Waves of Change: Thousands Join SM Cares’ Coastal Cleanup

 

In celebration of World Oceans Day 2025 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

With gloves on and bags in hand, volunteers at SM City Lucena take part in SM  Cares’ Coastal Cleanup drive, reaffirming their commitment to environmental  stewardship and ocean conservation.

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.

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.

SM City Davao volunteers are out on the shore,  turning dedication into action as they clean up the  coast and care for the planet.

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.

“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.”

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. 

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. 

Students, teachers, and partner organizations join forces with SM  Cares during the Coastal Cleanup drive—demonstrating a shared  commitment to environmental stewardship.

Demonstrating sustained commitment to protecting the  environment, SM employee volunteers return to SM by the Bay to  help protect the shoreline.

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.  

This 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. 

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.