The Philippines joined thousands of volunteers in over 150 countries for International Coastal Cleanup Day last September, a global initiative tackling ocean pollution through beach cleanups every third Saturday of the month.

The country has been participating in this initiative since 1994, fostering environmental vigilance.

This year's theme, "Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries," aligns closely with the United Nations Ocean Decade Challenge, "Sustainably Feed the Global Population."

SM Prime, one of Southeast Asia's leading responsible integrated property developers, together with SM Supermalls' Corporate Social Responsibility arm – SM Cares, has been participating in this initiative since 2015 to help address environmental issues and promote conservation of our planet's coastal ecosystem.

Fifteen SM malls in 12 locations nationwide partnered with DENR, LGUs, and communities to collect 100,432.50 kg of trash. Photo source: SM Prime

Fifteen SM malls in 12 locations nationwide partnered with DENR, LGUs, and communities to collect 100,432.50 kg of trash. Photo source: SM Prime

Fifteen SM malls in 12 locations nationwide partnered with DENR, LGUs, and communities to collect 100,432.50 kg of trash. Photo source: SM Prime

Fifteen SM malls in 12 locations nationwide partnered with DENR, LGUs, and communities to collect 100,432.50 kg of trash. Photo source: SM Prime

This year, 15 SM Malls in 12 locations across the country became a base that enabled volunteers, including SM employees, to participate in the clean-up drive. SM Cares partnered with DENR and LGUs for this event.

Engr. Liza Silerio, VP for Corporate Compliance of SM Supermalls said, "In all different areas, we were able to create this awareness, and you can see the eagerness of this community na gawin and put their time and effort into this event."

The result? Seventeen thousand volunteers showed up at the coastal cleanup event with the task of picking up trash at the coast bay simultaneously.

Many students participated intending to protect and preserve these critical ecosystems by removing litter and debris that may harm marine life and disrupt the balance of this environment.

Around 100,000 kilos of trash were collected at various coastal areas in the Philippines this year. Most of the litter collected consisted of single-use plastics, including food wrappers, plastic cups, and styrofoam.

Aside from serving as a platform to help raise awareness about coastal and marine conservation, the coastal cleanup also allows volunteers to develop a deep connection to their local coastal areas and feel a sense of responsibility to protect them in the future.

"Isang paraan 'to to promote 'yung 3 Rs - reduce, reuse, recycle. Maraming ways to promote it dahil kapag may coastal cleanup kami nandun 'yung may iba-ibang aspeto lalo ng solid waste management," Selerio ended.
(This is one way to promote the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle. There are many ways to promote it – if there is coastal cleanup, other aspects will also be present like solid waste management.)

In line with this year's UN Ocean Decade Challenge, Sustainably Feed the Global Population, SM's projects on water conservation, including recycling and treatment of water from handwashing and rainwater harvesting, highlight the importance of community engagement in minimizing pollution, protecting fisheries and helping maintain potable water sources for everyone.

Beyond waste retrieval, volunteers documented the volume of waste collected and submitted to the Ocean Conservancy and the UN Ocean Decade to contribute to global efforts to combat plastic pollution.

SM Prime has been doing coastal cleanups throughout the year, showing its commitment to serving communities and millions of Filipinos, not only in the present but to future generations.

Reference:
2023 INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY: PH JOINS ANEW THE GLOBAL EFFORT TO PROTECT OCEANS, DENR.