1. Save the Butts - Goumbook

Atlantis Goumbook Partnership

Web Developer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:37:24 +0000

Atlantis Dubai joins forces with Goumbook for circularity initiatives

In a world that’s increasingly aware of the environmental challenges we face, businesses are stepping up their efforts to promote sustainable practices. Atlantis Dubai, renowned for its iconic properties, Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, has joined hands with Goumbook for three year-long collaborations that promise to make a significant impact on both the environment and local communities in the UAE.

1. Goumbook’s “Save the Butts” campaign wins Atlantis Atlas grant again

Recognizing that sustainability is all about consistency and commitment, Atlantis Hotels has once again awarded Goumbook a grant under its Atlantis Atlas Project 1 USD Initiative for their “Save the Butts” campaign which addresses the critical yet often overlooked environmental issue of cigarette butt litter using a circular economy approach. While the first grant cycle concentrated on building awareness and removing tens of thousands of cigarette butts from beaches and public areas, this cycle’s programmatic focus lies on expanding the network of permanent collection points for cigarette butts around the city, thus preventing litter from entering the environment in the first place. Instead of harming the environment and posing a threat to wildlife, the collected cigarette butts are transformed into a sustainable construction material made entirely from waste.

2. Permanent cigarette butt collection points at two Atlantis properties

Leading by example on the expansion of the network, two Atlantis properties have established permanent collection points for cigarette butts as part of the “Save the Butts” annual commitment plan. This strategic move doesn’t just make the hotels cleaner, but also encourages guests to take part in the initiative by providing a clear and easy way for guests to dispose of cigarette butts responsibly. By doing so, Atlantis Hotels and Goumbook are not only minimizing environmental damage but also creating a culture of sustainable behaviour. This is a perfect example of how businesses can be a force for good by integrating sustainability into their daily operations.

3. Atlantis Hotels joins UNISOAP UAE campaign

In their quest to champion the circular economy, two Atlantis properties are among the first hotels in the country to join the UNISOAP UAE campaign. This initiative is focused on collecting soap waste from hotel rooms and recycling it into new soaps. These recycled soaps will then be distributed to vulnerable populations throughout the UAE, reducing landfill waste and addressing hygiene inequalities within the local community.

Commenting on the initiatives’ rationale, Kelly Timmins, Director of Marine Animals Operations and Sustainability, Atlantis Dubai, said: “Enhancing circularity while channelling support to local communities in the UAE and beyond is our commitment at Atlantis Dubai of doing business in ways that are better for people and the planet. Driven by our housekeeping teams, we are proud to partner with Goumbook and UNISOAP UAE to transform soap that would otherwise be destined for the landfill into new soap bars for disadvantaged communities and one of the biggest polluters, cigarette butts, into valuable building materials.” The strong and ongoing partnership between Goumbook and Atlantis Hotels demonstrates how the hospitality industry can integrate sustainability into their operations and embrace the principles of the circular economy to shape an environmentally responsible and socially equitable future. All of these initiatives are run locally in the UAE, aligning with our shared commitment to support the local economy and create a more sustainable future.

Ocean Conservancy’s 50th Anniversary of Sustainable Initiatives

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 11:38:31 +0000

Over the past five decades, the Ocean Conservancy has contributed immensely to our knowledge of the ocean and accomplished many amazing things on behalf of its protection.

As they write in their anniversary announcement “Much has changed over the last 50 years – some for the better, some for the worse”. The challenge of ocean pollution has become common knowledge, but the extent of the crisis and the steps needed to address it aren’t known to many. Likewise, global climate change is talked about everywhere, but the next decades will reveal its real impact on our ocean. Addressing and surmounting these challenges requires the energy of many committed individuals along with the resilience and expertise of established institutions.

The Ocean Conservancy embodies both, and moreover extends its expertise to organizations worldwide fighting for the same goals. They have been a knowledgeable and supportive partner to many organizations in their network and we consider ourselves privileged to be among them.

Goumbook would like to take this incredible milestone as an opportunity to congratulate the dedicated staff at the Ocean Conservancy on their outstanding achievements over the past five decades: From conducting large-scale clean-ups, to spearheading efforts in passing laws to advance sustainable fishing practices and lessen plastic pollution, to combatting devastating oil spills.

