SM Cares and DENR-NCR celebrate World Oceans Day with special plastic waste collection program

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Participants get a free seedling from the Community PanTREE

In observance of World Oceans Day, SM Cares held a special version of its Plastic Waste Collection Program in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) to underscore the importance of adopting sustainable habits such as reducing plastic consumption and planting trees.

Conducted simultaneously in the following SM malls: Megamall, Mall of Asia, North EDSA, Fairview, Southmall, East Ortigas, Marikina, and Marilao, the activity supported DENR-NCR's Community PanTREE, a program that was launched in 2021 with the aim of providing free fruit-bearing seedlings to encourage urban and backyard gardening.

Participants who brought at least 1 kg of plastic waste each got a free seedling from the Community PanTREE. More than 700 kg of plastic was collected through the activity, and has distributed 700 pcs of seedlings across the 8 collection venues.

“The goal of this activity is to help divert plastic waste from ending up in landfills and bodies of water while also giving the participants the opportunity to grow their own trees,” said Director of SM Cares' Program on Environment Engr. Liza Silerio.

SM’s Plastic Waste Collection program has gathered over 16,000 kg of plastic for re-processing since it began in 2021. Currently available in 12 SM malls, it is just one of SM Cares' numerous sustainability projects. The pioneering Trash to Cash recycling market and the E-Waste Collection Programs round up the initiatives on solid waste management. Other projects include the annual Green Film Festival, which promotes environmental awareness; the AweSMSeas project in partnership with the USAID and PRRCI, which promotes responsible plastic waste management; and the International Coastal Cleanup that gathers thousands of volunteers every year, among others.

Through these efforts, SM Cares supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly "SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation," "SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities," "SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production," "SDG 13: Climate Action," "SDG 14: Life Below Water," and "SDG 15: Life on Land."

To learn more, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

‘Rule of Two-Thirds Underwater Photo Exhibit’ for marine conservation opens at Solaire

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In celebration of World Oceans Day, captivating underwater photos of multi-awarded photographers Anna Varona and Danny Ocampo presents ‘Rule of Two-Thirds Underwater Photo Exhibit’ for marine conservation opens at Solaire. 

The exhibit is to highlight the beauty of the Philippine oceans and the urgent need to protect them and also to help the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines in their continuous efforts to conserve Philippine oceans and the communities that greatly depend on them.

WWF-Philippines’ work in protecting the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park inspired the declaration of a one million hectare of MPA by the Municipal Government of Cagayancillo through a municipal ordinance covering its entire municipal waters and surrounding open sea. 

A sea turtle seen at the waters of Tubbataha Reefs National Park

The exhibit showcases a visual spectacle that will allow the public to see the beauty of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) such as the Marine Sanctuary in Tingloy, Batangas, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Cagayancillo and Tubbataha in Palawan, and Tañon Strait in the Visayas. 

Anna Varona and Danny Ocampo presents ‘Rule of Two-Thirds Underwater Photo Exhibit’

Anna Varona, who is a responsible tourism advocate and a marine warrior on top of being a professional photographer, believes that this endeavor is very much aligned with the 2017 World Oceans Day’s theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Future’ because it aims to spread awareness on the role of MPAs in long-term food security.

“MPAs ensure that our coastal resources are given the chance to regenerate and provide us food now and in the future. Aside from that, our fishermen are given much more stable and sustainable livelihood,” she said. 

One of the featured photographs in the Rule of 2/3rd Exhibit.

Danny Ocampo, who also campaigns for ethical and responsible diving and photography, hopes to influence tourists to be more responsible when they visit MPAs, especially since Apo Island has been instrumental in his journey towards marine conservation work. 

“Apo Island continues to inspire not only me but hundreds of individuals, organizations and policy makers here and abroad who have been there. Sadly, its popularity is beginning to be its bane and measures have to be taken to ensure that tourism and conservation complement each other,” he stated. 

Canon Philippines sponsored the printing of all portraits including the postcard versions of select photos that will be sold to help the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.

The exhibit, which is supported by the Department of Tourism, is open to the public until June 22, 2017.