In a world where 92 million tons of textile waste are produced every year, we take responsibility by reclaiming, repurposing, and returning value to what would otherwise be discarded. Little Treehugger is a South African, female-owned upcycling brand dedicated to rewriting the story of fast fashion.
Each piece invites you to be part of the circular economy—where waste is reclaimed, women-led livelihoods are strengthened, and the planet is restored through conscious choice. One upcycled piece at the time.
The fashion industry’s waste crisis is real—and we are rewriting its story through creativity, accountability, and collective action.
A HEavy Load
The world produces a staggering 92 million tons of textile waste every single year. That is a lot of extra weight for our planet to carry.
The Landfill Trap
Approximately 85% of unwanted clothing ends up sitting in landfills or being incinerated. We step in to rescue these fabrics before they get thrown away.
The Missing Loop
Shockingly, less than 1% of materials used to make clothing are recycled into new clothes. We are working to close that loop by turning old scraps into new treasures.
Room for Improvement
On a global scale, only 12% of textiles are recycled. We believe unlikely materials deserve a second life, increasing that number one stitch at a time.
The Speed of Waste
Fast fashion’s breakneck pace—where garments are designed, sold, and discarded in ever-shortening cycles has led to global clothing production doubling between 2000 and 2015—without change textile waste is projected to hit 134 million tons by 2030.
Unraveling the Crisis
We’ve seen the waste statistics, but what fuels them? A "throwaway culture" driven by rapid consumption has disconnected us from the value of our clothes. Here is how the demand for cheap, fast fashion impacts our world.
Rapid Consumption
We are living in a "take-make-waste" culture that fuels the rapid consumption of cheap clothing. This hyper-standardisation encourages us to discard items almost as quickly as we buy them.
10% of Global Emissions
Fast fashion leaves a heavy mark on our atmosphere. The industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. That’s more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined!
20% of Water Pollution
The fashion industry causes 20% of global industrial water pollution through resource extraction and toxic dyes, impacting clean water sources for communities worldwide.
Just as no two trees in a forest are identical, no two Little Treehugger creations are exactly alike. Because we craft from rescued fabrics and cast-off textiles, our colors and prints change with every batch we save. Browse our current collection of one-of-a-kind treasures.
As we give textiles new life, we also create new livelihoods in our community. Our workshop provides green jobs and hands-on training for local women and youth, empowering them with sustainable skills. Every piece you buy is crafted under ethical conditions, supporting a future where meaningful work and creativity go hand in hand.
