How SM Prime keeps bringing about significant change for healthier oceans and seas

“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.” ~Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President

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.

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 commitment keeps producing noticeable, significant outcomes.  By effectively collecting and diverting 157,425 kg of trash from entering our seas, oceans, and other bodies of water in 2024 alone, SM's mall cleanup programs helped to conserve our planet's marine ecosystems and lessen their negative effects on marine biodiversity.

Given the complex link between trash and climate change, SM has been assisting in addressing the solid waste dilemma, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in addition to polluting our seas.  Methane, a powerful GHG that accelerates climate change significantly more destructively than carbon dioxide, is released by landfills containing organic and plastic trash.  SM tackles this problem head-on by implementing strong waste management programs and aggressive cleanup efforts, thereby minimizing environmental damage and lessening its influence on the climate.

The cooperation and combined strength of SM's several business units are the main reasons for its ongoing advocacy success.  Because of this collaboration, the group is able to expand its cleanup efforts from coastal regions to smaller but no less important waterways, such as rivers and estros.  Through the mobilization of thousands of eager volunteers and hundreds of committed staff, SM guarantees that its efforts are widespread, significant, and long-lasting.

The foundation of SM's environmental activities is collaboration.  Understanding that it takes a team effort to create cleaner oceans, SM continuously collaborates with governmental institutions, local governments, and international groups.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), different local government units (LGUs), and international organizations like Ocean Conservancy are frequent partners, especially for the yearly International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).

ICC 2024 was a major milestone for SM's involvement in the program, marking both its tenth year of engagement and its largest to date. It activated 15 SM malls across the country and attracted an incredible 23,320 enthusiastic volunteers.  This unprecedented involvement demonstrates SM's increasing clout and the growing public interest in ocean conservation.

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.