Empowered to Protect: April Coastal Cleanups

SM volunteers in action during the April coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay, working together to remove marine debris and protect our shoreline—one bag at a time.

SM By the BAY Enables 272 Volunteers to Clean Over a Ton of Trash During April Coastal Cleanup Drive.  True to its commitment to environmental responsibility, SM By the Bay organized 272 employees and volunteers to gather 1,147 kg of rubbish during its weekly coastline cleanup operations in April.

Volunteers from SM Supermalls—including employees, customer relations staff, and janitorial personnel—come together after a successful coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay, united by a shared commitment to protecting our oceans and building a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

The cleanup drives, which took place every week along the Manila Bay beachfront, were led by SM employees, customer relations representatives, and janitors, underscoring the company's desire for collaborative, community-driven action.  The project not only restored the natural beauty of the shoreline, but it also raised awareness about ocean conservation and environmental responsibility.

The initiative continues to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water, which focuses on protecting marine life and coastal habitats from pollution and degradation.  As plastic and trash continue to threaten ocean biodiversity, initiatives like these show that sustained community engagement may have a long-term impact.

Over a ton of trash collected by SM volunteers during the April 2025 coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay—each bag a step closer to a cleaner, healthier marine environment.

Participants from SM Supermalls take part in the April cleanup at SM By the Bay, showing that teamwork and purpose go a long way in protecting coastal communities.

Step by step, bag by bag—SM employees move with purpose along the SM By the Bay, turning their mornings into a meaningful mission for the environment.

Through a spirit of volunteerism and purpose, the initiative also promoted camaraderie among SM stakeholders, who worked together toward a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

To sustain this momentum, SM Cares is inviting the public to join the upcoming Coastal Cleanup in celebration of World Oceans Day on June 7, 2025.

Participating malls include:

SM By the Bay, SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Rosario, SM City Batangas, SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Iloilo, SM City Davao, SM City CDO Downtown, SM City Tanza, SM City Lucena, and SM Center Dagupan.

Let’s continue making every bag of collected trash count—because caring for the Earth begins with our shores.