RLC is proactively taking steps to reduce its environmental footprint and all of RLC’s business units contribute different ways to do so.
Renewable Energy: Mall Solar Facilities
RLC values energy management to promote sustainable growth for the organization. To integrate this into the company’s operations, RLC installed on-grid rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in its malls nationwide. Through energy conservation and efficiency programs like this, RLC demonstrates its commitment to protect the environment from the adverse effects of carbon emissions, and to become an industry leader in efficient energy use.
RLC held the record of having the world’s largest solar-powered facility installed on a mall’s rooftop for self-consumption. As of December 2022, RLC has completed solar installations in 24 malls nationwide. This brings the total capacity of solar panels installed to 30,674.74 kWp (30.67 MWp).
Through these solar panels that contribute to a more sustainable and livable environment, we have avoided 20,418.00 MT (Metric Tons) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2022 for a total of 98,591.92 MT of carbon dioxide avoided since the start of operations across all sites. This is likewise equivalent to about 337,604 trees planted in 2022 and a total of 1,630,187 trees planted since the start of operations.
In line with its efforts to build a more sustainable environment, RLC will continue to roll out its rooftop solar panel installations to more malls to further reduce the Company’s carbon footprint.
Green Building Certifications
RLC’s Office Buildings Division is a leading proponent of green office buildings that are certified by the US Green Building Council for LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
Our office portfolio incorporates environment friendly and energy efficient features, such as double-glazed glass façades and LED lights that reduce power consumption. And as a matter of policy, all new Metro Manila buildings in our pipeline will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) or Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE)Certified.
To date, four (4) of RLC / RCR Office Buildings are LEED-certified. Robinsons Tera and Giga Towers secured LEED Gold Certifications, while Robinsons Exxa and Zeta Towers have LEED Silver Certifications. Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma and Robinsons Cyberscape Beta, on the other hand, have EDGE Certifications.
Wastewater Conservation and Recovery Program
RLC recognizes the importance of intelligent use of water resources. All of RLC’s properties are implementing water conservation and recovery from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)’s treated effluent for reuse in landscaping, irrigation and for flushing toilets. These sewage treatment plants are designed with a nature-based biological nitrogen removal system with proper installations and adequate mechanical systems for wastewater treatment, in compliance with the new general effluent regulations under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Orders (DAO) 2016-08 and 2021-19.
To further reduce water consumption in its establishments, Robinsons Malls and Offices installed water-efficient fixtures in its restrooms. 28 malls also have rainwater collection systems.
E-Charging Stations
RLC, in partnership with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), advanced their thrust to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions with the launch of electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas. The charging station features pods for 4-wheeled EV such as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), and pods that can accommodate 2-wheeled & 3-wheeled EV such as eBikes, eScooters, and eTrikes.
In anticipation of the reopening of face-to-face classes after the pandemic, RLove supported DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela and reached out to 31 schools nationwide. Beneficiary schools were equipped with cleaning and painting materials, sanitation equipment, furniture, and school supplies. Volunteers actively participated in the cleaning and painting activities in preparation for the opening of classes.
RLove, through RL Commercial REIT, Inc. (RCR), also donated learning and reading materials to over 100 Kinder to Grade 3 students of Ilaya Barangka Integrated School in Mandaluyong City, as part of DepEd’s “Brigada Pagbasa.” Book-reading sessions were also facilitated for the students.
Solid Waste Management
Robinsons Malls continued to expand its Solid Waste Management initiatives that promote waste separation at source, plastic recycling in the malls, increase recycling rates, and reduce the local government’s landfill dependency.
Through Recycling Markets in La Union, Starmills, Angeles and Malolos, Robinsons Malls encouraged mall-goers to bring their recyclable wastes to designated redemption booths in exchange for cash.
Robinsons Malls and Office Buildings also partnered with Universal Robina
Corporation for “Juan” Goal for Plastic to serve as collection sites of post-consumer plastics. With a long-term objective of achieving plastic neutrality, the program converts plastic into something useful, in line with the model of a circular economy.
Tree-Planting & Clean-Up Programs
This year, RLC participated in ten (10) tree-planting activities in partnership with different local government units and agencies, and planted over 2,000 seedlings.
In addition to RLC’s greening initiatives, Robinsons Malls and Hotels conducted a total of 18 clean-up drives in Palawan, Iloilo, Cebu, Roxas, Tacloban, Ormoc, and General Santos. This was performed in cooperation with the DENR and the different local government units and agencies to reduce the debris and trash that lead to waterways.
