Greenology: Ayala Malls’ earth-friendly philosophy

As one of the country’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination, Ayala Malls takes a leap further by heeding the world’s call for sustainability by launching an awareness campaign called Greenology. More than just a venue for leisure and relaxation, Ayala Malls continues to take an active role in bringing the sustainable lifestyle to the consumers through the various events and activities lined up in the coming months.

Through the years, Ayala Malls has been showing its unwavering commitment in providing not just innovative and rewarding experiences to its customers and patrons but also an atmosphere fit for the green lifestyle. Greenology is just one of the many eco-friendly efforts the Ayala Malls is promoting to raise the standard of sustainable living through its programs for its patrons and the environment.

Ayala Malls continues to mark the trend of being an eco-friendly and eco-chic establishment by showcasing remarkable events that will surely capture the hearts of concerned mall patrons and environmentalists. Ayala Malls Group Senior Vice President and Group Head Marivic Añonuevo relates, “We have pioneered environmental programs in Philippine malls, and these programs have now become models in the industry. Now we’re affirming our commitment to Mother Nature by responding to the global call for sustainable living and sustainable environment.  With Greenology, we have come up with an integrated approach to strengthen our environmental efforts and our campaign for sustainable development. And we would like our merchants and mall goers to be our partners in making Greenology a success.”

Ayala Malls Group Vice President and COO Rowena Tomeldan adds, “We at Ayala Malls have explored ways to balance our environmental commitments with our customers’ need for a rewarding shopping experience. We’re celebrating “Greenology” through a series of earth-friendly events designed to remind everyone to take care of the environment. We urge all our merchants, shoppers, and supporters to help us make a difference for a sustainable future.”

 Ayala Malls Group Division Manager Maricris Bernardino, Ayala Malls Group Vice President and COO Rowena Tomeldan, Greenology advocate Nina Huang, Ayala Malls Group Asst. Vice President Javi Hernandez, Ayala Malls Group Senior Division Manager Cathy Bengzon, and Greenbelt General Manager AC Ocampo

Greenology advocates Tessa Valdes and Mandy Santos, Ayala Malls Group Senior Vice President and Group Head Marivic Añonuevo with Greenology advocates Nina Huang, Leica Carpo and Raya Mananquil

Ayala Malls Group Senior Vice President and Group Head Marivic Añonuevo with Greenology advocate Nina Huang

A sustainable lifestyle finds expression in ECO ART, a display of edgy art installations featuring sculptures and 3D models highlighting the fundamentals of recreating, in partnership with renowned artists Alma Quinto, Pete Jimenez, Mac Valdezco and Ral Arrogante with students from University of the Philippines, University of the East, University of Sto. Tomas, College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, Philippine Women’s University and Technical University of the Philippines.  The art installation aims to educate the shoppers of how much garbage is consumed by using plastics or paper cups. Starting August 28 until September 11, be captivated with visually stimulating pieces from ECO ART to be exhibited simultaneously around Glorietta, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, Market! Market!, TriNoma, Bonifacio High Street, Ayala Center Cebu and UP Techno Hub.  

Witness Ayala Malls’ top local brands and designers as they support the campaign by collaborating with Ayala Malls in creating clothes and accessories made out of eco-friendly materials via Limited Edition GREEN LINE. The Limited Edition GREEN LINE is available to the public for two weeks (September 16-30) at the Filipino Zone, Greenbelt 5. Top local brands include Bayo and Folded & Hung. Greenbelt 5 Filipino Zone designers to participate in this momentous event are Aranaz, Arnel Papa, Barba, Bonne Bouche, Gaupo, Jun Escario, Myth, Paradi, Religioso and Ana Rocha.

World-renowned artist Kenji Williams also supports Ayala Malls’ sustainability campaign as he performs live at the Ayala Malls this coming October. An award-winning musician, filmmaker, music producer and classically trained violinist, he combines visual media with music to tell a story of planetary consciousness and spiritual evolution.

Ayala Malls launches the ECO TOTE in which fashion designers Louis Claparols, Michi Calica-Sotto, Vic Barba, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Jun Escario and Randy Ortiz from the Filipino Zone in Greenbelt 5 are commissioned to create a reusable bag for each Ayala Mall. The ECO TOTE will be sold at a retail price of P400 in August 2009 at the concierge of each Ayala Mall. P100.00 goes directly to World Wildlife Fund for every bag sold.  

The designers have also partnered with organizations in support of their environmental campaign. Vic Barba taps Gift and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, an organization that provides product development and market access to marginalized communities and has been making shopping bags for his own boutique. Jun Escario supports Gasa sa Gugma, home of the destitute and dying elderly, by providing them with basic necessities such as food, bedding and toiletries. Michi Calica Sotto engages Earth Day Network, an environmental campaign pushing for proper waste management, to bring her reusable bag to life as she fashions old billboard tarpaulin into the underside of her Eco Tote. Louis Claparols adopts The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), an organization that develops awareness and compassion for animals in the country, as proceeds from each sale of his Eco Tote goes to their cause. Randy Ortiz partners with shoemakers of Marikina City, tasking the legendary cobblers known all over the world for their superior craftsmanship, to create his Eco Tote in hopes of reawakening the local footwear industry. Patrice Ramos-Diaz supports Haribon Foundation’s Gift of Trees project under the Road to 2020 movement, aiming to restore 1 million hectares of rainforest with native tree species by 2020, as proceeds from each sale of her Eco Tote goes to their cause.

Another green way in saving Mother Earth is the ECO DASH, a fun run open to all patrons of Ayala Malls, runners and non-runners alike on September 13, 5:00am at the Bonifacio High Street. In partnership with Bantay Kalikasan, Globe and Ayala Land, Ayala Malls’ ECO DASH invites everyone to run as we race against time to save the earth. Runners may choose from among the 4 distances: 3, 5, 10 or 21 kilometers. P100,000.00 cash donation will go to Bantay Kalikasan. Participants are also encouraged to donate any recyclable material, which will go to Bantay Kalikasan as well.

Ayala Malls’ response to the call for sustainable development is also exemplified through its Solid Waste Management Program that fully integrates environmental responsibility with a clean and green mall lifestyle. Ayala Center pioneered in waste segregation which led to the establishment of The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program.  It also established the Material Recovery Facility, a first in the commercial center, which complies with Republic Act 9003, known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.  This environmental impact is through residual waste diversion from the landfill or reduction of waste that goes to the landfill by recovering materials that can be reused, recycled, and processed into compost and bricks.  Ayala Center together with Jeram Hauling Services developed the close loop system wherein garden waste is converted into compost or soil conditioner through Vermi composting. This is presently used in the Ayala Center landscaping and cost 50% less than the market price. Shredded and pulverized dried residual wastes are converted into brick after mixed with cement, sand and water.  These can be used as paving blocks in the Ayala Center. 

Indeed, the Ayala Malls’ Greenology campaign is a true testament towards a cleaner and more eco-friendly environment. These and more are some of the reasons why we lov’emall at the Ayala Malls!

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