SM Supermalls 'Trash to Cash' Collected Over 12 Kilos of Recyclables in 2024

Every first Friday and Saturday of the month, SM Supermalls transforms into a sustainability hotspot with its national 'Trash to Cash' (TTC) recycling market, where people can trade recyclable rubbish for cash. This project, part of SM Supermalls' Waste-Free Future campaign, has been in place since 2007 and promotes garbage segregation, recycling, and environmental awareness while also providing financial benefits to communities.

​The TTC program, which is held in 87 SM malls countrywide, provides an easy and accessible platform for consumers, renters, and local communities to participate in sustainable garbage management. TTC actively contributes to the circular economy by ensuring that recyclables are properly sorted and recycled, which reinforces SM Supermalls' commitment to responsible environmental management.

The impact of TTC has been significant. In 2024, the campaign gathered over 12 million kg of recyclables, earning over P28 million for participants. This is similar to saving 204,000 trees if all recyclable waste is paper or reducing carbon emissions by 18,000 tons if all recyclable waste is plastic. TTC is more than simply a recycling campaign; it empowers individuals, organizations, and enterprises by turning sustainability into a meaningful and community-driven activity.

“TTC is more than just a recycling program—it’s a movement that enables communities to turn environmental responsibility into real opportunities. By participating, people not only contribute to waste reduction but also gain financial incentives, proving that sustainability can be both impactful and rewarding,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.

As climate issues grow, initiatives like TTC demonstrate that small actions, when taken together, have a major environmental impact. Individuals who participate in this initiative may help combat trash pollution, promote the circular economy, and take a significant step toward a more sustainable future.

With TTC locations around the country, SM Supermalls offers easy drop-off places for consumers to properly dispose of things such as paper, plastic bottles, and other recyclable waste. Joining the TTC movement is simple. Segregate your recyclable waste and bring it to any participating SM mall.