Watsons Philippines, the leading brand in health, wellness, and beauty retail, conducted a clean-up of the Manila Bay coastline and gathered a whopping 66, 200 kilograms of trash.

The retail chain, an affiliate of SM Group, said it continues to demonstrate its commitment to the environment through its annual coastal clean-up initiative which reflects Watsons' ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on both the planet and the community.

This year, Watsons joined forces with SM for the International Coastal Cleanup celebration at SM by the Bay, held last Sept. 16. Watsons is an affiliate of SM and collaborated as one of the teams that successfully contributed and collected tons of trash during the activity.

The focal point of this year's coastal clean-up was the iconic Manila Bay coastline, a heavily frequented area by the public. Watsons, along with the entire team, is dedicated to ensuring the continued cleanliness, beauty, and safety of this cherished destination.

“As a part of Watsons’ sustainability goals, we are committed to help clean up the environment, especially our waterways,” said Watsons Philippines Senior Sustainability Manager Lexie Coloma. 

She added that, “one of the goals we’ve set for ourselves is to be able to collect 65,000 kilograms of trash by 2030. It looks like a big goal to achieve but with our partnership with SM for the International Coastal Clean Up, we are one step closer to that.” 

A total of 12,580 volunteers, including Watsons employees, suppliers, partners, media representatives, and even social media influencers, gathered at dawn to contribute to this meaningful event and do their part in environmental preservation.

During the program, officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Coastguard conducted a brief orientation on coastal clean-up, emphasizing the proper care of our oceans and the importance of reducing plastic consumption.

Participants were also encouraged to adopt the 3Rs - Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.

Watsons said it not only encourages its employees to participate in the yearly coastal clean-up but also integrates sustainability practices into their daily routines. 

"Ninety-eight percent of Watsons' employees are trained in sustainability practices. As a company committed to doing good, our employees are empowered and provided opportunities to incorporate sustainability into their professional and personal lives," Coloma noted.

In addition to actively organizing and participating in coastal clean-ups, Watsons offers other sustainability programs like Recycle for Rewards and Trash to Cash. These initiatives incentivize customers to recycle in exchange for special Watsons deals. 

Furthermore, Watsons has partnered with Plastic Bank with the ambitious goal of collecting and recycling 40 million plastic bottles by 2030.