About us - the story behind PLOYS - Creative Concepts in Disguise

Ploys creative concepts in disguise logo - PloysDesign

Ploys - Creative Concepts in Disguise also know as PLOYS is run by husband and wife team Carin and Gerhard. Carin holds the creative streak and as an Occupational Therapist 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 owners and creators of bags and purses from recycled pool inflatables

PLOYS idea started from having discarded pooltoys and pool 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! 

This 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 smartphone cases, toiletry bags, swim and sports bags and even purses made from other soft plastics, such as snack wrapping, combined with PVC as a quirky side-step. Watch this space we like to say! As we continuously surprise ourselves with new creations, which each one being unique!

Ploys is a social enterprise and not for profit and has really become a community initiative with all of our PVC being donated either by households throughout Australia and via recycling initiatives of pool inflatable businesses. 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.

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!

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! 💚♻️🌏

Feel free to connect with us in supporting our planet and passion!

PLOYS is recognised as a sustainable business and recommended by the Vinyl Council ♻️ We are based in Bargara (Bundaberg) where we have our storage and main studio and we also have a design base in Wooloongabba (Brisbane).