26/09/2025
Over 48,800 Volunteers Collect 200 Metric Tons of Trash in Nationwide Coastal Cleanup
Over 48,800 volunteers from across the Philippines gathered simultaneously at 28 SM malls
nationwide to mark the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025, the world’s largest volunteer
effort for ocean health collecting over 200,000 kilograms of trash.
Leading the nationwide movement, SM By the Bay served as the flagship site, bringing together
thousands of volunteers to clear Manila Bay’s shoreline of marine debris. Across Luzon, Visayas,
and Mindanao, SM malls became community hubs where over 500 groups—spanning private
organizations, government agencies, NGOs, schools, civil society, and local communities—united
to protect the country’s waterways.
This year’s ICC coincides with SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary, underscoring the company’s
long-term commitment to sustainability and community collaboration through its
campaign. The cleanup also forms a major part of the SM Green
Movement, which integrates environmental, social, and community initiatives into SM’s
programs.
“Through our Waste-Free Future vision, we commit to empowering communities and
championing responsible waste management, recycling, and circular practices, making
them a part of everyday life, through simple, everyday actions,” said Steven T. Tan, President
of SM Supermalls.
“To every volunteer, you embody the true spirit of bayanihan: lifting not just waste from
our shores, but lifting each other toward a higher standard of care for our common home,”
he added.
This year, more than 200,000 kilograms of trash were collected. And beyond numbers, the human
stories—families, youth, employees, and community members taking part—show how collective
action can create lasting change.
Partner organizations also underscored the value of collaboration. “Working with SM Cares
amplifies the impact of ICC by providing venues, mobilizing volunteers, and connecting
diverse groups for one shared mission: protecting marine biodiversity,” said Marilou G. Erni,
Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources.
“Joining the cleanup made me realize that every small action counts. Seeing thousands of
people—students, families, co-workers—all working together for the same cause gave me
hope that we can build a cleaner, healthier future for the next generation,” said Marife Rapa,
a volunteer participant from WSAudiology Philippines Corp.
SM Cares has been a consistent partner of ICC for years, with each edition seeing growing scale
and influence. This year, as ICC marks its 40th anniversary, SM continues to be recognized as its
largest private sector partner in the Philippines—demonstrating how private-public partnerships
can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.
Through efforts like coastal cleanups, SM Supermalls continues to strengthen its role as a
community builder—creating malls that are more than destinations for leisure and shopping, but
hubs where citizens can come together to shape a waste-free, sustainable tomorrow.
