Crushes' clothing swap was a fast-fashion revolution

K Road store Crushes hosted Aotearoa’s largest clothing swap last weekend and it spoke volumes about conscious consumerism.

More than 400 people gathered on a carpark rooftop in Mercury Lane, each bringing in up to 10 pre-loved clothing items to swap for new treasures.

The goal was to make second-hand shopping accessible, cheap and sustainable and reduce clothing waste.

Leftover clothing was quality-checked and donated to the Salvation Army and Auckland City Mission stores.

“Over 50 per cent of their donations are sent to landfill so they cherished the 100 kgs of sellable clothing,” said Crushes founder, Rose Hope.

New Zealand sends an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill every year, which releases toxic greenhouse gases.

In 2008, the Ministry for the Environment estimated that 4 per cent of waste consisted of textiles; however, Auckland Council estimated a rise to 8 per cent in 2020 and 14 per cent by 2040.

Crushes sells second-hand clothing and locally sourced products and promotes sustainability to customers on social media.

“We share our environmental discoveries on Instagram and Facebook so our following can make their own informed decisions," says Hope.

“Our store celebrates second-hand by sharing the process and stories of who makes the goods, how, and why.”

They incorporate environmentalism into all aspects of the business, such as opting for uncoated-plastic, bpa-free receipt paper and giving five to 10 per cent discounts to customers who return their candle vessels.

Unsold items are exported to countries like Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Chile, India and Philippines.

“Our brand message is if you have to buy something, then there is a shop that puts your money into positive places for the earth and her people."