How to reduce kids clothing waste (without buying less)

Kids clothing generates more waste per child than almost any other clothing category. The reason is simple: children grow fast. A size that fits in March is often too small by August. Multiply that across infancy, toddlerhood, and early childhood and you have a significant volume of clothing cycling through a household every few years.

The good news is that most kids clothing waste is preventable. The problem is not that kids grow: it is that the clothing purchased for them is often bought in too large quantities, made too cheaply to last, and discarded rather than passed on when outgrown.

Start with fewer, better pieces

The most effective single change is buying less and choosing better. A toddler does not need 20 tops. They need 6 to 8 that work well, coordinate easily, and hold up to real use.

When you reduce quantity and increase quality, a few things happen. The per-garment cost goes up, but the cost per wear drops significantly. The pieces that survive the season in good condition are then worth passing on, donating, or reselling, which keeps them out of landfill and often recoups some of the original cost.

Our kids tops are made from 100% cotton and cut to hold their shape through multiple seasons. That is not a luxury spec: it is the basic requirement for a garment that is genuinely worth buying.

Extend life through care

How you wash and store clothing has a significant impact on how long it lasts. A few habits that make a real difference:

• Cold wash: Hot water breaks down fibres faster and causes shrinkage in natural fabrics. Cold water is gentler and uses less energy.
• Inside out: Washing garments inside out protects printed or dyed surfaces from abrasion against other fabrics.
• Air dry: Tumble drying degrades natural fibres over time and causes shrinkage. Hanging cotton to dry extends its life significantly.
• Repair early: A loose button or small tear addressed immediately takes minutes. Left for later it becomes a reason to discard the garment.

Size up where it makes sense

Buying one size up for non-fitted pieces, particularly pants, can double the useful life of a garment. Our stripe trackpants are cut with a relaxed fit and an adjustable waist, which means they work across a wider age range than a fitted pant would.

The key is distinguishing between pieces where fit matters (tops, fitted jackets) and pieces where it does not (trackpants, sleep shorts, casual knits). For the latter, a size up is often invisible on a toddler and adds 6 to 12 months of useful life.

Pass on before the quality drops

Kids clothing that is in good condition when outgrown has real value. Pass it on to younger siblings, friends, or neighbours first. If that is not an option, list it on a local resale platform or take it to a clothing swap.

The Tweed Shire Council textile waste program is one example of local initiatives in Australia that accept clothing donations and divert them from landfill. Most councils have some form of textile collection; it is worth checking what is available in your area. (tweed.nsw.gov.au)

Clothing that has been damaged or worn through can still go to textile recyclers rather than general waste. In Australia, brands like Upparel accept worn and damaged clothing for fibre recycling.

Choose natural fibres

Synthetic fabrics shed microplastics with every wash and do not biodegrade at end of life. Natural fibres like cotton decompose over time and do not add to the microplastic load in water systems.

This does not mean synthetic fabrics have no place in a kids wardrobe: some performance applications benefit from them. But for everyday items like tops, pants, and pyjamas, 100% cotton is the better choice for both longevity and end-of-life impact.

The AW26 Capsule One is built entirely in natural fabrics for this reason.

Buy secondhand first

Before buying new, check secondhand. Kids clothing in smaller sizes is often nearly unworn because of how quickly children outgrow it. Op shops, Facebook Marketplace, and clothing swaps are reliable sources for quality pieces at lower prices, and buying secondhand extends the life of existing garments rather than generating demand for new production.

Keep new purchases for the items where secondhand is hard to find in the right size and condition, or for pieces where fit and construction matter enough that quality cannot be compromised.

You can browse the full Saint Toba range if you are looking for new pieces designed to last across multiple children.

Frequently asked questions

How much clothing waste do kids generate?

Children's clothing generates substantial textile waste because kids outgrow clothes quickly, often after only a few wears. Australia sends hundreds of thousands of tonnes of textiles to landfill annually, and children's clothing is a significant part of that stream.

What can I do with outgrown kids clothing?

Pass on to younger siblings or friends, donate to op shops, list on resale platforms, or donate to textile recycling programs. Clothing in good condition has the most options; damaged clothing can go to textile recyclers rather than general waste.

Does buying more expensive kids clothing reduce waste?

It can, if the higher price reflects better construction and materials. A well-made cotton garment that holds its shape through multiple children and resells well does produce less waste per unit of use than a cheap piece that pills and fades after one season.

How do I make kids clothing last longer?

Wash in cold water, turn garments inside out, air dry rather than tumble dry, and repair minor damage immediately. Choosing 100% natural fibres like cotton also helps: they wash and wear better than synthetic blends over time.

Is secondhand kids clothing safe?

Yes, in most cases. Wash secondhand clothing before use and check for damage to fastenings or seams. For clothing, secondhand is safe and reduces demand for new production.