated to teaching children about God's word. I aspire to be a vessel for sharing knowledge, instilling hope, and nurturing a brighter future for the next generation," she said.

 

To pursue her dreams, Princess has chosen to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at the Philippine Normal University, her dream institution. "PNU is renowned for its ability to nurture exceptional teachers," she remarked. "As I aspire to become an educator, I also strive for greatness and excellence, and there's no better place to achieve that than at PNU." 

 

Following in her mother's footsteps, Jhona Bolinas is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education with English as her major. Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, she passed entrance exams at other universities but opted to enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela due to its proximity to her family.

 

Despite considering other career paths, Jhona opted education, drawing inspiration from her mother, who is also an educator. "Watching, observing, and listening to her, I learned the basics," she shared. Driven by her love for reading and writing, she also chose to specialize in English.

 

When asked if she plans to work abroad after graduation, Jhona keeps her options open, recognizing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "But right now, I want to ensure that my mother enjoys a good life before making such a significant decision," she explained. 

 

Another aspiring educator is Krissa May Oquindo. Her father, a cable technician, is the family's sole breadwinner while her mother dedicates her time to caring for the family. Krissa completed her senior high school education at the Universidad de Manila. She applied to four State universities and ultimately chose to enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), known for producing graduates highly sought after by employers, as per a recent survey.

 

SM scholar Krissa May Oquindo (right) aspires to be a teacher for her family and community.

 

When asked about her motivation to become a teacher, Krissa responded, "Being an educator has always been my passion. From the moment I set foot on a school campus, the idea of standing in front of students and sharing knowledge excites me." She has selected Science as her major to deepen her understanding of the subject and to enlighten others about it.

 

Krissa has no plans to teach abroad. She believes that while there is demand for teachers overseas, the same holds true in the Philippines: "My passion for teaching is rooted in caring for the next generation, especially for the youth of our country."

 

Through the years, the SM college scholarship program has empowered 3,791 graduates who have enrolled in over 120 partner colleges and universities across the nation. These scholars enjoy full tuition benefits, monthly allowances, part-time work opportunities during semestral and Christmas breaks, job offers from the SM Group upon graduation, and engaging activities and enrichment programs.

 

Additionally, SM's tech-voc scholarship program has produced 4,669 graduates, further contributing to the development of skilled professionals in various fields.

SM group turns over 104th school building

 

In time for the school year opening, SM Prime through SM Foundation turned over a fully furnished two-storey building to the President Manuel Roxas Memorial Integrated School-South in Roxas City, Western Visayas.

The 104th school building made through the collaboration is built in accordance with specifications set by the Department of Education (DepEd). It holds four classrooms, each furnished with desks, chairs for left-handed students, toilets per classroom, including a special toilet for PWDs on the ground floor.

It also includes concave blackboards, electric fans, and LED lighting. Emergency lights were installed in the stairways for emergency-preparedness.

Supporting DepEd’s commitment to ensure that learners have access to water for hygiene and sanitation, SM Foundation installed a handwashing facility along with liquid soap for the community’s use.

To further assist, the SM group will help with the maintenance and upkeep of the said school.

Social Good

SMFI School Building head, Juris Soliman (center) leads the preparation if the school building turnover.

 

It was earlier announced by DepEd that roughly 21 million students enrolled this school year 2023-2024. Amidst this, the agency reported that only over 100,000 out of the more than 300,000 school buildings are in good condition.

Believing in the power of education in uplifting communities, SM Foundation has been an active member of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program since 2002, turning over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities nationwide. The said program intends to address overcrowding in schools and provide an environment conducive for learning.

UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship Store Celebrates 5th Anniversary in the Philippines

Exciting experiences and fun-filled activities await in-store from October 13 to 26, 2023

 

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO marks the 5th anniversary of its Global Flagship store in the Philippines with exciting experiences and fun-filled activities for everyone to enjoy.

