Making proper e-waste disposal accessible and convenient for Filipinos nationwide
In a move to bolster its commitment to promoting responsible electronic waste disposal, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility division of SM Supermalls, has forged a strategic partnership with PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications, Inc. Both renowned telecommunications giants in the country, they join forces to enhance SM’s Electronic Waste Collection (EWC) Program, catalyzing positive advancements in electronic waste management nationwide. The partnership was publicly announced on April 22, 2024.
Joaquin L. San Agustin, SVP of Marketing at SM Supermalls, emphasized the critical importance of responsibly disposing of electronic waste to mitigate its adverse effects on both human health and the environment. He expressed gratitude to PLDT and Smart for their collaboration with SM on this vital initiative. “Through this partnership, our aim is to advance and broaden the impact of the E-Waste Collection Program, harnessing our collective knowledge and assets to foster positive transformations in electronic waste management across the nation,” he further stated.
Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, Chief Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart, highlighted the significance of sustainability and responsible consumption. She noted that PLDT Home and Smart have been actively advocating e-waste collection and recycling across their sales, marketing, retail operations, and customer engagement endeavors. Expressing gratitude for partnering with SM, she emphasized the expansion of their collective reach through this initiative. “This collaboration amplifies our ability to provide accessible and convenient e-waste collection and circularity solutions to our customers and the wider community,” she affirmed.
In a bid to enhance the sustainability message of the initiative, SM, PLDT, and Smart have unveiled newly designed bins crafted from 8,400 repurposed beverage cartons for the collection of e-waste. The image above showcases these fresh bin designs, captured during the partnership’s launch event. These e-waste bins will be readily available at SM Malls nationwide, particularly in Cyberzone areas.
Introduced in 2021, the Electronic Waste Collection (EWC) Program encourages both tenants and customers to actively participate in the responsible disposal of electronic waste, deemed hazardous, while also advocating household decluttering and conscious consumerism. Since its inception, the program has successfully collected a total of 11,600 kg of e-waste, diverting it from landfills and mitigating potential harm to both humans and the environment. The collected e-waste is appropriately disposed of in designated facilities.
This partnership between SM Supermalls, PLDT, and Smart stands as the latest addition to SM Supermalls’ comprehensive solid waste management program, aligning seamlessly with SM Cares’ environmental initiatives. Beyond waste management, SM Cares leads various sustainability and community development programs focusing on Persons with Disabilities, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative.
For more information about these initiatives, please visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
