New Zealand is facing a growing crisis in clothing and textile waste. Every year, approximately 180,000 tonnes of textiles are dumped in our landfills. That’s the equivalent of around 44 kg per person annually — and much of it is perfectly wearable clothing that ends up polluting our soil and waterways.

The rise of fast fashion has played a major role in this waste. Mass-produced, low-cost clothing is often worn just a few times before being tossed. The result? A mountain of fabric waste that takes decades to decompose, releasing methane and toxic dyes in the process.

Why It Matters for Kiwi Families At My Little Thrifter, we believe in doing things differently. We curate high-quality, branded kids’ clothing that’s been rescued from landfill — giving it a second life in a new wardrobe. This means:

• Fewer clothes in landfill

• Less demand for new clothing production

• Reduced environmental impact

What You Can Do

• Buy second-hand or vintage when possible

• Avoid fast fashion brands with high turnover

• Take care of the clothes you already own

• Donate or resell items your kids outgrow

Together, we can make a serious dent in New Zealand’s clothing waste — one adorable outfit at a time.