Why is it so important that everyone works together in managing our waste?

An ever increasing population has impacted heavily on the amount of waste accumulated through the years. Proper waste management not only helps reduce the hazardous impacts of waste on people’s health and the environment, but also helps mitigate the perceived disastrous impacts of climate change to the ecosystem. It is for this reason that everyone from the government, private sector, and communities need to work hand-in-hand to efficiently manage and dispose waste.

Waste management does not have to be complicated.

This is why a well-known property developer and owner of a chain of malls, hotels, and residences has made it their mission to reduce, reuse, and recycle as part of their strategy to help protect nature and its coastline areas.

SM Prime Holdings has sustained regular coastal cleanups through its Mall Operations team at SM By the BAY. After two years, through its corporate social arm SM Cares, SM Prime has welcomed back volunteers in keeping our oceans healthy through its International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) held last September 17 at the SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

The event was joined by 2,438 volunteers composed of students, professionals, and others from different private and public organizations and partnered by DENR-NCR, the Climate Change Commission, and the Philippine Coast Guard. An estimated 12,158 kilos of trash were collected, equivalent to 32,826.6 kgs of CO2 and 20,303.86 kgs of CO2 reduced by coal replacement. This number translates to:
3,993,114 mobile phones charged or 1,244 incandescent lights switched to LEDs.

"The International Coastal Clean Up is part of the overall SM Green Movement. As a proven responsible property developer and community partner, SM Prime's various Sustainability programs across its malls, residences, hotels and leisure properties promote resource conservation & environmental protection for an improved quality of life in the communities it serves," shares Perkin So, SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations.

Efforts toward creating a healthier environment should not stop here. You too can take part at home. Here are a few ways to ensure that your home is helping the environment:

Reduce landfill impact

Segregate waste at home by having a trash bin for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes, and separating recyclable materials. It will also make it easier for waste transporters to process the breaking down of non-recyclable materials and decomposable food waste.

Convert trash to cash

For the past 15 years, SM Supermalls has been executing the Trash to Cash program across all its branches.

Bring your recyclables such as plastics, papers, metals, appliances, and cookware to SM's Trash to Cash booths between 10 am and 2 pm, every first Friday and Saturday of the month, to exchange your items for cash.

One organization that has taken part in SM’s Trash to Cash program is the Junior Chamber International (JCI), in alignment with their Trash for Tabs project. JCI shares how they use the money they earn in exchange for waste collected to buy learning tablets for children in need.

SM Supermalls also has the Plastic Waste Collection and E-Waste Collection programs to enable recycling, upcycling, and co-processing of solid waste to help reduce landfill and water pollution.

Through these SM Cares programs and other responsible practices, SM Prime has long been producing efforts to help reduce its environmental footprint and create a sustainable habitat for everyone. Aside from their solid waste management programs, they have been using recycled water in their malls' water closets, air conditioning operations, watering landscapes, and cleaning their perimeter areas. They have also installed solar panels to slowly switch their power to renewable energy, use natural and LED light systems, and promote bike-friendly facilities in support of sustainable mobility.

SM Prime believes that everyone must work together to help create a sustainable and clean environment for the future of the next generation.

To know more about the projects of SM Prime and how they are helping the community, visit their website and the SM Cares website.