"Knowing that we can repurpose and create something entirely different which is then useful and appreciated by everyone is very fulfilling."
World Earth Day is all about taking action to protect the planet we call home. As a fashion label, we are committed to being the most responsible brand we can be, for the environment, for our team, and for you - our wonderful customers. While we’re not perfect, we are moving forward with sustainability in front of our minds and big in our hearts. We are continually improving our processes and introducing new initiatives to reduce our environmental impact.
One of our promises to the planet is to ensure that any excess stock, fabric or faulty products are never sent to landfill.
Enter, Boomerang Bags.
Boomerang Bags is a global movement of volunteers who work together to transform post-consumer textile waste into reusable bags. This is a sustainable practice on two levels - shoppers are encouraged to move away from single-use plastic bags by using Boomerang Bags, and unwanted textiles are saved from going to landfill.
We have recently started working with our local Boomerang Bags Noosa community to donate our faulty garments and fabric offcuts to be turned into reusable shopper bags by their team of passionate volunteers. Making up the Boomerang Bags Noosa team is Ned, Janelle and Kim (painstaking cutting), Jo (putting colours together), Cisca (overlocking), Russell (printing), Wendy (heat pressing), and expert sewers Jan C, Jan I, Daphne,
Marg, Margaret, Gwen, Cath, Kate, Helen.
They have been sewing sustainable, reusable bags from post-consumer textiles since 2015. Over 7,000 bags are made locally each year from donated fabrics, saving tonnes of plastics and unwanted fabric from landfill. Twice a week, the group meets at Wallace House Noosa to sew the iconic bags.
We were lucky enough to hear from the Boomerang Bags Noosa team about exactly what goes into turning a faulty Boom garment into a one-of-a-kind reusable bag in the bright and colourful Boom prints that you know and love!
We set aside any faulty garments or fabric off-cuts that cannot be sold and donate these to the Boomerang Bags Noosa team.
Depending on the size of the garment, it can usually make 2-4 bags, including handles.
Every part of the donated garment is used, with smaller leftover pieces going to one of the volunteers who loves to create patchwork patterns on the front side of bags. Nothing
is wasted, even the leftover fabric and cut-off threads are used to stuff footstools.
As most of our Boom clothing is made from cotton, these products are typically made into mid-size shopper bags. Heavier weight fabrics are used to make larger heavy duty bags, cross body bags and yoga mat bags.
We set aside any faulty garments or fabric off-cuts that cannot be sold and donate these to the Boomerang Bags Noosa team.
Depending on the size of the garment, it can usually make 2-4 bags, including handles.
Every part of the donated garment is used, with smaller leftover pieces going to one of the volunteers who loves to create patchwork patterns on the front side of bags. Nothing
is wasted, even the leftover fabric and cut-off threads are used to stuff footstools.
As most of our Boom clothing is made from cotton, these products are typically made into mid-size shopper bags. Heavier weight fabrics are used to make larger heavy duty bags, cross body bags and yoga mat bags.
The Boomerang Bags team disassemble the garments and cut sections into 45cm squares, with one patterned side for the front and a single colour side for the back.
The handles are made from 70x11cm pieces of fabric, often utilising excess fabrics that are too small to make a bag itself, or sewing smaller pieces of fabric together into the right size.
Once the fabric for each side of the bag and the handles has been selected, the Boomerang Bags logo and two key messages are printed on the plain side - ‘our bags don’t cost the earth’ and ‘made by volunteers from recycled fabric.’ The reusable bag is the perfect spot to spread this message! The design is then heat set, ensuring that the print will be long lasting on the bag.
Finally, the front and back of the bag is over-locked together, the handles are stitched, then pinned to the bag and sewn on. It’s then ironed, admired and ready to sell!
The Boomerang Bags team disassemble the garments and cut sections into 45cm squares, with one patterned side for the front and a single colour side for the back.
The handles are made from 70x11cm pieces of fabric, often utilising excess fabrics that are too small to make a bag itself, or sewing smaller pieces of fabric together into the right size.
Once the fabric for each side of the bag and the handles has been selected, the Boomerang Bags logo and two key messages are printed on the plain side - ‘our bags don’t cost the earth’ and ‘made by volunteers from recycled fabric.’ The reusable bag is the perfect spot to spread this message! The design is then heat set, ensuring that the print will be long lasting on the bag.
Finally, the front and back of the bag is over-locked together, the handles are stitched, then pinned to the bag and sewn on. It’s then ironed, admired and ready to sell!
If you live in or are visiting the Noosa area, make sure to pop into Boomerang Bags to make a purchase and support their work.
You can browse the full range of Boomerang Bags at Wallace House in Noosaville or pick up a reusable shopper bag from various Noosa shops and businesses including Tewantin Market Garden, Fruits of Noosa, Organika and Noosa Library.
Any fabric donations are also greatly appreciated.
Thanks to Boomerang Bags Noosa, tonnes of post consumer textiles have been saved from landfill. This contribution to the local environment was celebrated when the team were named as finalists in the Sustainable Business section of the 2024 Noosa Biosphere Awards.
This World Earth Day, help spread the word, reduce, resuse, recycle, and do it in style with a Boomerang Bag!