About us - the story behind PLOYS - Creative Concepts in Disguise
Ploys - Creative Concepts in Disguise also know as PLOYS is run by husband and wife team Carin and Gerhard.
Carin holds the creative design streak and makes most to all of the pieces. As an Occupational Therapist she feels right at home in adapting and redesigning for function, while Gerhard as Systems Architect runs the IT, marketing and dispatching side of the business. PLOYS is supported by two local mums who assist with sewing of products.
PLOYS idea started from having discarded pool toys and inflatables, that were either punctured or “just not played with anymore” on the side of our pool at home. "We just couldn’t throw away all this plastic, knowing that PVC is one of the worst products to decompose; taking up to a 1000 years to disintegrate". Which in return also tells us that PVC is a sturdy and durable material to repurpose and transform into something unique and functional!
Clever reuse is where the name PLOYS was born: “Ploys, a clever action designed to turn a situation into it’s own advantage”. Another easy way to remember PLOYS equals POOL TOYS.
Ploys started on 9 January 2020 by transforming PVC into school pencil cases and coin purses from our own pool toys, followed by designing and creating larger items such as tote bags. Now the collection has grown to include a variety of unique products such as handbags, toiletry bags, swim and sports bags and has even expanded into fashion, with clothing made from upcycled fabrics combined with pool inflatable designs and applique. Watch this space we like to say! As we continuously surprise ourselves with new creations, which each piece being
PLOYS is a registered social enterprise and follows a not for profit model. It has become a community initiative with all of our PVC being donated by households throughout Australia either in one of our collection points or by post, and via recycling initiatives of pool inflatable businesses.
See also the info on our site about how to donate your broken PVC pool inflatables to us and become a PLOYSHERO and receive our $10 voucher!
We are proud to say that we now have a strong following of like-minded people throughout Australia, who all our passionate about sustainability and reducing waste, while seeking unique environmentally and ecologically endorsed products.
Materials we use includes: PVC from pool inflatables, rubber boats, air mattresses, yet also broken umbrellas and shower curtains! Our biggest project was taking on the challenge of repurposing a Great Barrier Reef Marine Rescue Life Raft and a huge Bouncy castle! We don’t hesitate to take on a challenge! 💚♻️
PLOYS is recognised as a sustainable business, registered social enterprise and recommended by the Vinyl Council ♻️
We are based in Bargara (Bundaberg) where we have our main studio and we also have a design base in Wooloongabba (Brisbane).