SM Supermalls has participated in the International Coastal Clean Up since 2015, becoming an avenue for volunteers to work together towards a cleaner, greener future.
SM Cares remains committed to fostering active engagement in ocean conservation as it participated once more in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
15 SM malls in 12 locations nationwide partnered with the DENR, LGUs and communities to collect 75,033kg of trash
SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown
SM’s objective was to amass the largest amount of trash and marine debris possible. The combined efforts this year resulted in the collection of 75,033 kilograms of waste, thanks to the extensive participation of SM, marking its most substantial involvement since 2015. This encompassed 15 SM malls across 12 locations spanning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This widespread engagement facilitated the participation of a greater number of volunteers, totaling 17,026 individuals, including SM employees and members from diverse sectors, in clean-up initiatives across the nation.
Gathering over 17,000 volunteers from various sectors, coastal clean-ups are part of SM Cares advocacies that champion social inclusion and care for the environment.
SM takes the lead in organizing multiple clean-up campaigns throughout the year in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Aligned with this year’s UN Ocean Decade Challenge, “Sustainably Feed the Global Population,” SM’s initiatives in water conservation, such as recycling and treating water from handwashing and rainwater harvesting, emphasize the crucial role of community engagement in reducing pollution, safeguarding fisheries, and preserving accessible sources of clean water for all.
Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance at SM Supermalls and Program Director for the Environment at SM Cares, expressed, “We all bear a responsibility to protect and preserve our marine environment, its resources, and the communities it supports. A cleaner ocean paves the way for a brighter future for generations to come.”