RLC is proactively taking steps to reduce its environmental footprint, integrating eco-efficiency practices into the operations of various businesses. The Company continues to expand its renewable energy program and/or waste management projects across its malls, residences, and office buildings.
RLC values energy management to promote sustainable growth for the organization. To integrate this into the company’s operations, RLC installed off-grid rooftop solar PV (photovoltaic) 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 2021, RLC has completed solar installations in 24 malls nationwide, following the addition of Robinsons Place Santiago and Robinsons Place Butuan. This brings the total capacity of solar panels installed to 30,790 kWp (30.79 Mwp).
Through these solar panels that contribute to a more sustainable and livable environment, we have avoided 19,397.07 MT (Mega Tons) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2021 for a total of 78,172.92 MT of carbon dioxide avoided since the start of operations across all sites.
This is likewise equivalent to about 320,724.00 trees planted in 2021 and a total of 1,292,563.00 trees planted since the start of operations.
In line with our efforts to build a more sustainable environment, RLC will continue to roll out rooftop solar panel installations to more malls to further reduce the Company’s carbon footprint.
Aside from this, RLC is also a leading proponent of green office buildings. Giga Tower, the Company’s PEZA-registered, prime office building in Bridgetowne, is now 100% powered by renewable energy sourced from a hydroelectric power plant. In addition to its significant environmental benefits, this initiative generated energy savings of Php0.24 per kWh, thereby resulting to reduced operational expenses for tenants.
RLC likewise recognizes the importance of intelligent use of water resources. All Robinsons malls nationwide are designed with a system for wastewater conservation and recovery. 29 malls have rainwater collection systems; and 15 malls use treated effluent from the sewerage treatment plant that passed the standards for reuse in landscaping and irrigation, and for flushing toilets. These technologies enable the use of 100% treated reused wastewater resulting in minimal wastewater discharge to public sewers. Aside from this, Robinsons Malls and Offices installed water-efficient fixtures in its restrooms to further reduce water consumption in its establishments.
Robinsons Malls also continued to expand its Solid Waste Management initiatives. The program promoted waste separation at source, plastic recycling in the malls, increasing recycling rates and reducing the local government’s landfill dependency. Participating malls include Robinsons Place Las Piñas, General Trias, Imus, Magnolia and Novaliches. Implementation of this project to more Robinsons Malls this 2022 are already in the pipeline.
RLC Residences, on the other hand, is raising the bar in protecting the environment with its circular economy project, Minimize Waste, Maximize Space, in partnership with Humble Sustainability. This project allows residents and homeowners of participating RLC Properties to avail of free decluttering services through the myRLC app. Items that may be picked up include old, unused or broken furniture, toys, clothes, and appliances. Humble Sustainability converts these into reusable items, bringing them back to circularity and reducing the amount of wastes that end up in the landfills. The service is currently available in three (3) RLC Residences properties, namely The Pearl Place, The Sapphire Bloc and Galleria Regency, and will soon be available in more.