mimimono

Production locations

• Amsterdam 

Working Conditions & Living Wages

mimimono is a one woman show! Hannah sketches, designs, and makes everything in her Amsterdam studio. With her laser cutter she cuts out all the shapes from 100% recycled acrylic sheets. After this, she assembles and packages everything herself. This way we can ensure that every piece is carefully and ethically made. 

Materials

• Recycled acrylic 
• Stainless steel 

Every piece of jewellery is made from Greencast® recycled pre and post consumer acrylic waste. Hannah explains that pre-consumer waste was discarded before it was ready for consumer use, like manufacturing scraps. Post-consumer waste is acrylic which has already served another purpose. This way, no new acrylic is needed, reducing the brand’s consumption of raw materials. 

Stainless steel is used for the additional parts of the jewellery, which Hannah sources from a Dutch supplier. 

Packaging

mimimono jewellery is always packaged in fully recyclable, more sustainable materials, such as a more eco-friendly foam. In a dialogue with COSH!, Hannah informed us that the packaging is made in Sweden. 

Water usage & chemicals

The use of recycled acrylic means that the water and chemical consumption of mimimono is minimal. In fact, Greencast® recycled acrylic conforms with REACH regulations, guaranteeing that this material is free from harmful chemicals. 

The brand uses an acid and solvent-free polymer glue for the construction of the pieces. 

Circular product design

As well as using recycled acrylic, Hannah states that she likes to collect all leftover scraps from her production for them to be recycled back into new acrylic sheets. By limiting her use of raw materials and promoting circularity, the environmental impact of this brand is greatly reduced. 

NOTE: Jewellery is generally easy to recycle and lasts a long time.

Circular business models

Hannah advises consumers not to wear mimimono earrings in the water, as salt and chlorine can discolour the acrylic and make the bonding glue between the pieces less stable. 

As every item is handmade, Hannah invites consumers to contact her if anything happens to their jewellery, as she can probably help you find a solution. By encouraging repairs and proper care, mimimono jewellery is more likely to enjoy a long lifespan, and less likely to end up as waste. 

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

Production locations

• The Netherlands 

Every piece is handcrafted in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Hannah aims to always work with European suppliers to keep the overall supply chain short. The Greencast® recycled acrylic is produced in Italy, and sourced locally from Dutch suppliers. Unfortunately a lack of traceability makes it very difficult for a small business like mimimono to source the exact production location of the stainless steel parts. However, Hannah has informed COSH! that she sources these pieces from a Dutch supplier too. 

Transportation

mimimono does not disclose what transportation methods they use, however as all the production is based in Europe, and mostly local to the Netherlands, the associated emissions are reduced. The brand offers shipping to the EU, the UK, US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. 

Although mimimono is not a certified vegan brand, only stainless steel and recycled acrylic are used, avoiding any animal-derived materials. 

Product design

Alongside the ready-to-order collection, Hannah also offers custom jewellery. Whether you love an existing design, but would prefer it in a different colour, or want to work with Hannah to create an entirely new piece, mimimono is perfect for making your jewellery visions come to life! This custom order service helps to create truly unique jewellery that will be treasured for years to come. 

What’s more, Greencast® recycled acrylic has a 10 year guarantee so you can be sure of lasting colourfastness even after years of weather exposure! 

Slow fashion processes

The custom-order service not only ensures the creation of more treasured pieces, but also helps to prevent waste from overproduction. mimimono’s other pieces are made in small collections, which also supports slow fashion processes. Hannah has explained that she prefers to make new pieces when she feels inspired to do so, and normally only releases a couple of new models each year. This slow, considered approach means that she can avoid participating in sales periods, and guarantee that all her stock is used up, effectively eliminating waste. 

Transparency on product

Every piece is handcrafted by designer Hannah Kay, at her studio in Amsterdam, so you’ll never be in doubt about the origin of your pieces! The product pages also state what materials were used, promoting further transparency. Unfortunately the exact origin of the stainless steel parts can’t be traced by a small business like mimimono. 

Transparency on processes

Hannah provides high levels of transparency about the creation of every mimimono piece as every step of the final manufacturing process is conducted solely by her. Additionally, she has openly shared details about her practices with COSH!, helping us to verify the overall sustainability efforts of the brand.