Led by SM Investments Corp., the conglomerate recently formed an internal working group to align its businesses under a shared sustainability roadmap. The committee meets regularly to encourage the adoption of plastic reduction strategies across the SM ecosystem, which spans retail, logistics, real estate, hospitality, and more.
Throwaway culture fuels environmental crisis
“While plastic plays a crucial role in modern life, its convenience often contributes to a throwaway culture, leading to one of our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said Timothy Daniels, head of investor relations and sustainability at SM Investments Corp.
“We understand the importance of waste recovery and recycling not only as part of our sustainable business vision but also as a social and legal obligation. SM’s approach is both practical and actionable.”
SM Markets —the group’s umbrella brand for SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore — ushered in greener retail practices by promoting the use of eco-bags over single-use plastics since 2007. In 2024 alone, SM Markets sold 19 million Green Bags, equivalent to about 42 million plastic bags avoided.
Reusables and eco-friendly products
Watsons Philippines, an SM Retail affiliate, has transitioned 81 percent of its stores to paper bags, while more than 2,140 SKUs now fall under its Sustainable Choices line, which features products with cleaner ingredients, better packaging, and refillable options.
Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc., a portfolio investment of SM, reduced its annual plastic consumption by 7,000 kilograms simply by resizing packaging ribbons.
SM’s logistics arm, 2GO Group Inc., has also eliminated single-use plastics in shipping, now using 100 percent recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable packaging.
Meanwhile, SM Prime Holdings Inc. has taken the lead in infrastructure support, equipping its properties with Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and consistent waste segregation systems.
Fifteen SM malls now serve as plastic waste drop-off points, diverting 63,874 kilograms of plastic from landfills.
Engaging the public: Recycling and bin systems
SM Supermalls’ long-running Trash-to-Cash (TTC) program has exchanged over 12 million kilograms of recyclables to date—equivalent to saving 204,000 trees or avoiding 18,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, depending on waste type.
To support customer participation, RDC bins (Recyclable, Disposable, Compostable) were launched in 2023, alongside continuous information campaigns on responsible disposal.
Hotels champion refillable amenities
In hospitality, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) began phasing out single-use plastics in 2018, replacing them with refillable and eco-conscious alternatives across all properties.
“Plastic waste reduction at SM is about steady, coordinated progress made possible by a shared culture of everyday solutions, and a proactive approach across all our businesses,” Daniels said.
According to the United Nations Environment Program, 19 to 23 million tons of plastic enter ecosystems annually, polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans. SM’s systemwide efforts signal the growing role of private sector-led action in combatting plastic pollution. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