Since the launch of our “Save the Butts – Waste to Value” campaign, the Ocean Conservancy has sponsored many clean-ups to engage with the local community and offer all segments of society an opportunity to learn about the threats the ocean is facing due to our consumption patterns and how they can be part of the solution. With this approach we are not only effectively removing pollutants from the environment but also empowering communities with the mindsets and tools necessary to become agents of change.

Ever since the launch of “Save the Butts” our campaign has received an incredible response and a fair share of praise. But we couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement of our partners both local and global, governmental and non-governmental, and last but not least without all of our amazing clean-up volunteers!

Did you know that all of Goumbook’s clean-ups are tracked and logged with the Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell app and contribute towards their TIDES database? We’re always told that “we don’t know what we don’t measure” so it is clear that data is powerful. By creating the world’s largest and most comprehensive data source on ocean pollution, we can all help inform decision making and lobbying on behalf of our oceans.

JSS Private school students volunteered to collect cigarette butts

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 08:14:04 +0000

With the largest group of volunteers participating in Save The Butts, 75 students left school early in the morning on World Oceans Day on June 8th, to learn about the circular economy program. The 16 years old students collected 4,600 cigarette butts from Sunset Beach in Dubai after the Goumbook team ran the awareness session on plastic pollution, ocean conservancy and circular economy.

June 8, 2022 | JSS Private School Beach Clean-up

Top 10 Circular Economy Facts That Promote Zero Waste

admin — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 08:41:15 +0000

The circular economy is an innovative economic model of production and consumption that is increasingly being adopted by governments around the world, including the UAE. It is important to understand the principles and systems that make circular economy effective in addressing today’s economic and environmental challenges.

Save the butts Circular Economy process

A circular economy is the opposite of the linear economy where people take from the natural environment, make something out of those from nature into consumable products – and then dispose them, which end up as waste.
Circular economy means the products that are being created under this system can be used again and again and would not require more or new raw materials from the Earth. Our current lifestyle has demanded using more than 60% more resources than the Earth can provide, and in the process those products made mostly end up in landfills as waste.
The things made and consumed under the circular economy are designed to minimize the use of natural resources, as well as reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Some of the ways being implemented in this system is repairing, recycling, and redesigning so the product can be used again in one form or another.
The end of life of the product people have bought are not buried in landfills but sent back to the economic system by reusing the materials used on those products as much as possible.
The circular economy is estimated to be at a value of US$4.5 trillion by 2030. This means the system can provide new sources of income and job opportunities for many.
To become a success, consumers, businesses, and governments should all commit to making the change and adopt the circular economy principles.
The circular economy does not apply only to products. Ways of optimizing spaces can also be considered circular economy practices such as multiple uses of homes, offices, and buildings, turning an office space during day for example into a community centre or night school.
Sharing resources particularly in the transport sector such as vehicle sharing support the circular economy principles because it reduces the use of more vehicles on the road as well as the demand for more private vehicles which require huge amount of earth materials, water, and energy in the manufacturing.
Recycling, which converts waste materials into new materials and objects, has its limitations in driving a more robust circular economy because it still requires energy and water use to make new objects, which impact our natural resources. Redesigning products that last through several cycles and refurbishing old products and redistributing them can be more useful in a circular economy.
The origins of the circular economy dates to 1966 but it has catapulted as a growing important model to deal with ever-increasing challenges in the early 2000 when material resources have become more expensive and difficult to acquire for manufacturers. Today, the pressing issues of climate change makes it imperative for economies to rethink their ways and adopt the circular economy.

Saving Dubai’s last surf beach with Surf House Dubai and SWS Board Technology

admin — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 07:53:55 +0000

We have to say that we are really proud of the surfing community in Dubai. We were lucky enough to witness how involved they are in protecting the ocean and the beach. This particular cleanup was really important for them as they are protecting the last surfing beach in Dubai, located next to Burj Al Arab. And for Save The Butts this cleanup had by far the largest collection of cigarette butts conducted under 1 hour. This group of 73 kids and adults collected a staggering amount of 23,200 cigarette butts. We were amazed once we got to find out the numbers.

