Waves of Change: Thousands Join SM Cares’ Coastal Cleanup

On June 7, over 5,000 volunteers from all walks of life came together in celebration of World Oceans Day 2025, over 5,000 volunteers with a large statewide coastline cleanup organized by SM Cares, SM Supermalls' corporate social responsibility arm. Collectively, they removed an astounding 30,000 kilograms of trash from shorelines across the Philippines, demonstrating that when a community works together, real change occurs.

This year's theme, “WONDER: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” struck a chord as volunteers took to the coasts of Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, armed with gloves, sacks, and a shared mission: to protect the oceans that give us life.

Beyond fostering community collaboration and promoting environmental responsibility, SM Cares’ coastal cleanup initiative played a vital role in cultivating healthier environment, enhancing the overall quality of life for local residents, and contributing to the long-term preservation of marine ecosystems.

Volunteers from SM City Manila assemble at the coastal cleanup site to remove marine waste and protect vital waterways in celebration of World Oceans Day 2025.

Stepping up for a cleaner tomorrow, volunteers from SM City San Lazaro join the coastal cleanup drive---picking up trash and protecting our shores, one piece at a time.

With gloves on and bags in hand, volunteers at SM City Lucena take part in SM Cares’ Coastal Cleanup drive, reaffirming their commitment to environmental stewardship and ocean conservation.

Employee volunteers from SM Center Dagupan take action for the environment during the coastal cleanup drive, shoveling sand and debris to help restore the shoreline.

SM City Iloilo volunteers join hands with the local community of Brgy. Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo in a coastal cleanup drive, working together to preserve the shoreline and promote environmental sustainability.

SM City Davao volunteers are out on the shore, turning dedication into action as they clean up the coast and care for the planet.

Beaming with pride, volunteers at SM City CDO Uptown and Downtown hold up the coastal cleanup banner, standing united as ocean defenders in celebration of World Oceans Day 2025.

“The oceans sustain us every day, and now it's our turn to give back. This coastal cleanup isn’t just a one-day event—it’s a symbol of our shared duty to preserve biodiversity and inspire action for a sustainable future, while bringing lasting positive impacts to the community by advancing healthier coastal spaces, and uniting people through shared environmental action.” ~Engr. Liza Silerio, SM Cares Program Director for the Environment

A National Movement for the Seas

The cleanup brought a varied group of ocean defenders, including students and instructors, local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), employers, and security and janitorial crews.  SM Cares collaborated closely with local government entities, environmental organizations, youth groups, and coastal barangays to organize cleanups at numerous important sites across the country.

These relationships not only secured the initiative's success, but also demonstrated the value of inclusive, community-driven action.  Volunteers came together to clear tons of rubbish from beaches, raise awareness about marine conservation, and encourage long-term behavioral change toward environmental care.

Students, teachers, and partner organizations join forces with SM Cares during the Coastal Cleanup drive—demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.

Demonstrating sustained commitment to protecting the environment, SM employee volunteers return to SM by the Bay to help protect the shoreline.

Building an #SMWasteFreeFuture

The June 7 cleanup is part of SM Cares’ broader sustainability vision through its #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign, which also includes weekly cleanups at SM by the BAY. 

This May 2025, SM employee-led cleanups have mobilized a total of 279 volunteers, collecting over 4,493 kilograms of waste—highlighting their firm commitment to keeping our coasts clean on a weekly basis. These sustained efforts contributed to creating a safer, more enjoyable coastal spaces for customers, while encouraging a stronger culture of environmental volunteerism.

SM Cares' Coastal Cleanup also promotes and aligns with numerous United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14: Life Below Water, by decreasing marine pollution and safeguarding ocean habitats.  It also contributes to SDG 13: Climate Action by developing environmental awareness and encouraging community-led climate resilience, as well as SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through partnership with local governments, non-governmental organizations, schools, and communities.

With two more major cleanups planned for the year, SM Cares remains determined in its mission to inspire Filipinos to take action—one shoreline at a time. For more stories and updates on how you can be part of the movement, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares or follow @OfficialSMCares on social media. 

