Simple Guide to a Waste-Free Future

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

For the Philippines, the battle against waste is a daily challenge, with the country generating up to 61,000 tons of waste every day and an astounding 2.7 million tons of plastic waste annually. This problem is poised to grow with increasing urbanization and poor disposal practices. It's a daunting statistic, but SM Prime Holdings, Inc. believes the solution lies in a surprisingly simple, actionable idea: waste segregation.

In a powerful move toward a sustainable future, SM Prime launched the SM Waste-Free Future Manual at the recent Sustainability Expo (SUSTEX 2025). This manual is more than just a guide; it's a call to action, a playbook designed to encourage individuals and communities to build better segregation habits using a straightforward, three-category model: 

Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable, or RDC.

The Power of "Able"

The RDC model makes waste sorting an empowering act by focusing on the word “able,” which means having the power, skill, or opportunity to do something. It transforms a complex chore into a simple, positive exercise. By reading the manual, people are encouraged to champion proper waste disposal and segregation systems.

The manual isn't just theory; it's filled with practical insights and examples. It was created through "great reflection" during its incubation stages and represents a new way of thinking about waste habits. The goal is to get people to rethink what they know about waste management and be open to new, crucial ways of putting solutions into action.

A Shared Responsibility

This campaign is bigger than one organization. As SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy states, "This project is not specific to one organization, but one that belongs to an entire society". The SM Green Movement, the force behind this initiative, empowers families and communities to take part in simple acts that create a lasting positive impact.

The initiative has garnered support from key institutions, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Resident Representative, praised the RDC bin system, noting that proper waste segregation is an "entry point toward a circular economy". A circular economy is one that goes beyond simply managing waste to actually designing it out of the system, keeping materials in circulation, and regenerating natural systems.

The SM Waste-Free Future Manual features innovative reuse programs from SM Prime’s business units that help keep materials out of landfills. The manual is an inspiring read that aims to show that when each individual contribution is done at scale, it can inspire others, creating a ripple effect. The manual's digital copy will be made available for download so everyone can access its valuable information.

Ultimately, a waste-free future requires "shared action from government, business, and communities". It's a shared journey where every small step—every piece of waste sorted into the right bin—creates a bigger impact.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.