June 11, 2022 | Surfers Community Beach Clean-up

ITP Media Group employees gathered on World Oceans Day to collect cigarette butts

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 06:15:52 +0000

For the second time this season, ITP employees gathered on World Oceans Day to collect cigarette butts, this time on a different spot. They decided to contribute to keep Jumeirah Public Beach clean, where tourists stop to take nice photos of the Burj Al Arab. With 12 highly committed volunteers, we were able to remove from the beach 3,750 cigarette butts. It was a great opportunity to show also to the tourists visiting Dubai how residents care about the ocean and how engaged they are with local environmental initiatives.

April 12, 2022 | ITP Media Group Beach Clean-up

Save the Butts: Earth Month’s Cigarette Butts Clean Up Event

admin — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 06:55:53 +0000

Our latest initiative, Save The Butts – waste to value – is having very strong beginning! Almost 200 volunteers, from individuals to companies, joined the cleanups. During the Earth Month community cleanups, which were sponsored by Ocean Conservancy, we were amazed by the level of engagement people has when joining the initiative. A total of more than 13,000 cigarette butts were collected from the beach.

April 17, 2022 | Goumbook Earth Month Community Beach Clean-up

April 23, 2022 | Goumbook Earth Month Community Beach Clean-up

Al Mawakeb Students volunteered for the Save The Butts initiative

admin — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 06:24:38 +0000

A group of 17 volunteers cleaned Kite Beach from 3,500 cigarette butts. Their incredible commitment to protect the environment and the ideas they brought really impressed us.

April 20, 2022 | Al Mawakeb School Beach Clean-up

Designing impactful team building creates stronger bonds among employees

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 04:44:33 +0000

When working on strengthening the collaborative spirit among team members, human resource departments of companies often use team building activities where employees are encouraged to work together around obstacles and solve problems in a more fun and relaxing environment.

Sessions and workshops are held in hotels and resorts over the weekend, which are also often clubbed with planning sessions and goal-setting activities. However, times have changed over the last few decades and there are many different activities where collaboration efforts can be designed in a more impactful way – which is good for the staff and good for the environment too.

Planting trees as a business is not only great for the environment but is also an effective way to commit to Climate Action while engaging your employees and your brand

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Goumbook has been designing personalized team building activities for organizations across the UAE in more than 10 years, along with awareness and education talks. Our tree planting activities through the Give a Ghaf campaign, has engaged many of our participants to connect and collaborate intuitively with peers.

The fact is that when we engage with our fellow workers in a common goal that is greater than our personal issues and concerns, the team develops feelings of cooperation and unity even more naturally. Moreover, their love for nature and our planet which is inherent in everyone, becomes more apparent. It only needs to be brought forward through engaging activities.

We engage with community members to clean the environment by collecting cigarette butts which are then recycled into valuable manufacturing material.

Save The Butts Beach clean-up activity

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Our beach clean-up activity, under the Save the Butts initiative, almost always get a high turnout and rate of participation from employees. They do understand that being by the beach is relaxing, but apart from that, they take part in keeping them clean. Nothing can be more motivating and inspiring than a day spent with nature. Isn’t that right?

Often a lack of knowledge paralyzes us from making change. We can help you and your team gain a solid understanding of the scientific concepts behind and the impact of climate change on humanity.

Another activity is our Climate Fresk workshop which has earned the interest of our stakeholders as the topic on climate change becomes more relevant. This activity has become especially important when educating and raising awareness about climate change among employees and get them around to supporting the company’s sustainability goals.

As businesses today realize the necessity and urgency of shifting to new business models that incorporate an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) approach, it becomes more appropriate to design team building programs that are not only cost-effective, saving resources for the company, but also meaningful and impactful.

Times are truly changing, and social gatherings with heightened awareness in terms of social and environmental value often leave a stronger and longer imprint in staff’s memories.

ITP Media Group collected 2,550 cigarette butts as part of the Give & Gain Program

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:37:29 +0000

As part of the Give & Gain program, ITP took part in an early morning beach cleanup. A dedicated group of volunteers collected 2,550 cigarette butts from the beach just in 45 minutes. They were greeted by Dubai Municipality representatives, who explained how they are actively supporting Save The Butts.