Cyber sale. Buy now. Last chance. Who’s exhausted? Every November seems to come with its own flashing billboard. The inbox fills, the pressure builds and suddenly every second ad is shouting about Black Friday. It’s big, it’s loud and it’s impossible to ignore.
A while back, a quieter idea emerged in response to all of that: Green Friday. It didn't become as mainstream as Black Friday, but the thinking behind it is still worth talking about.
Green Friday was never about avoiding a bargain or criticising people for buying what they need. It simply encouraged people to pause for a moment and choose well-made pieces instead of the quick fixes that fall apart before the new year.
And that is where we land too. Black Friday exists, people are searching for it, and many families wait for this time of year to afford the things they genuinely need. The Green Friday mindset can sit comfortably inside that reality.
Here is what it means to us, where it came from, and how it shapes our Black Friday sales approach at The Low Tox Project.
Where Green Friday came from
Green Friday grew out of a growing discomfort around overconsumption. As Black Friday sales spread across the world, so did the mountains of returns, packaging, fast fashion and “cheap for a reason” items ending up in the bin by January.
A range of environmental groups and small brands started encouraging a different kind of November. Not a ban on shopping, but a shift in how and why we buy.
The idea was simple. Buy less, buy better, buy something that will still be useful long after the neon sign fades.
And it still holds up today. Data from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) shows Australia produces more than 75 million tonnes of waste each year. Waste volumes consistently rise over the Christmas and back to school period, often because of short lived items and impulse buys.
Green Friday’s message is straightforward. Choose things that last.
Why Australians embrace Black Friday
Black Friday wasn’t always a thing here. But it didn’t take long for it to become one of the biggest shopping periods in the Australian calendar. Many people now plan for it, save for it and wait until late November to buy items they already intend to buy.
And honestly, using the term “Black Friday” just makes sense. It is what people search for. It’s the language they expect. It’s how they compare offers.
Our values sit behind the scenes, but using the widely recognised term helps people find us during a time when every dollar matters. Once they land with us, that’s where intention takes over.
Why some sustainable brands opt out of Black Friday
For brands built around conscious living, Black Friday can feel like a complete clash. All the noise, all the pressure, all the excess. It’s understandable that some choose not to take part at all.
But here's the part that often gets skipped... Choosing sustainable options is not always the cheapest path. The cost of living is high. Many households are doing the best they can, and sometimes a low-cost item that lasts a few months feels like the only realistic option.
That is exactly why we show up. This is one of the rare moments when we can make long lasting, low tox pieces more accessible for more people.
Black Friday becomes a door that helps people try better options without stretching their budget past breaking point.
How we approach Black Friday at The Low Tox Project
We price our products as fairly as we can all year. Stainless steel is expensive to manufacture when safety, quality and low toxins are core brand values. So we don’t raise prices just to discount them later.
But a Black Friday sale gives our community room to:
- Try stainless steel for the first time
- Replace bakeware that has started to peel or warp
- Choose gifts that break by Boxing Day
- Stock up on favourites they use all the time
- Invest in safer pieces at a price that feels more manageable
For us, this isn't about selling more things. It's about helping people bring quality low tox pieces into their kitchens, without the usual barrier of cost. That's the part of Green Friday worth keeping.
What is Green Friday to us?
For us, Green Friday simply means:
- Choosing materials that go the distance
- Investing in pieces that won’t need replacing next year
- Buying fewer things and using them often
- Looking at the long term, not the short term discount
- Supporting small businesses with transparent values
Stainless steel has always aligned with this way of thinking. It’s strong, uncoated, reusable and designed to stay in your kitchen for years. That is sustainable by nature, not because of a trend.
How to shop consciously this Black Friday
If you want to combine the best of both worlds, here are a few ideas:
- Decide what you actually need before you start scrolling.
- Look for materials that last.
- Think about cost per use, not just the tag price.
- Avoid the items that seem too cheap to be true.
- Stick with brands you trust and believe in.
Intentional shopping doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to feel right for your home.
Our Low Tox Project Black Friday sale
This year, we're keeping things simple. 20% off storewide (excluding gift cards) starting Thursday, 27 November at 9pm (AEDT).
We have an early access special for our email subscribers, so if you're not already on the list, sign up here and keep an eye on your emails this Thursday.
If you're curious about stainless steel, want to upgrade or need a few pieces to round out your kitchen, this is the easiest time of year to do it.
Shopping Green all year round
The mindset behind Green Friday applies long after November ends. Buying fewer items that last is one of the most cost effective choices a household can make.
Stainless steel pays itself off over time. You buy it once, it serves you for years, and you avoid replacing coated bakeware over and over again.
Black Friday might get the attention, but Green Friday is the part that sticks with you the rest of the year. And that is exactly where The Low Tox Project sits.