 

Since its opening in 2018, the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship Store has brought customers exciting things over the years. Being the biggest Global Flagship store in Southeast Asia, it is the home to the complete line-up of LifeWear items in the country, as well as unique experiences such as the custom printing service, UTme!, and special displays and collaborations with various local talents.

 

As part of the brand’s appreciation for being part of Filipinos’ daily lives, UNIQLO is bringing customers an even better shopping experience as they ring in their 5th year from October 13 to 26, 2023. 

Elevated Store. Elevated Essentials. Embrace the Future.

UNIQLO Manila’s 5^th anniversary promises to be one for the books with the theme “Elevated Store. Elevated Essentials. Embrace the Future.”

 

Bringing the concept to life is UNIQLO’s partnership with five young and distinguished individuals who have achieved global recognition in their respective fields. Each partner represents one of the brand’s biggest item lines which all hold innovative functionality at its core. These LifeWear items champion the Filipino people, elevating everyone’s essentials, wardrobe, and lifestyle. 

·         Food and lifestyle content creator Erwan Heussaff, recognized by the prestigious James Beard Media Awards last June, joins the group for AIRism

·         Groundbreaking director Martika Escobar, the first Philippine director to win an award at the Sundance Film Festival, represents HEATTECH

·         Part of the group as well modeling for the AirSense line-up is entrepreneur Gio Visitacion, owner of the Good Cup Coffee Company and 2020 Philippine Brewers Cup champion

·         Southeast Asian Games Medalist and Guinness World Record holder Kaizen Dela Serna for UV Protection products

·         Award-winning singer and actress, popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo for Bra Tops

 

Discover new experiences

Opening on the second floor of the Global Flagship Store, customers are treated to new and revamped experiences. 

 

UNIQLO is introducing UNIQLO Coffee to the country, bringing Filipinos the brand’s cafe-style offerings that first opened in 2021 at the renewed UNIQLO Global Flagship Store in Ginza. Highlighting the brand’s commitment to being one with the community, the coffee drinks will be made with locally sourced, high quality coffee beans from Mt. Apo, and will feature goods and pastries that mix Filipino and Japanese flavors. 

 

As part of the brand’s commitment to sustainability, UNIQLO is also set to bring to Manila its Re.UNIQLO Studio. Visitors to the Global Flagship Store will get to enjoy repair services on their pre-loved UNIQLO items, bringing new life to their favorite LifeWear pieces. This stays true to the LifeWear philosophy of quality, enabling customers to enjoy their UNIQLO items for a longer period of time.

 

Lastly, UNIQLO refreshes their UTme! line-up, collaborating with local artists from all over the country to bring customers unique designs they can customize on t-shirts and tote bags. The artists include Gianne Encarnacion and Ross Du of Metro Manila, Johanna Velasco and Myka Arnado of Cebu, and Kajo Baldisimo of Davao. Muralist Glendford Lumbao also joins in to contribute a piece to be displayed at the new experience areas on the second floor of the Flagship Store.

 

Enjoy special UNIQLO items and limited-time offers

The celebration doesn’t stop here! From October 13 to 31, customers can expect exciting freebies and promos exclusive to the UNIQLO Manila Flagship store. 

 

Moreover, customers should also stay tuned for fun and educational workshops led by select UTme! artists and endorsers throughout the month of October. 

 

Make the most of the fun activities and special offers by visiting the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship store in Glorietta 5 in Makati City from October 13 to 26, 2023.

 

Stay updated on the latest news and promos by following UNIQLO Philippines on Facebook, @uniqlophofficial on Instagram and Tiktok, and on www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/.

 

 

 

About UNIQLO LifeWear

Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

 

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.3 trillion yen for the 2022 fiscal year ending August 31, 2022 (US $16.6 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2022 rate of $1 = 138.7 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.

 

UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,400 stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America.

 

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere.  For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.

