In celebration of World Oceans Day 2025, over 5,000 volunteers from
all walks of life united on June 7 for a massive nationwide coastal cleanup led
by SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls.
Collectively, they removed an astounding 30,000 kilograms of trash from
shorelines across the Philippines—proving that when a community comes together,
real impact happens.
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| Thousands of volunteers gather at SM by the BAY in Manila for SM Cares’ flagship coastal cleanup drive for World Oceans Day 2025, showing a united front in the fight against marine pollution. |
This year’s theme, “WONDER: Sustaining What Sustains Us,”
resonated deeply as volunteers took to coastlines in Metro Manila, Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao, armed with gloves, sacks, and a shared mission: to
protect the oceans that give us life.
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| Volunteers from SM City Manila assemble at the coastal cleanup site to remove marine waste and protect vital waterways in celebration of World Oceans Day 2025. |
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| Stepping up for a cleaner tomorrow, volunteers from SM City San Lazaro join the coastal cleanup drive—picking up trash and protecting our shores, one piece at a time. |
Beyond fostering community collaboration and promoting environmental responsibility,
SM Cares’ coastal cleanup initiative played a vital role in cultivating
healthier environment, enhancing the overall quality of life for local
residents, and contributing to the long-term preservation of marine ecosystems.
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| Showing the power of teamwork, volunteers from SM City Batangas and SM City Lipa come together to make waves of change for World Oceans Day 2025. |
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| Stepping up for a cleaner tomorrow, volunteers from SM City San Lazaro join the coastal cleanup drive—picking up trash and protecting our shores, one piece at a time. |
“The oceans sustain us every
day, and now it’s our turn to give back,” said Engr. Liza Silerio, SM Cares
Program Director for the Environment. “This
coastal cleanup isn’t just a one-day event—it’s a symbol of our shared duty to
preserve biodiversity and inspire action for a sustainable future, while
bringing lasting positive impacts to the community by advancing healthier
coastal spaces, and uniting people through shared environmental action.”
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| Employee volunteers from SM Center Dagupan take action for the environment during the coastal cleanup drive, shoveling sand and debris to help restore the shoreline. |
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| SM City Iloilo volunteers join hands with the local community of Brgy. Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo in a coastal cleanup drive, working together to preserve the shoreline and promote environmental sustainability. |
A National Movement for the Seas
From students and teachers to LGUs, NGO partners, employees, and
security and janitorial teams, the cleanup drew a diverse wave of ocean
defenders. SM Cares worked closely with local government units, environmental
organizations, youth groups, and coastal barangays to stage cleanups across
several major sites nationwide.
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| SM City Davao volunteers are out on the shore, turning dedication into action as they clean up the coast and care for the planet. |
These collaborations not only ensured the success of the initiative
but also highlighted the power of inclusive, community-driven action.
Volunteers gathered to remove tons of waste from shorelines, raise awareness
about marine conservation, and inspire long-term behavioral change toward
environmental care.
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| Beaming with pride, volunteers at SM City CDO Uptown and Downtown hold up the coastal cleanup banner, standing united as ocean defenders in celebration of World Oceans Day 2025. |
Building an #SMWasteFreeFuture
The June 7 cleanup is part of SM Cares’ broader sustainability vision
through its #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign, which also includes weekly cleanups at
SM by the BAY.
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| Students, teachers, and partner organizations join forces with SM Cares during the Coastal Cleanup drive—demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. |
On May 2025, SM employee-led cleanups have mobilized a total of 279
volunteers, collecting over 4,493 kilograms of waste—highlighting their firm
commitment to keeping our coasts clean on a weekly basis. These sustained
efforts contributed to creating a safer, more enjoyable coastal spaces for
customers, while encouraging a stronger culture of environmental volunteerism.
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| Demonstrating sustained commitment to protecting the environment, SM employee volunteers return to SM by the Bay to help protect the shoreline. |
SM Cares’ Coastal Cleanup also supports and aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 14: Life Below Water, by directly reducing marine pollution and protecting ocean ecosystems. It also contributes to SDG 13: Climate Action, by raising environmental awareness and promoting community-led climate resilience, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through its collaboration with LGUs, NGOs, schools, and communities.
With two more major cleanups planned for the year, SM Cares remains determined in its mission to inspire Filipinos to take action—one shoreline at a time. For more stories and updates on how you can be part of the movement, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares or follow @OfficialSMCares on social media. (SM PRIME)
