To strengthen its efforts in promoting the responsible disposal of
electronic waste, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM
Supermalls, recently tapped PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart
Communications, Inc. (Smart), two of the leading telecommunications providers
in the country for a strategic partnership that will expand SM's Electronic
Waste Collection (EWC) Program and drive further positive change in electronic
waste management in the country. The partnership was launched to the public
last April 22, 2024.
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SM Supermalls, PLDT and Smart launched the joint initiative last April 22, just in time for SM's Earth Day 2024 celebrations, making the annual observance more meaningful. Shown in the photo are (from L-R) PLDT Home Marketing National Key Accounts Partnership Head Anne Leonardo, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Development John Palanca, PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Wireless Business Alex Caeg, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President and Head for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group Engr. Liza Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Sponsorship and Cyberzone Patrick Raymund Pacla. |
In a short message, Joaquin L. San Agustin, SVP of SM Supermalls for
Marketing, underscored the need for the responsible disposal of electronic
waste to help minimize its impact on human health and the environment. He also
thanked PLDT and Smart for partnering with SM for the initiative. “Through this
partnership, our goal is to promote and expand the reach of the E-Waste
Collection Program, leveraging our combined expertise and resources to drive
positive change in electronic waste management in the country,” he added.
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| SM Supermalls' Senior Vice President for Marketing Mr. Joaquin L. San Agustin |
“Recognizing the importance of sustainability and responsible
consumption, our brands, PLDT Home and Smart, have been actively promoting
e-waste collection and recycling as part of their sales, marketing, retail operations,
and customer engagement activities. We are thus grateful to have found a
like-minded partner in SM, as this joint initiative significantly expands our
reach and makes e-waste collection and circularity solutions even more
accessible and convenient to our customers and the general public,” said
Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, Chief Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart.
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| PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios |
To reinforce the initiative’s sustainability messaging, SM, PLDT, and Smart unveiled new designs for the bins that will be used to collect the e-waste, which are made from 8,400 pieces of used beverage cartons. Shown above are the new bin designs, taken during the launch of the partnership. The e-waste bins will be available at SM Malls nationwide, particularly in Cyberzone areas.
Launched in 2021, the Electronic Waste Collection (EWC) Program
encourages tenant and customer participation in the responsible disposal of
electronic waste or e-waste which is considered hazardous, while also promoting
decluttering in households and bringing to light conscious consumerism.
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| Made from 8,400 pieces of used beverage cartons, this will be the new designs of the bins to collect the e-waste. |
Since 2021, a total of 11,600 kg of e-waste has been collected through the program, diverted from ending up in landfills and causing harm to humans and the environment to the designated facilities where they are disposed of responsibly.
This partnership between SM Supermalls, PLDT and Smart is the latest
initiative under SM Supermalls’ solid waste management program, which is also
in line with SM Cares' Programs on Environment.
Aside from this, SM Cares spearheads initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community, including programs on Persons with Disabilities, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative.
To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
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