A better way to wear: your guide to buying, using & letting go of clothing sustainably
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Building a more sustainable wardrobe doesn’t have to be hard. It’s about small changes, like knowing where your clothes came from and where they go once you’re done with them.
Whether you’re trying to shop better, clear out the kids’ drawers, or make the most of what you’ve already got - this guide has you covered.
👚 Start with smarter buying
Fast fashion is tempting. It’s cheap, easy, and everywhere. But when something’s super cheap at the checkout, it often comes at a different cost to people and to the planet.
Here’s how to shop more mindfully:
Buy less, choose well.
Ask yourself: Do I love it? Will I wear it multiple times? If not, leave it behind.
Check the label.
Natural fibres like Cotton, Hemp, Jute, Linen, Silk, and Wool are usually a better choice. They:
Break down faster in landfill
Unlike synthetics, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, natural fibres biodegrade much more quickly - making them a better option for the planet.
Don’t release microplastics when washed
Every time you wash synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon, tiny plastic fibres shed from the fabric. These are called microplastics and they’re a growing environmental issue. A single wash can release up to 750,000 fibres, many of which pass through water treatment systems and end up in our oceans and waterways.
Are often less reliant on toxic chemicals in production
Natural fibres are generally grown and processed with fewer chemical inputs than synthetic ones like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Choosing natural materials can help reduce exposure to harmful substances for both the people making the clothes and the people wearing them.
Tend to be more breathable and longer-lasting with care
Natural fabrics often feel more comfortable on the skin, and when looked after well, they can go the distance - lasting longer and aging better over time.
Common synthetic fabrics to watch out for:
Acrylic, Elastane, Fleece, Nylon, Polyester, Spandex
These materials are plastic-based, take hundreds of years to break down, and are a major source of microplastic pollution when washed.
Purchase second-hand.
Op shops, online swap groups and vintage markets are full of gems, better for your wallet and the planet. One of our favourites is everlasting.org.nz.
Support local or ethical brands.
If you can, choose businesses that produce locally (reducing the carbon footprint of shipping), pay workers fairly and prioritise responsible production.
👖 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 big fans of our friends at Repair Café Aotearoa and Florence Saves Clothes if you need a hand.
Choose cold washes and liquid detergents.
Washing your clothes in cold water uses significantly less energy than warm or hot cycles and it’s better for your garments too. Liquid detergents tend to be gentler on fabrics than powders, helping your clothes last longer and reducing fibre shedding, which contributes to microplastic pollution in our waterways.
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.
🐾 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? Use for patchwork, doll clothes, or craft projects.
🔍 Why It Matters
In Aotearoa, we send around 220,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill each year.
Textiles may only make up 5–6% of landfill by volume, but they produce around three times their weight in CO₂ emissions. That means they’re responsible for nearly 30% of landfill’s total carbon impact - a heavy footprint for something we often throw away without a second thought.
At the same time, 1 in 8 Kiwi kids grow up without access to basics like warm, well-fitting clothes.
The way we buy and let go of clothing can either feed this cycle or help change it.
🌊 The Ripple Effect
Every clothing choice you make has a ripple. From how it’s made to where it ends up, small changes really do add up.
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.
Read more? Here's a short guide on how to clear out other household items sustainably - beyond clothing