Macerich achieves its goal of reducing solid waste by 37%

One of the nation’s largest mall and shopping center owners reports having already reached the 2025 goal it had set for waste reduction.

Macerich’s just-released corporate responsibility report claims that the amount solid waste produced at its 55 regional centers is now 37% less than what it was in 2015.

In addition, the Santa Monica, Calif.- based owner-operator of 47 million sq. ft. of gross leasable area across the United States reported that it had obtained 35% of the energy it uses portfolio-wide from clean or renewable sources.

“At Macerich, we aim to set the bar for sustainability in our industry by operating properties with purpose that walk the walk in stewarding resources for everyone, from guests and tenants, employees and investors, to communities and the planet,” said Olivia Bartel Leigh, Macerich’s executive VP of portfolio operations and people.

Other environmental, social, and governance goals reported by Macerich:

• Reduced year-over-year market-based carbon emissions by 12%, in line with the Company’s Science-Based Targets.
• Hosted more than 2,100 on-property events supporting local causes and communities, including blood drives, farmers markets, food drives, and cultural celebrations.
• Contributed $1.1 million in philanthropic contributions, including more than $326,000 in employee-driven donations to a variety of organizations through our employer match program.
• Instituted hiring practices designed to mitigate unconscious bias and open doors for talented college students from under-represented populations in the real estate industry. Macerich hosted nine interns in 2022.
• Created the multidisciplinary MacImpact Committee, which brings together employees in project-based teams to refine and execute the company’s corporate social responsibility and environmental efforts.

“We are already achieving some of the goals we set with target dates of 2025 and beyond, but we are not resting,” said Bartel Leigh. “Instead, we continue to innovate to enhance the long-term value creation of our properties, a concept we view as interconnected with our natural environment, our human environment and responsible corporate oversight.”