DENR hails SM Group in leading plastic recovery drive
‘GUUN is a collaboration across the Group that ensures consumption or waste is not the end of the economic cycle.’
Daily Tribune‘GUUN is a collaboration across the Group that ensures consumption or waste is not the end of the economic cycle.’
The SM Group has been recognized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its group-wide initiatives supporting the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law, reinforcing its position as a private sector leader in plastic recovery and waste management.
During an event held on 30 January 2026, the DENR cited SM for going beyond compliance with Republic Act 11898, also known as the EPR Law of 2022, particularly in advancing recovery, reduction and innovation efforts aligned with the national Zero Waste to Nature agenda.
For SM, the recognition underscores a coordinated sustainability strategy spanning its diverse business units — from retail and property development to banking and logistics.
“This award is a credit to every part of the SM group, and we’re very grateful to receive it. From our retail business to our banks and logistics companies, they have been reducing their plastic footprints in their packaging and influencing consumer behavior to use less plastic,” SM Investments Corporation head of Investor Relations and Sustainability Timothy Daniels said.
A key pillar of SM’s sustainability program is the #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign, which integrates waste reduction initiatives across the group. Through SM Prime Holdings Inc., the company partnered with Japanese waste processing firm Guun Co. Ltd. to establish a waste processing facility in Consolacion, Cebu that converts waste into reusable materials.
SM has also deployed RDC-labeled (recyclable, disposable, compostable) bins across its properties nationwide to strengthen on-site waste segregation. Recyclables are sent to processing facilities, disposables are converted into alternative fuel for cement kilns, and compostables are transformed into landscaping soil within 48 hours.
“GUUN is a collaboration across the Group that ensures consumption or waste is not the end of the economic cycle,” SM GUUN president George Cheung, who also serves as SM Supermalls’ assistant vice president for Waste Management and Sustainability Solutions, said.
SM Supermalls continues to operate its monthly Trash-to-Cash recycling market, facilitating the collection of more than 1.5 million kilograms of recyclables annually. Customers may also drop off electronic waste in Cyberzone collection bins and plastic waste through designated collection vans in 15 malls.
Meanwhile, SM Markets — covering SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore — has promoted reusable bags since 2007. In 2025 alone, the group reported selling 20.8 million Green Bags, helping avoid an estimated 31.2 million plastic bags.