Building a Waste-Free Future: SM Prime Leads the Charge for Plastic-Free Communities

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world suffocating in plastic, where the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) projects that global plastic production could skyrocket to 1,100 million tonnes by 2050, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has taken a bold stand. More than just Southeast Asia’s integrated property titan, SM Prime is emerging as a transformative force—laying the groundwork for a future where sustainability is not just an aspiration, but an infrastructure-backed reality.

A Turning Point on International Plastic-Free Day

May 25, International Plastic-Free Day, is more than a symbolic observance for SM Prime. It is a rallying cry—a moment to rethink the excessive dependence on single-use plastics (SUPs) and renew collective responsibility. At the heart of this advocacy lies the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, a Philippine law that places the onus on businesses to recover and recycle the plastic they produce.

SM Prime is not merely complying—it’s trailblazing. With support from the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), the SM group has launched a comprehensive, group-wide action plan to meet—and exceed—the EPR Law’s ambitious goals. This includes the roll-out of color-coded bins labeled Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable across its properties, streamlining waste segregation and community participation.

Infrastructure Meets Innovation

In building the architecture of sustainability, SM Prime recognizes that real change starts with robust systems. That’s why it has equipped all its properties with Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and standard waste segregation systems. But it doesn’t stop there.

Through its joint venture with Japanese firm GUUN Co. Ltd., SM GUUN Environmental Company, Inc. (SGECI) converts non-recyclable plastics into fluff fuel—an eco-friendly alternative to coal. This fuel is then co-processed by cement giants like APO Cement, Holcim, and Taiheiyo Cement, keeping tons of otherwise non-biodegradable waste out of overburdened landfills.

Grassroots Solutions with Nationwide Reach

Compliance may begin at the corporate level, but SM Prime ensures its sustainability strategy reaches the barangay. Since 2007, Trash to Cash, a monthly recycling fair held across all 87 SM malls, has empowered local communities to turn their waste into rewards. The initiative enables residents and tenants alike to exchange sorted recyclables for cash, fostering a circular economy from the ground up.

In tandem, 15 SM Plastic Waste Collection Sites serve as drop-off points for clean, dry plastics. High-value waste like aluminum cans and PET bottles are collected through SWAP reverse vending machines at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia, gamifying the act of recycling for maximum engagement.

Meanwhile, SM Cares, the group’s social responsibility arm, continues to galvanize environmental volunteerism through the International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC). In 2024 alone, 23,000 volunteers—employees, students, and community members—joined forces to clear coastal areas of plastic debris, driving home the point that saving the environment is a shared, scalable effort.

Hotels Without Plastic: Redefining Hospitality

The fight against plastic extends even to hospitality. SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) has eliminated SUPs from all its properties, replacing traditional amenities with biodegradable, sustainable alternatives. Leading the charge is Pico Sands Hotel, a pioneer in the Ayoko Na Sa Plastic campaign led by WWF-Philippines.

Since 2019, SMX Convention Centers have followed suit, advocating for sustainable events through bamboo and starch-based cutlery, ditching plastic utensils for earth-friendlier options. This shift signals a deep-seated transformation—one where luxury, service, and sustainability coexist harmoniously.

From Awareness to Accountability

SM Prime’s movement is grounded not in virtue signaling but in verifiable impact. From its co-processing partnerships to its community programs, every effort reinforces its unwavering stance: a waste-free future is non-negotiable.

“We acknowledge that our work is never done,” says Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director of SM Cares for Environment. “There are new technologies, innovative solutions, and more avenues for collaboration to look forward to in making the EPR Act work for our communities. But we all have a role to play—it is every individual’s responsibility to create a waste-free future.”

The Path Forward: Plastic-Free Cities

What sets SM Prime apart is its vision. It’s not content with isolated success stories—it aims to build cities where plastic waste is not just managed but minimized. Through partnerships, policies, and people-centered initiatives, it’s paving a new urban model—one that tackles one of the 21st century’s most pressing environmental challenges head-on.

In the face of a mounting plastic crisis, SM Prime stands as a beacon. It reminds us that sustainability is not just about reduction—it’s about redesigning the way we live, from our shopping habits to our hotel stays, from beachside cleanup drives to what we throw in the bin.

In this narrative of change, the infrastructure is already rising. The momentum is growing. The future can be waste-free—if we build it together.

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