 

UNIQLO showcases the art of modern layering in 2023

UNIQLO showcases the art of modern layering in 2023 Fall/Winter collection preview

The event gave a glimpse of upcoming season trends as the cooler months roll in

 

(L-R) UNIQLO Philippines Senior Marketing Manager Reichelle Vergara, UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer Geraldine Sia, Matteo Guidicelli, Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli, UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer Ikezoe Osamu, and UNIQLO Philippines Vice President for Marketing Georgette Barrera-Jalasco

 

UNIQLO celebrated the art of mixing and matching layered clothing for the upcoming season in the Press Preview of the 2023 Fall/Winter collection at SM Aura in Taguig City.

 

 

Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli and Matteo Guidicelli show off their modern layering-inspired outfits

 

UNIQLO’s latest season collection preview featured the Art of Modern Layering, set to be a fashion staple in the coming months for warmth and comfortable styling.

 

Simple, chic, practical and classic, the new collection showcases an essential modern wardrobe mood with a limitless range of styling possibilities, perfect for travel and events during these -ber months. It’s a fashion fusion that gives the art of modern layering three key aspects: style, color & texture, and function.

 

UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer Geraldine Sia talks about the concept of modern layering

“Our latest collection echoes our LifeWear philosophy. In the modern world where we see constant change in trends, LifeWear is UNIQLO’s dedication to bring quality products designed to last and grow with you through the evolution of your own personal styles and tastes,” said UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer Geraldine Sia.

 

Modern layering is all about creating your own unique layering style to make the cold weather season both fun and comfortable. This is why in terms of style, it promotes the classic yet modern, the casual yet chic. Cozy knits, utility bottoms and more allow individuals to express themselves with truth and sophistication.

 

The modern layering of style promotes the classic yet modern, the casual yet chic

Meanwhile, the color & texture centers on a simple modern look with tone-on-tone coordination. The collection presents a vast array of wools, knits, and other warm textures, alongside tone-on-tone gradation colors in gray, berry, and off-white.

 

On the other hand, the modern layering of function features cutting-edge technologies and UNIQLO’s renowned HEATTECH innovation, keeping wearers warm, and in style, throughout the season.

 

Also present during the event were UNIQLO Philippines ambassadors Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli and Matteo Guidicelli who expressed their excitement on perfecting the art of modern layering.

 

The modern layering of function features cutting-edge technologies and UNIQLO’s renowned HEATTECH innovation

Alongside the Fall/Winter 2023, UNIQLO showcased its collaboration collection with British fashion designer JW Anderson. Featuring casual yet sophisticated designs, the collection takes inspiration from Anderson’s British roots and traditional university life. Graphic checks and playful animal motifs match wardrobe essentials such as trench and duffle coats in the pursuit of perfection.

 

Meanwhile, the UNIQLO U 2023 Fall/Winter collection stands for everything simple, chic, practical and classic. It comprises a wide assortment of garments with clean lines and generous proportions for styling made more effortless and genderless than ever. Its key colors consist of brown and rust, charcoal and gray, beige and off-white.

 

For the ladies, the UNIQLO collaboration collection with Ines De La Fressange is one to keep an eye on. It affirms the rich diversity of fashion’s origins and influences, with nature-inspired materials and colors of denim. The collection presents the colors chic indigo, denim blue, tweed brown, and burgundy, while the knit line-up features the vibrancy of magenta pink, Ines red, and mandarin orange.

 

Lastly, UNIQLO will surely delight everyone with their new collections of UT Graphic T-shirts; showcased during the event were new designs featuring Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars as part of its Magic For All Forever collection; as well as new designs from the popular anime Jujutsu Kaisen. Moreover, UNIQLO also displayed new designs in collaboration with the renowned contemporary artist KAWS.

 

To learn more about #UniqloPH and #LifeWear, check out www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/ and follow @uniqlo on Facebook and @uniqlophofficial on Instagram.

 

 

 

About UNIQLO LifeWear

Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

 

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand, and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.3 trillion yen for the 2022 fiscal year ending August 31, 2022 (US $16.6 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2022 rate of $1 = 138.7 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.

 

UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,400 stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe, and North America.

 

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere.  For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.