At Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, sustainability is more than a promise — it’s a way of life. This year, in honor of Plastic Free July, we launched an internal challenge to reduce plastic usage across the resort, especially in areas guests don’t often see.
Plastic Free July is a global movement started by the Plastic Free Foundation, which empowers millions of people to be part of the solution to plastic pollution — so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and communities. The initiative began in Australia and has grown into one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world. At Atmosphere, we were inspired to join the challenge after a visit from a lady from the NGO sparked the idea to take our internal sustainability even further.
While our guest-facing operations have been free from single-use plastics for some time, we know there’s always more we can do behind the scenes. That’s why, from June 1 to 30, we invited our team to submit practical, creative ideas for eliminating plastic in their day-to-day operations.
Each week, we recognized one outstanding submission with gifts from our Boutique and pizzas. At the end of the month, we selected one standout idea to receive the ₱10,000 grand prize.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate the innovation and dedication of our incredible staff.
“Shop Smart, Waste Less”
Our week 1 winner was the Office Team. Right from the start, Nenita, Raquel, Aiko, and Onnie set the tone with a clear, actionable idea: reduce plastic through mindful shopping and errands.
Their entry focused on:
- Using reusable cloth, woven, or jute bags
- Bringing reusable containers to the market and for takeout
- Refusing plastic bags and packaging whenever possible
A simple yet powerful reminder that small daily choices can lead to big environmental impact.
“From Bin to Sack: A Cleaner Way to Collect Waste”
With eight trash bins in the dive center alone, our week 2 winner, the Dive Team, proposed removing plastic liners in low-risk areas and instead:
- Emptying waste directly into recycled rice sacks
- Rinsing bins daily for hygiene
- Exploring paper alternatives for guest restrooms
The rice sacks, sourced from Dive Instructor Lor’s chicken farm, added an extra layer of circular sustainability.
Learn more about our PADI 5-Star Dive Center and our commitment to sustainable diving.
“Menus That Don’t End Up in Landfills”
Third week went to Onnie from the Marketing Team. His idea? Replace laminated plastic bar menus with durable, waterproof rubber — the same material used in our room folders.
Benefits included:
- Scratch-resistance
- Reusability
- A premium look that reflects our brand
It’s a sustainable solution that guests will notice and appreciate.
“From Bayong to Bin & Sustainable Storage”
Two departments shined in our most competitive week: the Housekeeping and Reservations teams.
Housekeeping wowed us with “From Bayong to Bin” — a clever reuse of old or damaged bayongs (traditional woven bags) left behind by guests. These bags are now repurposed as labeled eco-bins to support waste segregation during room cleaning. A low-cost, high-impact solution that gives new life to old materials.
Reservations tackled plastic use in food and beverage prep with their “Sustainable Storage Solutions” idea, replacing single-use items with:
- Compostable cellulose freezer bags
- Reusable silicone pouches
- Glass jars and stainless-steel containers
Both departments took thoughtful, actionable steps that reduce waste in ways our guests and teams can clearly see and support.
Grand Prize Winner – The Office Team
With their practical, scalable solution to reduce plastic use during everyday errands and operations, the Office Team has been awarded the ₱10,000 grand prize.
Their entry reminds us that sustainability doesn’t always require big systems or equipment — it often starts with everyday choices and habits. Their leadership and clear communication sparked conversation and inspiration across departments, making a lasting impact beyond the contest.
Congratulations once again to Nenita, Raquel, Aiko, and Onnie!
Looking Ahead
This Plastic-Free July has been a huge success — not just because of the ideas shared, but because of the energy, collaboration, and accountability it brought to our team. Many of these ideas will be implemented in the coming months, and we look forward to making even more sustainable changes in the future.
Thank you to every department that participated. We’re proud of the creativity and heart behind each submission, and we’re already excited for next year.
Learn more about our Sustainability Commitment and discover how you can join us in protecting our planet.
