Grounded Goods Borrow Box: Simple, Shareable, and Waste-Free
Why Borrow Box Exists
Every week, community events across Australia create mountains of single-use plastic
cups. They’re used for minutes, then tossed into landfill. We knew there had to be a better way.
That’s why Grounded Goods launched Borrow Box: a free cup-lending program for our local community that lets schools, kinders, charities, and local groups borrow reusable cups instead of buying disposables.
Over the past year, Borrow Box has been trialled across Melbourne. From trivia nights to fetes, parents and organisers embraced it. Guests noticed the difference. Together, we kept thousands of cups out of landfill, proving that small switches can make a big impact.
👉 Did you know? Australians use an estimated 1.8 billion disposable coffee cups each year, most of which can’t be recycled because of their plastic lining (ABC News).
Why We Created Borrow Box
At Grounded Goods, we exist to design products and systems that end single-use packaging. But we also believe in sharing the benefits of reuse with the communities around us.
Borrow Box is our way of giving back: making reuse accessible to Melbourne parent committees, schools, and local groups without adding cost or complexity. It’s a simple tool that shows kids, families, and neighbours how easy it can be to celebrate without waste.
But we can only reach so far by ourselves. This is why we are now offering for local councils to join us, and offer their local community a Borrow Box.
By investing in local Borrow Boxes, councils not only cut landfill, they help create a culture of community pride in sustainability.
How Borrow Box Works
Borrow Box is designed to be easy, low-admin, and high-impact:
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Book a box through us or your council.
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Collect the reusable cups in a waterproof tub.
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Use them at your event instead of disposables.
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Wash and return the cups, ready for the next group.
That’s it, a simple circular system where the cups keep circulating, and the waste disappears.
On average, a single Borrow Box can replace 5,000–10,000 disposable cups a year, depending on how often it’s borrowed.
👉 Did you know? Every Grounded Goods reusable cup only needs 7–19 uses to break even on its environmental footprint compared to disposables.
Why Councils Will Love It
With a one-off investment, councils can give their communities permanent access to Borrow Boxes, kept in libraries, depots, or neighbourhood houses, ready to be borrowed year-round.
Community groups tell us they value Borrow Box because it:
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Helps meet waste and sustainability targets
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Offers practical support for schools and local groups
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Is easy to run, with no ongoing costs
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Uses Australian-made, B Corp certified, closed loop products.
It is a visible, hands-on way to show sustainability in action - while saving money on disposable cups and waste management.
What’s Inside a Borrow Box
Each Borrow Box includes:
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Reusable cups (Activation Cup, Uppercup, or Wine Cup options)
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A waterproof, sealable tub for safe storage and transport
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Optional pad printing with your council logo or a "Return me" slogan.
Different box types suit different events:
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Activation Cup Box: simple, durable, practical for fairs and BBQs.
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Uppercup Box: premium feel, perfect for coffee or wine service.
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Wine Cup Box: focused, affordable option for council or community gatherings.
Real Stories - Real Impact
Borrow Box has already made a difference:
“We used Borrow Box for our kinder’s annual trivia night and it was such a hit! Not only did we avoid piles of single-use cups, but the cups looked great and were super easy to clean and return.”
– Belinda C., Fundraising Coordinator
👉 Did you know? If just 50 councils ran Borrow Boxes, the combined impact could replace millions of disposable cups each year
“Our Kewmunity event aimed to be as sustainable as possible, and Borrow Box helped us hit the mark. The process was seamless: pick up, use, wash, return.”
– Katie Hirstova, Community Event Organiser
Ready to Bring Borrow Box to Your Community?
The Borrow Box pilot has proven the idea works. With your support, it can become the new normal for school fairs, fundraisers, and grassroots events.
By investing once, your council can empower residents to run waste-free events at zero cost - year after year. Send this blog to your local council or get in touch with us directly for more details. We would love to chat!
