Buying, using & letting go sustainably

Building a more sustainable wardrobe doesn’t have to be hard. It’s about small changes including knowing where your clothes came from and where they go once you’re done with them.

👚 Start with smarter buying

Fast fashion is tempting. It’s cheap, easy, and everywhere. But when something’s cheap at the checkout, it often comes at a different cost to people and to the environment.

Here’s how to shop more mindfully:

Buy less, choose well. Do you love it? Will you wear it multiple times? If not, leave it behind.

Check the label. Natural fibres like cotton, wool and linen are usually a better choice. They:

- Break down faster in landfill (synthetics can take hundreds of years)

- Don’t release microplastics when washed

- Are often less reliant on toxic chemicals in production

- Tend to be more breathable and longer-lasting with care

Purchase second-hand. Op shops, online swap groups and vintage markets are full of gems - better for your wallet and the planet.

Support local or ethical brands. If you can, choose businesses that pay workers fairly and produce responsibly. 

👖 Make it last

The most sustainable clothes? The ones already in your wardrobe.

You can extend the life of your clothes with a few simple habits:

Repair and patch. A popped button or small hole doesn’t mean the end. Got holes in kids’ jeans? Cut them into shorts. We’re huge fans of Repair Café Aotearoa and Florence Saves Clothes if you need a hand.

Swap and share. Kids grow fast. Host a clothing swap or pass on good quality pieces to friends and whānau.

♻️ Rethink your end game

Even the best-loved clothes reach the end of their journey. But that doesn’t mean they should go to landfill.

Here’s what you can do instead:

💦 Use a Ripple Collection Bag or Bin
Send your outgrown or unwanted kids’ clothing to Ripple. We’ll sort it, reuse what we can in our Gear Boxes for tamariki, repair what’s fixable, and recycle the rest. Nothing goes to waste.

🐾 Reuse at home

Old tees? Turn them into cleaning rags.

Worn-out jerseys? Cut them into stuffing for pet beds, draft stoppers, or a DIY punching bag.

Tired towels and blankets? Check with your local animal shelter or SPCA - they often need these for animal bedding or crate liners.

Shabby fabric scraps? Patchwork, doll clothes, craft projects - get creative.

🌊 The ripple effect

Every clothing choice you make has a ripple. From how it’s made to where it ends up, small changes add up to big impact.

By buying less and better, looking after what you have and choosing circular options when you’re done - you’re helping build a future where clothing is valued, not wasted.

♻️ Wear well. Pass it on.