SM enables sustainable communities through social entrepreneurship

SM, through the program SM Green Finds, will launch a collaboration project with social companies to highlight the importance of circularity. The project is in line with SM group's goal of upholding environmental protection and maintaining an ecological culture.

Within the framework of SM Green Movement, the multi-year sustainability campaign of the SM group focused on the environment, SM Green Finds aims to make it easier for consumers to choose ecological products. The initiative promotes environmentally friendly products, made with natural and local ingredients and that support local communities, while helping to train partner MSMEs in their own eco-friendly practices.

SM Green Finds x The Tarp Project is the recent campaign by SM Finds, in collaboration with the well-known social entrepreneur Zarah Juan. The goal of the project is to create beautiful bags from used canvas from the SM store.

SM Green Finds x Zarah Juan Canvas Project

The project has become a community effort, as the process begins with collecting used tarps. They are then reused and given a new life thanks to the help of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) of Quezon City, in charge of cleaning and cutting the tarps.

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For Dhinno Tiu, executive vice president of SM Store, “SM Store's partnership with Zarah Juan promotes circularity and seeks to empower local communities by cultivating their skills and promoting livelihoods.

“Our collaboration with social enterprises can help drive more sustainable positive change in the communities we partner with.”

The bags were then printed and assembled by local artisans in Bulacan. Juan, a Filipino designer who has long collaborated on social enterprise campaigns, says it is a privilege to help promote circularity and green living with SM Store.

The project has become a community effort, as the process begins with the collection of used tarps

«Perfect project coordination depends on careful consideration of each step and aspect of the design process. Additionally, I prioritized ensuring that colors and prints transcend passing trends, with the goal of achieving long-lasting appeal and long life, a reflection of the overall purpose of the bag,” explained Juan.

The bags and totes from this initiative will be available at SM Store Makati, SM Store Aura, SM Store Megamall, SM Store MOA and SM Store North EDSA. Profits from the sale of the Lona Project will be donated to the SM Foundation's youth and educational initiatives, increasing the social impact of the campaign.