SM Supermalls celebrates its participation in the UN International Year of the Forest through the launching of the stylish designs of its new eco-friendly shopping bags at the SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag. The SM Eco Bag which symbolizes saving trees from being cut is made from hard wearing non-woven fabric bag that is sourced from 100-percent polypropylene. Polypropylene is proven to be recyclable, non-toxic, allergy-free and non-reactive to human skin. The polypropylene material is also durable enough to last up to two years so that SM Eco Bag users can show off their support in saving the earth in a stylish way.

The latest SM Eco Bag collection features four new designs that deliver the message about taking action and declaring involvement in helping save the environment hence the theme “I Am Involved”. Being involved means supporting the celebration of the UN International Year of the Forests and by having a green lifestyle simply by using SM Eco Bags.

Since the launching of SM’s first eco-friendly bag or green bag, about 1.5 million SM green bags have been distributed worldwide including key cities in Asia, United States and Europe. When SM introduced the first Eco Bags in all its malls, plastic bag use was reduced by 30%. That means a decrease in energy and water consumption to produce plastic bags, and less plastic produced means less plastic to be thrown away that can cause harm to the environment. The SM Eco Bag is a bold step and one of SM’s environmental CSR projects that informs and raises public awareness about reducing wastes and caring for nature for a sustainable future. It also raises environmental consciousness among shoppers to make positive changes that have lasting effect on our planet through the responsible use of SM Eco Bags.

In SM City Baliwag, the Sangguniang Bayan led by Councilor Carol Dellosa took center stage to showcase their support for the launching of the SM Eco Bag. She said, “With the ongoing talks on environment sustainability, the SM Eco Bag is a stylish way to encourage everyone to go green.” Likewise, the launch received overwhelming support from the local environment group, LIGAS Photography Club and the Rotary Club of Baliuag with its president, Ms. Lyle Cruz.

At SM City Marilao, members of the Sangguiang Bayan of Marilao with Municipal Administrator Jon Louie Santiago and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Engr. Hermie Bautista supported this advocacy of SM in which they committed in promoting the new Eco Bag and pledges to purchase the said environment friendly bags to be distributed among its employees and during special gatherings.

SM’s new Eco Bags are now available at all SM Supermalls nationwide for only P35.00. It can easily carry books, documents, and school projects while adding up as a great tote bag for weekend trips or for carrying accessories. Proceeds from every SM Eco bag purchased will be for the benefit of an environmental cause and will make a significant contribution to saving the earth.

The SM Eco Bag is just one of the many environmental projects headed by SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls that implements programs for PWDs, senior citizens, OFWs, breastfeeding, youth, children and shopper’s welfare. SM Cares promote long-term sustenance of the environmental, economic, and social aspects of life for a sustainable future.