How We Give Back
At Sweet Cheeks Merino, giving back is part of who we are. We're passionate about creating a business that not only delivers exceptional quality but also contributes positively to our planet and community. Our approach to giving back centres around four key pillars:
- Creating long-lasting, high-quality, and sustainably made products
- Minimising waste and reducing our environmental footprint
- Supporting our community and families in need
- Championing local manufacturing and small family-run businesses
Reducing Waste, Creating Purpose
In any clothing production process, there's always some degree of waste — fabric offcuts, samples, end-of-line items, and the occasional faulty product. Rather than letting these pieces end up in landfill, we’ve found meaningful ways to reuse and repurpose them:
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Fabric offcuts that are large enough to be made into useful items (like mittens or beanies) but aren’t needed in our production line are donated to wonderful organisations like The Nest Collective. Their team of volunteers turns these cut pieces into finished garments, gifting them to families in need across Aotearoa.
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Smaller scraps, too tiny to sew, are bundled by our team and used as filling for punching bags. These are then donated to schools across New Zealand — giving the material a second life and helping young people stay active.
- Because our clothing is made from 100% natural Merino wool, even the tiniest leftover pieces can be added to compost. They break down naturally and nourish the soil — no microplastics, just goodness from nature.
Supporting Charities and Families in Need
Over the years, we've proudly supported a range of charities across both Australia and New Zealand.
You can find a list of our charity partners here.
And now, we’re excited to expand our impact:
From 1 June 2025, for every baby or kids' beanie we sell, we’ll donate another to a deserving charity to pass on to a baby in need.
Because no baby should grow up cold.
Our Packaging
We are pretty proud of our packaging. We have switched from cellophane bags to premium paper swing tags. Not only have we eliminated all plastic from our packaging, but the swing tags are 100% recyclable.
So not only are you purchasing clothes that are free from micro-plastics (unlike all synthetic fabrics), you can rest easy knowing that our packaging won't harm the environment either.
Our Fight Against Fast Fashion
We want your Sweet Cheeks to last. Nothing makes us happier than when we hear from our customers that their Sweet Cheeks Merino bodysuit has been passed down two or three times.
We know just how expensive having a baby can be. From strollers and high chairs to toys, books and nappies. Cared for right, your Sweet Cheeks items should last for years and years to come.
Learn how to care for your items here.