Empowered to Protect: April Coastal Cleanups

True to its commitment to environmental stewardship, SM By the Bay mobilized 272 employees and volunteers to collect 1,147 kilograms of trash throughout the month of  April as part of its weekly coastal cleanup efforts.

Volunteers from SM Supermalls—including employees, customer relations staff, and janitorial personnel—come together after a successful coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay, united by a shared commitment to protecting our oceans and building a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

Held every week along the Manila Bay shoreline, the cleanup drives were led by SM 

employees, customer relations staff, and janitorial personnel, reinforcing the company’s call for collective, community-driven action. Beyond restoring the coastline’s natural beauty, the initiative also helped raise awareness of ocean conservation and environmental responsibility.

The campaign continues to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14:  Life Below Water, which emphasizes the protection of marine life and coastal ecosystems from pollution and degradation. As plastic and debris continue to threaten ocean biodiversity, efforts like these demonstrate that consistent community engagement can create long-term impact.

SM volunteers in action during the April coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay, working together to remove marine debris and protect our shoreline—one bag at a time.

Over a ton of trash collected by SM volunteers during the April 2025 coastal cleanup at SM By the Bay—each bag a step closer to a cleaner, healthier marine environment.

Participants from SM Supermalls take part in the April cleanup at SM By the Bay, showing that teamwork and purpose go a long way in protecting coastal communities.

Step by step, bag by bag—SM employees move with purpose along the SM By the Bay, turning their mornings into a meaningful mission for the environment.

Through a spirit of volunteerism and purpose, the initiative also promoted camaraderie among SM stakeholders, who worked together toward a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

To sustain this momentum, SM Cares is inviting the public to join the upcoming Coastal Cleanup in celebration of World Oceans Day on June 7, 2025. 

Participating malls include:

SM By the Bay, SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Rosario,  SM City Batangas, SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Iloilo, SM City Davao, SM City CDO Downtown, SM City Tanza, SM City Lucena, and SM Center Dagupan.

Let’s continue making every bag of collected trash count—because caring for the Earth begins with our shores.