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.

7 Ways SM Supermalls is Making Earth Day, Every Day

SM Supermalls continues to promote the idea that sustainability is more than just a one-day commitment; it's a lifetime.  In honor of Earth Day 2025, SM asks everyone to participate in simple, everyday actions that can make a great difference for the earth.  SM malls have become leaders in greener living thanks to creative programs, eco-friendly infrastructure, and community engagement.

"Our malls are more than shopping destinations—they’re spaces where people and the planet can thrive together, Through programs that are easy to join, SM makes it possible for every visitor to take part in a more sustainable future." ~Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director of SM Cares for Environment

Here are 7 sustainable ways SM is turning its pledge into everyday impact—and how you can take part:

1. Plug in Your EV—for Free

With 123 EV charging stations across 69 malls, SM has disbursed over 14,500 kWh of clean electricity to electric vehicle users, with 50 more chargers planned in 2025. It’s free, easy to access, and part of SM’s commitment to low-emission mobility.

An electric vehicle charges at SM North EDSA’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station—one of 123 across 69 SM Supermalls nationwide.

2. Walk into Solar-Powered Spaces

SM currently operates 47 malls and properties with solar installations, generating 27.6 GWh of clean energy in 2024 alone—the equivalent of removing over 4,100 cars off the road. With a goal of 100MWp rooftop solar capacity by 2027, more solar rollouts are planned for 2025.

SM City Tanza powers up with 2,286 solar panels, generating a peak capacity of 1,257.30 kW—part of SM Supermalls' commitment to clean and sustainable energy.

3. Experience Greener Malls with Natural Lighting

From Sky Gardens and skylights that allow natural light to brighten spaces and reduce electricity use, to LED lighting and motion sensor escalators, every corner of the mall is designed with energy efficiency in mind. SM also contributes 110 MW of capacity to the DOE’s Interruptible Load Program.

Natural light streams through the skylights of SM Supermalls, helping reduce electricity consumption while creating a bright, welcoming space.

4. Support a Waste-Free Future

Launched in 2023, SM’s #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign enforces proper waste segregation across all mall tenants through RDC (Recyclable, Disposable, Compostable) bin systems. Internally, SM is also building a culture of sustainability among employees, proving that change starts from within.

SM employees lead by example as they properly segregate waste using the RDC (Recyclable, Disposable, Compostable) bin system—showing that building a #SMWasteFreeFuture starts from within.

5. Turn Trash into Treasure at Trash-to-Cash

Held every first Friday and Saturday of the month, this recycling market has helped exchange over 1 million kilograms of recyclables annually across SM malls nationwide. Visitors can bring paper, plastic, metal, or even old appliances—and exchange them for cash.

Students weighs recyclables during SM Cares’ Trash to Cash, showing that small actions can lead to a greener future.

6. Recycle Smarter with Plastic and E-Waste Collection

Drop off used plastics at 15 participating SM malls and e-waste bins at Cyberzone areas nationwide. So far, these programs have diverted 63,874 kg of plastics and over 11,000 kg of e-waste from landfills—thanks to partnerships with Friends of Hope and Smart/PLDT.

Mall customers drop off used plastic wastes at SM's Plastic Collection Program—proving that small actions can lead to a cleaner, greener future for all.

Unused and damaged electronic items are being let go through SM’s E-Waste Collection located at Cyberzone.

7. Join Coastal Cleanups that Protect Our Seas

In 2024, over 27,000 volunteers across 15 SM malls helped collect more than 157,000 kg of trash from coastlines and waterways. SM also initiates weekly and quarterly coastal cleanups, proving that when communities work together, the ripple effect reaches far and wide.

SM Bataan employee volunteers during the International Coastal Cleanup, working together to help protect our oceans.

From recycling programs to coastal cleanups, solar panels to EV charging stations, every small act adds up. And at SM, Earth Day isn’t just April 22—it’s every day.

From Bin it Right to #SMWasteFreeFuture: How SM minimizes landfill impact

SM GUUN's Cebu plant is capable of processing 50-70 tons of waste daily.

