21 May 2021
SM Cares and Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), in partnership with Nestle Philippines and PricewaterhouseCoopers launched their Plastic Waste Collection Program at SM North Edsa and SM City Fairview last May 20, making it accessible to more communities, in line with bringing the Plastic Waste Collection Program to all SM malls nationwide.
The plastic waste collection program aims to promote sustainable use and responsible disposal of plastic waste. Quezon City residents may now bring their empty, clean, and dry plastic waste, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at SM City Fairview (Located between Terminal A and Open Parking B) and SM City North Edsa (Located at Annex Building Driveway). Plastic waste collection is still ongoing at SM Megamall (RDU area, Building B Supermarket), and SM Mall of Asia (North Parking Building near SM Hypermarket).
The SM North Edsa team receiving plastic waste on site.
PCX Standards and Compliance Manager, Richard De Guman said, "These additional locations from the SM partnership provide a key element for more people to be mindful about the plastics that we use at home. Our hope is that as we see and take effort in responsibly disposing of our plastics, it becomes a constant reminder that we should reduce the use of plastics as much as we can."
“Through this Plastic Waste Collection program, we want to provide another way for consumers to be able to dispose of their plastic waste more responsibly. With the addition of two of our bigger malls in Quezon City, we hope that more people will be inspired to do their part in caring for the planet, and living more sustainably,” said SM Cares Program Director on Environment, Engr. Liza B. Silerio.
Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO, Kais Marzouki said, "Recognizing the complexity of the plastic waste issue, we are happy to be collaborating with like-minded partners. Through this partnership, we are able to provide access to more collection points for our consumers so their waste can be reprocessed. By working together, we can create a bigger impact, and accelerate our journey to a waste-free future.”
The SM City Fairview team at the launch of the Plastic Waste Collection Program
The following types of plastics are accepted: PET (soda bottles, furniture), HDPE (bottles, grocery bags, pouches), LDPE (grocery bags, containers, dispensing bottles), PP (car parts, food containers, dishware), and PS (cafeteria trays, plastic utensils, toys). Other plastic types except for PVC are also accepted.
Since February of this year, more than 1,600 kg of plastic waste has been collected from SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. According to the program’s knowledge partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, this is equivalent to 1,863.075kg of CO2 emissions, or about 226,629 smartphones charged or 7,534.949 km driven by an average passenger vehicle.
This initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, which promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns including in the use of plastics, and 14, which promotes conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.