SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility of SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), together with Colgate-Palmolive Philippines brings its plastic waste collection program to SM City Marikina and SM City East Ortigas starting July 22, making the program more accessible to communities living within the Eastern part Metro Manila.
With the addition of SM Marikina and SM East Ortigas, the program is now home to a total of six SM malls, including SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM City North Edsa, and SM City Fairview. This will expand in the coming months, as SM Cares plans to bring the program to other malls nationwide.
Communities are invited to bring their plastic waste at the driveway behind SM Marikina, or at the carpark area near the east entrance of SM East Ortigas. Plastic waste will be collected every day from 10AM to 5PM. Those who bring their plastic waste to either venues on July 22 will get a free, limited-edition eco bag.
The following types of plastic waste are accepted: PET and HDPE bottles; plastic bottles used for shampoo, soap, detergent, and other liquid chemicals; small tires used for vehicle classes 1, 2, and 3, plastic bags, food containers, bubble wrap, e-commerce pouches, plastic cups and lids, straws, eating utensils, snack packets, sachets and polystyrene foam (Styrofoam).
All plastic waste brought to the collection container must be empty, clean, and dry.
Since its launch last February, the program has already collected 3,024 kgs. of plastic waste, preventing it from ending in landfills or bodies of water. This volume of collected plastic waste is equivalent to 1,011,305 smartphones charged or 137 seedlings grown for 10 years. The program has successfully diverted a total of 8,313,738 kgs. of CO2 as of July 2021.
“We are very happy with the growing number of SM Malls that serve as collection points for the plastic waste of our mall shoppers. This is a good opportunity for the community to practice sustainable living. Plastic Credit Exchange continues to work with partners who share the same vision of achieving sustainability,” said Richard De Guzman, Standards and Compliance Head of Plastic Credit Exchange.
“As a responsible member of the community, we keep to our commitment of caring for the environment and collaborating with our stakeholders, to collectively promote proper solid waste management, and sustainable living. We thank the Plastic Credit Exchange for the partnership with SM Supermalls,” said Engr. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Head of its Program on Environment and Sustainability.
The Plastic Waste Collection program supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 12: “Responsible Consumption and Production,” which promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns including in the use of plastics, and Goal 14: “Life Below Water” that targets to significantly prevent and reduce marine pollution.
SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility of SM Supermalls, with programs to support communities, promote social inclusion and care for the environment. Its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the creation of bike-friendly SM Malls.
Plastic Credit Exchange is the world’s first global, non-profit, fully integrated plastic offset platform. PCX offers a seamless, traceable, and effective solution to offsetting post-consumer plastics responsibly to ensure they don’t wind up in nature. The Plastic Waste Collection Program is held in partnership with SM’s knowledge partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, together with Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, and Nestle Philippines.
