Back

Low-Impact Living: What If Grocery Shopping Was the Easiest Climate Action?

Lanham Media on behalf of Box Divvy

Media release

 

Each September, Biodiversity Month invites Australians to reflect on the health of our ecosystems — from native wildlife and pollinators to the soil and water systems that sustain life. While many people associate environmental action with planting trees or avoiding plastic, one of the most powerful tools for change may be found in the kitchen.

 

Food systems are responsible for around one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions¹ and contribute significantly to biodiversity loss and pollution. In Australia, much of our produce travels long distances, is stored in cold rooms, and arrives tightly wrapped in plastic.

 

In response, more Australians are turning to community-led grocery models. One of these is Box Divvy — a network of over 330 neighbourhood-based food Hubs across NSW and the ACT, serving around 15,000 households. Members pre-order seasonal produce and pantry staples via an app, sourced from local farmers, ethical wholesalers and small suppliers.

 

“Food is where the environment, economy and community all converge,” says Jayne Travers-Drapes, co-founder of Box Divvy. “While many people feel powerless in the face of global environmental challenges, what we buy, eat, and support each week actually makes a significant difference.”

 

Box Divvy simplifies that decision-making. Members place weekly orders online, which are packed by local coordinators — often a neighbour — from their garage or home. The model reduces packaging, avoids over-supply and keeps food miles low.

 

Unlike conventional supply chains involving multiple storage and retail steps, Box Divvy produce is typically harvested within 48 hours of delivery and packed with minimal plastic. A large portion comes from farms on Sydney’s outskirts and regional NSW, including family-run operations growing everything from leafy greens and herbs to seasonal staples like cabbages, broccoli and chillies. Many of these farms are just an hour or two from Box Divvy’s South Granville packing shed, helping to keep food miles low and freshness high.

 

Australian households discard around 312 kilograms of food per year², often due to overbuying or confusion about expiry dates. Planning and pre-ordering helps reduce waste and reconnect people to food sources.

 

The platform also supports smaller Australian growers who prioritise fair pricing and transparency. Members can see what farmers are paid and select what goes into their box each week based on seasonality and budget.

 

For Shellharbour Hubster Philippa Robinson — a local member who coordinates and packs orders for their neighbourhood Hub — the impact is clear:

 

“For me, low-impact living is about progress, not perfection. With Box Divvy, I’m getting fresh food that lasts longer, so I’m wasting less and saving money. There’s so much less packaging — and what does come in, we reuse. I love knowing where my food comes from, often straight from growers in the Sydney Basin, and that they’re being paid fairly. It’s changed how I shop, because I only buy what I need and avoid all those impulse extras at the supermarket.”

 

It’s a sentiment shared by members across NSW and the ACT, and one that co-founder Jayne Travers-Drapes says reflects a growing desire for practical climate action.

 

“It’s not just about saving money or eating well — though those are big benefits,” Travers-Drapes says. “People want to live more lightly and do something practical that aligns with their values.”

 

5 Ways to Eat for the Planet

• Eat with the seasons – Reduces the need for cold storage and long-haul freight
• Support local – Cuts transport emissions and backs Aussie producers
• Reduce plastic – Choose unpackaged or low-packaging options
• Plan ahead – Shopping to a plan or pre-ordering helps prevent waste
• Know your source – Support transparent supply chains and fair pay for farmers

 

Examples of Low-Impact Products

Box Divvy encourages shoppers to think beyond labels and ask: Where did this come from? How was it produced? What’s the hidden cost?

Some current products reflecting this ethos include:

 

• Clover Field Shampoo & Conditioner Bars – each bar replaces 4–6 plastic bottles, helping reduce the roughly 300 million hair care bottles Australians buy each year.
• Ecokaps Cleaning Tablets & Laundry Sheets – concentrated, plastic-free refills that prevent countless bottles from going to landfill.
• About A Dog Toilet Paper – 100% recycled and Australian-made, avoiding the virgin pulp used in most big brands. Virgin pulp production in Australia consumes around three million trees annually, uses 10× more water and twice the energy of recycled paper, and contributes over 1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
• Marine-Grade Steel Clothes Pegs – designed to literally last a lifetime. Unlike wooden or plastic pegs that fall apart after a few months, or cheap steel ones that rust and snap, these pegs stay strong and rust-free for decades.

 

Media Contacts:
Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758
Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908

 

Available for interview:

• Jayne Travers-Drapes, co-founder of Box Divvy.
• Phillipa Robinson, and other available on request (NSW, ACT ad VIC)

 

Media Assets available here

 

About Box Divvy
Box Divvy is an innovative food cooperative connecting Australian farmers with local communities. Members order online and collect their groceries from a local Hub, often run by a neighbour. The offerings include fresh, seasonal produce, pantry staples, and chilled items, delivered quickly to ensure quality. With over 330 Hubs and 15,000 members across NSW and ACT and now VIC, Box Divvy provides a cost-effective alternative to supermarkets while ensuring farmers are fairly compensated. Learn more at www.boxdivvy.com.

 

References:

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00225-9
2. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/food-waste