Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said it has slashed operational water use across its businesses by 23% last year, beating its goal of reducing water consumption by 20% in 2020.
In a statement, SMC said the reduction resulted in 7.7 billion liters of water saved in 2018.
The company attributed this to “the effective implementation of programs aimed at increasing use of alternative, ‘non-scarce’ water, including rainwater, recycled water, and seawater.”
SMC is undertaking the “Water for All” sustainability project, which aims to cut utility and domestic use of water by 50% by 2025.
“This is a significant milestone for us, and we’re highly encouraged by these results,” Ramon S. Ang, president and chief operating officer of SMC, was quoted as saying.
“It’s only the second year since we announced this major sustainability goal, and already, the effort and commitment of those in our company tasked with making this goal a reality, have started to pay off,” he added.
While total water volume for 2018 rose due to higher production and new manufacturing plants, SMC said it increased the use of non-scarce water sources.
“Water is an integral part of our operations, and a vital need of our people and communities. While we’ve long worked to conserve and protect water in our areas of operation, this initiative will see us drawing even less water in the future,” Mr. Ang said.
SMC said it also donates water facilities to communities with no access to water. Its recent beneficiaries are the municipalities of Malita in Davao Occidental, Maasim in Saranggani, and Mulanay in Quezon province. — V.M.P.Galang
