SM’s Biggest Haul at the 38th International Coastal Clean Up: 100,000 Kilos of Trash Collected By over 17,000 Volunteers Across 15 SM Malls
In photos: 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. 15 SM malls in 12 locations nationwide partnered with the DENR, LGUs, and communities to collect 100,000 kg of trash.
SM City Bataan cleans coastal barangays by the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park, and SM City Sorsogon does a clean-up by the pier site of Brgy. Talisay & Bitan-o.
Bagasbas Beach gets greener with a clean up by SM City Daet, SM City Legazpi volunteers are ready to clean the coast of Legazpi Boulevard, SM City General Santos volunteers clear up Bauayan River, SM City Olongapo Central, and SM City Olongapo Downtown return to Kalaklan Parola for a clean-up, SM City Mindpro show their trash collected along Basilan Strait, SM City Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu clean Kinalumsan Riven by SRP.
The shores of Cagayan River get cleaned by volunteers from SM City Tuguegarao &, SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown, SM by the BAY volunteers fight for a trash-free Manila Bay, Coastal barangays by Puerto Princesa Bay clean up with SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Roxas joins the activity at Baybay Beach.
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 Cares File Photos)
SM Cares continues to drive active participation in ocean conservation by taking part once again in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day last September 16, 2023, Saturday.
SM’s goal was to gather the biggest haul of trash and marine debris. This year’s efforts amounted to 100,000 kg collected with the support of SM’s biggest participation since 2015 – 15 SM malls in 12 locations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This enabled more volunteers, totaling 17,026 SM employees and members of various sectors to join more clean-ups throughout the country.
SM spearheads numerous cleanup drives throughout the year in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). In line with this year’s UN Ocean Decade Challenge, Sustainably Feed the Global Population, SM’s projects on water conservation, including the recycling and treatment of water from handwashing and rainwater harvesting, highlight the importance of community initiative in minimizing pollution, protecting fisheries and helping maintain potable water sources for everyone.
“We all have a responsibility to help protect and safeguard our marine environment, its resources, and the communities it serves,” said SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and SM Cares Program Director for the Environment Engr. Liza B. Silerio. “A cleaner ocean means a better future for generations to come.” ### (PR)
