Got recyclable PET bottles? Deposit them in these ‘eco vendos’

Got recyclable plastic bottles and aluminum cans at home or in the office? You can now properly dispose of them and even get rewarded for doing your part for the planet.

As part of its Environmental Programs on Solid Waste Management, SM Cares recently deployed special recycling booths at SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall.

Through the Reverse Vending Machine of SM Cares called Eco Vendo—the first of its kind in the private sector—SM mall goers can enjoy special discounts in exchange for their PET bottles and aluminum cans. All they need to do is deposit these recyclable items in the specially designed vending machines.

For every 1,000ml worth of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and/or aluminum soda cans deposited, the customer can choose one of the following reward discounts: 15% off at SM Skating or 15% off at SM Bowling.

After depositing the items, the vending machine will print a voucher that the customer can use to redeem their discount.

Customers can use one discount per transaction, and this must be claimed within 60 days from date of issuance, from Monday to Thursday in the following branches: SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, and SM Fairview (for SM Bowling); and SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia (for SM Skating).

If the recycled items are less than 1000ml, proceeds will automatically go to SM Cares, which will support its various programs.

The Eco Vendo machines in SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall will be available from January 20 to April 20, 2023. The one in Megamall is located at SM Cinema, 3F Building A, near the Snack Time counter, while the one in SM MOA can be found at SM Cinema, 2F Entertainment Mall, also near the Snack Time counter.

Other sustainability projects of SM Cares include the Trash-To-Cash Market where individuals can drop off their recyclable waste such as paper and plastic in exchange for cash; the Plastic Waste Collection Program in partnership with NGO HOPE that aims to help redirect plastic waste from ending up in landfills; and the Electronic Waste Collection Program, where individuals can bring in their old gadgets and other e-waste for proper disposal by accredited hazardous waste collection partners.