As an active participant in the global movement for cleaner seas, SM Prime is committed to protecting the environment and inspiring Filipinos to live sustainably.
The pursuit of healthier oceans and seas necessitates steadfast dedication, steady effort, and sincere concern for our planet. As a prominent supporter of this worldwide movement in the Philippines, SM Prime has made environmental stewardship a fundamental part of its corporate identity in addition to being a duty.
SM City Tanza volunteers join a Philippine Coast Guard coastal cleanup, demonstrating SM Prime’s environmental commitment.
Beyond just preserving coastal ecosystems, SM’s unwavering commitment, in keeping with its Net Zero 2040 strategy to reduce emissions, encourages Filipinos in all communities to lead sustainable lives, turning awareness into tangible change.
And this dedication continues to translate into tangible, meaningful results. In 2024 alone, SM’s mall cleanup initiatives successfully collected and diverted a total of 157,425 kilograms of trash from ending up in our seas, oceans, and other bodies of water, significantly reducing its impact on marine biodiversity and helping preserve our planet’s marine ecosystems.
Understanding the intricate relationship between waste and climate change, SM has been helping to address the solid waste crisis not only because it pollutes our waters but also because it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Landfills filled with organic and plastic waste emit methane, a potent GHG far more destructive than carbon dioxide in accelerating climate change. Through proactive cleanup activities and robust waste management initiatives, SM addresses this issue head-on, significantly reducing environmental harm while mitigating its impact on the global climate.
SM’s continued success in its advocacy stems from the collective strength and cooperation of its diverse business units. This synergy allows the organization to extend its cleanup initiatives from coastal areas to smaller but equally vital water channels like rivers and esteros. By mobilizing hundreds of dedicated employees and thousands of enthusiastic volunteers, SM ensures that its efforts are extensive, impactful, and enduring.
Part of SM Prime’s success in its cleanup initiative can be attributed to its employees and countless volunteers, who help ensure that all of its efforts are comprehensive and long-lasting.
Collaboration lies at the heart of SM’s environmental initiatives. Recognizing that achieving cleaner oceans requires collective action, SM consistently partners with government agencies, local governments, and international organizations. Frequent collaborators include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), various local government units (LGUs), and global groups such as Ocean Conservancy, particularly for the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).
ICC 2024 represented a significant milestone for SM’s participation in the initiative, celebrating its 10th consecutive year of engagement while also being its largest to date, activating 15 SM malls nationwide and drawing an extraordinary turnout of 23,320 passionate volunteers. This record-breaking participation highlights SM’s growing influence and underscores the expanding public enthusiasm for protecting our oceans.
Dedicated to keeping up this momentum, SM keeps up its cleanup efforts by being actively involved. Since January 2025, SM By the Bay has conducted monthly cleanups, showcasing the company’s dedication to long-term environmental care.
Looking ahead, SM extends an invitation to the community to join its major cleanup efforts on June 7, which will be a celebration of Philippine Environment Month and World Oceans Day; September 20, which is International Coastal Cleanup Day; and November 24, which will empower youth participation in the National Day for Youth in Climate Action.
“Everyone has a role to play in achieving a cleaner, healthier planet. For us at SM, we always encourage Filipinos to be active participants in environmental preservation by joining our cleanup activities, segregating waste responsibly at home, and supporting the SM Waste Free Future campaign through our Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable (RDC) bins found in our malls,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
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