It is not "out of sight, out of mind"; landfills are not only eyesores in distant regions, but they also pose a serious health danger to the populations that surround them and emit huge amounts of greenhouse gases from decomposing food waste.

The RDC, or Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable bins at SM Supermalls, are more than just for show; they serve as the first step toward achieving a net-zero landfill and beyond.

For recyclable waste, SM offers efforts such as the "Trash to Cash" recycling market, which successfully collects over 1 million kg of plastic, paper, and other materials each year for reuse or recycling.  The program aims to reduce solid waste pollution and foster a circular economy in local communities.  SM recognizes the necessity of segregating at the source, and the company does this through collaborations with a variety of companies, including Trust International Paper Corporation for internal bulk paper recycling.  The program has prevented landfill garbage equal to the annual waste of almost 3,000 homes while guaranteeing that recyclables are correctly processed.

For disposable, non-recyclable garbage, SM Prime formed a joint venture with Japanese environmental solutions business GUUN to form SM GUUN Environmental business, Inc. (SGECI).  This collaboration improves its waste-to-fuel facility by converting non-recyclable trash, such as single-use plastics, non-recyclable paper, and used rags, into cement fuel known as "fluff fuel" to minimize coal consumption.  The "fluff fuel" created is subsequently employed by eco-conscious cement companies such as APO Cement, Holcim, and Taiheiyo Cement in a procedure known as "co-processing," in which the fuel's ash is also used as a cement ingredient, so becoming an important part of the waste reduction ecosystem.

In 2024, SM GUUN Environmental Company transformed approximately 6,000 metric tons of non-recyclable garbage into "fluff fuel," reducing the annual landfill burden for 12,000 families.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently visited the facility and recognized its importance to many stakeholders, notably in terms of lowering carbon footprints and managing solid trash more efficiently. 

For compostable waste, SM GUUN is experimenting with a Singaporean technology for its malls and hawker centers that converts biodegradable food wastes into landscape soil, resulting in a volume decrease of over 70% within 48 hours.  This helps to develop fresh soil for gardens, parks, and golf courses, decreasing the pressure on landfills while also improving soil health and urban greenery.

Other customer-facing solid waste management programs offered by SM include the Plastic Waste Collection program, E-Waste Collection, awareness campaigns for clean water bodies, and regular estero and coastline cleanup efforts.  These programs also assist the government in encouraging proper solid waste management through RA 9004, RA 11898, and similar legislation.

With solutions identified, the journey towards SM’s #SMWasteFreeFuture becomes more realistic. It needs the help of everyone--from the proper way we “Bin it Right” to the further development of waste solutions to create an ecosystem of recovery and consumption where the word “waste” can be a thing of the past. Let’s do our part for the journey to a “waste-free future.”

To learn more about SM’s solid waste management initiatives, visit https://www.smsupermalls.com/smcares/events/environmental-programs-on-solid-waste-management.

SM Prime: Engineering a Sustainable Future

SM Prime gathers the community for a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

Nowadays, sustainability is a key factor in all sectors of the economy. One of Asia's top integrated property developers, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), elevates sustainability through a strategic framework that makes use of its broad operations, substantial economic impact, and cultural influence.

SM Prime embarked on its sustainability journey in the 1990s, driven by a determination to be resilient and pragmatic. The organization has always placed a higher importance on substance than style, choosing tactics based on practical application over glitzy, temporary solutions.  Its approach is based on what matters most to the company and the community it serves, making sure that its sustainability initiatives are successful and long-lasting.

Together for a sustainable future is the succinct and impactful message that SM Prime used to introduce its Sustainability Ambition Roadmap in its 2023 Annual Integrated Report. This goal is in line with the company's mission to create and manage creative, sustainable, and integrated real estate developments that improve everyone's quality of life.

