117 kilos of e-waste collected in PLDT, MakatiMed pilot program
PLDT and Smart Communications Inc. announced that it has collected a total of 117 kilos of electronic waste (e-waste) materials in the initial run of its e-waste awareness and collection campaign in partnership with the Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) in December 2023.
The initiative aims to bolster community-based efforts to manage e-waste, particularly disposal of waste by healthcare workers, professionals, and other staff.
The e-waste items such as old mobile phones, beepers, and headphones were gathered from collection sites designated within the hospital grounds for easy and convenient access.

The project is in line with the safe e-waste management program implemented by the company through its partnerships with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), EcoWaste Coalition, and the Integrated Recycling Industries.
PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios noted that sustainability is a shared priority within the MVP group of companies, hailing MakatiMed for allowing the expansion of the e-waste collection campaign in the hospital.
“As part of doing business responsibly, we are deeply conscious of the negative impacts of e-waste to our health and to our environment if they are simply diverted to our landfills and not properly managed,” said de Dios.
MakatiMed Medical Director and Interim Co-President and CEO Dr. Saturnino P. Javier said the campaign is a way to raise the hospital community's “awareness of sustainable practices and encourage them to act and be responsible stewards of people and the planet.”
Aside from MakatiMed, the telco also has e-waste collection hubs in the retail stores at SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Baguio, and at the PLDT Smart Experience Hubs at the Smart Tower an Ramon Cojuangco Building in Makati City.