Coastal Cleanups Led by SM Supermalls Turn Waste Action into Community Environmental Education

Across different coastal communities in the Philippines, a simple cleanup activity became something deeper, an eye-opening lesson on how everyday waste choices shape the future of our oceans.

In celebration of World Water Day, SM Supermalls, through SM Cares, brought together volunteers, employees, and local communities for a series of coastal cleanup drives held in six locations across seven malls nationwide. The initiative strengthened the company’s long-term commitment to environmental protection, sustainable waste management, and community involvement in its host areas.

What made this year’s activity stand out was its stronger focus on education. Beyond collecting trash, participants were guided on proper waste segregation to better understand how different types of waste should be sorted, recycled, or disposed of correctly. The goal was clear: turn awareness into lasting change.

Cleanup activities were conducted at SM City La Union, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Tanza, SM City Daet, SM City Consolacion, SM Seaside City Cebu, and SM J Mall. Each location became a gathering point for communities united by a shared responsibility to protect nearby shorelines from pollution.

As volunteers sorted collected materials on-site, they saw firsthand the reality of coastal waste. Plastic packaging, bottles, and everyday disposable items made up a large portion of what was gathered. This hands-on process helped highlight how common consumption habits directly contribute to marine pollution when waste is not properly managed.

By turning waste collection into a learning activity, the program encouraged participants to rethink how small daily actions, like segregation at home or proper disposal, can significantly reduce environmental impact. It reinforced the idea that protecting marine ecosystems starts long before waste reaches the shoreline.

The initiative is part of SM Supermalls’ broader sustainability efforts under the SM Green Movement and its Waste-Free Future campaign, which aim to promote responsible consumption and long-term environmental care across communities.

“Protecting our coastal and marine environments requires a more proactive, end-to-end approach with the cleanups starting with education, deepening awareness, and sustaining collective action,” said Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director for Environment and Sustainability of SM Supermalls. She emphasized that understanding proper waste management is key to building long-term behavioral change that benefits both communities and nature.

Beyond environmental action, the cleanup also reflected a strong sense of bayanihan. Mall teams, volunteers, and local partners worked side by side, showing how collective effort can create meaningful impact when communities come together for a shared purpose.

SM Cares continues to strengthen its environmental programs throughout the year, encouraging the public to take part in upcoming initiatives such as World Oceans Day cleanup drives in June, International Coastal Cleanup activities in September, and National Environmental Awareness Month programs in November.

Through these sustained efforts, SM Cares aims to empower more Filipinos to take active roles in protecting coastal and marine environments, reinforcing a simple but powerful message: caring for the planet begins with everyday responsibility.

To learn more about SM Cares’ environmental programs and upcoming activities, visit https://www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.