At Bundaberg Tourism, sustainability isn’t a side conversation, we strive to embed sustainable thinking into how we operate, partner and lead.
A recent collaboration with local business Ploys brings this commitment to life in a tangible and creative way, transforming outdated destination marketing banners into handcrafted, reusable products. Rather than sending end of life materials to landfill, we asked a simple question: what if this was the beginning of something new?
A Practical Step Towards Circular Thinking
Through this initiative, former promotional banners have been reimagined into unique, one-of-a-kind items, including bags, wallets, pencil cases and everyday accessories. Each piece is not only functional, but carries a story, of place, of purpose, and of a region committed to doing things differently.
This is the circular economy in action:
- Extending the life of materials
- Reducing environmental impact
- Creating new value from existing resources
And importantly, it’s a model that is accessible, not reliant on large-scale investment, but on intentional decision-making….and supporting a local Bundaberg Region business.
Local Collaboration, Shared Value
Ploys specialises in upcycling materials such as pool inflatables, camping gear and other durable fabrics, transforming them into high-quality, handcrafted products. This partnership demonstrates the power of local collaboration, where sustainability outcomes and economic development intersect.
By working with a local maker, we’re not only reducing waste, but also:
- Supporting small business innovation
- Keeping value within the regional economy
- Showcasing the creativity and capability of our community
As CEO Katherine Reid reflects:
“Sustainability doesn’t always require large-scale change, sometimes it starts with simple, conscious decisions. By rethinking what we do with our materials, we’ve been able to reduce waste, support a local business, and create something genuinely unique that tells a story of our region.”
A Story in Every Stitch
Every product created through this initiative is inherently unique, shaped by the colours, textures and designs of the original banners. But beyond aesthetics, each item represents something more meaningful:
- A commitment to reducing waste
- A shift towards more responsible consumption
- A region embracing innovation in how we operate
It’s a reminder that sustainability and creativity are not competing priorities, they are, in fact, mutually reinforcing.
Scaling the Opportunity Across the Visitor Economy
While this initiative started with a single partnership, its potential reach is far broader. There is a significant opportunity for tourism operators, event organisers and businesses across the region to adopt similar approaches, rethinking materials, reducing waste, and identifying new value streams.
This is where destination leadership matters.
By demonstrating what’s possible, we can:
- Inspire industry-wide behaviour change
- Embed sustainability into everyday operations
- Strengthen our position as a leading sustainable destination
This initiative aligns with Tourism Australia’s new national sustainability platform, Green is Our Gold, a shared vision encouraging the tourism industry to protect natural environments, celebrate culture and support local communities through practical, everyday actions. Grounded in the Green & Gold Promise principles of Preserve Place, Celebrate Community and Take Care, it demonstrates how national ambition can be activated at a local level.
It also builds on national frameworks and toolkits designed to support tourism businesses in embedding sustainability into everyday operations and decision-making.