SM Prime’s sustainability strategy is built on three main goals:

1. Environmental sustainability
2. Prosperity for all
3. Climate resilience

SM Prime established three main objectives to be pursued, based on its sustainability framework of Economy, People, Planet, and Community: Environmental sustainability, Prosperity for All, and Climate Resilience. These goals are all intended to create a future characterized by sustainability, resilience, and widespread prosperity by 2030, 2040, and beyond.

The company has launched two noteworthy programs under its environmental sustainability strategy: Net Zero by 2040 and #SMWasteFreeFuture.

Net Zero by 2040

With a primary focus on climate action toward a net-zero business, SM Prime is dedicated to improving people's quality of life through stepping up climate action, lowering disaster risks, investing in resilient design, preserving biodiversity, and putting strategic CSR programs into place. The World-Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature-Philippines and the company have been working together to set science-based goals that are in line with the global commitment to achieve net-zero by 2050.

“We understand the magnitude of the challenges we face to achieve our Net-Zero commitment. SM Prime is determined to take action and meet its climate commitments. This is one of our top agendas in sustainability.” ~Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime President and CEO

SM City Santa Rosa's solar photovoltaic (PV) system has 5,772 panels at 3.088 MWp capacity and has an annual solar energy production of up to 4.292GWh.

#SMWasteFreeFuture

SM Prime launched its vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture, in support of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Day of Zero Waste. The program introduces a simple segregation scheme: Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable (RDC), all aimed at reducing overall waste generation and increasing the waste diversion rate from landfills through sustainable disposal methods. The initiative was launched nationwide for SM employees and across all SM property groups and stakeholders.

SM Prime continues to support existing programs and partnerships that promote better waste management solutions. Initiatives such as SM Supermalls’ Trash-to-Cash recycling market, Plastic Waste Collection and E-Waste Collection programs, and regular coastal and estero clean-up activities effectively engage the community in rethinking their relationship with waste.

To address food waste, SM Hotels and Convention Corporation (SMHCC) has pioneered projects such as The Sustainable Diner with WWF-PH, diverting 198,640 kg of food waste through bokashi composting and 40,013 kg through biodigesters. SMHCC also launched Tela Tales, a program that recycles condemned linens. 

SM Prime leads the way in sustainable development, integrating sustainability into its core business strategy.

SM Development Corporation (SMDC) recently partnered with Globe and Scholars of Sustenance Philippines for the Hapag Movement, aimed at targeting food waste and involuntary hunger affecting millions of Filipinos.

“As a community, we strongly believe in our ability to contribute to solving today's waste issues. We understand that this may seem like a daunting challenge to overcome. However, by joining forces, we can create a world that our future generations truly deserve – if we have the courage to take on this journey together.” ~Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr., President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD) and SM Sustainability Champion

Water stewardship

By putting cutting-edge water conservation and management techniques into practice, SM Prime is dedicated to water stewardship and makes sure that newly developed properties are more responsive and adaptable to the shifting needs of communities.

Wastewater is treated at its sewage water treatment plants so that it can be reused and contaminated water is kept out of the nearby waterways. Malls use recycled water for air conditioning, water closet flushing, and greening of the landscape.

SM City Baguio’s Rainwater Filtration Facility addresses water security and ensures a safe and sufficient water supply for the operations of the mall and its tenants.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s Chairman Henry T. Sy, Jr. receives SM Prime’s 30th Listing Anniversary Plaque from the Philippine Stock Exchange’s President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon.

Prosperity for all

The advancements of SM Prime spur socioeconomic growth and benefit all parties involved in a concrete way. Henry Sy founded the business, and it is still dedicated to realizing his goal of bringing top-notch developments to the Philippines. A vision that is aptly demonstrated by the Mall of Asia Complex, which provides a model for future cities that embrace a comprehensive approach to urban development and go beyond commercial success.

On July 23, SM Prime commemorated the company's 30 years of being publicly traded, marking three decades of dedication and revolutionary expansion in the Philippine real estate sector. 

“True leadership is marked by a solid dedication to collective success. Our journey at SM Prime demonstrates the power of dreaming big and the incredible achievements that follow when you pursue those dreams with determination and hard work.” ~Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime President and CEO