Buying, using & letting go sustainablyđ
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Building a more sustainable wardrobe doesnât have to be hard. Itâs about small changes including knowing where your clothes came from and where they go once youâre done with them.
đ Start with smarter buying
Fast fashion is tempting. Itâs cheap, easy, and everywhere. But when somethingâs cheap at the checkout, it often comes at a different cost to people and to the environment.
Hereâs 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)
- Donât 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.Â
đ 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 doesnât mean the end. Got holes in kidsâ jeans? Cut them into shorts. Weâre huge fans of Repair CafĂ© 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 whÄnau.
â»ïž Rethink your end game
Even the best-loved clothes reach the end of their journey. But that doesnât mean they should go to landfill.
Hereâs what you can do instead:
đŠ Use a Ripple Collection Bag or Bin
Send your outgrown or unwanted kidsâ clothing to Ripple. Weâll sort it, reuse what we can in our Gear Boxes for tamariki, repair whatâs fixable, and recycle the rest. Nothing goes to waste.
đŸ 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.
đ The ripple effect
Every clothing choice you make has a ripple. From how itâs 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 youâre done - youâre helping build a future where clothing is valued, not wasted.
â»ïž Wear well. Pass it on.