SM Supermalls’ ‘Trash to Cash’ initiative empowers communities to build a waste-free future

“TTC is more than just a recycling program—it’s a movement that enables communities to turn environmental responsibility into real opportunities. By participating, people not only contribute to waste reduction but also gain financial incentives, proving that sustainability can be both impactful and rewarding.” ~Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President

The "Trash to Cash" (TTC) recycling market, which allows people to trade recyclable rubbish for cash, turns SM Supermalls into a center of sustainability every first Friday and Saturday of the month.  This program, which is a component of SM Supermalls' garbage-Free Future campaign, has been in place since 2007 and promotes recycling, garbage segregation, and environmental awareness while also providing financial benefits to local communities.

The TTC initiative, which is implemented in 87 SM malls around the country, offers tenants, customers, and local communities an easy-to-use way to become involved in sustainable trash management.  TTC actively supports the circular economy by making sure that recyclables are appropriately sorted and put to new uses, which strengthens SM Supermalls' dedication to environmental stewardship.

Encouraging sustainable habits with tangible impact

TTC has had a tremendous influence.  The program successfully gathered over 12 million kg of recyclables in 2024 alone, giving participants a total of over ₱28 million.  If all recyclable waste is paper, this equates to saving 204,000 trees; if all recyclable waste is plastic, it reduces carbon emissions by 18,000 tons.  By transforming sustainability into a fulfilling and community-driven practice, TTC empowers people, groups, and companies in ways that go beyond simple recycling.

A caring call to action: Be part of the change

Initiatives like TTC demonstrate that even modest actions taken in concert can have a big environmental impact as climate challenges continue to escalate.  By participating in this program, individuals can contribute to the fight against waste pollution, support the circular economy, and take a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future.

How to participate in Trash to Cash

With TTC locations spread nationwide, SM Supermalls provides convenient drop-off points where customers can properly dispose of materials such as paper, plastic bottles, and other recyclable waste.  It's simple to join the TTC movement.  Bring your recyclables to any participating SM mall after sorting them. For information on how you can help create a cleaner, greener future, visit the official SM Supermalls official website. 

To learn more about TTC and other sustainability initiatives under SM’s Waste-Free Future campaign, follow @SMCaresOfficial on social media. 

Watsons and SM Cares partner for Trash to Cash recycling market

“Watsons is committed to creating a healthy planet through our pledge to advocate recycle + reuse initiatives and clean beauty product ranges. We are grateful to partner with SM Cares in providing opportunity for our customers to participate in the Trash to Cash program. Together, we can create a beautiful, and sustainable future for everyone” ~Viki Encarnacion, Customer Director of Watsons Philippines

Watsons and SM Cares partner for Trash to Cash recycling market. Trade your empty plastic packaging of health & beauty products for exclusive discounts.

Watsons, in partnership with SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, will give their customers access to exclusive discounts in exchange for their empty packaging of health and beauty products through SM’s Trash to Cash recycling market.

Watsons customers can enjoy a 10-percent discount for a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P500 at Watsons, or a 20-percent discount for a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P300 of Naturals by Watsons and Nutrabliss products. Terms and conditions apply.

Customers may bring their empty plastic packaging of health and beauty products at designated drop-off areas in select SM malls during the “Trash to Cash” schedule on March 5 and 6, 2021, from 10AM to 2PM. Participating SM malls are SM Aura Premier, SM City Bacolod, SM City Bacoor, SM City Cebu, SM City Davao, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM City Naga, SM City North EDSA, and SM Southmall.

Watsons is the flagship health and beauty arm of international retailer A.S. Watson Group, and will be celebrating its 180^th anniversary this year, with the message of “180 years of love for our people, customers, community and the planet”. In line with this, the group has also launched the “Sustainable Choices” campaign with the aim of promoting sustainable business practices through the brands being sold in all of its stores, in turn, ensuring that the planet will “Look Good and Feel Great for future generations.”

A highlight of the campaign is providing customers with a wide selection of Clean Beauty products, better ingredients, and better packaging. In addition, the campaign will also encourage refills and recycling of products in an eco-friendly way.

“We are delighted to partner with Watsons, as they celebrate 180 years of service to the public, made more special through our Trash to Cash recycling program. This will be a good opportunity for our community, especially Watsons shoppers, to care for the environment in a fun way!” ~Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance and SM Cares Program Director for Environment and Sustainability

The Trash to Cash recycling market supports the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals:

• “Sustainable Cities and Communities,”
• “Responsible Consumption and Production, ”
• “Life Below Water.”

SM Cares’ other initiatives for the Environment include the Plastic Waste Collection program, in partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange; Electronic Waste Collection program; water recycling across all of its malls; the use of solar energy; the annual Green Film Festival; and the AweSMSeas campaign on marine plastic pollution, in partnership with USAID and PRRCFI, to name a few.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, with programs to support communities and promote social inclusion and care for the environment. Its CSR advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the creation of bike-friendly SM Malls across the country.

To know more about SM Cares, you may visit https://www.smsupermalls.com/smcares/ and https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares/.