The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has awarded the SM Group for its strong support of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program aimed at cutting plastic waste.
During a Jan. 30, 2026 event, the DENR said SM went beyond the requirements of Republic Act No. 11898, or the EPR Law of 2022, by advancing plastic recovery, reduction and circular economy practices aligned with the government’s Zero Waste to Nature agenda.
SM Investments said the recognition reflects efforts across its retail, banking, logistics and property units to reduce plastic use and promote responsible waste management.
Its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., leads the #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign and operates a waste processing facility in Cebu in partnership with Guun Co., Ltd. The facility converts waste into reusable materials.
SM has also installed recyclable, disposable and compostable bins across its properties. Recyclables are sent to processing plants, residual waste is converted into fuel for cement kilns, and food waste is turned into soil.
Other initiatives include the Trash-to-Cash recycling market of SM Supermalls, which collects over 1.5 million kilograms of recyclables yearly, and the sale of 20.8 million reusable Green Bags by SM Markets in 2025, helping reduce plastic bag use.
The citation underscores the private sector’s role in strengthening the country’s waste management and plastic reduction efforts.
