A promotion strategy will keep you on track when developing and distributing communications about your new reusable system. Keep it simple - include details about communication channels, release dates, and resources needed. There is a Promotion Strategy Template included in the Downloads section below.

You can use promotional avenues – such as social media and booking platforms, to inform customers about your reuse initiatives before they attend. Be sure to emphasise the positive environmental and social impacts of their participation. Below are a few ideas. Social media Use social media, groups, and ads to inform potential customers about your sustainability commitments. Encourage customers to bring their own reusable items such as water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags via Instagram, TikTok or Facebook posts. Highlight incentives like discounts, competitions, or free vouchers for those who take part. Share engaging content on the 'why' behind your waste reduction efforts (e.g., reducing marine pollution, avoiding litter, cutting down on waste etc.). Only show reusables on your social media content, avoiding single-use items. Website Include a page about your organisations sustainability initiatives, specifically your reusable foodware. Explain why and how you are going plastic free. Include any specific plastic-free goals and/or targets. Update your website with data that shows how you are tracking towards those goals. Include a case study about your plastic-free initiatives. Booking communications Send reminder emails or SMS messages in the days leading up to your customer’s experience. Provide a checklist of what they should bring, such as reusables. Add a footer to your emails that promotes your plastic-free stance (e.g. “We are making the switch to reusables!”). Traditional media Send out a media release to the local newspapers/radio about your reusable project. Include a great image to give you the best chance of having your story picked up.

Promotion onsite can be used to achieve several things, including: Communicating where reusable facilities are located. Communicating how to use reusable systems and water refill stations. Reminding people that your tourism experience is a sustainable one. Below are a few ideas. Signage Use signs to remind customers to return their borrowed reusables. Place visually effective signs around your departure building and/or vessel to reinforce the plastic-free message. Include clear instructions on how to use your reusable systems, water refill and waste stations. Use engaging language and visuals to make your messaging noticeable. Ensure that sustainability communications are accessible to all customers, considering language diversity and disabilities. This might include multilingual signage or materials in braille. Use signs and announcements to remind customers to return their borrowed reusables. Highlight the impact they’re making by taking part. Staff as sustainability ambassadors Train staff to engage with customers and explain sustainability practices. Position them in high traffic areas as arrival/departure points and food service areas. Encourage positive interactions and provide guidance on answering any FAQ’s you expect. Interactive engagement Host activities or workshops that reinforce sustainability messages (e.g., public talks, sustainability workshops). Use digital engagement tools like QR codes linking to sustainability tips. Capture customer engagement through social media by encouraging them to share their reusables using specific hashtags. Use mobile apps or webpages to provide interactive maps and highlight sustainability features like reusable foodware and water refill stations.

It’s time to celebrate your wins!  Post videos of your reusable system on social media. If you can do short interviews with customers and include snippets of what they had to say - even better! Compile any data you have around how much waste you have saved by going reusable and create social media posts about it. Be sure to update the sustainability page of your website with statistics around how much waste you’ve saved.